Manhattan Beach Engagement Photo Session | Behind the Scenes Video

Behind the scenes video at a Manhattan Beach Engagement session for Cecile and Brian, our August 20th San Pedro bride and groom. It was an amazing, glorious summer sunset by the Manhattan Beach Pier, which photographer Sam Graham documented along with the happy couple.

Manhattan Beach Portraits | By Sam Graham

We met with the lovely Mai Vu Saturday at the beach for this portrait session for ASJ magazine. Portrait by Sam Graham, Graham & Graham Photography.

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 Engagement Photographer | Manhattan Beach Pier | By Sam Graham

Manhattan Beach based Sam Graham, the younger member of Graham & Graham Photography, met up with Nicole and Matt Sunday at the Manhattan Beach Pier, for a Manhattan Beach engagement photo session.
The happy couple will be wed in October, down in Texas, and we were thrilled to help them with their "save the date," beach images for invites.

Manhattan Beach Beach Portraits | Manhattan Beach Photographer

It was cool to meet Katie on Sunday, for a weekend portrait session at that most iconic of settings, the Manhattan Beach Pier. Sam Graham and Katie did a variety of poses at "magic hour," until sunset, as Katie sought new headshots for blogs and newsletters.

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.

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.

Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah | Jewish Community Center | Jacob

Jacob was called to the torah at the Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center Chabad this weekend. We actually took these shots on Thursday, as Jacob had a morning service, and doesn't allow photography on Shabbat.
But that's OK--we love the mid-week portrait sessions, as it gives us more time with our clients, in a non-pressurized atmosphere.
We love this shot of Jacob reading by the door, lit by natural daylight--as well as this beaut of a "generation to generation" shot--Mom, Grandma and Jacob.

Jacob's a great kid with an outgoing personality, and he really wanted to let loose and get wild during the portraits.

We made a deal--be serious inside, and then when afterwards, you can go absolutely crazy outside.

Which, of course, he really did. Taking advantage of the 8-frames-per-second feature on the new Canon 7D SLR, we told Jacob he could make as many funny faces as he wanted, and we'd capture them all.
Here are just a few of them.

Whittier Bat Mitzvah | Temple Beth Shalom

We enjoyed meeting Isabella at Temple Beth Shalom of Whittier recently for her Bat Mitzvah. It was our first time at the temple, and we look forward to returning again in the future.
Mazel tov, Bella!


Bella, photographed by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography

Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah Photography by Sam Graham | Ethan

Ethan will step up to the Congregation Tikvat Jacob bima this weekend--but you saw him here first.

We met with Ethan last week for his CTJ rehearsal photo shoot, as documented by Sam Graham, and had lots of fun.
A hearty advance Mazel Tov, Ethan, from Sam and Jeff!

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.

Drew's Bar Mitzvah Party | Cheesecake Factory, Redondo Beach

Here's some highlights from Drew's "Wild Kingdom" and rockin' Bar Mitzvah celebration at the Redondo Beach Cheesecake Factory.






And guess what they serve for desert when you have simchas at the Cheesecake Factory?
Photos by Sam Graham of Graham and Graham Photography.

Drew's Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Tikvat Jacob

Here's Drew, from his Saturday Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Tikvat Jacob of Manhattan Beach.

Photos by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography

Skylar's Malibu Bat Mitzvah Haftorah Video Montage

We don't do this every day, but it's something we just love! Take an amazing haftorah portion performed by a young Bat Mitzvah with an angelic voice, and set it to the pictures from the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
So here's more from Skylar's Malibu Bat Mitzvah, with photos by Sam Graham (and a few by Jeff, but most by Sam.)

Palos Verdes Ner Tamid Bar Mitzvah by Graham & Graham

It was back to Rancho Palos Verdes and Congregation Ner Tamid over the weekend for Jared's Bar Mitzvah, with a super-hero themed reception at the Torrance Doubletree.


Jared, like the younger Graham, is a great visual artist, and he decorated the party with some of his great images. The artwork was also a centerpiece of his entertaining montage.

Below, Jared posing with some of his pals--the Hulk, Spider-man, Superman and Wall-E, and dancing up a storm. Photos by Sam Graham (except siblings, by Jeff.)