Bar/Bat Mitzvah Collections

There will be a series of events that will take place to insure your Bar/Bat Mitzvah day will turn out for the best.
"How much does it cost?" Most parents are shocked at even what decent mitzvah photography costs. Most think "you're only taking a few pictures - why so expensive?" Sometimes you'll hear "geez, that's like $400 to $500 an hour - I don't even make that kind of money!"

The reality is that most people aren't aware of what actually goes into making great pictures that you'll cherish for the rest of your days. They're not familiar with the processes that most photographers go through - it's much more than just showing up to take the pictures and then handing you a USB or printed proofs. There is actually quite a bit that takes place before, during and after your mitzvah that contributes to the final result.

Here is a list of some of the things we do, before during and after.

Before the Mitzvah

We start off with usually an e-mail or web message sent by you, expressing your interest in us. After that we will place an initial phone call going over the details of your bar/bat mitzvah. Because we have additional styled

pre-sessions available, we may have several calls going over those details also.

Before the mitzvah or pre-session we usually like to meet you and your son/daughter to go over your day and get to know each other. This will help to 'break the ice' if you will. The pre-session usually takes a couple hours and also serves to get you comfortable with us in front of the camera. The pre-session will rid you of feeling nervous. We'll have fun and you will see some of what will happen on the day of the mitzvah. Some parents use those images for the party.

We also scout out locations you may want to take your pictures at. They may be your venue, the synagogue, JCC or other locations.

In the final days and hours of your mitzvah day while you're preparing, rehearsing, reviewing...so are we. We're re-checking our equipment and our back-ups to ensure that everything is in working order and ready to go. Batteries are being charged, memory cards are being cleared, flashes and studio lights are being tested and packed, and we're talking, always talking Ideas, perspectives, angles, locations, bad weather, 'what if's'. Finalizing the plans we have for your day. We're just as detail-oriented about your day as you are.

Your Childs Big Day

The day of your mitzvah, we're snooping around to get a feel for your location, lighting, details and decor. We may pre-set lighting in areas so that no time is wasted.

We're shooting, non-stop, in the most unobtrusive way possible in order to capture the most spontaneous, defining moments of your day.

We're in the moment with you, all-day long. We're shooting from different perspectives. Points of view.

We depart, but that doesn't mean we're finished with your mitzvah. Once we return, we back-up all of your photos - and then back-up the back-ups. Only then is our day over.

After The Mitzvah

Within a week, we begin working on your photos and from start to finish, this can take anywhere from 30-50 hours, depending on how much time we spent with you on your day. We process each photo individually. We never just batch-process your photos. There is so much more that goes into making a beautiful photo and we work hard to improve upon perfection and, in some cases, draw out the beauty in imperfection.

Depending on your choices, your images may then be hosted in an online gallery for you and your friends and family to view. If your choice was a USB it will be provided. If your choice was an album, after selection work, we'll begin and finalized in 4-6 weeks.

Ok, so now you know a little of what goes into your day. families plunk anywhere from $500 - $1,000 or more for a DJ. Most do great work, but don't spend nearly the amount of time with you as a photographer. They set their equipment, play for 4-6 hours pack up and leave..their work is done and in a week you won't remember much. If you've read everything above, you will know on average we will spend 60-100 hours on your mitzvah for memories that last a lifetime.