I’m taking the photos at Amit’s barmitzvah in a few weeks time, and in preparation, I met him and his family at the Johannesburg Zoo this afternoon for his portrait photoshoot.  These portrait shoots are done quite a while in advance of the actual mitzvah so that the photobook can be designed and printed.

Adam’s long awaited bar mitzvah was held today at the Champetre Conference Centre in Modderfontein… and it was spectacular!  A few hundred of the family’s friends and family joined them for a fun day in the sun (thankfully the weather was good).  Yes, fun day in the sun… it was fantastic to be a part of a very different bar mitzvah where the kids just played… and were kids.

Venue: Champetre Conference Centre and Day Spa
Catering: Catering by Riva
Videographer:  Hylton Goldstein
Inflatables and other entertainment: Jeremy Kusner Productions

Firstly the venue was amazing.  I didn’t even know that the Modderfontein Nature Reserve even existed, let alone that there was a wedding and conference venue in the middle of it (down the most beautiful 5km road). Then the food was awesome!! Just the most incredible spread!
And then there was the fun. Wow! Mechanical bull, bungee trampolines, rocket things, giant inflatable soccer field, inflatable boxing ring etc… the fun just never stopped!

So all in all, it was a simcha that I’m sure not many of the guests will forget.

Rehearsing their speech

This air rocket thing was just incredible.  The kids were strapped inside and air blew them up to the top of the rocket.  There was a permanent queue to get into it.

Awesome pillow fight!

Waiting for their turn on the bungee trampoline

The “Diamond Girls” were Adam’s MC’s

Adam’s sister having a go on the bungee trampoline
Isn’t this place just gorgeous?
The kids LOVED the rolling balls and they were always filled with a few kids and rolling down the hill

Adam had a few goes on the mechanical bull

Adam’s cousin from Israel came especially for the celebrations
There was also an enormous inflatable soccer pitch


Even the moms got in on the action

It was a fabulous event!!

Mazel Tov!!

I met up with Adam and his father, at the Chabad of Lyndhurst, to take photos of his rehearsal in preparation for his Barmitzvah this coming weekend. You may recognise him from his portrait shoot that I did a few weeks ago.

I just love all the traditions associated with mitzvahs, and every time I do these Shul shoots I’m impressed with the kids involved. As soon as Adam started looking at the Torah he started reading, he wasn’t just posing for me, he genuinely started reading the scripts!

Can’t wait for the last part of his barmitzvah… the celebration… stay watching for those photos in a few days time!

Adam’s bar mitzvah is in February, and in anticipation of the event, I met the family today to take his portrait photos and the family photos.  After chatting to his mom a few days ago, we decided to use the graffiti wall in Waverley as a backdrop for the photos.

Joining us for his portrait photos, were his brother and sister… and their cousins from Australia.  I hope they all enjoyed it… as they ended up having some photos too

Stay tuned for his ceremony photos and celebration photos that will follow in a few weeks time

Yaron had his long awaited Bar Mitzvah celebration last night at the Capri Hotel in Savoy,Johannesburg… and I was there to take the photos.  I LOVE mitzvahs… I love the dancing, I love the traditions and I love the fun… and last night was no exception.

First though, I joined the family at the Shul on Friday evening for a few photos (because I can’t attend the actual barmitzvah itself)

… and now for the party photos…

Remember the portrait shoot I did with Yaron a while ago… well I had a book made with some of the photos for the guests to sign.

Mazel tov to Yaron and his family!  I had a fabulous time, thanks for asking me to being a part of your special celebration.

PS. I’ve put a few more photos in an album on my Facebook Page