Ben Drucker Photography » Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Rysavy Bat Mitzvah Party | Cedar Grove, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Party Photographer

Ben — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:33:56 +0000

The Rysavys twin became B’nai Mitzvah on June 5 at Temple Sholom of West Essex in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. The Rysavys are a great family and photographing a B’nai Mitzvah was a unique challenge that forced me to think creatively. Congratulations to both girls on become B’nai Mitzvah, as well as to the entire Rysavy family.

“R” Family Bat Mitzvah Portraits | Warren, New Jersey Family Portrait Photographer

Ben — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:06:34 +0000

In the week after Maxine’s Bar Mitzvah, we visited the Temple Har Shalom in Warren, New Jersey to take some formal Bat Mitzvah portraits since photography is not allowed during services. After, we went back to the “R” family’s home to take some regular family portraits. We had a great time and made some great images.

Maxine R’s Bat Mitzvah Party | Bridgewater, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Party Photography

Ben — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:58:36 +0000

Maxine’s Party took place at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Bridgewater, New Jersey on May 15th. I was really surprised to see what a great job Maggiano’s and the decorator Howard Goldberg did–the room looked amazing. On top of that, it was a pleasure to work with the best entertainment company I’ve worked with, Pure Energy Entertainment. They did an incredible job creating energy in the room and made my job so much easier. The party was a great success and the images show it. Congratulations to Maxine and the entire “R” family; it was a pleasure to be part of the event.

Maxine shares a hug with a friend

Maxine poses with Jared, the emcee

Maxine sings with her friends

Maxine cuts the challah with a close family friend

Maxine lights a candle with her friends

The "R" family blows out the candles on the cake

Maxine kicks off the hora

I think they may have had the most fun with the emcee/dancers...

Maxine dances with her father

Maxine poses with Jared, the emcee

Stefan, Maxine's brother, does his best to steal the show

Benji Cooper Bar Mitzvah Portraits | South Orange, New Jersey Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Ben — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:16:08 +0000

I had the pleasure of photographing Benji Cooper, son of Rabbi Mark Cooper and Amy Skopp Cooper, this Friday at Oheb Shalom Congregation before his Bar Mitzvah. The Coopers are an amazing family. They have 5 sons and are truly dedicated to Judaism and Israel. I’ve known Benji for a long time and I could tell that his Bar Mitzvah meant something to him; he was genuinely excited to become a Jewish adult. Mazel Tov to Benji and the entire Cooper family.

The Coopers will be the first recipient of one of my brand new slideshows. I’m really excited to be offering these starting today. I couldn’t ask for a better way to show off my images. Click the play button below to take a look.

Jessi Zabrowsky Bat Mitzvah | Livingston, West Orange Bat Mitzvah Photographer

Ben — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:59:31 +0000

I photographed Jessi’s Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El‎ in Livingston, New Jersey. We shot some great family portraits with the whole Zabrowsky family and then moved into the sanctuary to make some portraits on the bimah. Jessica’s party was held at the Highlawn Pavillion in West Orange. The Highlawn is one of my favorite venues to photograph. It’s beautifully decorated and features panoramic views of New York City.

Jessi and her mom share a special moment before the service

Jessi reads from the Torah

Jessi and her grandfather cut the challah together

The Zabrowskys blow out the candles

I had a great time with the Zabrowskys and congratulate Jessi on becoming a Bat Mitzvah.

I haven’t been updating the blog recently, but I will be posting a bunch of shoots I’ve done over the past two months this weekend.

Antiles Family Portraits | South Orange and Maplewood, New Jersey Family Portrait Photographer

Ben — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:03:16 +0000

Early Sunday morning, I headed over to the Antiles’ house in South Orange, New Jersey, to go shoot some family portraits since a lot of their extended family was in town for Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah. I expected maybe 15 people or so, but boy was I surprised. It seemed like there was another uncle or cousin arriving every minute. By the time everyone was there, there might have been more than 30 people in the house. Nevertheless, with the help and cooperation of the Antiles, everything went perfectly. To my amazement, we were done in just under hour, despite all the combinations of family members we were constantly arranging. Thanks to the family for all their help and cooperation, and of course, congratulations to Jessica on becoming a Bat Mitzvah!

Jessica and family

Jessica and her cousins had a great time posing and arranging themselves

Jessica Antiles Bat Mitzvah Portraits | South Orange, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Photographer

Ben — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:37:33 +0000

This past Tuesday I did another Bat Mitzvah portrait session with Jessica Antiles and her family at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, New Jersey. The Antiles were great to work with. They were really excited about their session, which really showed through in their images. Jessica becomes a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, so good luck to her!

Jessica and her mom stand in front of the ark

Rabbi Cooper joking with Jessica before I started shooting. They didn’t know I was there and getting this shot until it had already been taken!

I really love this image of Jessica reading from the Torah

Jessica stands at the Torah with her two younger brothers. Her brothers were not exactly excited to be there, but we finished their shots quickly much to their delight.

Jessica’s parents watch their daughter with pride as she reads from the Torah

Josh Harmon Bar Mitzvah Party | Short Hills, New Jersey Bar Mitzvah Party Photographer

Ben — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:42:55 +0000

I shot Josh Harmon’s Bar Mitzvah Party last Saturday night at The Warehouse in East Hanover, New Jersey. What an incredible venue. The place is set up with retro 60′s decor, ping-pong and foosball tables, and lots of food. They really packed a lot of stuff into a small space. Everyone had a great time.

Josh plays doubles ping-pong with his friend. What’s really incredible is who he’s playing against.

Yes, that’s a Converse shoe in his hand. This guy was incredible. He’s a professional ping-pong player, who the Harmons hired to play against all the partygoers. And wow, was this guy good. When he used a paddle, he used one half the normal size. He used shoes, small frying pans, you name it, he could play ping-pong with it without breaking a sweat. It was truly incredible.

You can find the images from the Harmon’s family portrait session in honor of Josh’s Bar Mitzvah on my blog.

Sarah Nelson Bat Mitzvah Portraits | Short Hills, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Portrait Photographer

Ben — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:58:55 +0000

The Nelsons brought a lot of family to their Bat Mitzvah synagogue portrait session for Sarah Nelson’s Bat Mitzvah at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, New Jersey. Lots of people in a portrait session tends to mean rushing, difficult logistics, and a less enjoyable experience. Not with the Nelsons. Not only were they cooperative and excited subjects, but they were willing to invest extra time to make sure they had every image they wanted. After over an hour of shooting, we left the synagogue with everyone enjoying themselves and images that showed it sitting on my memory card. Thank you to the Nelsons for being so enthusiastic and willing to experiment, and congratulations to Sarah on becoming a Bat Mitzvah!

Sarah looks up at Rabbi Mark Cooper as he speaks to her about becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Sarah and her younger sister Eva get their favorite shot where they’re both wrapped in Sarah’s tallit

Sarah stands in front of the ark with her grandmother

Sarah reads from the tour as Cantor Erica Lippitz watches and smiles

Everyone smiles as Sarah reads from the Torah in front of her parents

Sarah and her parents stand with the sanctuary in the background

A unique and modern looking shot, in which Sarah and her parents stand in front of one of Oheb Shalom’s beautiful stand glass windows

You can also find the images from Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah Party on my blog.

Harmon Family Portraits | Short Hills, New Jersey Family Portrait Photographer

Ben — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:34:14 +0000

I shot some family portraits in honor of Josh Harmon’s Bar Mitzvah this afternoon. The Harmons are friends of mine, and it was a pleasure to work with them. We did the shoot in their backyard, where, on the beautiful day it was, we had great light. Congratulations Josh on becoming a Bar Mitzvah!

Josh stands with two of his grandparents

In a family tradition, Josh’s grandfather adjusts his tie

The men of the family pose for a portrait

The entire family poses together

You can find the images from Josh Harmon’s Bar Mitzvah Party on my blog.