Northridge Bar Mitzvah | Temple Ramat Zion | Daniel

Daniel was called to the Torah Saturday at Northridge's Temple Ramat Zion for his Bar Mitzvah. We were honored to have been there, and to celebrate our third simcha with the Broutt/Berman family. We'd photographed Daniel's cousin Jacob's Culver City Bar Mitzvah, as well as his Uncle Saul's wedding to the lovely Karen in Palos Verdes. How much fun to see so many familiar faces at the basketball themed reception at the Porter Valley Ranch country club in Northridge.

Temple Beth Am Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Alexa

Alexa had her Bat Mitzvah Saturday at the big Temple Beth Am, the beautiful conservative shul on La Cienga Blvd., near Olympic. The conservative synagouge is one of the largest in Los Angeles--Alexa's service was in the main sanctuary--a godsend for a photographer.
We lit Alexa with our video lights, which we feel adds a more "movie" like look than just traditional flash. Fitting, we feel, for a temple in the heart of Hollywood--and a young girl who is destined for stardom! (Alexa is shown here rehearsing with Temple Beth Am cantor Robert Pflug.)







We also produced Alexa's video montage for the reception at the W Hotel in Westwood, and partially set it to the classic song, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Boy does she! Here's Alexa having a ball at our photo shoot, being cute for the camera. You go girl!

Carolynn's "Hug" Mitzvah | Temple Akiba, Culver City

So many hugs at Carolynn's Temple Akiba Bat Mitzvah in Culver City, we were inspired to make a little video montage, set to the best soundtrack imaginable--Carolynn's sweet voice.

Sinai Temple Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

We recently had our first photo session at Los Angeles' majestic Sinai Temple, on Wilshire and Beverly Glen, for Ben's time on the bima.
Such a beautiful facility!
Ben's service was in the smaller chapel, and we loved lighting the flowers to make them shine!


On Sunday, Ben and his family had a totally non-traditional simcha at Gameworks in Long Beach, where there was no Hora--or dancing of any kind! Just pizza, candy and games! A 13-year-old's fantasy....



That's Ben's brother above, in intense game play.

Long Beach Temple Israel--Quartet by Sam Graham

August, 2009 found us with our first four week quartet--4 Saturdays in a row at Long Beach's Temple Israel.
Sam Graham photographed Dylan, Claire, Malenia and Alysia on the bima, and at several fun reception sites, most notably, Seal Beach's Old Ranch Country Club.

Temple Israel of Hollywood Bar Mitzvah

A few weeks ago, while documenting Ben's Bar Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Hollywood, we met the fun Rosner family, and got some amazing shots of the group during Ben's party at the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum.


The family called a few days later and asked us to join them back at TIOH for Miles' August simcha.

With this gang, we were thrilled to be there for them--we love these fun shots outside the temple, along with the portraits inside TIOH as well.
During the shoot, we kept thinking of the old Miles Davis album, saying to the Bar Mitzvah boy, "Miles Smiles!"--Turns out he was named after the late, great jazz legend--birth of the cool, indeed!

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.

Orange County Bar Mitzvah | Adam | Temple Beth Shalom

We returned to Santa Ana's Temple Beth Shalom Saturday for a wonderful Orange County Bar Mitzvah.
TBS is one of our all-time favorite temples--what a beautiful spot!
That's Adam at the torah--next up, some shots from the fun basketball themed reception at the Santa Ana Doubletree!

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

Manhattan Beach Bar Mitzvah--Meet the new Team

We did our first photo shoot with the new team at our local temple, Congregation Tikvat Jacob today--say hi to Rabbi Mark, Cantor Beth and Bar Mitzvah himself, Drew.
Photo by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography.

You never know who'll you meet at a Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah party

Speaking of Ben's fabulous Bar Mitzvah party at the Los Angeles Japanese American National Museum...we always make sure to get lots of fun shots of the guests at the receptions. The Museum provided us with some amazing backdrops, the Rosner family noticed what we were doing, and asked us to snap a few shots of them having fun.
The shoot went so well, we'll be joining them again on August 22 for Miles' Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah at the historic Temple Israel of Hollywood.
But will we find another fun window to pose in at the reception?

Temple Israel of Hollywood Bar Mitzvah | Ben

We returned to the majestic Temple Israel of Hollywood last weekend for Ben's Bar Mitzvah. Afterwards, we headed downtown to the Los Angeles Japanese American Museum for a fun party, staged by Nina Bracker Events.
Mazel Tov, Ben!
By Graham & Graham Photography, 310-545-6291

"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!