Rancho Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid | Garrett

We returned recently to Congregation Ner Tamid, the beautiful shul on the hill in beautiful Palos Verdes, California for Garrett's Rancho Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah.
The temple has lots of ambient daylight to work with, which we augmented with our Orbis ringflash and Alien Bees.





Mazel Tov, Garrett!

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!

Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid

We were back up on the hill last weekend at the big, majestic Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes for Blake's Bar Mitzvah and reception. We'll post pictures from the party--catered wonderfully by CNT's resident in-house caterer Peter Carpenter and his Gourmet 2 You company.

CNT is one of our favorite places to photograph, but we don't really need to tell you why, do we? Look at how stunning the setting is!


Mazel Tov, Blake!

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!

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.

A 3-D, Action-Filled Bar Mitzvah Party

Earlier in the week we promised to post some of the highlights from Joshua's Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah party--so here we go.
This was the event with the 3-D video montage--and a very enthusiastic family rockin' the dance foor.

Palos Verdes Congregation Ner Tamid Bar Mitzvah | Joshua

Here's Joshua and his great-looking family from this weekend's Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah up on the hill at Congregation Ner Tamid. Ner Tamid doesn't allow photography during the service, so these images were taken Friday afternoon at the "rehearsal."
We returned the next day for the party, where Dad, a stereo photography enthusiast, had the kids in the palm of his hands hen he did something we've never, ever seen at a Bar Mitzvah party. David handed out 3-D glasses to all to watch the incredibly creative, very unique and highly entertaining video montage.
Pictures from the party will be posted later in the week. Photos 1, 3, 4 and 9 by Sam, the others by Jeff.

Palos Verdes Ner Tamid Bar Mitzvah by Graham & Graham

It was back to Rancho Palos Verdes and Congregation Ner Tamid over the weekend for Jared's Bar Mitzvah, with a super-hero themed reception at the Torrance Doubletree.


Jared, like the younger Graham, is a great visual artist, and he decorated the party with some of his great images. The artwork was also a centerpiece of his entertaining montage.

Below, Jared posing with some of his pals--the Hulk, Spider-man, Superman and Wall-E, and dancing up a storm. Photos by Sam Graham (except siblings, by Jeff.)

Palos Verdes Bar Mitzvah | Congregation Ner Tamid

It was our pleasure to return to Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes for Rob's Bar Mitzvah. Ner Tamid is the beautiful temple on the hill, where Rob was called to the Torah. A few hours later, he had the time of his life with a rocking party in the social hall. Randy from Real Genius DJs did a great job of keeping the party moving.

El Segundo Bar Mitzvah Bash | Automobile Driving Museum

 

 

 

 

We had a blast at our first Bar Mitzvah party at El Segundo's Automobile Driving Museum. Justin celebrated his simcha there, surrounded by over 75 classic cars from all vintages, authentic diner food (burgers, shakes, etc.) and a magnificent auto theme provided by master event planner Nina Bracker Events. The museum is a little hidden gem off Mariposa. Stop in and check it out!