Its like the bsquared bar/bat mitzvah central over here lately. I photographed Noah’s sister’s bat mitzvah a few years ago and I was so happy to be asked back for Noah’s special day. I did a little ninja photographer action and snuck in one or two shots at the end of the service thru the closed doors of the sanctuary. We snuck outside for a few quick shots and then it was off to the party downstairs. I love this family’s tradition of having everyone who is asked to light a candle must speak about the bar mitzvah boy (not just have the bar mitzvah boy say some things about them). It was a great morning/afternoon. Congrats, Noah!

The 3rd and final installment of Cayla’s special day (you can find the temple and the portraits on the blog, just click the links). Cayla’s a disney girl (a girl after my own heart) and there were sprinklings of Mickey heads throughout, like hidden Mickeys at DisneyWorld. A great time was had by all with the candlelighting, montage, plenty of dancing and good food and good friends and family most of all.

After getting ready (you know I loved LOVED her silver glitter doc’s!) we headed up to the Allegria Hotel’s roofdeck, only for it to start raining almost immediately upon arrival. So we rushed to get in as many shots as we could before they kicked us off (i guess the deck gets slippery when it rains and they don’t let anyone out there anymore). The backdrop of the beach was lovely and I felt like we were in Miami Beach instead of Long Beach.

So my good friend’s daughter became a Bat Mitzvah a few weeks ago and I was on hand to take lots (and lots!) of pictures on her special day. I know how hard Cayla worked studying her Torah portion and all of the other requirements for the day, I even took her to one of her lessons with the Rabbi when her mom was out of town. I didn’t stay, but got to hear a good part of it on the way to the temple! Cayla has a really pretty voice and she carried the whole service beautifully. Some other events during the service worth a mention- all of her uncles, dad, mom and brother passing the Torah on to Cayla, her absolute race around the synogogue carrying the Torah (like she couldn’t get that done fast enough and the Rabbi commenting if there was ever a Torah race, she’d win hands down) and my personal favorite part was her mom welling up with tears on the Bimah during speaking about Cayla and saying “shit”. Everyone cracked up- even the Rabbi- so I guess it’s all ok. Stay tuned for portraits and party photos soon.