Funeral photography is a genre that went from being commonplace in the Victorian era to taboo in the modern era, and yet photographer Duane Knight of Your Legacy Photography says that it is a vital way for people today to process their grief through art. Knight has only been able to discover 50 funeral photographers currently in the world, and he is on a mission to change that by educating other photographers on how to add this genre to their offerings.

Remembrances of Those We Love

Many photographers have had the experience of a former client’s family member telling them just how precious their portrait of a now-deceased loved one is, even expressing that it was the only good photograph they had to display at the funeral. But most photographers have not considered how capturing images at a funeral can provide an avenue of healing for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Knight, who has delivered 150 Legacy Funeral Albums to families over around a decade of being a funeral photographer, notes that family members come from all over the country and sometimes from around the world to be together to celebrate the life of a departed loved one. However, after a funeral, it’s not uncommon for those closest to the deceased to not even remember who was there. A funeral can be so emotional that it can be difficult to hang onto the details of the day. But funerals are similar to weddings, birthdays, and christenings in that they bring extended family and friends together for a fleeting time. An album can be valuable keepsake and a memento of both the departed loved one and everyone who was there. For those who were unable to attend, receiving a Legacy Funeral Album can be the link that helps them feel included.

Taboo or Treasured Memories

Knight says, “Funerals being photographed is definitely a cultural thing. Some cultures don’t want any photos, and to them, it’s taboo. In a group of ten people you might get two or three who want funeral photography.” However, Knight, through his business Your Legacy Photography, has a mission to be available for those who wish for a loved one’s funeral to be photographed. For him, it’s all about preserving memories, and he strongly feels that “all families who want funeral photography should have the opportunity to get it.”

Funeral Photography Education

In pursuit of this mission, Knight desires to help other photographers discover the genre and learn how to skillfully become funeral photographers. He has traveled to many photography conferences, including WPPI in Las Vegas, to help spread the word about funeral photography and his desire to share his expertise in teaching it.

If you are curious about funeral photography, be sure to keep an eye out for him at WPPI in Vegas next year. He’ll be the man in the hat that reads “I Love Funeral Photography” and the vest with “Ask Me about the Art of Funeral Photography” emblazoned on the back.

In the meantime, be sure to check out Duane Knight’s website YourLegacyPhotography.com, his Instagram, and feel free to contact him with feedback or any questions.