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!

Sibling Love and Cowboy Boots

This is a fun pair to work with.  They are gorgeous, adorable kids, and their mom totally nails their photo session styling.  It was a bit of a challenge for me, because I was competing with my own best work from their awesome session last year.  But these two are full of fun and smiles, and now we have two awesome sessions to try to top next year!

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!

Stevie for President

This lovely little lady celebrated her first birthday this summer with a presidential campaign themed party, and as we are just a day away from the election of our country’s 44th president and early voting has been going on for a few weeks, I thought now would be a perfect time to share the images from this party.  I know the feelings of the top candidates is this race intense, and Stevie, if only you were of eligible presidential age, I’m sure our country would be in good hands.  Let us know when you’re ready to take over #imwithher!

Ryan’s Bar Mitzvah Pre-Shoot

This young man will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah this Shabbat.  He’d seen another sporty pre-shoot I’d done, but since I’d just done it, wanted to come up with something different.  Through some discussion, I determined that his main sport is basketball, and I got to work researching courts.  My original idea was for a court in a cool urban area, but I wasn’t able to come up with one.  I also looked near the beach, but didn’t find one where I was looking in Google maps.  Mom asked again about the beach, and I Googled it right before giving up.  I’m so glad I persevered, because at it turns out, there IS a basketball court right by the beach, and we met there on a gorgeous night, and turned out these amazing images!  I can’t wait to capture the main event this weekend!