Arielle's Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah CTJ | Manhattan Beach Country Club

Arielle's family were in a particularly playful mood when we met at Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach for her Bat Mitzvah and family shoot.

We've been photographing at CTJ since 2003, and thought we knew every inch of the facility. To our surprise, we found somewhere new--and love the results.

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob | Marisa

A year ago, we met Joey at Congregation Tikvat Jacob to document his Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah. Twelve months later, it was sister Marisa's turn.

That's the entire family up on the CTJ bima. We began the day by taking Marisa outside, for a portrait near the CTJ sign, and then returned to the sanctuary, which we adorned with some blue and orange gells to add a little contrast and separation to the light. The blue, at least to our eyes, worked perfectly with her talit.




All the photos taken by Sam Graham, except for the outside portrait, which is by Jeff.

"Best Photographer in Town"

It's not every day you see a note like this posted online about your work. We're so thrilled, we had to share.

"The photo's are out of this world great! There was one photo of my daughter and the DJ, MC, dancers, and some of her friends that captured the joy and happiness we all felt during the Bat Mitzvah, now we have wonderful memories captured in the best photo's and we can relive those memories over and over, along with the memories of having the best photographer in town!
Pros: Prompt, fast service, friendly, patient, warm, happy
Cons: Can't think of any"

Thanks Shereen!

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Ayers Hotel

The Ayers Hotel in Manhattan Beach was the beautiful setting for Leah's Saturday Bat Mitzvah, in the secluded courtyard of the hotel, which is right off the 405 at Rosecrans. The statues pictured here are part of the Ayers decor. Rabbi Lori led the service for Temple Shalom of the South Bay, and DJ services at the rockin' party courtesy of our friend Sam House and the gang. Look for him below, funnin' it up on the dance floor with Leah, dancers Heather and Jackie and MC Dave Greer.

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah | Crowne Plaza | batmitzvahphotographer.com

Saturday it was finally Lana's turn. Lana made her majestic grand entrance to her rocking Bat Mitzvah party at the Crowne Plaza in Redondo Beach, with over 300 guests sharing the love.

It was the third simcha for the Granow clan, and we have been honored to be there for all three.

It was also Lana's third time on the Hora chair. See below for her 2007 and 2005 moments.

One highlight is always the Havdalah ceremony, as staged by the clergy at Manhattan Beach's Congregation Tikvat Jacob. We love photographing it in natural, colorful candle light.


The party was put on by master party planning service In Any Event, and Robin Crevelt. Love that color! DJ Mark Ray had the audience up and moving all night. We produced the montage, which we'll post here soon.

Mazel tov, Lana!

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Laura had her Bat Mitzvah last weekend at our hometown temple, Manhattan Beach's Congregation Tikvat Jacob, and we were thrilled to take part. We tried a new lighting technique that we picked up at a photo seminar by photographer Doug Gordon. Portraits via the video light, for a softer look and more balanced background. We threw the light into an umbrella and bounced it--how do you like it? All three shots here are via the video light. On the third image, Laura is seen with CTJ's cantor Ken Jaffe.

Congregation Tikvat Jacob Bat Mitzvah | Manhattan Beach | Jamie

As the daughter of two talented veterinarians, it was only natural that Jamie's Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah party would be stock full of animals. The party, held at their home, featured lots of kids and adults, as well as a baby kangaroo, raccoon and a long, shiny snake.
Jamie was called to the Torah at Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach, our hometown temple.
Mavel Tov, Jamie!

Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah Party @ Raleigh Studios

"New York Street," in Manhattan Beach was the place, the occasion was Nikki's high-energy bat mitzvah party, and we were there. The locale was Manhattan Beach's Raleigh Studios, home to CSI: Miami and Boston Legal, and the first ever bat mitzvah party on its studio set street.
We enjoyed doing family shots in front of brownstones, watching Nikki do her hora in the air with buildings behind her instead of ballroom chandeliers and documenting this rockin' family dancin' on the streets.
Mazel tov Nikki!

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.