In the heart of Brooklyn Heights, I recently photographed a Catholic baby baptism with a unique twist—it took place in a Maronite church. Originating from Lebanon, this church brings its rich cultural heritage and customs to the Catholic faith. Unlike traditional Roman Catholic baptisms, Maronite baptisms often incorporate elements such as the anointing of the child's body with oil and the use of a special ritual book known as the Maronite Rite. What made this baptism at the Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church particularly poignant was the fusion of cultures represented by the parents—a Lebanese mother and an Irish father, both devout Catholics. It was a beautiful reminder that no matter our geographic differences, the bonds of faith can unite us in celebration and joy.

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!