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

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

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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Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah Party Video | Fantasea Yacht Club

Ali had the time of her life at that amazing Fantasea Yacht Club Bat Mitzvah party in Marina del Rey a few weeks ago. Here's a two-minute highlight, produced by David Medill for Graham & Graham Photography.com. 
Featuring the amazing DJ services of Dan and the gang from the Party Zone
Enjoy!

Fantasea Yacht Club Bat Mitzvah \ Marina del Rey Bat Mitzvah Party

Two weeks later, we returned to the Fantasea Yacht Club for another big Bat Mitzvah party, this time for Ali, following her morning Culver City Bat Mitzvah at Temple Akiba.

DJ services by the great Dan Teplinksy and the Party Zone gang.

Venice, California Bat Mitzvah | Mishkon Tephilo | Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah Photographer

Ever notice that temple right there on the bustling Venice, California Strand, a backdrop to cyclists, roller bladers, beach performers and throngs of beachgoers? It's Mishkon Tephilo, "Devotion by the Ocean" serving 200 families since the 1917, an eclectic group that "attracts people from every profession, including artists, writers, educators and intellectuals," says the Mishkon Website.
We were honored to be on hand for our first Bat Mitzvah at Mishkon recently, photographing Nora on the Bima a few days before the actual service. (Mishkon is a conservative temple, and thus, doesn't allow photography during the actual service.)
We were surprised by the enormity of Mishkon (you could fit five of our local CTJ temple in its cavernous sanctuary) but loved taking advantage of the many opportunities, including the streaming daylight from the big windows. That's Nora with Rabbi Dan Shevitz on the bima. He has been with the temple since 1996.

Nikki's Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah

Our photo session with Nikki at Congregation Tikvah Jacob in Manhattan Beach started next door at the Hawthorn Suites, in the courtyard. We love taking relaxed portraits there before stepping into the sanctury for bat mitzvah portraits. Here's our favorites from the day.