A Photographer at the Bar Mitzvah (Page 2): "I dont know the lingo and the events or courtesies that happen. Yes, I can research and read up on it but ...." Not sure why this comment...

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

"I dont know the lingo and the events or courtesies that happen. Yes, I can research and read up on it but ...."

Not sure why this comment bothers me, maybe it's old age. Would have preferred to have seen something like "have done a considerable amount of research and now would like to hear from those who have had first hand experience in shooting such an event."

Abc1234 - good thoughtful comments.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Sorry guys. I didn't mean anything about whether a non-Jew should shoot a Bar Mitzvah; of course they can. I was just thinking "why re-invent the wheel?"

Sort of along the same line as asking a wedding photographer to shoot a Spanish bull fighting event. Can it be done? Sure. But why not just get a person who has at least been to a bull fight, and is familiar with the protocol?

Of course, as already suggested, one can always view a Bar Mitzvah on YouTube, to get a little more familiar with the ceremony:

http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=youtube%2Bbar+mitzvah&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&channel=suggest#channel=suggest&q=youtube%2Bbar+mitzvah+ceremony

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

charles brown wrote:

"I dont know the lingo and the events or courtesies that happen. Yes, I can research and read up on it but ...."

Not sure why this comment bothers me, maybe it's old age. Would have preferred to have seen something like "have done a considerable amount of research and now would like to hear from those who have had first hand experience in shooting such an event."

Abc1234 - good thoughtful comments.

Thank you Charles and thank you for your thoughtful rewording.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

This is great answer.

frjack wrote:

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.

coolhoosier Loc: Dover, NH, USA

sjshaf wrote:

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

Rule 0 -- Do your homework: read about the event; talk to the clients and to others who've taken part in similar ceremonies.

Rule 1 [regardless of your experience] -- talk to the presiding official (the Rabbi) and understand the general nature of the event: the sequence of events, the goals, and the Temple's local ground rules (where you can and cannot be, whether you can use flash, etc.).

Rule 2 -- talk to the client. Develop a shot list. Work together on a time-line for the ceremony and the post-ceremony celebration.

Rule 3 -- Again talk to the Rabbi and make sure that your plan meets with his approval. Many will have some excellent suggestions that can improve the results.

Rule 4 -- Don't break the Temple's ground rules.

Note, BTW, that if you substitute "priest" or "minister" for "Rabbi" and "church" for "Temple" the sequence works for Catholic and Protestant events. Similar substitutions can be made for other religions.

hdg Loc: Boston

I was just in that boat a few months ago! In their case, the photographer was allowed in the room for 30 minutes before the service to "recreate" some of the important scenes. Here are the shots my client told me she needed. The boy on the alter/podium, the boy being handed the Torah by the Rabbi, The boy on the alter with varying family members, a close-up of the Torah, the boy holding this pointer on his portion of the Torah, the boy getting his prayer shawl put on. The boy with his shawl and his father with his shawl (in this case the mother didn't have a shawl, but some of the women did so I'd ask about mom). That's about all we had time for and then we went into the entry and got more photos with family members. Then the party was in the evening and was like any other party, really. The most important part was getting all the "best friends" photos. Good luck. It'll be fun.

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

[quote=sjshaf]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.

I had to do a shoot for my boss's twin son's bar mitzvah and I, too, hadn't a clue. I did some research on line and found a book (no idea where it is right now) authored by a Baltimore photographer on how to shoot bar/bat mitzvahs. I couldn't have done it without that book. Google "photographing bar/bat mitzvahs, you should be able to find it. It wasn't expensive, but worth every penny.

eviebeth23

I agree with the important items mentioned by hdg. I want to add that for my daughter's Bat Mitzvah, the photographer arranged that we do a photo shoot about a week before the event. Getting permission from the rabbi, we did a lot of shots up on the bimah (the raised platform in the synagogue). The rabbi had taken the Torah out for us so we could do the shots of my daughter reading her Torah portion, some by herself and some with proud parents by her side. It was much more relaxed than taking pictures right before the event, when the kid is likely to be a nervous wreck. At the party, the picture of all the kids together is very important.

02Nomad Loc: Catonsville, MD

The author is Stan Turkel, it's a Kindle book that's available at Amazon.com for just under $11.00.

sjshaf Loc: Odenton, MD

Thanks for the replies and a little off-the-ramp venting from some! :)
I guess I should mention that the Synagogue does not allow photography during the ceremony so it will just be the family present and I was asked to take photos at the dress rehearsal. I guess I should have placed that info in the initial post.
And as for never shooting the BM, I think I am game for it - there is always a first time for everything and if I never do it, I will never step out of my Wedding experience.
I will look for Jeff Cable, I like his other videos...
Having said that, I asked what are the trends and ceremonies to look for on the day, I never did get that answer! :)

sidney Loc: London.Eng.

I did Bar/Bat Mitzvahs for fourty years on Miami Beach..
I could give you so much info that would help you if you
can get in touch with me.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

sjshaf wrote:

...I guess I should mention that the Synagogue does not allow photography during the ceremony....

This is the biggest stumbling block. You will not even have to be there until oneg, i.e., reception, begins and that shooting is like any other family affair. The formals should most like be done before services on the same or prior day. More like the same day so you have all family members dressed and present.

Go do it and let us know how it turns out.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

This is every bit as important as a wedding and you should treat it like one. Speak with the Rabbi first, find out what you can and can't do. Then have back up for all your equipment. You can't give the excuse that your gear failed, so you can't provide pictures..sorry.

Also, don't be afraid to ask if it is ok to have them reinact the reading of the Tora later, so you can use some creative lighting and make a really outsanding image that they can proudly display at a 20x30 + size, maybe in canvas, and a very nice photo album.

sidney Loc: London.Eng.

Why would a most important event in this young boys life
be given to a photographer who has no idea as to what is going on..shame

lonewolf456

I am a newbie to the Forum and was hoping to gain a lot of information about my newly purchased T4i. Having read the answer from Speedy Wilson, am very reluctant to ask questions as I don't want to get involved with confrontational answers. A legitimate question was asked, and a snide answer was given, not what was requested. Take the venom to another forum.