More Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah | San Fernando Valley Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photography

We had so much fun posting our new shots from the Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah shoot, we decided to come back for a second helping. This is Sabrina at the VBS bima, reading from the Torah, and posting for us outside the temple with her talit. We're offering two versions of our multi-generation of hands on the Torah--which one do you prefer?

Valley Beth Shalom Bat Mitzvah | Encino Bat Mitzvah

Yes, we do drive to the Valley! While we're based in Manhattan Beach and do most of our shoots in the South Bay and Westside, we're happy to make the trek to the San Fernando Valley. Especially when the venue is the big, beautiful Valley Beth Shalom, the jewel of the Valley. We love VBS's stained glass windows, and afternoon shoots when the sun shines right on through. And we love taking pix of Bar and Bat Mitzvah kids jumping outside the sanctuary. Mazel Tov, Sabrina!

Valentine's Day Bat Mitzvah in Long Beach

We got to spend Valentine's Day with sweet Emily in Long Beach at her Temple Israel Bat Mitzvah.
The hearts and tasty candies were on display at the Long Beach Renaissance party--as well as the program guide for the Bat Mitzvah.
Featured here are some images from Emily's big day, and a little video highlight as well.

Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid

It was our pleasure to return to Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes for Rob's Bar Mitzvah. Ner Tamid is the beautiful temple on the hill, where Rob was called to the Torah. A few hours later, he had the time of his life with a rocking party in the social hall. Randy from Real Genius DJs did a great job of keeping the party moving.

From Generation to Generation, Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

One of the highlights of Bar/Bat Mitzvah photography is seeing the joy the older generation exhibit when watching young 13-year-old children step up to the Bima and read from the Torah. In this case, it was Dakota's Bar Mitzvah over the weekend at Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach, where beloved great-grandfather "Poppy," got up from his seat, put down his cane, and took his place up on the Bima. He handed the talit to Dakota, and was at the head of the line for passing the Torah down, from generation to generation. The cool thing, as you can see from these images, is that Dakota got as much of a kick from having Poppy there as the old man did.
Dakota and mom Lisa (also seen posing in a killer shot from the sanctuary) put on a terrific baseball themed party (Dakota kind of enjoys sports!) at the Spanish styled Embassy Suites in El Segundo. (Attention Bar/Bat Mitzvah parents--this is one really special facility. We'll post more images from the event later in the week. In the meantime, ask for Deb and tell her we sent `ya.) You Should Be Dancing did their usual stellar DJ job, keeping the kids up and moving all night long.

Wilshire Boulevard Temple Bat Mitzvah | Irmas Campus

Here's one of our favorite all-time videos montages. It's images of Samantha, from her December Wilshire Boulevard Temple Bat Mitzvah, chanting from the torah.
Photodex, which makes our favorite video montage software, Producer, just came out with a new version that shows videos in crisp, widescreen, and we love the look.
Check it out!

Lana's Bat Mitzvah Video Montage by Graham & Graham

Here's the "director's cut," version (a shorter, 2.5 minute video) of one of our all-time favorite Bat Mitzvah video montages. It's from Lana's Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We see more movie parodies in our future. Enjoy!

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!

Less Stress? Let a Party Planner take care of it.

 
Interesting article in the latest edition of the Jewish Journal about several things that could go wrong during a Bar/Bat Mitzvah event and how to avoid them.
Party planner Yvonne Wolf offers her take on why Bar/Bat Mitzvah moms and dads need some well-deserved help on the big night. The venue will rent you space and collect their fee, but they rarely help with the all-important details, like decorating the room and helping you find the best vendors.
The party planner pro is also on site to help avoid problems.
For instance, what do you do if the wrong appetizers are served? Or, worse, the venue runs out of food during the cocktail hour and your guests start to get really cranky? How do you handle an excessivly long line at the bar? Yvonne has solutions--read what she has to say in the Jewish Journal.
By the way, we worked with Yvonne at one of the all-time most memorable parties, a baseball themed (natch) affair for Drew at Dodger Stadium last year. You can reach Yvonne at 323.356.2698, or via e-mail at yvonnewolf@roadrunner.com
Congrats Yvonne on the article!

 
 
 

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.

Top Ten Bar/Bat Mitzvah Videos of the Year

Torrance Bat Mitzvah Party | Alex @ Torrance Marriott

Why we love Alex's Torrance Bat Mitzvah party video. First of all, she has great poise, and really lights up the screen. Secondly, Alex made her grand entrance by running under the arms of the guests, and Conor Morris, who did the videography for us on this shoot, did an amazing job running right behind Alex, and capturing it all.  

Beverly Hills Bar Mitzvah | Julio @ Temple Emanuel

There's never been a better match of a Bar Mitzvah boy and a soundtrack--at least, not as far as we're concerned. Me and Julio down by the Bar Mitzvah.

Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Temple Israel 
We love visiting Temple Israel of Hollywood for a number of reasons, highlighted by history and music. Temple Israel is the huge Hollywood temple founded by the guys who started the film industry--like the Warner Bros. and Louis B. Mayer. Thus, a visit to Temple Israel is akin to spending time at a great old movie palace. And then there's the music. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs at Temple Israel are extremely musical, and Allison's February Bat Mitzvah was no exception. We love the harmonies with Allison, the Rabbi and Cantor.

Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Wilshire Boulevard Temple
We are often so inspired by our Bar/Bat Mitzvah photography shoots, we often put little video montages together of our work afterwards. This is a collection of images from Samantha's December Bat Mitzvah, with the greatest soundtrack ever--Samantha's voice!

Hollywood Bat Mitzvah Party | Beverly Garland Holiday Inn
Two twins having a "B'not Mitzvah," and lots of fun at their twin party at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in Hollywood. Lots of fun!

Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah | Manhattan Beach Marriott
It's not just that we live 5 blocks from the Marriott--we don't get a lot of opportunity to document outdoor Bar Mitzvahs, so Alex's simcha was very special. This gave us lush green backdrops from the golf course, and fantastic "photographer lighting"--overcast sky and nice, even, natural facial tones.

Malibu Bar Mitzvah Party | Camp Hess Kramer
Another fun Saturday outside, this time in the Malibu hills, where Brandon was called to the Torah at Camp Hess Kramer's outdoor chapel. Afterwards, we went down the hill, into a tent, for the big simcha. Danny Knutsen captured it all for us on the video.

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah | Temple Isaiah

Another of the great Los Angeles temple's, Isaiah, on Pico Blvd. by 20th Century Fox. We were honored to be there for Avi's February Bar Mitzvah.

Orange County Bar Mitzvah | Temple Beth Shalom
Temple Beth Shalom of Santa Ana has a huge party room adjoining the temple, and it makes a great backdrop for a rocking party. Here's Andy, as introduced by his sister, moments before the big celebration.

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah | Temple Menorah
Before Alex celebrated at the Torrance Marriott, she was called to the torah at Temple Menorah in the morning. Here's a brief highlight from the Bat Mitzvah, with soundtrack provided by Alex.

Temple Menorah Bat Mitzvah Video Highlights by Graham & Graham from Graham & Graham on Vimeo.

Top Ten Bar/Bat Mitzvah Photos of the Year

It's that end of the year, recap time again. Top Ten Movies! Top Ten CDs! Top Ten TV shows!
And, as always, Graham & Graham's Top Ten Bar/Bat Mitzvah photos of 2008.
This was our best year ever, with more events, more new locales, and new ways of looking at the art of Bar/Bat Mitzvah photography.
In first place, we begin with Dimitri @ Leo Baeck Temple.

Sam Graham and Dimitri pushed the limits at a Bar Mitzvah/family portrait shoot, and (with further assist from Photoshop) came up with a memorable, iconic image that we used as this year's holiday card.
Samantha @ Wilshire Boulevard Temple' s Irmas campus.

Shortly before her Saturday morning Bat Mitzvah, we brought Samantha to the front door of the temple sanctuary, and made use of the natural light for a soft light portrait. It was made all the nicer for us with her comfy lean against the door. Against the torahs in the background, it just makes this a definitive Bat Mitzvah portrait. And you should hear the girl sing !

Lana @ Manhattan Beach's Congregation Tikvat Jacob 
We've photographed at CTJ, our local hometown temple more than any other Los Angeles shul, but have never gotten a shot like this! In November we attended an incredible photo seminar by Doug Gordon, who encourages shooting portraits with little video lights instead of flash units. The idea is you'll get softer, less harsh light. We've been experimenting with video lights since, especially at CTJ, and love what we see, but this is our favorite.
We put the video light into an umbrella, turned off all the lights in the sanctuary, and this is what we got, a moody, reflective shot.

Sam @ Long Beach Renaissance Hotel


Okay, this photo is not arty, but it is THE iconic Bar/Bat Mitzvah party shot, and for good reason. Who can ever tire of seeing a kid up in a chair, hoisted by his parents and friends, having an absolute blast? The confetti just makes it that much better.
Sam had his Bar Mitzvah at the Long Beach Temple Israel. It was our first time there, and we look forward to returning in February for Emily's Bat Mitzvah.

Thomas @ Santa Monica's Beth Shir Sholom




Another classic, iconic shot we can never get enough of--Bar Mitzvah boy reading from the Torah, in a beautiful temple, dressed to the nines, with his talit refelecting in the glass.
Tyler @ CTJ in Manhattan Beach.

This shoot was special for a number of reasons. Manhattan Beach's CTJ is a conservative temple with strict, no-photography-during-services rules. Tyler is a special needs child who is autistic and doesn't use a lot of words. He had an afternoon service, which ended after sundown, so for the first time, at our pleading, CTJ let us document part of the service. We were honored to be there for this historic occasion. And so was Tyler, who seemed just absolutely thrilled with every moment of the big day. His enthusiasm was infectious on everyone.
Alex @ Temple Menorah of Redondo Beach


Redondo Beach's Temple Menorah is a large, beautiful building near Torrance, and it can be really dark inside, even with the lights we bring to photograph our portraits. This was our second time shooting at Menorah, and it was really, really hot inside this day. So after about a half-hour, we opened a side door to let some air in--and look at what came with it--beautiful, soft daylight. We brought Alex to the door with the torah, and let the natural light shine on her face. We loved the results so much, now we always look for the side door at all our temples!
Andy @ Orange County's Temple Beth Shalom 

Bar Mitzvah boy in front of torahs, with our favorite Canon 70mm-200mm 2.8 lens. It's a classic, made all the better this day thanks to Andy's orange hair, juxtaposed against the orange hue of the torahs. This was our fifth shoot at our favorite Orange County shul, Temple Beth Shalom , and we look forward to returning in 2009.

Brandon @ Camp Hess Kramer

Look, we traveled to Israel to photograph a Bar Mitzvah!
Not quite, but it sure looks like it. 

Brandon and his family spent the weekend at Wilshire Boulevard Temple's Camp Hess Kramer in Malibu, where he went to the torah in the rustic chapel in the woods, and then partied in a big tent below. 

It was an overcast day, so for this image, we put a flash unit on a light stand, bounced into an umbrella, to help the image pop. 

Alex @ Temple Shalom of the South Bay, Manhattan Beach Marriott.

Who can beat an outdoor ceremony on a beautiful September day overlooking a lush green golf course? That's Alex at the Bima, with smiling Rabbi Lori from Hermosa Beach's Temple Shalom of the South Bay looking on. Temple Shalom travels to different venues each weekend for its B'nai Mitzvahs, and Alex's mom choose the wonderful Manhattan Beach Marriott (we're biased--it's five blocks from our home) for the event. On this day, with Alex singing up there, and smiling so, with the greenery of the trees and grass a magnificent backdrop, the M.B. Marriott never looked finer.

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.

Long Beach Bar Mitzvah | Temple Israel | Renaissance Hotel

We had the good fortune of photographing and videotaping our first Bar Mitzvah at Long Beach's Temple Israel on Saturday. Sam, seen posing in the Temple Israel lobby before he was called to the Torah, celebrated afterwards at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach. DJ services provided by Time of Your Life, which offered us immense assistance by dropping the confetti during Sam's Hora. We love this shot!

Samantha's Beverly Hills Bat Mitzvah Party | BatMitzvahPhotographer.com

Here's more! Samantha's high-energy Bat Mitzvah party, from the Beverly Hills Country Club, a video montage by http://www.grahamandgrahamphotography.com. Breakdancing and fun DJ services provided by Randy and the gang at http://www.realgeniusdjs.com