Baptism in Iceland

At this special event, I was both a guest and a photographer. I lived with Bylgja and Hjörvar for two months at their farm. And they invited me to photograph baptism of their newborn. Bernard Léo was their first boy, however, their fifth child! It was a great celebration, even though it was freezing outside and the weather was crazy even for the Icelandic winter…

Probably the strongest moment of the whole ceremony came when the parents announced the name of their child. Protestant tradition teaches that the child remains without a name up to the baptism ceremony (usually 6 months). Only its parents know it before. Bernard Léo got his first name after Bylgja’s grandfather. After announcing the name many guests were moved because everyone knew and loved her grandfather.