UCLA Engagement Photos | Michelle & Andre

We spent Sunday afternoon with Michelle and Andre on the incredible UCLA campus today and left with some amazing pics of their engagement shoot. It's a thrill to share them here. Between Royce Hall, Powell Library et. all, there are so many awesome backdrops to choose from.


It's hard to pick a favorite here, but we're especially partial to this fun series of the couple running down the quad--can't beat those smiles.




We'll be seeing Michelle and Andre again on October 16th when we meet up in San Pedro for their wedding at the fabulous Mary, Star of the Sea church. Can't wait!

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

"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!

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.)