Jordan's Bar Mitzvah

You know, I might be a bit sad when they finish construction at Chabad of Parkland.  This was my second time getting to photograph on the property, and it's really fun and lets me be creative.  Plus, it'll be a cool memory for the family years from now, when the building is complete, to say, "remember when we took my Bar Mitzvah photos on the construction site?!"

After our mock mitzvah photo session (photography isn't allowed on Shabbat), Jordan enjoyed a sports themed celebration.  I just loved the authenticity of his logo!  I especially enjoyed capturing an intense game of Coke and Pepsi, with some extra actions for other fun beverages, like Gatorade.  Mazel Tov to Jordan and family!

Two New Cousins

Two of my cousins who I grew up with had their first babies 2 months apart.  So for their baby present, I flew up to New York and gifted them a photo session.  They had the idea to do the photo session together to get some extended family shots.  Their mom (who is now a grandma, congrats), who is in the event industry, organized for us to meet in the well-lit lobby of a hotel.  Unlike Florida, where March is like summer, apparently in New York, March is still like winter!  And because their dog is a part of their family, we went back to Landon's house for some bonus photos with their furriest four-legged family member. 

Your babies are beautiful, and it was so nice to see you as parents and your parents as grandparents!!!  I hope to see and photograph these children more as they grow!  Feel free to fly me up anytime! 

Lori, Jake, Eli, and Lily

This family is super fun, full of life and love and laughter, and I really like to photograph my most energetic and fun families in a fun urban location.  The colorful backdrops and their colorful personalities are a perfect fit.  This session was originally scheduled for an area of downtown Ft Lauderdale that I've photographed several times recently, and I just couldn't do it again!  I needed something more creatively inspirational.  

The gym where I workout is also in downtown Ft Lauderdale, and I've admired these new murals being painted nearby.  I also admire the gorgeous light as the sun sets when I'm there in the evening. I asked mom if she was up for it, and she was, and we created and captured this magic.  Readers of my blog know that when you relax and have fun with your session, that is what I will capture, and it is So You, and it really is magical.  

Agnieszka, Jon, Melina, Keila, and Benicio

I was both excited and a little nervous when mom called me to schedule another photo session with me, this time for Beni's first birthday.  You see, our first session together was amazing.  One of my favorites ever!  And when I'm going up against some of my own best work, that's a pretty high bar that I must at least meet or beat.  But, I needn't have worried.  This family gives me so much to capture!  They are themselves in front of the camera, and those are some of my favorite moments to freeze.  

I also think this may be my first session ever where I didn't deliver 'The Grandma Shot', you know, the one you think you want to give to Grandma, with everyone looking and smiling at the camera.  And mom and I couldn't be happier with the results!  Because at the end of the day, I have photographed their faces, but instead of looking at me, they're enjoying each other, and that series of images tells a story of this family.

Dani's Bat Mitzvah

I've been lucky enough to photograph this family several times before their big day, so I know them to be loving and fun and totally photogenic, which gave me lots to look forward to!  We started the evening with some portraits at the gorgeous gardens of the country club where the event was to be held, followed by Friday night Shabbat evening services, which Dani led beautifully.  The celebration continued with games, wax hands, and an airbrush artist for the kids, and the evening concluded with the arrival of an ice cream truck, which we were able to take some really fun and creative photos with!!!  Mazel Tov to the entire K family on Dani's Bat Mitzvah, and I hope to see you all in front of my camera more as the girls grow!