Tag Archives: Bar Mitzvah Photography

Daniel’s Whirlyball Bar Mitzvah | Highland Park

Bar Mitzvah Pre-Shoot

I always enjoy the bar mitzvah pre-shoot session. The pre-shoot is a great way to get to know each other before the big day. Daniel is such a creative guy. He had great ideas going into our photo session of how we could take cool photos. We met at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park and looked for interesting spots to take photos. I think our collaboration turned out fantastic!

Bar Mitzvah at Congregation Solel

When I met Daniel and his family at Congregation Solel for his bar mitzvah, I knew the day was going to be special.

Daniel did great and it was lovely seeing his family up on the bima with him. You could tell how proud they all were!

Time to Party at Whirlyball!

Once Daniel finished his amazing bar mitzvah at Congregation Solel, it was time to celebrate at Whirlyball Vernon Hills!

I knew we were in for a fun afternoon when I saw that Daniel had put on his light-up party shoes!

Energy Productions had the music cranked and got the crowd dancing. And of course, everyone loved playing laser tag and whirlyball.

I love shooting bar mitzvahs around the Chicago area. I typically book bar mitzvah shoots 18 months out. I am booked up for 2017, but I still have a small handful of dates available for 2018. Would you like to learn more about my rates and how to book with me? Click here to see my Bar Mitzvah Client Guide with answers to frequently asked questions.

Interested in seeing blog posts of other bar and bat mitzvahs I have photographed? Check out these links here, here, here and here.

Interested in working with some of the vendors from this fantastic event? Here is a list to help you connect:

If you would like to learn more about Whirlyball, click here.

If you would like to learn more about Energy Productions, click here.

Interested in learning about Congregation Solel? Click here.

Thanks so much for taking a look at my post today!

Bar Mitzvah Client Guide

Are you thinking you might be interested in me photographing your child’s bar or bat mitzvah? But you want to hear more about what it is like to work with me and all the pricing info?

Well, go no further. I am happy to share my Bar Mitzvah Client Guide with you. Click on the link below to learn all the information you need.

When you decide you are ready to book, contact me by email at SusanRKPhoto@gmail.com or call me at 773 510 7105.

Thanks for looking!

To see a few examples of other bar mitzvahs I have photographed, click here, here and here.

Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer | Pinstripes, Northbrook

Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Katie S had a fantastic Saturday night party at Pinstripes in Northbrook. As a Chicago bar mitzvah photographer, I have photographed at many different venues. Between the bowling, bocce, and gorgeous party room, the guests at Pinstripes always have a great time.

And as expected, Katie S’s bat mitzvah party did not disappoint!

Before her big shindig, Katie had a beautiful bat mitzvah service at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston. To see photos from the temple shoot, click here.

Before the Guests Arrived

Let the Games Begin!

The kids started off their evening with bowling and goofing around in their own dedicated space while the adults had cocktails and played bocce in a different area.

Bocce ball was a hit with the adults and littlest guests.

Speeches

As expected, the girls made the sweetest tributes to their big sister during family speeches.

Dance Party

And of course Brandon and his crew from Famos! DJ Entertainment kept the kids and adults on their feet dancing and entertained throughout the night.

I think Katie’s mom, Carrie, was as excited about the chocolate fountain as any of the kids!As the night progressed, the kids and adults kept the energy high and the dance floor hopping!Katie S is a very special girl. She has two moms who love her very much, her mother Carrie who adopted her and has raised her and her birth mother Mary. The whole family got their turn in the chair during the hora.

Interested in seeing more bar mitzvah photography? Click here and here .

I also love doing day in the life sessions with families. If you would like to see some examples of those photo shoots, click here and here.

And my favorite thing to photograph is Grandparent Sessions. There is nothing quite like the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. To see examples of a Grandparent Session and hear why those are so important, click here, here and here.

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To follow me on Instagram, click here.

Susan Ryan Kalina is a Lake County, Il, Family Photographer, Lake County, Il, Event Photographer, Chicago Bar Mitzvah Photographer, Chicago Event Photographer, Newborn Photographer, Grandparent Photographer, Day in the Life, Documentary, and Candid photographer servicing Chicago, Deerfield, Glencoe, Highland Park, Libertyville, Lake Forest, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, and Glenview.

Chicago Mitzvah Photography

I find it to be such an honor when someone asks me to be their mitzvah photographer. I truly enjoy capturing their family story on such a momentous day.

I love witnessing the culmination of all their hard work.

Mitzvah kids study Hebrew for years. They identify and perform a mitzvah project. Doing the mitzvah (volunteer) project is such an amazing way for kids to open their eyes to the world around them and learn about helping others. It’s so beautiful to watch young teens finding a way to give back.

And of course the mitzvah kids have the pressure of preparing their Torah portion and their speech. I can’t even imagine leading a service at the tender age of 13! What an incredible accomplishment for these kids.

Emily did such a great job with all of her responsibilities. She handled her big day with grace.

Party Time

Emily’s party at Austin’s Fuel Room was definitely one to remember. Energy Productions kept everyone out of their seats and dancing all afternoon. And I don’t think I will ever forget witnessing Emily’s little brother Ben singing “Baby Got Back.” Priceless! Who knew he was such a great little break dancer too?!

For many families, having a bar or bat mitzvah is the first time since their wedding that so many of their family and friends are all together in one place. You could literally feel the love in the room.

Winding Down

The entire room got on the dance floor for the last couple songs. Everywhere I looked the crowd was all smiles.

I know I wasn’t the only one who was sad when the party ended!

To see more mitzvah photography please click here. For more event photography, please click here. To see Chicago family photography, please click here, here and here.

Jasmine’s Sweet Sixteen Party

The Make-A-Wish Foundation asked me to photograph Jasmine’s Sweet Sixteen party. I was thrilled to spend the evening documenting Jasmine getting pampered and enjoying her fabulous party. Her family was a joy to be around. And seeing several vendors I recognize from the bar mitzvah and wedding circuit donating their time to a worthy cause definitely makes my heart sing.

I love photographing events. Birthday parties, sweet sixteens, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, you name it! Any chance I get to tell the story of someone’s day, I know it’s going to be a wonderful experience.

Having good clients throughout the year allows me to take the time occasionally to donate my services to families that can’t afford photography. Thank you to all the people I work with that make this possible!

Chicago Sweet Sixteen Photography