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Monday, May 31, 2010

Long Beach Bar Mitzvah | Temple Israel | Jeremy


In 2008 we met June, who was looking for someone to photograph and video her daughter Emily's upcoming 2009 Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Long Beach. We ended up agreeing to work together, and met up with Emily on Valentine's Day for the big event.
Mom was thrilled with the work, and told her friends. We've since returned to Temple Israel for Claire, Dylan, Maliena, Alysia and Shane, and on Saturday we were back to Temple Israel again, this time for Jeremy.
Thank you June--and Suzanne--and Debbie--for spreading the word.

Temple Israel is a historic temple in the heart of Long Beach, circa the 1940s, with a big sanctuary, stained glass windows and a music filled service. The temple is about to undergo a facelift in the next two years. Progress is great, but we'll miss the ol' sanctuary.
After the service, Jeremy and his friends celebrated at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. See him below doing the limbo!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Long Beach Hyatt Regency Bat Mitzvah Bash | Mikaela

Here's a really fun video David Medill put together for us from Mikaela's Bat Mitzvah party at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Manhattan Beach Family Portraits @ the Manhattan Beach PIer


A few weeks we happily donated our services to Manhattan Beach temple Congregation Tikvat Jacob for the annual silent auction, with a Manhattan Beach family portrait session.
There's nothing better than giving back, and then getting so much in return, as we did when the lively Davidson/Kushner family arrived to meet us at the beach recently for sunset shots, full of vigor, enthusiasm and willing to do just about anything. Well, the above picture says it all. We've known Tamah for years, and she's always been consistent--"Don't take my picture! I hate to be photographed."
Something about the beach when the sun is about to set....changes everyone's disposition. The next thing you know, they're jumping up in the air and waving their arms for the camera!



Redondo Beach Wedding | Portofino | Erin & Chris


Here's a fun video highlight reel and pictoral highlights from Erin & Chris's Redondo Beach weekend wedding at the Portofino in Redondo Beach. Sure it was windy--in fact, it was so blowy, Erin's bridal veil flew off as she walked down the aisle with Chris. But what's a little wind? Everyone had a great time watching the waves crash against the rocks, and seeing a great couple tie the knot. Congrats!




Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | CTJ | Sarah


We've spent a lot of time with the lovely Sarah over the last few weeks. First, we met her under the Manhattan Beach Pier to shoot the portrait for her sign-in board. Then, a few weeks later, we were at Congregation Tikvat Jacob, our neighborhood temple, for her Bat Mitzvah portraits. Last weekend, it was time to reunite, first in the afternoon, for some Bat Mitzvah day portraits at the family home, then over to the Manhattan Country Club, for the big party, staged by Nina Bracker Events.
Featured below: Sarah at the beach and CTJ, with Rabbi Mark.







All photos by Sam Graham, except for #5, which is by Jeff.

Beth Shir Sholom Santa Monica Bar Mitzvah | Ben


Ben was called to the torah at Santa Monica's Beth Shir Sholom recently. We did portraits before the service, and then went upstairs to document the service from the A/V room. Afterwards, Ben, his family and friends celebrated at the new Marriott Le Merigot.


Top photo by Jeff, bottom photos by Sam.

Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah Party @ Skirball | Carly



Carly and her family celebrated her Sinai Temple Bat Mitzvah at the impressive Skirball Cultural Center, with a party ably produced by Nina Bracker Events, and MC'd by Kerry Slater's Slater Entertainment. Photos by Graham & Graham Photography and video by Melinda Gilchrist.



Mazel Tov, Carly!

Sinai Temple Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Carly


We returned to Sinai Temple recently for Carly's portrait session at the busy, beautiful Los Angeles temple, on the corner of Beverly Glen and Wilshire.

We love Sinai's big stained glass of the temple (great for portraits and family shots) and the wonderful garden outside.

Top two photos by Jeff, bottom by Sam Graham.

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Rancho Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid | Zachary



We've spent a lot of time at Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes over the last year, and it was a thrill to return again recently for Zachary's Bar Mitzvah. Both the service and party were held at the big temple on the hill, in P.V.
Photography is not allowed during the Saturday services, so we have to work extra hard at making the Friday afternoon "rehearsal" shots come to life, as if they were taken during the ceremony.

We'll let you be the judge at how well the Jeff/Sam tag team pulls that off.
For example, here's two different takes of Rabbi Issac going over Zachary's torah portion, with him, taken at the same time.


And here's Zachary and family marching with the Torah--on Friday afternoon!

Mazel Tov, Zach!

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Redondo Beach Senior Portraits | Manhattan Beach

This was something new--and fun--for us!



We met Margaret and her sisters in Manhattan Beach at the Manhattan Beach Pier for a senior portrait session. Margaret is about to graduate from Redondo Union High School in June, and wanted to have some sunset beach shots to hand out to the family. We were thrilled to be there for her.




Congratulations, Margaret!

Bar Mitzvah Photography in Downtown Los Angeles | Part 2 | Julian and Danielle in the City

As promised, here's part two of our recent visit with Bar Mitzvah boy Julian and sister Danielle in downtown Los Angeles, before the big party at the Millennium Biltmore. A little video montage, courtesy of our friends at Animoto.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah Photography | Knesset Israel | Julian


We had the honor of meeting Julian and his fine family at Knesset Israel last week for Julian's Bar Mitzvah. It was our first time at the historic temple on Vermont Avenue, and we're thrilled with the results.


Another first for us: Julian, not his parents, did a search for "Bar Mitzvah Photography" on Google and found our website. He liked what he saw, and sent his parents out to meet us. And he knew what he wanted. Classic Bar Mitzvah pictures, like the one of his dad that's been hanging all these years, along with some contemporary twists. This was a fun challenge!
Below, dad's Bar Mitzvah portrait.

Here's our take:

Then it got fun--we put both Bar Mitzvah boys together.

And best of all--they were loving it!

Serious is good, but we're a fan of smiles. We like the classic pose, and a winning, happy grin.


We'll be back later in the week, blogging more photos from Julian's amazing party at the Los Angeles Biltmore, along with our downtown L.A. shoot with Julian and his sister. Co-stars include Disney Hall, Angel's Flight, the Grand Central Market and the Bradbury Building.