There were 100 people, teenagers and adults, and they danced for 4 hours straight! It was exhausting just to watch and wow, could they dance! The music was stellar so no one wanted to stop!
A Mitzvah in the Hamptons During Covid. Nina Drapacz Photography
I was scheduled to photograph the Mitzvah in June 2020 indoors in NYC. In May the mom contacted me to ask if I could do covid safe photography outdoors in East Hampton since indoor services and parties were not allowed. Yes! Just a small intimate family service to start followed by an evening of safe mitzvah fun. A temperature checker at the front entrance for additional safety and tie dyed masks, made by the mitzvah girl ,were laying in a bowl for everyone next to the disinfectant.
Mitzvah Photography at Temple Emanu-El by Nina Drapacz Photography
What makes this so special is having a photographic relationship with this wonderful family since she was just 4 years old! I was so excited to be the photographer for her important day. We started with images in Tribecca months before …Synagogue photographs (thank you Temple Emanuel for allowing photography during the service) followed by reception also in Tribecca! I did not want to do conventional images in Temple Emanuel, especially considering how nervous everyone was before the ceremony . Her little brother was the perfect family member to create the more relaxed mood that we all needed!
Bat Mitzvah at Home by Nina Drapacz Photography
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!
Bar Mitzvah At The Classic Car Club! Nina Drapacz Photography
All the super valuable cars had been removed except for the DeLorean was which equipped with car karaoki. It was an amazing over the top Mitzvah with basketball players, dancers, insane passed treats and an awesome DJ!
The "New 13". Mitzvah Photography by Nina Drapacz
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!
Tween Sibs on a Summer Night at the Beach Nina Drapacz Photography
The very end of August around 7pm.....it started with awesome warm orange light then a magical sky after the sunset. The girls could have kept going all night! Tweens are great! While the parents were under the impression that the light would not be as good this late, it happens to be the BEST light.
Bar Mitzvah Photography at Temple Emanu-El of New York by Nina Drapacz Photography
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!
Senior Portraits by Nina Drapacz Photography
Westside girl comes to the upper east side for a fun photo shoot with Nina Drapacz Photography!
Her mom picked her up from school and came straight to the park. It was unseasonably warm, luckily, and she had a blast! Apparently this is her first formal photo shoot. Seven is a wonderful age! Between jumping on a thin stairwell banister, doing back bends and hugging a tree to name a few stints, she didn't want to our session to end. The perfect subject!
Steve Weatherford and Knicks Elite Air Dunkers at Basketball City by Nina Drapacz Photography
Bat Mitzvah in Scarsdale, New York by Nina Drapacz Photography
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.