Young Israel of Hollywood, FL | South Florida Mitzvah Photographer

I met this family through mutual friends a few years ago, and we’ve kept in touch on Facebook ever sense. They are a really fun family, so I was especially excited when mom called me a few months ago to inquire about mitzvah photography. Yes, please! I photographed the Thursday morning service, then an awesome kids party with video games from Go Mobile Games Miami on Thursday night, and a bar mitzvah bash at their home on Saturday night. This simcha was well celebrated, and I was honored to be there to capture it all!

Thursday morning service captured with Joshua Hartwig from Organic Moments Photography

South Florida Mitzvah Photographer | Ilan's Bar Mitzvah - Slice Weston

I have known this family since this young man was 2, and it’s been so special to watch all these kids grow into Jewish adulthood this year! Ilan read from the Torah on a Sunday morning of Rosh Chodesh, so I was able to capture photos at his service, which I always love. The images I’m able to create freezing those spiritual moments in time are always my favorite. Then his family and friends gathered later that evening to celebrate! They had a sports jersey theme, which always seems to go over well. Guests appreciate the relaxed and casual attire, and this photographer always loves the pops of color the jerseys add to the images!

Hollywood Mitzvah Photographer | Adam's Bar Mitzvah | B'nai Sephardim | One Event Place

There’s just something special about the intimacy and simplicity of a weekday Bar Mitzvah. And also something spiritual. In addition to a tallis, tefillin are worn, and Adam had a beautiful ceremony, which I’ve never seen before. Young mitzvah boys often get help with their tefillin, usually from the rabbi or a parent. And tefillin are wrapped the arm a certain number of times in a certain pattern for symbolic reasons. So when Adam was wrapped in his tefillin, the men in his family took turns with each wrap. Thinking back to what I witnessed, and reviewing those moments in these images, still gives me goosebumps. It’s like they were wrapping him in love and generations of tradition. Amazing!

He did a beautiful job reading from the Torah, and then celebrated with family and friends, and enjoyed an outstanding brunch.

Boca Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Via Mizner Country Club

A celebration like no other! Lots of hora dancing, amazingly spirited singing, and more dancing! What a joyous simcha!

It also brought me joy to reconnect with this family who I grew up with! I met them when we were teens, and now that we’re raising teens of our own, it makes photography of events like this that much more meaningful. The time went so fast, and I’m grateful to have my childhood photos with them, and am happy to have captured and shared this milestone in their child’s life!