Mazel Tov! Finding the Right Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Turning thirteen is a pivotal moment in any Jewish boy's spiritual growth. A bar mitzvah photographer is essential for creating a lasting memory of one of the most important moments of your son's adolescence.

Know the Rules
Traditionally, your bar mitzvah photographer is not allowed in the temple during your son's ceremony. Because of this rule, most families opt to take portraits the day before the event. Keep in mind that some rabbis only allow certain photos, so make sure that any of your out-of-the-ordinary requests are approved by both your rabbi and temple prior to the shoot.

Explain the Traditions
Consider asking your friends and family members for recommendations for a great bar mitzvah photographer. Given the serious religious history of the ceremony, you are better off selecting someone who understands the traditions and knows what to shoot. If you do hire someone who hasn't shot bar mitzvahs, make sure to sit down with him or her to explain each stage of the ceremony and the reception so that there is a clear understanding of the order of events.

Create a Shot List for the Ceremony
These are the basic shots your bar mitzvah photographer will want to get during your pre-ceremony photo shoot:

1. You or your parents presenting the prayer shawl and Torah to your son.
2. Your son holding the Torah, wearing the prayer shawl and cap.
3. Your son reading from the open Torah.
4. Your son with various family members and friends who will be reading and giving blessings during the ceremony.

Create a Shot List for the Reception
These are the basic shots your bar mitzvah photographer will want to get during the reception. Keep in mind a bar mitzvah party is very similar to a wedding reception and will require more of a photojournalistic approach than the pre-ceremony.

1. Shots of the reception room prior to any guests arriving.
2. Close-ups of all of the decorations and themed aspects of the reception.
3. Shots of the dance floor. Ask the DJ to turn on the strobe lights to get the full effect of the space.
4. Shots of your son entering the reception with his parents.
5. Shots of the various tables and the guests who are seated at each one.
6. Shots of your son dancing with his friends and family.
7. Shots of the chair dancing from both low and high angles.

Ask Your Son What is Most Important
Given that this is a day that your son has been looking forward to for some time, ask him for his input on what he'd like to remember from the event. If you're not sure that a bar mitzvah photographer will be able to capture the feel of the entire event on his own, consider hiring a videographer as well.