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.

Manhattan Beach Portraits | Meet a Dietz Mother

This is why we love working locally. We got a call this week from Susan Dietz, she of the Manhattan Beach institution Dietz Brothers, seeking a new headshot. Just hearing the "Dietz" name brought instant smiles to our face. The legendary Dietz Brothers music store on Sepulveda is where the younger Graham took mandolin lessons for several years during high school, where teacher Pat Dietz always greeted him with a big smile and wealth of knowledge. He was more than happy to share music and books with Sam as well, and compare notes on the great mandolin pickers, like Chris Thile and Ricky Skaggs.
Susan is married to John, one of the two Dietz Brothers, who runs the music store with Pat. John and Pat also have a band that performs often.
Susan, a singer, needed a new headshot for career purposes, and we were thrilled to help out, and in our own way, try and return some of the kindness shown by the Dietz gang to our family.
And we think she looks fabulous in the above photo.

Temple Beth David Westminster Bar Mitzvah | Nathaniel

Back in 2006, we visited Temple Beth David in Westminster for the first time, to photography Myles' Bar Mitzvah. This month we returned--it was little brother Nathaniel's turn at the torah--and now he's all grown up!
That's Nathaniel and his dad Steven, pictured above, looking over the torah before the ceremony. Below is the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family.


Nathaniel, who calls himself a "Jewsian,"--is a lot of fun to be around--a real cut-up.
Below, images from his party at the Long Beach Marriott.

Temple Isaiah Bar Mitzvah Photography by Graham & Graham

James Doran was called to the torah at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles, and we were there to document the service and party. Isaiah is one of our favorite temples in the area, where we did our first paid Bar Mitzvah photography gig in 2003, so we were thrilled to return. The designers of the sanctuary put a lot of thought into presentation--it's really hard to not get great shots there, thanks to the layout.
After the ceremony, we accompanied James and his family into the social hall, for the fun party, which was hosted by DJ Dan and his Party Zone.

Manhattan Beach American Martyrs Wedding | Yvonne and Kevin

We live on Laurel Avenue, just four blocks from the big American Martyrs church, which dominates the skyline of Manhattan Beach, so it was our extreme pleasure to be hired by Yvonne and Kavin to do the video for their Manhattan Beach wedding at American Martyrs over the weekend.
It was a huge weekend in town, with the Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament, so after the wedding, we brought the happy couple to the El Porto beach area of town, just two blocks away from Verandas, the site of their reception.
No problem with thousands of spectators here--the beach belonged to the happy couple.

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.

Manhattan Beach Family Portraits @ the Manhattan Beach PIer

A few weeks we happily donated our services to Manhattan Beach temple Congregation Tikvat Jacob for the annual silent auction, with a Manhattan Beach family portrait session.
There's nothing better than giving back, and then getting so much in return, as we did when the lively Davidson/Kushner family arrived to meet us at the beach recently for sunset shots, full of vigor, enthusiasm and willing to do just about anything. Well, the above picture says it all. We've known Tamah for years, and she's always been consistent--"Don't take my picture! I hate to be photographed."
Something about the beach when the sun is about to set....changes everyone's disposition. The next thing you know, they're jumping up in the air and waving their arms for the camera!

Rancho Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid | Zachary

We've spent a lot of time at Congregation Ner Tamid in Rancho Palos Verdes over the last year, and it was a thrill to return again recently for Zachary's Bar Mitzvah. Both the service and party were held at the big temple on the hill, in P.V.
Photography is not allowed during the Saturday services, so we have to work extra hard at making the Friday afternoon "rehearsal" shots come to life, as if they were taken during the ceremony.

We'll let you be the judge at how well the Jeff/Sam tag team pulls that off.
For example, here's two different takes of Rabbi Issac going over Zachary's torah portion, with him, taken at the same time.


And here's Zachary and family marching with the Torah--on Friday afternoon!

Mazel Tov, Zach!

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.

He's a Jazzman: Max's Musical Bar Mitzvah Celebration

Here's more from Max's musical Bar Mitzvah celebration: the jazzman blowing away on his baritone sax in his very own backyard.


Max's parents threw the simcha at their home, where Max performed with the hot Richard Bernard and his Oy Stars, a jazzy Klezmer combo with horns, bass, drums and guitar. He did a lot more than just sit in with the band. He held his own, improvised solos, kept up with the band, and proved himself to be one musical prodigy. And sax isn't his only instrument. He had us in awe at another Bar Mitzvah, playing some amazing ragtime piano.


Max: keep rockin'!

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.

Temple Isaiah Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

We returned to Temple Isaiah--the site of our very first Bar Mitzvah photo shoot--recently for Zachary's Bar Mitzvah.
Top photo by Jeff, bottom by Sam Graham.

The evening reception was a jungle themed affair at the UCLA Faculty Club. Below are two shots by Sam Graham, of Zachary at Royce Hall, followed by a wild Hora at the club.

Temple Menorah Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah

Jake had his Bar Mitzvah at one of our favorite local temples, Redondo Beach's Temple Menorah, recently. The party was held that night in downtown Los Angeles's swanky Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, staged by Nina Bracker Events, with DJ services by You Should Be Dancing. Pictured below: Jake in the Chandler banquet room.

B'nai David Congregation Los Angeles Bat Mitzvah

We just had the good fortune of our first photo shoot at the historic Los Angeles temple, B'Nai David, on Pico Boulevard, for Danielle's simcha.
B'nai David was once one of the oldest, grandest movie palaces in Los Angeles, the Fox Stadium Theatre. It was transformed into an orthodox shul in 1964 and looks as grand today as ever.
Photo by Sam Graham of Graham & Graham Photography.

William Z's Temple Isaiah Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

Three years ago we had the good fortune of meeting up with the Liebenson family for Justine's Bat Mitzvah at Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles.
Fast forward to 2009, and it was time for brother Will to step to the Isaiah bima--and for us to reunite with the family again. We (along with hot LA DJ Randy Lehrman and his Real GeniusDJ outfit)also got to participate in a high-energy celebration at the Olympic Collection in Los Angeles.




Here's Will wooping it up with his pals at the simcha!