If your family is celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, I’d love to help you document it. This Reform synagogue in Orange County is a joy to photograph. The community is warm and welcoming, the sanctuary offers beautiful natural light, and the outdoor areas create an easy setting for portraits. Whether you’re planning something traditional or more personal in style, Shir Ha-Ma’alot is a wonderful place to mark this milestone.
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a deeply meaningful tradition, and my goal is to document it in a way that honors both the moment and your child’s personality. My photography style blends classic, editorial, and documentary approaches. I aim to deliver a final gallery that feels polished and emotional, while still capturing all the real moments you’ll want to remember. From portraits before the service to the celebration afterward, everything is approached with care and intention.
We usually start with portraits about 90 minutes before the service. I begin with meaningful shots of your child on the bimah, holding the Torah, opening the ark, or rehearsing their prayers. From there, we take more relaxed and creative portraits that reflect who they are. Family portraits come next, with a mix of traditional groupings and more candid, magazine-style moments.
Depending on your synagogue’s policies, the service may follow. If photography is allowed during the Shabbat morning service, I document the full experience, including aliyot, the Torah reading, and any special interactions between your child and the clergy. If it’s not permitted, we can schedule a weekday session in the sanctuary to make sure all those moments are beautifully captured.
After the service, it’s time to celebrate. Whether you’re planning a casual kiddush luncheon at the synagogue or a separate party later that evening at a nearby Orange County venue, I’ll be there to document the fun. That includes the dancing, games, hora, speeches, candle lighting ceremony, and all those spontaneous moments with friends and family. These are the memories that often mean the most.
If you’d like photos to use for invitations or party décor, I also offer portrait sessions in the weeks or months leading up to the event. These can be at home, at Shir Ha-Ma’alot, or at a location that reflects your child’s interests. I have done creative shoots in Venice, with a basketball theme (with the Bar Mitzvah boy playing basketball with the Rabbi and Cantor!), as well as a graffiti theme in front of the many murals in downtown Los Angeles.
The final step is designing a custom photo album that brings everything together. Your child’s album will tell the full story of the day with a mix of portraits, meaningful moments, and celebration highlights. I’ll help you choose images and design something beautiful that your family can enjoy for years to come. I have many examples of finished album designs online and am happy to send over the links upon request!
It’s always an honor to photograph a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. If you’re planning one at Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot in Irvine, I’d be thrilled to be a part of it.