As a photographer and as a guest I have been to many many mitzvahs. This was the first one at home - it was simple and a class act. Warmth and affection from close relatives really made this mitzvah so wonderfully unique and special!
No stone left unturned. I arrived at the family home at 7 am sharp and began documenting... from Mom helping with the tie to the dog watching as he slipped into his shoes. Then on to the synagogue. It was pouring and dark. We did all the traditional images as well as some behind the scenes before the service. Next, the most extraordinary kiddish we have ever photographed!
The evening events left myself and my team speechless. Every detail was perfect and many were "over the top!!!" One of the best mitzvahs!
Who looked this good or danced this well back in the day at 13? Certainly not me! The girls are getting more and more beautiful and confident!
I arrived at the home of this lovely family for portraits before the ceremony. Two years earlier I photographed their oldest daughter for her Bat Mitzvah. I suggested photographing the actual service which wasn't an option for their daughter and they agreed if the temple agreed. Surprising to the family private services were allowed to be photographed. What a gorgeous synagogue, what a gorgeous family!
While I have photographed many birthday parties at the Sunningdale Country Club in Westchester, this was the first Bat Mitzvah I had done there. The room for the ceremony was perfectly set up and the space was wonderful for this kind of celebration! It was a cold rainy day and eventually the sun came out affording me the chance to photograph both indoors and outdoors. It was special to be able to photograph the actual ceremony with available light.
