Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah Party | The Mark for Events

After her Pacific Palisades Kehillat Israel Bat Mitzvah, Maddie and co. traveled across town to the Mark for Events, a really cool party facility on Pico., next to Factor's Deli, for a rocking Bat Mitzvah bash. How about that grand entrance?
DJ services by the inimitable H2H Entertainment

Leo Baeck Temple by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Leo Baeck Temple by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Congregation Kol Ami Los Angeles by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Congregation Kol Ami Los Angeles by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Congregation Ner Tamid, Rancho Palos Verdes, by Graham and Graham Photography, 310-594-8074

Congregation Ner Tamid, Rancho Palos Verdes, by Graham and Graham Photography

Temple Aliyah, Woodland Hills, by Graham & Graham Photography, 310-594-804

Temple Aliyah, Woodland Hills, by Graham & Graham Photography, 310-594-8074

Temple Akiba, Culver City by Graham & Graham Photography | 310-594-8074

Temple Akiba of Culver City by Graham & Graham Photography, 310-594-8074

Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza Bar Mitzvah Party | Max

Hours after Max's Temple Menorah Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah, Sam Graham met up with Max for his black tie and tails party at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Redondo Beach.
Max is one classy dude. It's very rare that we see a young Bar Mitzvah boy dressed to the nines like Max.

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Debra was called to the torah at Manhattan Beach's Congregation Tikvat Jacob Saturday. CTJ is our local temple, and in the small world department, Debra's cousin Sarah was our second Bat Mitzvah shoot as Graham & Graham Photography, back in 2004. CTJ is where her mom works as a teacher, and where Sam Graham, the photographer here, was a 1999 Bar Mitzvah. The party was held at Manhattan Beach's Neptunian Women's Club downtown.



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Pacific Palisades Bar Mitzvah | Kehillat Israel

Last Saturday was no. 5 for us in 2011 at Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, the reconstructionist temple blocks from the village, and this weekend it was Benicio's turn at the bima. Here's a fun video montage we put together of highlights from the service and party.

Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Leo Baeck Temple | Los Angeles

Here's more from Dorian's Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah at Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles.

Leo Baeck is a wonderful oasis nestled against greenery, off Sepluveda, directly across the street from the Getty Center.

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Leo Baeck Temple

Three years ago, Sam Graham got a wonderful, dark, moody shot of Dimitry at Leo Baeck Temple on the day of his Bar Mitzvah. Cut to 2011, and now it was brother Dorian's turn for his Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah. So naturally, Sam had to try for something equally dramatic.
We love this shot, and the spotlight on Dorian!


We're also partial to two Bar Mitzvah boys together.

Beverly Hills Bat Mitzvah Photos | Culver City Bat Mitzvah

The theme for Ali's upcoming February Bat Mitzvah is the joy of being a fashionista, so we took her to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for a sign-in board Bat Mitzvah portrait. The key to doing shots like this is arriving early on a Sunday morning. Fantastic light, few spectators, and wonderful portraits.

Congregation Ner Tamid Bar Mitzvah | Palos Verdes Photographer

We spent a fabulous recent Friday afternoon at Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes with Matthew and his family. CNT welcomes the family for rehearsal and portrait photos on Friday--then we meet up with everyone the next night at the reception. For Matthew, it was a return to the Los Verdes Golf Course, where his sister had her party two years earlier. We will follow up with photos from the Los Verdes Golf Course reception in our next post.

Automobile Driving Museum Bar Mitzvah Party | El Segundo

Here's more pix from Liam's Bar Mitzvah party at the El Segundo Automobile Driving Museum. Liam made his grand entrance in a classic blue Thunderbird, driving right onto the dance floor, where he jumped out of the car and danced the afternoon away with many, many of his friends.

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.

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.

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.