Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah

I really love when I get to do a mitzvah pre-shoot, because on mitzvah day we’re like old friends, and that was definitely the case after Ryan’s awesome

beach basketball pre-shoot

!  Also, while the mitzvah family has already seen my portfolio, there’s something about seeing themselves look amazing in my photos that makes them completely relax and be themselves on mitzvah day.  And followers of this blog know, when you relax in front of my camera, I’m best able to capture the moments that are So You!

Ryan started off his day with a spiritual service, which he led beautifully, along with the rabbi and cantor, and joined in many key moments by his family and friends.  The celebration continued that evening with a sports-themed celebration.  Ryan and his friends rotated through several sports on the basketball court and fields, followed by some dancing with the DJ.  Mazel Tov Ryan, I really enjoyed capturing your special day!

Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah

You may remember Dylan from our awesome sporty pre-mitzvah portrait session.  I have to say, I love when I get to do a pre-shoot with a mitzvah family.  They’re always really fun, the pictures are always amazing, and I totally bond with the mitzvah family.  Basically, they realize that they’ve hired a pretty cool photographer that they like, and we roll into mitzvah day like old friends!  That’s how it was with this family.  I really enjoyed working with them.  Mom cracks me up, and Dylan is a pretty cool kid.  I just love how easily and genuinely he smiles!  Mazel Tov, Dylan!

Nathan’s Bar Mitzvah Portraits

Nathan celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with a Shabbat morning service, followed by a brunch.  Since photos during the service were not allowed, and most people don’t want pictures of themselves eating, we spent some time before his mitzvah capturing some portraits with his family, tallis, and Torah.  And since it was a beautiful day in sunny South Florida, we got in a few nice outside photos too.  And don’t you just love how mom coordinated the pink and blue in their wardrobe?  Mazal Tov to Nathan and his family!

Kacie’s Bat Mitzvah

Kacie celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on a Friday evening with gorgeous light, so of course we had to take advantage of that for her pre-service portraits!  She was also observing her service on the construction site of their new synagogue building, so we used that too to create some creative portraits of the Mitzvah girl!  She partied with her friends and family in a hip Sunday night party with a neon lounge feel.  Everyone had a blast!

Jared’s Bar Mitzvah

If you are a follower of my blog, you know I love photographing Mitzvahs.  And every time, I seem to find a new thing I love about them.  One thing I love is that a current trend is for families to celebrate the occasion in whatever way is meaningful to them.  In this case, a lovely service, followed by a brunch, foregoing the typical big DJ dance party.  There was a montage playing in the background as guests enjoyed their meals (what’s not to like about waffles and eggs), and video games and 4-way ping pong for the mitzvah boy and his friends (what boys don’t love video and ball games).  Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and were, of course, proud of Jared’s achievement of this milestone!