Royal Photography Gallery | Bar & Bat Mitzvah

My Style of Photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

When photographing a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, my goal is to create the kind of images that your family, your children and your grandchildren will cherish. Yet, at the same time, I respect the fact that you and your family will spend a great deal of time planning the event the way you want it.

I'm sure you have been to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs where the photographer has taken control and tried to run everything, constantly telling people where to stand and what to do. I don't like that any more than you do!

You may have also seen some of the "instant experts" who have purchased the latest automatic cameras and now proclaim themselves to be "photographers," even though they know very little about posing, lighting, or how certain lighting conditions can fool the automation in their cameras.

I have been photographing Bar/Bat Mitzvahs for about 20 years. While the photojournalistic style of photography is what comes naturally to me, I offer a unique blend of the modern photojournalistic style and the traditional style, using both styles during the event, as different situations dictate the use of each of the different styles. I am one of the few photographers these days who still takes the time to set up studio lighting for the formals and during the party, if these photographs are taken indoors or under a tent. I use the highest quality professional lighting techniques for your photographs.

Some people have asked about digital images. I recommend film for the most important photographs because of the higher image quality; however, you may select from either:

1. All Film Coverage
2. All Digital Coverage
3. Combination Film and digital Coverage.

This allows you to select between the enduring quality of film negatives, the more versatile digital image, or the combined benefits of both.

Either way, I deliver all of the images to you. I also recommend that all film negatives be scanned at the time of processing (before there is any chance for fingerprints, scratches, or dust to degrade the photos.) This will provide you with digital scans that can be used for all of your routine printing; while preserving the negatives as an archival record.

A special note: Many temples will allow the Torah to be removed from the Ark for posed photographs either before or after the ceremony. If this is not allowed on the Shabbat at your temple, let me know in advance. I will make arrangements to go to the temple on a different day to take the posed photographs.

Click on any thumbnail image to see the full-size photo!