Ben Drucker Photography » Synagogue

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.

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.

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

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.