Ukrainian Orthodox Baby Baptism in the East Village, Manhattan
This two-hour shoot captured a beautifully layered moment — the baptism of a baby in a mixed-culture family, with Dad’s Ukrainian roots and Mom’s Chinese heritage coming together in one very heartfelt celebration.
Taking place at the All Saints Ukrainian Church in the East Village, a space full of golden light, incense, and quiet reverence, Orthodox baptisms are intricate, symbolic, and deeply visual — which makes them incredible to photograph. From the soft expressions of the parents and godparents to the baby’s tiny reactions to each step of the ritual.
Ceremonies like this require a calm, experienced hand — someone who knows when to step back, when to anticipate key moments, and how to make everyone feel at ease even in a sacred space. If you’re planning a family event or religious milestone, this kind of coverage ensures that the intimacy and beauty of the day are preserved for years to come.
Here are some of my favorite images from this shoot (click/tap to view full-size and un-cropped):
To see more examples of this style of photography, visit my religious ceremonies gallery >>
All images in this blog post were shot on a Nikon D850, using a variety of lenses, all individually post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Jinnifer Douglass is a full-time freelance photographer based in NYC, shooting both digital and film for individuals and brands such as Google, Door Dash, Make Up For Ever, Squarespace, and more! Specializing in portraits, food, and special events, she works to make every piece of your social and website content ‘Insta-worthy’ with high resolution, full-frame DSLR photography and expert Lightroom editing. Interested in chatting? Leave a comment below, or send an email to info@jinyc-photo.com!