This past weekend I proudly watched my eldest nephew become a man… His formal Bar Mitzvah photos were taken the typical Thursday before the big day at Park Synagogue… And the party?  Well, neither typical or formal would describe this event!  My sister-in-law had the idea to turn the dance floor into a giant foam pit!  Guests were told to bring a change of clothes, but the rest was a surprise!  Chick’fil’a filled tummies, while Rock the House had us dancing (and slipping) the night away in the spectacular foam party held at Force Indoor Sports.  There was soccer & basketball, too… but come on, we wanted the FOAM!

It was not only a very special weekend… it was SO FUN!!!

Here are a few of the photos… I’m still working my way through the 800+ images, so stay tuned to see more of the foam fun!

Bar Mitzvah Boy

I love this kid!

Foam!!

Here is a sample of the new and improved video slideshows we’re presenting your photos with…!  This video is from a outdoor location session that was part Bar Mitzvah photos, part family photos, and part child portraits.  These videos have been a huge hit in the studio– so many people have wanted to take them home with them, give them as gifts to grandparents, or even post them to Facebook, that we’ve added them to our product line!

Check it out!

August was a great month– filled with weddings, lots of pregnancy and newborn sessions, and tons of family photos, both in the studio and outdoors with natural light!  Here is a slideshow featuring a little bit of every photo session from August 2009.  Can’t wait to see what September brings…!

I photographed my cousin’s Bar Mitzvah in a very non-traditional way… it was done in installments– the party first, and then this past weekend, about a month after the big day, we finally did his Bar Mitzvah portraits.  The weather was amazing, so after we took the pictures in the synagogue, but before everyone was tired of smiling, we went outside and took some great family photos.  I tell families all the time that occasions like Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are great times to get updated family portraits– everyone has fresh haircuts and is looking their best, and it’s a chance to get out-of-town’ers and the whole gang together.  

Everyone seemed to let loose during the outdoor family portraits– we had so much fun!  I suggested they toss their youngest brother in the air, and… they did!  Sorry JoJo! They were all such great sports, and we got some great shots!