Willow's Christening.

Yesterday was the christening of Willow, the daughter of one of my best pals. It was great to see so many of Kevin and Victoria’s family and friends turn out for her big day.

It was my first time photographing a christening but was at ease because I was surrounded by friends. The ceremony took place at St. Bartholomew’s church in Creswell, a lovely little church in a great location just a minutes’ walk from the beach. When me and a couple of lads pulled up to the church there were already a few people there waiting and it wasn’t long before the churchyard was full waiting for Willow’s arrival.

Victoria and Kevin arrived and wearing a lovely white christening dress Willow joined them. Everyone greeted them before we entered the church for the ceremony to begin. The grade 2 listed church had been modernised inside but it didn’t take anything away, a lovely stained-glass window let in some light that lit up the apse ready for he vicar to lead the ceremony.

It was a lovely ceremony with the vicar involving some of the other children before inviting Willow to the front of the church to be have the symbol of the cross marked on her forehead by her parents and god parents, after one more prayer the congregation made their way to the font.

With everyone gathered and with Kevin and Victoria wearing proud smiles the vicar began to baptise Willow, just like many children and some adults she wasn’t keen on the water being poured on her but it was soon over and after a few more words from the vicar and we all took our seats again for the ceremony to finish.

Before leaving the church, we stopped to get a few little group photos with the godparents and the very beautiful grandparents who looked just as proud as their son and daughter before we made our way to the miner’s institute in Lynemouth for a few drinks. There was a fabulous buffet there and a bouncy castle! Much to the disappointment of some adults including myself the children took charge of the bouncy castle so we couldn’t have a go! It was a great day and you could clearly see the love between Kevin, Victoria and Willow.

I have been to many christenings but this was my first I have been asked to photograph, although it was for a good friend I was nervous in case I did not get the shots they wanted or I missed something. I have turned down these events in the past through fear of making a mistake but doing this for a good friend has given me a little more confidence for the future….. it was also helped by Willow who im sure you will all agree is a beautiful and photogenic bairn.