Ben Drucker Photography » 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

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

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.

Sarah Nelson Bat Mitzvah Party | Morristown, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Photographer

Ben — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:33:17 +0000

This past Sunday, I went to the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey to photograph Sarah Nelson’s Bat Mitzvah party. It was a very unique party, definitely a departure from the dark rooms and loud music I’m used to. Sarah and her family planned a scavenger hunt through the museum, with the attendees picking up clues along the way, trying to win a prize at the end. The kids split into teams, and searched the museum, counting beads on necklaces, reading articles, and scouring the pieces for clues. Everyone got really engrossed in the scavenger hunt, and the very unique idea ended up being a great success. Congratulations to Sarah on becoming a Bat Mitzvah!

Sarah receives a memento from a family friend

Some partygoers write down clues

Discussing a clue

Sarah’s sister write down clues

Sarah and her friends in a group hug, after her friends sang the song they wrote for her

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

Sara Winkler Bat Mitzvah Portraits | Short Hills, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Photographer

Ben — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:57:30 +0000

I recently shot a synagogue portrait session for Sara Winkler’s Bat Mitzvah with the Winkler/Banner family at Oheb Shalom Congregation in South Orange, New Jersey. We’d had a lot of scheduling difficulties and the session had been pushed back by almost a month. Nevertheless, I worked with the Winklers and we finally fit it in their schedule. And it was worth the wait. The images really say it all. Also, congratulations to Sarah on becoming a Bat Mitzvah!

Sara’s parents decided to sneak a quick portrait while everyone else was preparing

Cantor Erica Lippitz shows Sara a parshah in the Torah

You can really say how proud Sara’s parents are of everything she’s achieved and prepared for

Rabbi Mark Cooper points to the siddur as Sarah reads

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

Sara Winkler Bat Mitzvah Party | Montclair, New Jersey Bat Mitzvah Party Photographer

Ben — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:24:30 +0000

I recently photographed Sara Winkler’s Bat Mitzvah party at the Diva Lounge in Montclair, New Jersey. The venue was really incredible. Very large, and of course, very well stocked with food. Having been on my feet shooting for 3 hours made the few free minutes I had to stop by the chocolate fondue station even better. Here are a few images:

The family of honor entered, with everyone very dressed up for a daytime party

The tattoo artist airbrushed tattoos on, and was very popular

The dancing started to pick up about an hour into the party

A favorite photo of mine, in which some girls sang along to the music

Sara lit candles with her relatives

And of course was joined by some friends as well

Sara lit a candle with one of her best friends, whose birthday it was that day

Sara gets a Superman tattoo

Dancing with Dad

Sara’s Dad busts a move

Sara’s friends present her with some gifts and posters

You can also find the images from the synagogue at Sarah’s Bat Mitzvah portrait session on my blog.