3 Stages of the Sacrament of Confirmation | Barbara Bell Photography

I’ve written about the sacrament of Confirmation before, and I find that I am always interested in the questions people bring up for this special event. It is a milestone of faith within the Catholic Church, and it is one of personal development. Allow me to explain my perspective in three stages.

Before the Confirmation Mass | Preparing Your Heart

Confirmation prep is about forming your own personal identity and being intentional—it’s progress over perfection. It’s about understanding what faith means to you. It’s also about asking questions, facing doubts, and being ready in your heart. 

Preparing for Confirmation also involves practical steps, like deepening your faith and your understanding of the Catholic Church. You can register with your local parish to attend classes to help you study and prepare, attend Sunday Mass, choosing a sponsor, choose a saint name, and so much more as you prepare.

Day of your Confirmation | Holding Space for a Sacred Yes

On the day of your Confirmation, it can feel like #allthethings: excitement and nerves while being surrounded by your friends and family. First, take a deep breath.You have studied and prepared for this moment, and the gift of being present will help you to focus on why you’re doing this. 

As an event photographer who has photographed Confirmations and Confirmands for more than 10 years, my goal is to help you to relax. It’s a big day, and we work with all the participants to ensure people feel good about the work they have done to prepare for the day. When you look back at these images and photographs, you will remember how you felt on the day.  My role is to do everything I can to ensure that when you look back on this special milestone, you remember the excitement of being surrounded by all the people who were rooting for you. 

Ahead of the Mass, we photograph the Confirmand (because you are the guest of honor) with your sponsor, with family members, and with friends. Sometimes the person who is presiding over the Mass will come to chat with the Confirmands ahead of time. In my experience, they are engaging and kind and share personal stories and stories from the Church. Their encouragement and sense of community always makes me smile, and I love to capture their talk with the audience.

During the Mass, I remind myself every single time that this is a sacrament. My goal – with every event – is to be in the background capturing the emotions I see. Some nervous smiles, some laughter, readers, the sign of peace, the homily, and the ceremony itself. I won’t try to explain it – it has to be experienced. The beauty and sanctity of the Mass brings me back to myself. I am intentional in what I capture, knowing that the Mass and the sacrament come first. The prayers and the blessings move me deeply every time. 

I’ve always said that this sacrament is a milestone in the Catholic faith, and what I mean by that is that it is a ‘threshold’ moment. (Milestones always are, aren’t they?) Because of that I encourage you to slow down. Honor this moment by making space for it. Hold it in your heart. 

After Confirmation | Living your Promise 

If we’re being literal, I would tell you that right after the Mass, I like to photograph the Confirmands with their families and groups of friends. Sometimes, we gather on the church altar, allowing grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, and cousins to fill the spaces together. Everyone has their favorites, and it’s fun to allow everyone to squeeze in and gather together. 

If we weren’t being literal, I would tell you that Confirmation is a beginning, a journey where teens get to claim ownership of their faith choices. We become a bit more aware of gifts of the Holy Spirit within our daily lives. It starts a conversation that is personal – it’s between you and your God; it’s what faith means to you. Your Confirmation matters because it continues to shape who you become.  

If the sacrament of Confirmation is of interest to you, consider reaching out to your local parish. Ask questions about faith: what it means, as well as what it can mean for you. A faith journey is so personal, and it is an ongoing process of seeking meaning, connection, and your truth. It’s about learning how belief shapes the way you live, love, and understand the world.

If you’d like to work with Barbara Bell Photography to capture the beauty of your Confirmation Mass, contact us today.