Recently, I shot Ethan’s pre-Mitzvah portraits. His Bar Mitzvah is coming up, but his parents didn’t want photos to be an afterthought amid the day’s busy schedule. So, they opted for a Bar Mitzvah pre-shoot instead!
As a Bar and Bat Mitzvah photographer in Los Angeles, I am a big proponent of pre-shoots. They’re relaxed and slow-paced, plus they offer your child the opportunity to show off their passions. Ethan chose to bring his guitar to this shoot, and it made the perfect prop. He’s been playing since age four!
Benefits of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Pre-Shoot
Booking a Bar or Bat Mitzvah pre-shoot for your child has many benefits. Chief among those benefits is the time you’ll save on the big day! We all know that the day of a Mitzvah can be hectic, leaving little time left over for portraits. Whereas, with a pre-shoot, there will be plenty of time to document this exciting milestone in your child’s life.
Your child may also feel some anxiety around their Mitzvah or having their photo taken. Booking a pre-shoot will allow them to get some of those nerves out before the big day when there will already be some pressure on them. Plus, without all their family and friends present, they’ll be able to relax in front of the camera. Of course, as their photographer, I’ll provide direction for posing and generally help them look and feel their best!
One of the best ways to make posing feel more comfortable is to bring props that communicate your child’s passions and favorite hobbies. While there isn’t much opportunity for this on the day of the event, that isn’t an issue with a pre-shoot. Your child is unique, so their Mitzvah portraits should be too! I love the way these images of Ethan with his guitar turned out.
Lastly, booking a Bar or Bat Mitzvah pre-shoot means you can utilize the images at the event! Add a few favorites to the front of your invitations, or create a slideshow of the whole gallery to play during the party. You can also select one or two for the Temple announcement and programs.
Los Angeles Bar and Bat Mitzvah Photographer
If you think pre-Mitzvah portraits are the best option for your child, I’d love to connect. Inquire today, and we’ll start brainstorming ideas for locations and props! To see more images from Bar and Bat Mitzvahs I’ve photographed in Los Angeles, head to the blog.
Vendors:
Planner: Cobalt Events
Ceremony Location: Temple Judea
Reception Venue: The Garland Hotel
