Friday, January 29, 2010

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.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

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

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Jotown! A Rocking Motown themed Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah Party


Here's some highlights from last night's rockin' Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah bash for Joey--JOTOWN!
The Motown theme was for the Schwartz family, formerly from Motor City, who showed the California folks how the folks in the midwest rock out and let their hair down. Detroit native Jon Layne and his amazing Party Layne company provided the entertainment, we did the photography, the Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza was the setting.
A really fun night.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Long Beach Temple Israel Hafotorah Video Montage | Emily's Bat Mitzvah


It's almost the one-year anniversary of Emily's Valentine's Day Bat Mitzvah at Long Beach's Temple Israel, and we were just thinking about how this is one of your favorite videos ever. Why not pull it out again to share?

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Palos Verdes Congregation Ner Tamid Bat Mitzvah


It's January now, and we're just getting to posting some highlights from the December Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
Katie was lively and vivacious and a total pleasure to photograph during her photo shoot at Rancho Palos Verdes' beautiful Congregation Ner Tamid, high up on the hill overlooking the Los Angeles basin.

Her reception was held at the Portofino in Redondo Beach, right by the water, where Katie was truly the life of the party, staging dance contests, running madly through the restaurant at break-neck speed during the "Pepsi/7UP" game and....well, check out her jump shot. There are jumps, and then there are jumps. Mazel Tov, Katie!