Mazel Tov, Allison! Your Bat Mitzvah Is Here

Friends,

Allison is in for the weekend of her life. Her Bat Mitzvah is tomorrow, April 29, 2006 and it will be a blast!

Yesterday her family and I met in the sanctuary for some "posed" images on the Bimah with the Torah and their Rabbi (who is such a great guy: inviting and friendly to all the children and very supportive and loving to all the adults).

And we can't forget Grandma who was present as well. She'll be so supportive at tomorrow's service and Simcha.

Sam and Ben are great brothers and by the time we finished, I really felt they were comfortable with me and I knew some of their fun side. I can hardly wait to photograph them again tomorrow.

And Mom and Dad had some great ideas for photographs they wanted me to create. And when I could get Dad to put down his video camera (they'll all be glad that Dad brought it!), he looked great in the images.

These are not stiff, move your head a quarter of an inch and look up, type images. Not when I create them. These are "we are a loving family and we want our connections, love, and energy to shine forth" portraits!

In the sanctuary, near the chapel named for Dad's parents, and even outside with the dogwood trees in full bloom.

Wow... what a beautiful way to start off a celebration.

Mazel Tov, Allison. This is YOUR day to shine.


Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

A Tribute to David P. Smith

Friends,

The Delaware County Daily Times told the story that many of us were uncovering yesterday after the death of my dear dear friend, Dave Smith.

We worked together at The Players Club of Swarthmore for over 20 years. When I used to create major video productions, he was my second cameraman. And when Cheryl and I had the pleasure of working with large families during portrait sessions, Dave was there with us. He also worked part time for our mutual friend, Tom Covello... one of the world's great floral designers.

Dave loved his friends, his church, his politics, his university, his hometown of Media, The Players Club, and his family.

The last thing he asked me to do was to take a tattered, musty photograph he carried around in his wallet of him and his mom. "It's the only picture I have of the two of us, Charlie," he told me. I fixed it up a bit and gave him a precious gift... a copy of that image for him to display in his apartment.

What does this have to do with Bat and Bar Mitzvah photography? Nothing... and everything.

Dave was like a member of my family, a guy I could talk to about anything. I have called him on his birthday (July 14) for 20 years and he returns the favor on mine (March 16).

So what does this have to do with Bat and Bar Mitzvah photography?

Well... hold your children just a bit tighter. Know how precious your family is to you. And never take them for granted because it can be over in a heartbeat.

You'll be with me forever, Dave. Love you.


Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah Photography Before Shabbat

Friends,

As I prepare for a Bat Mitzvah, I was thinking of all the important images that a family wants.

Oh, sure - the fun times at the Simcha are terrfic and their extended family members will probably look happy, relaxed, and full of energy.

And there are many parts of this Simcha I could focus on, but I'd like to chat just a moment about the posed images that take place sometime prior to Shabbat when the family can gather in the sanctuary, the arc is open, the Torah is out, Rabbi is often there, and the family is gathered around.

I have friends who grew up in the 60s who have images from this time in their albums, and I have found families STILL enjoy them today.

Oh, sure - Michael or Allison might want me to focus on their friends, the dancing, the games they play... and all of that is important.

But when families look back to this most important time, the Bat Mitzvah photography or Bar Mitzvah photography that really speaks to them is when their family was gathered on the Bimah. Connections - FAMILY connnections!

And when I photograph a family for images like this it is usually done the Thursday prior to Shabbat. We gather for 60 - 90 minutes when the family isn't rushing off to see relatives, share a toast, play with a friend.

We have time, even in just this short space, to create some wonderful portraits that will speak to generations about the traditions being continued on this very important day.

Both albums and individual portraits created at this time are precious... and families continue to focus on them as their most important memories of this emotional family time.

Best,

Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

Happy Passover

Friends,

Last night I attended a beautifully presented feast and educational program sponsored by the Philadelphia-South Jersey-Delaware Chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives).

Clearly I am not a caterer but as a professional photographer, I share ideas with other professionals involved with large events held at some of the area's finest restaurants, hotels, and other dining locations.

Last night we were in the upper room at the Independence Information Center. What a beautiful location. Step out onto our balcony and there is Independence Hall right in front of you. And the weather was gorgeous.

And our program was all about weddings (I'm a wedding photographer too, as many of your know: http://www.WeddingPhotographySecretsRevealed.com) and how we can help our clients to have the times of their lives.

The discussion pointed out again the difference in mindset for those of us who work with families celebrating a Bat or Bar Mitzvah and those working with weddings.

One general manager of a very successful Independence Hall area club said that he really doesn't cater to (sorry for the pun) Bat or Bar Mitzvahs. He is looking for the lavish wedding and working closely with a room filled with families and children is just not his specialty.

So, when you are looking for that perfect location for your simcha, please be sure to explore that with the manager... if they don't immediately say that they do B'Nai Mitzvah celebrations, you should not consider their venue. They really must know how to let the kids enjoy themselves.

And if I can help put you in touch with those professionals who are ideally suited to help you with your simcha, please contact me right away at Charlie@BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

And as we enter this very holy time on our calendar, best wishes for a happy Passover.

Best wishes,


Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

Holy Week for Christians and the beginning of Passover for Jews

Friends,

This is a tremendous week: Holy Week for Christians and the beginning of Passover for Jews.

We're all reminded of the struggles we've been through and the joys at the other end.

And now ABC has produced a new version of The Ten Commandments.

When I first heard about this, I really wondered who had convinced which big wig at Disney that this timeless classic with Charleton Heston really needed to be updated. The grandeur, the emotion, the story... why touch near perfection.

Well, everything I've read about this new version has been extremely positive, so I'm going to watch.

What did YOU think about it?

Best,

Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

Welcome To Those From Philadelphia's Jewish Exponent

Welcome to our friends from Mazel Tov in Philadelphia's Jewish Exponent.

What a wonderful issue, and I guess you are here because you saw the information about me in there. And I hope that you'll find this a great location on the Internet to learn more about what to do and not to do at your simcha.

And if you need a DJ, location for your party, videographer, or other professional, please let me know. I have some wonderful contacts throughout the Princeton - Philadelphia - Wilmington and West Chester to the New Jersey Shore area.

Please let me know what I can do to help you with your Bat Mitzvah Photography or your Bar Mitzvah Photography.

Best,


Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

A Blast From The Past: You Never Know Who Reads These Blogs!

Friends,

A short and sweet message from a college buddy (Tufts University), now a super-sharp doctor in northern New Jersey:

"I went to your blog just now—boy, you took us literally when Alan and I said you were an honorary Jew."

Hey, hi praise for a goy from the Philly burbs who now has the joy of sharing so many Bat and Bar Mitzvahs.

And "Alan" is a wiz of an attorney in Cleveland and a frequent guest on The Today Show.

Thanks, Elliot!

Best,

Charlie Seymour, Jr.
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
www.BatMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com

How Is Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah Photography Different From Wedding Photography?

Theatre photography and wedding photography have prepared me well for Bat and Bar Mitzvah photography.

Oh, it's not the artistry of it. It's not even the angles and and all the people.

It's being prepared for what might happen.

Though weddings have some kids invited (I can't tell you the number of brides who keep telling me that they put right in their invitations "no kids under 18 invited"), Bat and Bar Mitzvahs celebrate kids.

And there are all the parents and relatives, friends, and co-workers about the parents' ages.

Things happen much more quickly at a Bat or Bar Mitzvah. Forget using a tripod... handheld cameras for me so that I can stay mobile, fluid, ready for everything.

Theatre photography is a bit like that. I've photographed live theatre in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Memphis, Ocala, Kalamazoo, and other locations... and when I'm photographing a production I have never seen before and don't know what is about, I'm on my toes the entire production. The director leads me to see the 'action' the way he or she leads the audience. But I'm always looking for what is going on behind the scenes or away from the ball (to use a basketball analogy).

Bat and Bar Mitzvahs are just like that. Oh it's easy to see the kids having a great time dancing, playing Coke and Pepsi, or even musical chairs. But it's the kids still eating dessert or opening some of the goodies given to them or taking off the shoes that are killing their feet or just plain being 'kids'... now THAT's where the action really is.

And let's not forget the parents. Weddings are filled with toasts and formal dinners, ballroom dancing and small groups chatting. Bat and Bar Mitzvahs have that too, but fewer tears, more parent-children interactions, and just plain more families. And capturing a secret whisper, a reassuring it's-ok-hug, or seeing parents admiring how fast their kids have grown up... now THAT's the action where the adults are concerned.

The Shabbat service isn't photographed. Oh, sure... sometimes we video tape them, but no still photographs, unlike a wedding.

So there are LOTS of similarities... but the skilled photographer who understands Bat and Bar Mitzvahs is looking for the differences, too!

What are some of the most fun differences YOU have seen?

Best,

Charlie
www.BarMitzvahPhotographySecretsRevealed.com
http://www.batmitzvahphotographysecretsrevealed.com/