This Easter was my first major shoot in the Basilica at Notre Dame.  It’s a sacred space and perhaps the most important mass of the year is the Easter vigil late Saturday night.  I set up a remote in the choir loft in advance and was feeling pretty prepared as I waited for mass to begin.  The priest began to pray aloud and suddenly all the lights went out.  I mean it was pitch black.  Turns out, that was planned – I just didn’t know about it.  As we stood there in complete darkness, I looked up at the choir loft and sure enough, there was my remote with its tiny red light.  Blink, blink, blink.  ARRRRRRGH! I had taped over it, but I still knew it was there and was praying (I was in the perfect place for it) that no one would be annoyed – the priests, the choir director, or the hundreds there.  Soon a candle was lit at the back of the church and people passed the flame one by one to light their individual candles.  It seemed to take an eternity for the pews to fill with lit candles and lighten the church.  As it did, my blinky red light faded in the brightness.  All was well.

Barbara Johnston

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