I think the only way to really describe this Bar Mitzvah is EPIC!  Matthew and Daniel are cousins whose families joined forces to throw an amazing party.

some of the people/places who helped make it happen:
MC - steve jasgur/joe cornell entertainment
coordination - party assurance
synagogue - temple israel
venue - rock financial

Here are the two Bar Mitzvah boys, at our synagogue shoot Saturday morning. 

  

these two adorable twins shared a bat mitzvah a couple of weeks ago (I am falling behind in my blogging - ahhh!).  The always fantastic Dee Dee Hoffman planned their party, so I knew it was going to be a good one ;-) 

A few portraits Saturday morning at Shir Shalom


helllooo, ridiculously good-looking family!






there's something about this next one I just adore ;-)


Their party was held at the corners in West Bloomfield - Dee Dee and her team really outdid themselves creating a camp-themed ballroom that was both rustic and beautiful.

So excited to share some favorite images from Noah's awesome Bar Mitzvah!

Another fantastic Dee Dee Hoffman event - this party had it all.  The Detroit YMCA was a fun and unique venue that lent itself perfectly to a casual, sports-themed party.  There was all the usual dancing, but also rock climbing, dodge ball and hockey for the kids.  FUN!  And the food was out-of-this-world.  2 Unique really outdid themselves with a delicious strolling supper. There was sushi, pad thai, tenderloin sliders, white truffle mac and cheese (getting hungry now!)....

But first - some photos from our portrait session at Temple Israel

Photographing Bat Mitzvahs is always a blast, and Jolie's was no exception ;-)

 Some favorites:

Here's a few from her portrait session at Shaarey Zedek - such a beautiful synagogue. 

What an amazing day this was!  Madison was bat mitzvah'd (is that a word?) last weekend at the Ritz, and it was a BLAST.  Dee Dee Hoffman planned the event, and she and her team did a fantastic job transforming the ballroom into a chic nightclub environment. 

Madison is just a beautiful young lady, inside and out ;-)

What an awesome day this was!  Danielle was Bat Mitzvah'd last weekend at Shaarey Zedek, with a party at Wabeek Country Club. 

Here's a few portraits from Synagogue



the whole fam...



With her sister Mia

The party at Wabeek had a camp theme, which was so much fun.  The decorations were fantastic - there was even a little campfire display!

love this shot of Danielle

her dress was to die for - so sparkly!



what do you think - is she having fun? ;-)

the hora



I gotta give major props to Danielle's Dad - this was possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen at a Bat Mitzvah!  He preformed a special rap spoof of 'fergalicious' for the guests - it rocked!


thanks to the Rubin family for chosing me as your photographer - hope you guys had a blast!

Eliana became a bat mitzvah this past weekend.  Isn't she gorgeous?!
We did these portraits at Temple Israel, which has a beautiful sanctuary to photograph in



Here she is with the folks

And her just-as-adorable little sister Natalie ;-)

The party Sunday night was at Boogie Fever, and it was a blast!  Eliana chose a 'wicked' theme to celebrate the Broadway musical (which i saw last year in new york and LOVED!).  Here's just a few of the awesome details they put together:

A couple more portraits of the bat mitzvah girl and her family

Star Trax MC Blaire was amazing and really kept the party going!



candlelighting...



a dance with dad...





This was such a fun bat mitzvah - everyone has a blast!  Enjoy the preview!

Cousins Rachel and Jaclyn decided to join forces when it came time for their bat-mitzvahs - that means double the fun!

Here's the girls reading from the Torah at Adat Shalom
they each had the cutest custom pointers - love it!





Here they are all dressed up for their evening party at Andiamos

Both of their dresses were to die for - I swear, they didn't make 'em this cool when I was 13.  I cringe remembering my Bat Mitzvah dress ;-)

The ballroom looked great - loved all the bright colors



the hora!





the moms!

this was a happening party - check out how packed the dancefloor was!

Congratulations Rachel and Jaclyn!  Hope you girls had a blast!

All that I can say is WOW!  This was one amazing party for one amazing young lady!!  As soon as I met the Tyner family and heard about their plans I knew it was going to be a Bat Mitzvah to remember! 

We started with some Synagogue portraits

The Bat Mitzvah girl!


How cute is this family?!

A nice moment with grandma

And than it was time to PARTY at MBargo/Lucky Strike in Novi - such a fun spot!  I LOVED all the details that Susan and her team at 753 space design studio put together - the decor was all sourced from recycled materials, there was on-site screen printing, funky blacklight - and check out these awesome posters they created from some headshots I took! SO rock 'n roll!



the hora!!

The Magen Boys, all the way from Canada, kept the party going - this crowd was dancing up such a storm that the dancefloor nearly collapsed (literally!)...

Congratulations Gillian and family - what a fun night!  

Rachel's Bat Mitzvah last weekend was a blast!

Here's a sampling of some of my favorite photos:

the day began bright and early with some family portraits at temple Emanu-El in Oak Park.
could this family be any cuter? ;-)



the evening party was held at Hotel Baronette.  They decorated the ballroom with life-size renditions of many popular magazines - re-imagined, of course, starring the bat mitzvah girl!  Such a fun, creative theme!

now - get ready to be IMPRESSED!  this is artwork by Rachel that was displayed around the foyer.  LOVE these!  I would totally hang them in my house.  And she is only 13!  amazing.

a few more shots of Rachel....

and we can't forget her adorable sisters!



here's dad giving a speech...

quite possible my new all-time favorite hora shot.  ever. 

love it!

someone certainly enjoyed all the glowing goodies handed out by the always fabulous Star Trax MCs ;-)

Congratulations Rachel!  And congrats to mom and dad for raising such a lovely and accomplished young lady!