Dylan // Bar Mitzvah

Mitzvah Monday this week features Dylan! Mazel Tov to this smart & fun guy and his family!!

Thank you to mom Clara and dad Dave for choosing me to document this amazing weekend for their family - it was so fun to see your family and friends interacting and coming together to celebrate Dylan and this milestone moment. And the party details? All done and coordinated by mom - WOW! 

Synagogue: Bet Shalom
Party Venue: Minneapolis Marriott West
DJ: Total Entertainment

Nate // Bar Mitzvah

March was a whirlwind of bar mitzvahs, Torah readings, portraits, parties of all shapes and sizes and a few of the most fun families I've worked with so far! 

The month kicked off with Nate and his family, celebrating his bar mitzvah at Adath Jeshurun. I loved working with Nate and his fabulous siblings - they laughed at my jokes, smiled their true grins and I even shared my secret weapon with them ;) Portrait sessions at the synagogue can really happen at any time, but I always love the sessions that happen in the week beforehand - everyone is calmer, more relaxed and less time-stressed. We had just that for Nate's portraits and I think it made all the difference!

Nate's mom Dawn worked with Allie from Amy Zaroff Events & Design to design and coordinate the best basketball-themed bar mitzvah party for her hoops-loving firstborn! Nate's "Mitzvah Madness" happened at Hoops43 in Hopkins and featured Fabulous Catering stations, the very best donut & candy bar from Angel Food Bakery AND Level11 kept all the jersey-clad kids and adults dancing the night away. Thanks to all these fabulous vendors for making the night such a success! 

Gabriel // Bar Mitzvah

When I met Gabriel and his parents at their home on a cold winter night, we bonded over a love of reading. His bar mitzvah was a laid-back affair and his parents requested photos at their intimate family and friends dinner on Saturday night to document the people who mattered most to them - I was happy to work wherever they needed me :)

So unlike most of my bar or bat mitzvah posts, there's no photos on the Bima or reading the Torah, but there are more than enough photos that tell the story of Gabriel's bar mitzvah. This shot above? His oldest cousin was snowed in in New York, unable to make the event. But through the power of FaceTime, he sent hugs and well-wishes. His grandfather and his twin were celebrating a birthday so what better way than with Grandpa's favorite - the Costco cake! 

I loved working with Gabriel and his family for this simple yet meaningful event. And I'll never forget that Gabriel was my first-ever Jewish friend who showed me how to and then let me light the Menorah for Hanukkah ... it was a really special moment we shared after we first met and one I'll never forget! 

Mazel Tov, Gabriel!

Matthew // Bar Mitzvah

Mazel Tov to Matthew and his family! This family of five was nothing short of hysterically funny, sweet to each other and they had the best fun poses - I love when families make my "job" so easy! 

We took Matthew's bar mitzvah portraits at Beth El Synagogue a few weeks before his big celebration and had such a great time together! Siblings Steven and Elizabeth helped Matthew look his best (so sharp in that suit!) and were always on deck to make him smile his real smile :) I should consider hiring them for future gigs! 

The party was held at Maple Grove Community Center with A-List Entertainment keeping the kids on the dance floor all night - I love when there's a great group of kids willing to dance their hearts out! The photos are always so fun!! The Lookout catered a great dinner with classic bar food - easy breezy - and that dessert table filled with ice cream sundaes and a Stanley Cup candy bar?! Right up my alley! 

Glow in the dark face painting and the Flip Books provided additional entertainment, rounding out a great party to celebrate Matthew's big accomplishment. The best part? His older siblings made it a point to come from their high school winter formal dance to their brother's party - and just in time for the family Horah! I loved watching every piece unfold and see their family bond even closer together!