August 17th, 2014
At Ann Marie Casey Photography their passion as photographers is capturing precious moments that tell your child’s story in their journey as a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Your child’s coming of age event is the most important day in their young life. At AMC Photography, you can be sure they will document your milestone events with emotion and creativity that will last a lifetime and inspire future generations.
Established in 2004, Ann Marie Casey Photography, LLC , specializes in commercial and event photography. The studio provides photography services to clientele in the Philadelphia Metro area and U.S. destinations. The team at the studio is educated and accomplished photographers. They collaborate with their clientele to offer a rare opportunity to work with photographers from start to finish ensuring artistic, creative and high quality results.
They are expanding! In addition to their studio in Bryn Mawr, PA, they have a 2nd location in Center City Philadelphia.
Ann Marie Casey Photography Has Six Subtle Adjustments To Ensure Ideal Results!
1. Men/Boy’s Blazers: For a clean distinguished look, men should button blazers during formal photographs with family and extended family.
Buttoned suit jackets look crisp and neat
2. Tallis Folding: If possible, Tallit should be steamed prior to formal photographs in the sanctuary. It is best to fold the Tallis in half or along the original crease lines. The Tallis should be gently draped and neatly presented over the shoulders of the individual wearing their pray shawl. They also commonly have an artistic motif, (also called Atarah or crown), along the top long end and that part should go along the neck.
The Atarah should be placed around the neck
3. Feet Placement: Being conscience of our feet placement during formal photographs. For men, it is always best to stand with feet together or slightly apart. For women, it is best to stand one foot towards the camera in a heel to arch placement. Also know as, “The Red Carpet placement,” plus who doesn’t want to show off their fabulous shoes?
“Red Carpet” foot placement creates a perfect pose
4. Hora/Sitting for Women: Women and girls while sitting should cross their legs at the ankles. Especially during the Hora and if they’re wearing knee length dresses.
A gentle reminder to girls and women to cross their legs at the ankle
5. Lighting: DJ lighting is great and lends a very cool vibe during your reception. Just beware of the type of lighting you have included in your package. Make sure to discuss with the DJ or your entrainment company what type of lighting they will be using during your event. Laser lighting and dot lights will affect your dancing photographs. We suggest having these lights within reason, but request they be turned off during important formalities, such as your candle lighting, hora or speeches. Photo retouching squiggles and dots off of faces will add up when considering photographs for your final formal album.
Proper lighting is important
6. Reception Toasts: Request that your Bar/ Bat Mitzvah be given their glass at the end of your toasts. This allows for amazing photographs of your child’s reaction to your toast.
Toasting glasses after the speech allows for a “hands-free” reaction!
To learn more about Ann Marie Casey Photography visit their extended profile page in our Vendor Directory.
August 14th, 2014
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August 13th, 2014
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August 13th, 2014
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August 13th, 2014
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms!
We have spotlighted over 200 families and we thought it would be fun to call out some of the “Mom Finds” that you might have missed.
When Sarah Merians of Sarah Merians Photography & Videography celebrated her daughter Emily’s Bat Mitzvah, she kept a Mitzvah Mom Journal. She covers topics such as: Location/Venue, Invitations, Synagogue, Photography, Video, and Montage. Entertainment, Décor/Lighting, Cake, Looking Good (Clothes/Hair and Make Up) and Miscellaneous (Yamukas, Tallis, Giveaways, etc.)
As Sarah explains, “Even though I’ve seen it all and know a lot, it doesn’t mean that I know it all! Because of this, I have decided to chronicle my Mitzvah experience not only to preserve the memories, but also to offer advice and support to all of you Mitzvah Moms who may be going through the same journey as me.”
Sarah with her daughter Emily on her big day!
Below are four tips from Sarah when beginning the Mitzvah planning process:
1. Surround yourself with professionals that share your vision. Real professionals that know the importance of teamwork can be one of the secrets to a successful party.
2. Make sure you are confident and comfortable with your catering manager or hire an event planner to oversee the event. It is important you are a hostess and can truly enjoy the experience with family and friends.
3. Experience brings comfort and comfort equals trust. We are all spending a lot of money to make this day special so spending it wisely is key.
4. Create a list of all the variables and things to do to pull off your event by your date. I see parties planned a month in advance and I see clients that begin two years prior. Anything is possible today, however careful planning and delegating will allow for the entire process to be fun and exciting.
Check out the Mom Journal here.
Read more about Emily’s celebration here.
Learn more about Sarah Merians Photography & Video here.
To see our past Mom Find, click here.
August 13th, 2014
The Granola Bar, a popular spot for breakfast, lunch and brunch in Westport, Connecticut, now has it’s own truck and can travel to your child’s Bar Bat Mitzvah reception.
Julie Levitt and Dana Noorily are two Westport, Connecticut moms with years of combined business experience and a passion for food. They first co-founded Oats Granola, currently sold at Whole Foods.
Their purple truck can function as a full off-premise catering truck. They can do everything from exit treats like Frozen Hot Chocolate, S’mores Bar and home made Rice Krispie treats to a Sunday brunch of bagels and salmon, specialty coffee and smoothies.
The truck can travel anywhere in Connecticut and Westchester County, New York, for private parties. They can do a set menu or a truck fee and work ala carte for pricing.
The Moms with their very popular granola
Homemade Granola with a side of yogurt and fresh fruit
Extensive menu of delicious coffees, smoothies, wraps and…
Yummy cupcakes
Amazing assortment of baked goods
Mobile kitchen serves up specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, baked goods, yogurt parfaits and more!
For more information on The Granola Bar food truck check out their website, The Granola Bar or call them at 203-906-2244
August 10th, 2014
We read about a great project that we couldn’t wait to share from Brookline Wicked Local.
Jack Friedman, a 7th grade student from Brookline, Massachusetts, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on June 14, 2014.
For his Mitzvah Project, he collected and donated more than 300 boxes of cereal to the Pine Street Inn located in Boston, Massachusetts.
Pine Street Inn serves more than 1,600 homeless individuals daily and 9,500 annually, providing the full spectrum of services to help men and women reach their highest level of independence and get back to a place they can call home.
Picture at left: Jack Friedman stands in front of a van filled with cereal he collected for the Pine Street Inn.
We asked Jack some question to learn more about his Mitzvah Project:
MM: Why did you decide to take on this particular project?
JF: Every person becoming a Bar Mitzvah is expected to perform a mitzvah, a good deed or a charitable act. I chose the Pine Street Inn because of my family’s previous relationship and connections. Ever since I was born, my family has been supporting the Pine Street Inn. My dad tells me he feels we are lucky and we need to give to less fortunate people. Representatives from the homeless shelter estimate that my donation would supply breakfast to about 500 people over three days.
MM: Why did you chose cereal?
JF: I chose cereal because there was a big need for breakfast, and also the fact that I eat cereal for breakfast nearly every day myself. When I first heard out about this from the staff at Pine Street Inn, they told me one other person does this. They challenged me to get more boxes than this other person. No way I was going to let this other person beat me! I jumped to start this project as soon as I could.
MM: How did you go about getting the donations?
JF: We did a school fundraiser at Baker where I challenged each class to donate as many boxes as they could. I spoke at my temple, Temple Emeth, and asked that they contribute. They were nice enough to let me put a large donation box in the entrance. It filled up quickly, so I had to ask my parents to help me empty it. I play for the Brookline PeeWee hockey team, and many of my teammates helped me too.
Jack and his donations
We thank the Friedman family for sharing this great Mitzvah project with our readers and Mazel Tov on your recent Bar Mitzvah, Jack!
August 10th, 2014
Most little girls dream of being a fairy princess. One girl got that dream with the help of Linzi Etzion of Linzi Events in Boca Raton, Florida.
Linzi is a renowned event planner based in South Florida, but works nationwide and used her “fairy god-mother” abilities to transform this Bat Mitzvah celebration into a “live” fairy tale. Collaborating with The Event Group, Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the room was transformed into a magical forest filled with trees, butterflies posted on balls of roses and of course mirrors, mirrors on every wall.
The photographer was Domino Arts Photography.
A story book invitation was created to set the theme for this Bat Mitzvah celebration
The hallway to enter the main room was beautifully lit in greens and purples
The sign-in book was complete with storybook props
The cocktail tables had black bar stools for the young guests
Screens on the stage were framed in gold to look like over-sized mirrors
Plants, lighting and pictures of the Bat Mitzvah girl were “enchanting” decor elements
“Mirror Mirror on the wall,” oh that’s a poster of the Bat Mitzvah girl placed inside a frame to look like a mirror image
Black Chiavari chairs with red seat covers created a very dramatic look
Floral centerpieces added a bit of Gothic flair and bling with beautiful hanging crystals
“Secret garden” is the name of this red linen which was the perfect choice for this event
Talk about an entrance, the Bat Mitzvah girl “swung” in on a hanging chair!
The family gathered for the candle lighting ceremony
Red candy apples were given to each guest
“… and the princess danced the night away with her family and friends… happily ever after!”
We thank Linzi Events for sharing this great Bat Mitzvah with our readers.
Event Planner: Linzi Etzion, Linzi Events; Venue: Revolution Live; Photography: Domino Arts Photography, Decor/Entertainment: The Event Group; Rentals: Atlas Party Rental; Invitation: Talento Designs
August 6th, 2014
Who better to find the latest and greatest for all things Bar Bat Mitzvahs than our own Mitzvah Moms!
We have spotlighted over 200 families and we thought it would be fun to call out some of the “Mom Finds” that you might have missed.
Sammi Collins celebrated her Bat Mitzvah in November 2013 and her mom Michelle, who works at Simon Elliot Events, pulled out all the stops for her daughter’s “Sam I Am” theme.
One of the many special touches was the way they collected their gifts. A custom-wrapped US Mailbox stood by the entrance/exit with a note asking guests to place their gifts here.
This official US mailbox was wrapped with photos of Sammi and her logo
To see more ideas from the Collins Bat Mitzvah Family Spotlight story, click here.
To see our past Mom Finds, click here.
August 6th, 2014
The Herschkowitz family from Syosset, New York, celebrated son Blake’s Bar Mitzvah and reception on December 7, 2013, at Temple Or Elohim in Jericho, New York.
This was the same venue for their older son’s Royal Corybbean celebration back in 2011.
The theme was Basketball with a NBA theme, National Blake Association, and a visit from one of the New York Knick’s former all-star MVPs!
Pictured L-R: Dad Steve, Mom Malky, Bar Mitzvah boy Blake and Brother Cory.
The photography was done by David Conn of Visions Fine Photography and the rest of the vendors are listed at the bottom of the spotlight.
The invitation, created by Dear Friends, really set the tone for the party, and was hand delivered to each guest. The basketball featured the service information printed right on the ball. Additionally, there was a brochure which included reception information and pictures of Blake growing up
The theme, National Blake Association, was NBA inspired and fit perfectly! For the pre-party shoot, Blake was photographed at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, home of the Nets
Great shot of Blake on the “B”
For the dress code, adults were asked to wear “Cocktail Attire” the kids were asked to wear “Jerseys and Jeans”
The logo, created by Dazzling Parties, was created to look like the Brooklyn Nets logo
Dazzling Parties also created the decor making guests feel as though they were in an arena. The 3-D place card table display included all of Blake’s favorite teams
The place cards looked like real tickets
The entryway into the ballroom at Or Elohim included an over-sized poster of Blake and a locker which served as the sign-in
The entryway sign was created to look like a sporting venue with Row “B” for Blake, Section 13 for his age
Real basketballs were used for the centerpieces
Great details in the centerpieces including the use of clear vases with mini basketballs floating
The reception looked great with the colorful spandex chair covers and up lighting
A cool scoreboard and Blake’s jerseys were hung on the drapes and used as part of the decor
This picture lamp shade was customized with NBA team logos and pictures of Blake
ET Events with MC Carl were the music entertainment for this celebration and kept the music going and the dance floor packed
Great view of the action
Time for the Horah
NBA great and former New York Knick, John Starks, was on hand to take pictures and sign autographs
John Starks signing a picture for Blake, a cherished momento of the night
Guests also enjoyed watching Jack Ryan, known as “The Hoop Wizard,” a basketball entertainer who performs magic tricks with basketballs
The cake, from Dortoni Bakery, was a replica of a basketball sneaker which looked amazing and tasted great
The Herschkowitz family with big smiles, enjoyed this very special moment
Blake’s “Dream Team” included all his friends
A delicious assortment of cookies with Blake’s logo and name were offered to guests at the end of the night
Mitzvah Project
Blake raised money for Sunrise Day Camp on Long Island. This camp, for children ages 3-16, is the only dedicated full summer day camp in the nation for children with cancer. It is a camp designed to meet the emotional, social, recreational and physical needs of these children while allowing them to enjoy the comforts and safety of their own homes at night.
Blake presented a check to the camp
Some advice from Mom Malky:
“While planning, I included Blake in the choices of decorations and kept in mind who he is. Blake hates getting dressed up. Therefore, kids wore jerseys and jeans!”
The following vendors helped to make Blake’s Bar Mitzvah special. If you give any of them a call, let them know you read about their services on MitzvahMarket.com.
Venue: Temple Or Elohim, 516-433-9888
Caterer: Shawn, Hasson Caterers, 516-937-0120
Invitation: Dara Grunberg, Dear Friends, 516-367-7877
Music Entertainment: MC Carl, ET Events
Favors: Michelle, Creative Specialties, 516-348-1346
Photographer/Videographer David Conn, Visions Fine Photography, 516-764-4040
Basketball Entertainment: The Hoop Wizard
John Starks Appearance: Shawn, Hasson Caterers, 516-937-0120
Décor/Florist/Sign-in board: Dazzling Parties, 516-766-1471
Cake: Dortoni Bakery, 516-796-3033
Mom’s dress: Tadashi Shoji Boutique, Las Vegas, Nevada
Boys suits: Kenny’s Mens & Boyswear, 516-921-2660
Hair: Michelle, Dakota Salon, 516-496-2525
Make Up: Ann DeFranco, Dakota Salon, 516-496-2525
