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/