Can you picture your Bar Mitzvah?

/PHOTO | BLINK OF AN EYE PHOTOGRAPHY, BLINKOFANEYEPHOTO.COM

Photographs are a part of all our lives. They have been ever since the camera and film were invented. You wouldn’t think of having a life event like a Bar or Bat mitzvah without someone to record it with pictures. Of course, there are plenty of people with cameras attending the event. And in this age of the cellphone, everyone can take a picture. But most people hire a professional photographer to record the special day.

We wondered what those photographers think about all the festivities. Photographing a life cycle event is a lot of responsibility and a lot of work. There are family issues, key moments, high emotion and different venues. Add to that the restrictions of an event that takes place on Shabbat when you often cannot take pictures and you can have a pretty high stress situation for the photographer.

So we asked a few of the many photographers for their thoughts.  We found that they all really enjoy taking photos at these events.

“Seeing a Bar Mitzvah leading a congregation in a service and doing really well” is one of his favorite parts of photographing a Bar Mitzvah, according to Tim Barmann. “I’ve seen some amazing kids, barely teenagers, read effortlessly from the Torah and speak before the congregation with confidence.”

Kristen Capaldi Creighton said she especially likes sharing the day with the family. “I love the family moments, especially during the candle lighting ceremony. This gives the Bar/Bat Mitzvah an opportunity to thank the family.

“During this time, I always get a bit emotional with the amazing things said about family.”

Recording family interactions makes the job rewarding.

“The best part is when you get to witness two and three generations of a family get together to celebrate this coming-of-age event,” said Barmann. Often, these family members live far away and don’t get to see each other. It’s especially wonderful when the Bar Mitzvah is aware of how special that is.”

“One of my favorites was a Bar/Bat mitzvah for triplets,” said Olivia Wilcox. “It was a great celebration of three siblings with their family and friends, promoting even more togetherness. A beautiful ceremony at the synagogue and they had three beautiful speeches.” And, she said, the parents did a wonderful job of mixing both ceremonies.

The photographers enjoy seeing the kids having fun. “The best part is being with the kids and seeing their excitement at the party,” Creighton said. “I was an art teacher and worked with children, which I loved. So shooting bar mitzvahs gives me the opportunity to work with kids.”

The photos of these events will become a record of an important transition for the family. When you think about generations of relatives who might see and cherish these photos for years to come, you understand why a lot of effort in getting just right pictures is worth the investment.

FRAN OSTENDORF is editor of The Jewish Voice