Temple Beth Am Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Alexa

Alexa had her Bat Mitzvah Saturday at the big Temple Beth Am, the beautiful conservative shul on La Cienga Blvd., near Olympic. The conservative synagouge is one of the largest in Los Angeles--Alexa's service was in the main sanctuary--a godsend for a photographer.
We lit Alexa with our video lights, which we feel adds a more "movie" like look than just traditional flash. Fitting, we feel, for a temple in the heart of Hollywood--and a young girl who is destined for stardom! (Alexa is shown here rehearsing with Temple Beth Am cantor Robert Pflug.)







We also produced Alexa's video montage for the reception at the W Hotel in Westwood, and partially set it to the classic song, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Boy does she! Here's Alexa having a ball at our photo shoot, being cute for the camera. You go girl!

Carolynn's "Hug" Mitzvah | Temple Akiba, Culver City

So many hugs at Carolynn's Temple Akiba Bat Mitzvah in Culver City, we were inspired to make a little video montage, set to the best soundtrack imaginable--Carolynn's sweet voice.

Sinai Temple Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

We recently had our first photo session at Los Angeles' majestic Sinai Temple, on Wilshire and Beverly Glen, for Ben's time on the bima.
Such a beautiful facility!
Ben's service was in the smaller chapel, and we loved lighting the flowers to make them shine!


On Sunday, Ben and his family had a totally non-traditional simcha at Gameworks in Long Beach, where there was no Hora--or dancing of any kind! Just pizza, candy and games! A 13-year-old's fantasy....



That's Ben's brother above, in intense game play.

Long Beach Temple Israel--Quartet by Sam Graham

August, 2009 found us with our first four week quartet--4 Saturdays in a row at Long Beach's Temple Israel.
Sam Graham photographed Dylan, Claire, Malenia and Alysia on the bima, and at several fun reception sites, most notably, Seal Beach's Old Ranch Country Club.

Temple Israel of Hollywood Bar Mitzvah

A few weeks ago, while documenting Ben's Bar Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Hollywood, we met the fun Rosner family, and got some amazing shots of the group during Ben's party at the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum.


The family called a few days later and asked us to join them back at TIOH for Miles' August simcha.

With this gang, we were thrilled to be there for them--we love these fun shots outside the temple, along with the portraits inside TIOH as well.
During the shoot, we kept thinking of the old Miles Davis album, saying to the Bar Mitzvah boy, "Miles Smiles!"--Turns out he was named after the late, great jazz legend--birth of the cool, indeed!

Congregation Ner Tamid Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah

It was back to beautiful Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes recently for Adam's Bar Mitzvah. The majestic temple on the hill is one of the most stunning around, and we had fun lighting it up especially for Adam. Take a good look at the flowers in the shot--Sam put lights on both to add a little color.

Afterwards, Adam and his family rocked the Queen Mary in Long Beach with a fun, classic party, which was staged by Nina Bracker Events. Photos from the party will be posted in a few days.