sjshaf Loc: Odenton, MD

Greetings,

So I have a contract to shoot a Bar Mitzvah for a boy BUT.... I have never shot or even attended one. I dont know the lingo and the events or courtesies that happen. Yes, I can research and read up on it but anyone of you pros or religious people can give me a brief on the sequence of events and what would be expected of me to shoot? I want to satisfy my client and capture whats important and memorable...so looking for some help on the sequence of events.

Thanks.
SS

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

If I was doing the shoot, I would go talk with the Rabbi. He will let you know what is right and what is wrong. Coming of age is very important part of their faith.
Erv

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Talk with the rabbi. Specifically ask if there are any places you cannot be. I am a priest. At weddings the photographer knows not to enter the sanctuary or stand behind me. There is an invisible line. Ask about flash. You wil want many photos of the bar mitzvah chanting the Torah. Many. Good luck.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I assume you won't be taking any pictures in the synagogue. I also assume its not an Orthodox wedding or you probably wouldn't have been chosen. If its a reformed Jewish Bar Mitzvah it won't be very different than most weddings you may have attended. Think the Bar Mitzvah boy and his mother, rather than a bride and groom. :-) That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but perhaps not too much. There should be lots of candid shots around the party, perhaps some formal shots before the party with the immediate family and others (check with the parents on their expectations). There should also be group shots at each of the tables. Try to get some of the guests at each table to stand at one end to get a better group portrait. Most of your work will be the party. If its a reform synagogue they may allow photography during the service, but I doubt it.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Wouldn't it be better to suggest that the family get a Jewish photographer to record the event?

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

Really Speedy..So if your Jewish you cannot shoot a Christian wedding. Hmmmm

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

You don't think there are Jewish photographers that shoot Christian weddings? While shouldn't a non-Jew photograph a Bar Mitzvah. He will be recording the event, not overseeing it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Drat. You beat me by a minute and a half. I was composing while you were posting. ;)

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Actually, I like fr. Jack's response the best. Shalom.

liv2paddle Loc: Wall, NJ

OH come on Lukan..you gonna let Speedy get a pass on that ridicuous remark!

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I had a REAL response all lined up, but what the hell?! A Jewish photographer would just get into an argument with the Mother! Speedy's chickening out.
Here's what you do: ask Momma what she wants. Then shoot it, five or six times. When the Torah is read, don't use flash, just shoot, and preferably videotape it. Simple.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Are you certain you will be expected to shoot in the synagogue? If so, and they allow it, a Jewish photographer would not do it. Its unlikely a Jewish photographer is going to work in a synagogue on the Sabbath.

viscountdriver Loc: East Kent UK

You won't be able to shoot in the synagogue but it will be some party afterwards with probably Yiddish dancing which would make good shots.The Bar Mitzva boy will make a speech, get that.Get some posed shots but also wander around and get some marvellous shots of the characters you will find there.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

sjshaf,

While many of the posts touch upon important issues, the most important ones are missed. Regardless of how good you are, do you want to risk your professional reputation on such an important life cycle event without prior experience? Do you want to invest your time to learn how to shoot a bar mitzvah? And what if you never use those skills again? Will it have been worth it?

Simply by asking the question, you show lack of confidence in doing something so different. That is ok. Not everyone has that kind of confidence. This brings to mind my grandson's bar mitzvah. My son hired a professional photographer with an extensive wedding portfolio and but had never shot a bar mitzvah. Now, when you go to his website, he now markets his bar mitzvah prowess.

Perhaps you can trade jobs with a friend who does bar mitzvahs and go along with him to shoot it. Everyone comes out ahead.

The vast majority of the shots are the same as any family event. However, your customer will remember you more by how well you do the event-specific set ups and grab shots.

Think it over and let us know what you decide.

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

Look up Jeff Cable on Youtube. (15 things every photographer should know). He shoots Bar Mitzvahs on a regular basis.Good luck.