Automobile Driving Museum Bar Mitzvah Party | El Segundo

Here's more pix from Liam's Bar Mitzvah party at the El Segundo Automobile Driving Museum. Liam made his grand entrance in a classic blue Thunderbird, driving right onto the dance floor, where he jumped out of the car and danced the afternoon away with many, many of his friends.

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Kol Ami | Adam

We've been a little backed up with blog updates, what with the trip to British Columbia, but here's where we last left off, with Adam's trip to the bima at Congregation Kol Ami of Los Angeles.


Here's one good looking kid--or should we say, man?
We used David Honl's new Traveller8 softbox for these shots, on a lightstand, with a Canon 580 EXII flash. Love the look! Thanks David.

Beth Shir Sholom Santa Monica Bar Mitzvah | Ben

Ben was called to the torah at Santa Monica's Beth Shir Sholom recently. We did portraits before the service, and then went upstairs to document the service from the A/V room. Afterwards, Ben, his family and friends celebrated at the new Marriott Le Merigot.


Top photo by Jeff, bottom photos by Sam.

Sinai Temple Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah | Carly

We returned to Sinai Temple recently for Carly's portrait session at the busy, beautiful Los Angeles temple, on the corner of Beverly Glen and Wilshire.

We love Sinai's big stained glass of the temple (great for portraits and family shots) and the wonderful garden outside.

Top two photos by Jeff, bottom by Sam Graham.

Bar Mitzvah Photography in Downtown Los Angeles | Part 2 | Julian and Danielle in the City

As promised, here's part two of our recent visit with Bar Mitzvah boy Julian and sister Danielle in downtown Los Angeles, before the big party at the Millennium Biltmore. A little video montage, courtesy of our friends at Animoto.

Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah Photography | Knesset Israel | Julian

We had the honor of meeting Julian and his fine family at Knesset Israel last week for Julian's Bar Mitzvah. It was our first time at the historic temple on Vermont Avenue, and we're thrilled with the results.


Another first for us: Julian, not his parents, did a search for "Bar Mitzvah Photography" on Google and found our website. He liked what he saw, and sent his parents out to meet us. And he knew what he wanted. Classic Bar Mitzvah pictures, like the one of his dad that's been hanging all these years, along with some contemporary twists. This was a fun challenge!
Below, dad's Bar Mitzvah portrait.

Here's our take:

Then it got fun--we put both Bar Mitzvah boys together.

And best of all--they were loving it!

Serious is good, but we're a fan of smiles. We like the classic pose, and a winning, happy grin.


We'll be back later in the week, blogging more photos from Julian's amazing party at the Los Angeles Biltmore, along with our downtown L.A. shoot with Julian and his sister. Co-stars include Disney Hall, Angel's Flight, the Grand Central Market and the Bradbury Building.

San Pedro Bat Mitzvah | Temple Beth El | Jordan

We had the good fortune of spending Saturday with Jordan and her family, as she was called to the Torah at Temple Beth El in San Pedro.

Below is what has to be one of our all-time favorite mother/daughter shots. There's just something about those two smiles--and those brown eyes!--that really gets to us.

Here's Jordan with Cantor Ilan and Rabbi Charles.

And here's more Jordan:

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!

The 2009 Bar/Bat Mitzvah All-Stars

The all-star team: Dylan, Alexa, Tyler, William, Spenser, Dakota, Sabrina, David, Drew, Olivia, Adam, Simon, Ben, Leah, Maliena, Daniel, Lana, Zachary, Skylar, Carolynn, Emily, Joey, Miles, Elliot, Nora, Mia, Katie, Jared, Issac, Ethan, Jake, Joshua and Claire. Photographed at Temple Israel of Long Beach, Temple Beth Am, Congregation Tikvat Jacob of Manhattan Beach, Temple Isaiah Los Angeles, Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center, Valley Beth Shalom, Temple Menorah of Redondo Beach, Temple Israel of Hollywood, Temple Beth Shalom of Orange County, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Sinai Temple, Temple Shalom of the South Bay, Malibu Jewish Center, Temple Akiba of Culver City, Wilshire Boulevard Temple and Congregation Ner Tamid of Palos Verdes by Graham & Graham Photography.

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!

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

Brothers! | Issac and Eli | Culver City Bar Mitzvah

We had the good fortune of documenting Eli's Culver City Bar Mitzvah 3 years ago at Temple Akiba and meeting his wonderful family for the first time. Fast forward to 2009, and it was Issac's turn on the bima.

It was an emotional afternoon, highlighted by a tight brotherly hug that's turned into one of our all-time favorite shots.



Rabbi Zachary Shapiro from Temple Akiba performs memorable Havdalah services--we were honored when he posted our shot of Eli and the Rabbi on his website 3 years ago--here's the new one with Issac--and the old classic as well!