A Special Connection: Photographing a Romanian Baptism in Brussels

Recently, I noticed something interesting — a large number of my non-Belgian clients are Romanian. Perhaps they feel a connection to my photographic style, or perhaps it reflects the strength of the Romanian community here in Brussels. Either way, it has led me to some truly meaningful experiences.

This time, for instance, I was invited to photograph a baby’s christening at the breathtaking  St. Paraskeva Romanian Orthodox Church. Located in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode. This remarkable church has a rich history. Originally built as the Catholic Chapelle Sainte-Julienne between 1884 and 1886, it was later entrusted to the Romanian Orthodox community and transformed into an Orthodox place of worship.

Moreover, since 1985, Orthodoxy has been officially recognized as one of the religions in Belgium, allowing churches like this one to fully practice their liturgical traditions.

For the first time, I had the opportunity to photograph an Orthodox baptism in a space that truly enhanced the visual storytelling. The church was filled with shimmering candlelight reflecting off the golden icon frames, creating a soft, almost hypnotic glow. Just as importantly, the space itself was generous and open — which meant I could move freely and choose the best possible angles without restriction.

Equally, the priest was incredibly supportive. Rather than limiting my movement, he allowed me to work intuitively and even helped create moments that translated beautifully into photographs.

As a result, the images feel deeply cinematic — infused with a slow, solemn rhythm and a unique, almost mystical atmosphere that is so characteristic of Orthodox ceremonies.