The Business Behind The Artistry » Real Bar Mitzvahs

Best of 2012: Bar Mitzvah Portraits

Elizabeth Beskin — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:50:29 +0000

Here are some of our favorite shots from the Bar Mitzvah portraits of 2012. We look forward to sharing other categories over the next few weeks.

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The Bar Mitzvah Havdalah: Making an Old Tradition Fresh Again

Elizabeth Beskin — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:06:59 +0000

In its broadest sense, the Havdalah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat (the Saturday Sabbath) and holidays. Some branches of Judaism also include the Havdalah as part of the Bar Mitzvah celebration. It’s a traditional and beautiful service that seems to be growing in popularity, especially for Bar Mitzvah families not wanting to do a morning service and an evening party.

Many families, not wanting to share the bema in the morning with another family, or those who are not closely associated with a temple, have been able to use their party location for the Havdalah service, much like we do for ceremonies in weddings.

A Bat Mitzvah we photographed recently for Jacqueline illustrates this beautifully. Our photographer captured the most important elements of this service: the teacher, the torah and the family’s emotions. Arlene Rosenthal of Party Ideas created a beautiful setting for the service and the party that followed.

Vendors:

Planner and Décor – Arlene Rosenthal at Party Ideas, Westport
CT arlene@partyideasct.com

DJ and Games – Hal Prince Music http://www.halprince.com/

Location – Shenorock Shore Club

Photographer- Jennifer DelCastillo for 5^th Avenue Digital

No Storm Stopped These Mitzvah Photographers

Elizabeth Beskin — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:14:49 +0000

We recently shot a Bat Mitzvah that took place on the Saturday of Hurricane Sandy. The first challenge for 5^th Avenue Digital’s photographers was just getting to the event, which took place in New Jersey, in the midst of the gas crisis. But our intrepid crew found a way and everything went off without a hitch. Despite the storm, the planner pulled the details together and this Chanel-themed Bat Mitzvah was came off as planned, with lots of style – even its own runway, so all the girls could strut their stuff!

Vendors:

Planner – Loren Paulen loren2Events@gmail.com

Band – Total Entertainment http://www.totalentertainment.com/

Invitation – Judy Paulen Designs http://www.judypaulendesigns.com/

Décor – Jennifer Gould http://site.dianagouldltd.com/

Location – Temple Emanu-el, Cloister NJ http://www.templeemanuel.com/Public/HOME/index.cfm#.ULzzamc3BtA

Photographers -Jennifer DelCastillo and Amy Etra for 5^th Avenue Digital

Best of 2011: Mitzvahs Photographs

Elizabeth Beskin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:44:13 +0000

Bar and Bat mitzvah photography is a huge favorite of mine. It marks a wonderful moment in time for a family and provides the perfect opportunity to capture the family as they are right now. We saw many thirteen year olds go through this wonderful right of passage and were lucky enough to share in many joyous mitzvah celebrations. Here are a few of our favorites from last year.

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A Bat Mitzvah Girl’s Dream Comes True

Elizabeth Beskin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:25:37 +0000

At five feet and seven inches, Isabel never really considered herself a contender for Next Top Model, but she’s still loved getting in front of a camera almost since the day she born. Clothes have always loved Isabel, and Isabel has always had the right amount of style and attitude to pull off her amazing sartorial selections.

As her Bat Mitzvah approaches this November, Isabel and her family wanted to create a glamorous affair at The Capital Theater. Isabel’s mom asked 5^th Avenue Digital to set up a modeling shoot in advance of the Bat Mitzvah, so they could have great photos to use for the sign-in book and other décor elements at the Mitzvah party. That was the original reason for doing the shoot, but what resulted was an interesting realization.

Modeling is hard work, and everyone learned soon enough that it’s not nearly as exciting as a 13 year –old Bat Mitzvah girl would imagine. There was more time spent sitting still in a make-up chair than there was in front of the camera. The dresses were gorgeous, but heavy and a little itchy. By the end of the day, our Bat Mitzvah girl was exhausted!

All in all, the camera loves Izzy and the shoot was a big success. We called upon the amazing Debra Martinez for her hair styling expertise. We said we were looking for Hollywood glamour as inspiration, and she provided the rest! The taming of Izzy’s modern-day curls into soft, old school glamour was transformative. The shoot also couldn’t have been done without the stunning gowns supplied by All Dressed Up. Our photographer, Jennifer DelCastillo is simply perfect for Bat Mitzvahs. Her quiet demeanor put Izzy totally at ease in front of the camera and the photographic results were better than we imagined.

We were able to provide everything our client wanted for the Bat Mitzvah: amazing photographs that they will cherish always, and Izzy and her mom got to check off modeling on their bucket list. We can’t wait to be part of her Bat Mitzvah.

A Hard Rock Bat Mitzvah

Elizabeth Beskin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:26:45 +0000

The Hard Rock Café is slowly becoming my favorite Bar Mitzvah venue. It reminds me of the Dezerland venue of years ago. It’s all about pure rock and roll – and what 13 year-old doesn’t want to party among rock stars? It even provides a shot of nostalgia for the adults.

We’ve photographed Bar Mitzvahs at The Hard Rock Café a number of times, and at every occasion the venue offers a completely new experience for both the kids and parents alike. This time, the venue was decorated by the talented folks at Shine Events. Matt and his team not only planned the entertainment, they put their special flavor on the entire party.

One of the best things about hosting a Bar Mitzvah at The Hard Rock is the fabulous photo opportunities available in Times Square. Check out Chloe and friends (below), at a Bat Mitzvah we photographed last weekend, with the Times Square backdrop. The location, the décor and the entertainment all came together to create a cohesive whole, and a Bat Mitzvah Chloe will always remember.

What I love about photographing families during their children’s Bat Mitzvahs is the look of pure joy on everyone’s faces as the party kicks into gear. It’s priceless – and great material for the photographer. Capturing these heightened moments is what great Bar Mitzvah photography is all about!

Photography for a Mad, Mad, Mad Hatter Mitzvah

Elizabeth Beskin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:53:27 +0000

What does it take to create a unique and interesting mitzvah event?
Many people would answer that question with: a big, juicy budget. While a generous budget may pave the way, I have to say that I have seen outstanding creativity in the production of one mitzvah this winter that was not done on a large budget.
We recently photographed a wonderfully colorful Bat Mitzvah for a client of Maya Kalman’s at Swank Productions. The venue was the Green House. The clients were low key about their requests and had a modest budget. Despite what many planners would consider obstacles, Maya put her ingenuity into high gear and created an unusual theme that she executed with color and flair, making the event over-the-top fun.
The theme was the Mad Hatter’s tea party, and it led to endless creativity.

From the moment Maya showed me the inventive invitation, consisting of cards that were stuck inside the band of a top hat, I knew we were in for a treat. David Nicolas and Sean Smith, one of 5th Avenue Digital’s top photography teams, captured every aspect of the celebration.
It is the details that made this mitzvah décor exceptional. Conrats to Maya and her team at Swank Productions for knocking this one out of the park!

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Trends in Bar Mitzvah Photography

Beth Baynum — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 03:46:03 +0000

Bar and Bar Mitzvahs are among the most rewarding jobs we do here at 5th Avenue Digital. They are universally happy occasions, mostly free of drama, capturing families exuberantly enjoying this important milestone. Even after all these years of photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, it’s truly a pleasure to work with parents and planners on these events.

When it comes to Bar and Bat Mitzvah photography, some traditional elements remain unchanged, such as family portraits, bema shots and photos of the candle lighting. However, other aspects have changed and new trends are on their way to becoming new traditions. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in Bar Mitzvah photography.

Model for a Day Photo Session

For the Bat Mitzvah honorees who love to dress up and release their inner Cover Girl, we’ve been providing photo sessions that make every young woman live the life of a top model – at least for an afternoon. We will arrange for a stylist to help select outfits for the photo session, along with a hair and make-up artist to prep for the shoot. Then, the Mitzvah girl gets to spend a couple hours with one of our top shooters, posing and having fun just like a real model. We’ll usually also take some shots with mom and dad as well. We then pick the best shots for a video montage to show at the Bat Mitzvah and to include in the photo album. This is a guaranteed thrill for the Bat Mitzvah girl, a day she’ll remember forever.

Portraits with a Twist

In addition to the traditional family and bema portraits, we’re seeing a trend towards more unusual Mitzvah portraits. In a way, this is the boy’s version of the Model for a Day session, putting him in a grittier, usually urban setting to achieve more spontaneous and distinctive photography. Even the Bar Mitzvah boys – or, excuse me, young men – are comfortable with this approach. The results are more distinctive and personal portraits that parents truly cherish.

Focus on Artistic Detail

These days, when parents review their kids’ Mitzvah photos, they’ll probably see a lot more images of the venues’ architectural elements, the flowers and other décor details than they saw when they were kids. There are several reasons for this. First, because Mitzvahs today are way more produced than they were years ago, you see a lot more flowers and décor – and photographers shoot what they see. But there’s a more tactical reason as well. Photographers shoot, in part, with the future photo album in mind. They know that album designers use the event’s attractive details as backgrounds for photo montages, so they will seek out these details to ensure they provide lots of choices for the album designer. It’s attention to the details that sets our experienced professional photographers apart from the newcomers and amateurs.

Photo Booths
Photo booths have been around quite awhile, and were considered passé for a time, but there’s a new breed that give the old concept a twist. The new photo booths, like our YouBooth, aren’t booths at all, but free-standing units that allow kids to take their own photos of themselves without squeezing into a little box. This allows for more movement and more spontaneous, fun photos. YouBooth uses a foot pedal, which is easy and fun to operate, and entertains the kids for hours. And unlike the old strip of photos you used to get, YouBooth delivers full size glossy prints that can include a name and date. Even better, parents get a website gallery and DVD of all the YouBooth photos, so everyone can enjoy looking at them later, and they can be included in the photo album.

Green Screen Photography
Although it’s been around for years and had waned in popularity, green screen photography seems to be making a comeback, probably because of the improvements afforded by today’s technology. The backgrounds are more interesting and interactive, and it’s now easier to offer choices. For Bar Mitzvahs with a sports theme, this is the perfect tie-in, because we can create photos that actually put kids in the field with or as one of the players. Plus, the prints are created faster and their quality is improved.

Any decent photographer can shoot adequate Bar and Bat Mitzvah photos. But with important milestone events, there’s only one chance to get it right. There are no do-overs. As professional event planners know, your best bet is to choose a photographer who is experienced, who can show you excellent work done for other Mitzvahs and is backed by responsive, caring personal service. And that’s what 5th Avenue Digital provides.

A Bar Mitzvah Goes Hollywood

Elizabeth Beskin — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:29:43 +0000

If you can’t bring the Bar Mitzvah to Hollywood, then bring Hollywood to the Bar Mitzvah! This is exactly what Robin Lathrop and Suzan Salmon, the extraordinary planners at By Robin, Inc. www.byrobin.com, did for a client’s recent Bar Mitzvah. They made Noah, the Bar Mitzvah honoree, the star of his own Hollywood production, inviting all his friends and family to share in the fun of “He’s the Man” Film Premiere.

As the photographers and videographers for the Bar Mitzvah, 5th Avenue Social collaborated with By Robin, Inc on some details that helped give the party even more of a Hollywood feel. We love working hand-in-hand with our clients, providing solutions and ideas that enhance their events. In this case, we were true creative partners.

After walking the red carpet, guests stopped for paparazzi-style Step-and-Repeat photos in front of the themed backdrop. With flashes popping, they paused to chat with a MC interviewer with the all the nuances and expressions of Ryan Seacrest’s Entertainment Tonight style, while being filmed by the video crew. All very Hollywood!

The adults received authentic “Exclusive Engagement Movie Premiere Tickets” while the kids attending received a customized “Credential Pass” for the night; these were designed to be escort cards, directing them to specific tables. Each one of the kid’s tables had custom designed Museum Boxes themed with one of Noah’s favorite movies. The adult tables were elegant with specimen white flowers creating a very clean sophisticated environment. The elegant lighting design provided by Backstage Productions, Inc set a beautiful tone for the evening.

There were live musical pieces accompanying the handpicked DJ and MC from Untouchable Events, dance floor giveaways with very funky sunglasses, custom-decorated caps, custom photos for guests with movie themes and a sign-in board that looked like a movie poster (starring Noah, of course!), a lighted dance platform inspired by “Saturday Night Fever,” plus all the traditional Bar Mitzvah elements.

No matter what the theme, it’s always so gratifying to capture our clients as they light up with joy and excitement on this milestone day. Kudos to all the stars that helped makes this Bar Mitzvah worthy of an Oscar!

Making a Mitzvah Stand Out – From Cake to Photography

Elizabeth Beskin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:32:52 +0000

Everyone wants their child’s B’nai Mitzvah be uniquely special, from the service to the cake,to the photography. Conversely, thirteen year-olds are all about fitting in. They want their celebrations to be different and fun – but not too different, and mostly fun!

Event planner Heather Cleary, owner of Dreams Unlimited, is faced with this dichotomy all the time. She approaches each Mitzvah with a fresh eye and keen focus on meeting these dual (and sometimes dueling) goals. In her years of experience, she’s learned there’s a subtle alchemy to bringing all the various elements together for a stand-out B’nai Mitzvah.

Case in point is a recent Bat Mitzvah for Hannah. Heather carefully chose all the vendors for their passion and experience with B’nai Mitzvah celebrations (see below for vendor details). As the photographer and videographer, we were involved before, during and after the Bat Mitzvah.

In advance of the event, 5th Avenue Digital created a full day of fashion, photos and fun for Hannah and her mom. After shopping with a stylist to select the perfect outfits, Hannah enjoyed a full day in our studio doing a fashion shoot. Like a real model, her hair and make-up were professionally done, then she was videotaped and photographed as she posed in her outfits.

The video was used in a montage we produced, to be shown at the Bat Mitzvah. Some of the photos were enlarged and used as sign-in boards; other photos were projected at the event and included in Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah photo album. These video and photo shoots laid the foundation for a truly special party that kept the focus on Hannah and allowed everyone to share in her fun.

But what made this Bat Mitzvah really stand out was the family’s enthusiasm and dedication to making everyone feel comfortable. All the planning was done in consideration of their guests, to ensure each person had a fabulous time. As Heather says, the priority for Hannah’s parents was to “touch and connect with everyone who mattered to them.” When all the other elements fall into place, this attitude is what creates a truly memorable B’nai Mitzvah.

Planner: Heather Cleary, Dreams Unlimited heather@dreamsunlimitedevents.com
Location: Pearl River Hilton; contact: Gerry Burns – Gerry.Burns@hilton.com
Flowers: Atlas Floral Decorators; contact: Sheila Genesin sheila@atlasfloral.net
DJ and MC: Untouchable Events; contact: David Randazz david@untouchableevents.com
Cake: Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop; contact: Buddy Valastro – buddy@carlosbakery.com
Photography and Video: 5th Avenue Digital; contact – Beth Baynum beth@5thavenuedigital.com