An old Favorite | Temple Israel of Hollywood Bat Mitzvah

We're testing out the video links from Smugmug, and what better occasion than to reach into the grab-bag for this great musical highlight from Allison's Bat Mitzvah at Temple Israel of Hollywood!

Daniel's Bar Mitzvah Celebration | Porter Valley Country Club Northridge

Here's more from Daniel's Nortridge Bar Mitzvah celebration, a basketball themed simcha at the Porter Valley country club. Amazing video work by David Medill for Graham & Graham Photography.

Northridge Bar Mitzvah | Temple Ramat Zion | Daniel

Daniel was called to the Torah Saturday at Northridge's Temple Ramat Zion for his Bar Mitzvah. We were honored to have been there, and to celebrate our third simcha with the Broutt/Berman family. We'd photographed Daniel's cousin Jacob's Culver City Bar Mitzvah, as well as his Uncle Saul's wedding to the lovely Karen in Palos Verdes. How much fun to see so many familiar faces at the basketball themed reception at the Porter Valley Ranch country club in Northridge.

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!

Carolynn's "Hug" Mitzvah | Temple Akiba, Culver City

So many hugs at Carolynn's Temple Akiba Bat Mitzvah in Culver City, we were inspired to make a little video montage, set to the best soundtrack imaginable--Carolynn's sweet voice.

Sinai Temple Los Angeles Bar Mitzvah

We recently had our first photo session at Los Angeles' majestic Sinai Temple, on Wilshire and Beverly Glen, for Ben's time on the bima.
Such a beautiful facility!
Ben's service was in the smaller chapel, and we loved lighting the flowers to make them shine!


On Sunday, Ben and his family had a totally non-traditional simcha at Gameworks in Long Beach, where there was no Hora--or dancing of any kind! Just pizza, candy and games! A 13-year-old's fantasy....



That's Ben's brother above, in intense game play.

Long Beach Temple Israel--Quartet by Sam Graham

August, 2009 found us with our first four week quartet--4 Saturdays in a row at Long Beach's Temple Israel.
Sam Graham photographed Dylan, Claire, Malenia and Alysia on the bima, and at several fun reception sites, most notably, Seal Beach's Old Ranch Country Club.