Redondo Beach Bar Mitzvah | Jewish Community Center | Chabad | Jason

It was back to the friendly Jewish Community Center, Chabad last weekend for Jason's Bar Mitzvah. Rabbi David, Jason and the family met with us on Thursday afternoon (no photography allowed during service) for pictures at the JCC.

Rabbi Dovid always thinks we're funny to ask for all the lights to be turned off while we take the pictures, but we love the results. This way, we don't mix different light sources.
The JCC has strong, beautiful window light, probably more so than at any other temple we've photographed, and we love taking advantage of it.


After the Saturday service, Jason and co. celebrated with a simcha at the Manhattan Beach Belamar hotel.


All photos by Sam Graham except for the top photo, which is by Jeff.

Jacob's Redondo Beach JCC Bar Mitzvah Party

Here's a really fun, rocking video from Jacob's Bar Mitzvah party at the Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center Chabad. By David Medill for Graham & Graham Photography of Manhattan Beach.

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.

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.

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.

Lana's Bat Mitzvah Video Montage by Graham & Graham

Here's the "director's cut," version (a shorter, 2.5 minute video) of one of our all-time favorite Bat Mitzvah video montages. It's from Lana's Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. We see more movie parodies in our future. Enjoy!

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah | Crowne Plaza | batmitzvahphotographer.com

Saturday it was finally Lana's turn. Lana made her majestic grand entrance to her rocking Bat Mitzvah party at the Crowne Plaza in Redondo Beach, with over 300 guests sharing the love.

It was the third simcha for the Granow clan, and we have been honored to be there for all three.

It was also Lana's third time on the Hora chair. See below for her 2007 and 2005 moments.

One highlight is always the Havdalah ceremony, as staged by the clergy at Manhattan Beach's Congregation Tikvat Jacob. We love photographing it in natural, colorful candle light.


The party was put on by master party planning service In Any Event, and Robin Crevelt. Love that color! DJ Mark Ray had the audience up and moving all night. We produced the montage, which we'll post here soon.

Mazel tov, Lana!

Torrance Bat Mitzvah Party | Doubletree Hotel

Part 2 of our video highlights from Alexandra's Temple Menorah Bat Mitzvah. This one takes us to her rocking party at the Doubletree Hotel in Torrance, for a three minute highlight reel. Enjoy!

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah Video | Temple Menorah

Here's a fun little video highlight from Alexandra's recent Bat Mitzvah at Temple Menorah of Redondo Beach. Conor Morris produced this for us and did a fabulous job.

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah | Temple Menorah

The lovely Alex was called to the torah at Temple Menorah last weekend. We're huge fans of natural, window light portraits, and it's not every day we get to make use of natural light inside a synagogue. But we found a special place at Redondo Beach's Temple Menorah to acheive it, and we're sure happy with the results. Mazel Tov, Alex!

Manhattan Beach Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcase | Raleigh Studios

On September 14th, do yourself a favor.

Shop the Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvah vendors
at one fabulous time and place.

Planning a Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration can be overwhelming … or a pure pleasure. Your choice.
And choice is exactly what The Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvahs is all about.

From party planners to caterers, photographers to entertainment, the Best in Bar & Bat Mitzvahs will showcase party professionals from to suit your style and budget. You’ll sample delicious food. See the latest in décor. Get inspired, get excited, get it done.

This fantastic event is co-sponsored by Manhattan Beach’s Congregation Tikvat Jacob, Hermosa Beach's Temple
Shalom of the South Bay, the Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center Chabad and Redondo Beach’s Temple Menorah, so you’ll catch up with friends while exploring your options. (Our friends from Palos Verdes’ Congregation Ner Tamid and other local temples are more than welcome!)

Admission is free, parking is free and prizes will be raffled. You can run all over town checking out vendors … or you can save this date, and save your sanity. See you there!

Sunday, September 14th, 2008
from 1 to 3 pm
Raleigh Studios
1600 Rosecrans Avenue
Manhattan Beach



Coordinated by Nina Bracker Events
310.701.8815
nina.bracker@gmail.com

Exhibitors include:
Graham and Graham Photography
Gameworks
Nina Bracker Events
You Should Be Dancing
Patina Group
Raleigh Studios
Invisibletouch DJ
Mark Ray's Ray Entertainment DJ
The Invitation Enthusiast
Ayres Hotel
Automobile Driving Museum
Temple Menorah
Congregation Tikvat Jacob
Jewish Community Center Chabad of Redondo Beach
Temple Shalom of the South Bay
Fry Girl
Korman Group
Ink Invitations
Party Pals
Gil Christ Video
Images Printed on Chocolate
Video-sync
Bowl Lucky Strike
Slater Entertainment
ItsoYou
Ron Levy Photography
The Korman Group
Premiere Valet Parking
Friendship Circle
Party Pals

Manhattan Beach Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcase

Attention b'nai mitzvah families: our friends at Nina Bracker Events have put together a comprehensive one-stop shopping event where you can meet with photographers (that's us!), DJs, party planners, venues and entertainers.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah Showcase will be held at Manhattan Beach's Raleigh Studios on the New York Street backlot on September 14th, from 1 to 3.
We'll be there with special prizes and discounts for our Congregation Tikvat Jacob, Temple Menorah Redondo Beach and Redondo Beach Jewish Community Center families. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza Bat Mitzvah

Here's Emma at her Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza bat mitzvah. The actual service was held in a conference room, adjoining the bigger ballroom for the party. We'll post pictures from the party next.

Redondo Beach Bat Mitzvah | Temple Menorah

Last weekend we photographed our first bat mitzvah at Temple Menorah of Redondo Beach, a wonderful Jewish synagogue with a rich 60 plus-year history. Temple Menorah is one of several temples in the South Bay, including Temple Shalom of the South Bay in Hermosa Beach, Congregation Tikvah Jacob in Manhattan Beach, Congregation Ner Tamid in Palos Verdes and the Jewish Community Center Chabad in Redondo Beach. Lots of temples, but not a Jewish deli in sight!

Emily is seen on the bima with the torah, posing with Temple Menorah's Rabbi Steven Silver and Cantor Didi Thomas, and in the Menorah courtyard.