rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you do decide to take on the project, make sure that they understand exactly what your prior experience is and what results they can (or should not) expect.

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

A very good and valid point, Rab-Eye

nathanweddings

As a veteran of photographing more than 1000 weddings, bar/bat mitvahs I humbly suggest: don't! It is harder than you think.

nathanweddings

As a veteran of photographing more than 1000 weddings, bar/bat mitvahs I humbly suggest: don't! It is harder than you think.

neillaubenthal

Danger Danger Will Robinson!!

Even for better-than-average photographers of which I think I am as well…if you're not a pro who does this sort of thing regularly then like we used to say in the Navy you don't even know what you don't know…for instance the no photography on the Sabbath since that's 'work'…I never heard of that one.

And…even if you were a pro who does this sort of thing regularly…there's a good reason that a lot of people recommend never, ever doing business with either friends or family because somebody is gonna be unhappy if you do.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Some philosophy

When it comes to weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and other such religious/celebratory family events, some families place photograhy as one of top their priorities in the planning- some do not. They will assign the task to an m amateur friend or relative and oftentems will regret that decision. Sadly, they realize their mistake after the fact. Perhaps a few will be satisfied with what they have. Many will hire an experienced top professional, who will provide a masterful "album". The album gets lots of attention at first but may languish on a bookshelf or closet for years to come. I will, however, guarantee, from personal experience and the reaction of many of my clients, that alum becomes invaluable many years later.

That album or body of work is not only a record of an event, perhaps sacred to some, but if produced comprehensively and correctly, a frozen in time archive of lovely portraits of not only the guest(s) of honour but of parents, grandparents, siblings, close friends and relatives, all dressed up and in a celebratory mood and enjoying each others company. There will be spontaneous candid images of people relating to one other. Think about the impact of those photographs 10, 20, or 30 years in the future.

I oftentimes have clients from many years ago coming in to have well-worn albums repaired or re-bound, re-ordering images that were lost or damaged or worse, have me restore old faded and damaged snapshots because they never had a professionally-crafted portrait made of a beloved relative who has passed away.

The problem is misconceptions. Many consumers think that anyone with a good camera is a good photograher. Many amateur photograher look at a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Bas Mitzvah, First Communion, Confirmation, a Quinceañera, etc., as just a ceremony and a big party. It is much more than that! Even if an inexperienced photographer can manage to make a sharp and clear image of the event, can he or she capture the essence, drama, significance and profound love and pride of the occasion? In order to do that, you need to be 110% in control of all the photographic technicalities to the point of second nature so you can concentrate on the emotion, and relationships and get it all in without being obtrusive. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, even the party can get away from you. Celebrations can oftentimes be rather chaotic and fast-moving.

You don't have to be Jewish to photograph a Bar Mitzvah, but you should have a thorough understanding of the meaning, the process and the traditions. I am Jewish but I can recite the liturgy of the wedding ceremonies of just about every Christian denomination. I have learned about Hindu, Islamic, Shinto, and other ceremonies through experience. I am not a theologian or a biblical scholar but I know what is gonna happen at the ceremony before it happens so I am always in the right place a the time. Most importantly, I understand the significance of all the traditions and rituals. Anticipating the action is mandatory.

I am not a genius and none of this is rocket science but it requires skill, experience, practice, patience, dedication and professionalism. So, my advice to the uninitiated is- don't mess with it. I know of seasoned profess photographers in other specializations to take on weddings and such, and ended up on the business end of a lawsuit.

AnotherBob

Thanks so much for your thoughtful description of what in involved, not just for photographers, but for the vast majority of us who are ill informed on the behind the scenes preparations and importance.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I still want to know what the 11th commandment is.

ediesaul

https://annestephensonphoto.com/articles/tips-for-best-bar-bat-mitzvah-photography/

https://mangostudios.com/tips-better-bat-bar-mitzvah-photography/

https://www.twincitymitzvahs.com/must-have-mitzvah-shots/

https://www.photocrati.com/10793/

And there are lots more on Google if you search for how to photograph a bar mitzvah.

AnotherBob

I always thought it was "Thou shall not get caught," but it's been a while.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Even if someone is not doing the work themselves, they shouldn't be paying someone to work on their behalf on the Sabbath, either, even if they aren't Jewish. That being said, look up the term "Sabbath Goy".

However, if you aren't getting paid and are doing a favor for someone and enjoying it as a hobby, you might be able to rationalize that you aren't working. There is no Orthodox synagogue that would allow photography under any circumstances, and I know of no Conservative shuls that would, either. Many Reform synagogues will allow photographs before and after the service, but few will allow it during. If the reception is not on synagogue grounds, anything goes.

There are so many confusing "laws" in Judaism. Not using electricity is a throwback to not cooking or turning on a light. In the old days it was work to create a fire, and work is not permitted on the Sabbath. Not turning on the lights today is based in tradition rather than reality since it is a lot easier to say, "Alexa, turn on the living room light" than it is to fumble in the dark. Many say it is ok to use battery power on the Sabbath rather than electricity, since the battery is "stored" power and was not generated on the Sabbath. That rationale became popular with the advent of portable lapel mics and other needs like arming and disarming the synagogues alarm system, especially in this day and age. But if you can use a battery powered microphone on Shabbat, why not a battery powered camera?

You can ask the rabbi in the shul, but be aware that you can't win an argument with a rabbi. The more you argue, the more convoluted reasons they will come up with based on ancient laws and traditions. Seriously, the rabbi of a synagogue is considered the authority on Jewish law in the synagogue. You can argue with him, but his decision is final. I say this out of the experience of dealing with my rabbi through the two terms I was president of my synagogue. I never won an argument with him, even when I was right. Just joking!!!

GreenReaper

I have made it an iron-clad rule, I don't shoot weddings, funerals, or Bar Mitzvahs!

montephoto

Obviously, that rules out a DSLR ???

Just because the newest technology makes silent shutters possible, it does not "obviously rule out" using anything else.

I am a pro and I have photographed hundreds of weddings (and Bar Mitzvahs) over ~40 years and nobody has ever complained about my "noisy" film cameras or DSLR cameras. I might tend to agree with you if you were using an RB67 film camera with a humongous mirror, but certainly not any typical DSLR.

Timmers Loc: San Antonio Texas.

Ask this member of the Hog, he is into photography and is a Rabi
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=69957
I'm sure he can tell you all you need to know.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

That is an outstanding response and a wonderful series of photos!