The party space Manhattan Penthouse is on Fifth Avenue and 14th Street right down the street from The Village Temple. Its a loft-like space with arched windows, wood floors, and a beautiful wood bar. It's full of natural light streaming in. It was March 2 and it was supposed to be the start to my spring mitzvah season but instead, it had snowed in the early hours. Slush was everywhere on the street but by the time the party was over the sun had come out and the sky was crystal blue. A great end to Emily's simcha.
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Sunday of Labor Day weekend was a perfect day for Sima and Ethan Oster's nuptials at Liberty House in Jersey City. The bride was radiant and smiley in her wedding gown and the groom looked cool in his tan linen suit minus a tie. The Liberty House venue was a perfect fit for them. A cloth chuppah with wood poles held up by glass sand pedestals adorned the manicured lawn. The outdoor terrace was for cocktails that led into a pavilion for dancing. Off the dance floor was a bar and dining area that could be whatever you wanted to make it. They kept it simple but trendy with succulents and candles as centerpieces on the tables. The ceremony began at twilight creating a private and romantic mood. The couple ended the ceremony not with a traditional walk back down the aisle but an impromptu receiving line greeting family and friends. The DJ kicked off the night with the couple making an entrance into a Hora and the dancing continued late into the evening. Friends and family mingled, danced and partied late into the night. They showered Sima and Ethan with so much love. Dessert was make your own s'mores.
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Total Entertainment http://www.totalentertainment.com/social/mitzvahs as the DJ.
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Thank you to the Simpson Family for believing in Change for Kids and winning my family photo session. I enjoyed capturing your three wonderful children in photographs!
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The Appelbaum's wanted to hire me to photograph their daughter Jamie's Bat Mitzvah in February but with a conflicting date unfortunately I am not available. However, they decided I must photograph the pre-mitzvah family photo portrait session. I was thrilled to be able to do this with them. As I looked at their names something clicked and I remembered there was a Jamie in a 4th grade photo class I taught at the Jewish Journey Project now called Jewish Journeys at the JCC on the Upper Westside. Could this be the same person? It turns out I was right! It is her all grown up and ready for her Bat Mitzvah!! Wishing Jamie and her family a wonderful Simcha and lots of Mazel Tov!
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After this photo shoot her mom called me to come back again for a family photo session for a holiday card. What a difference a month makes...none of the trees had leaves on them, it was icy cold and windy so even though they planned to take their coats off which they did for some of the photos the majority was with their coats on. Even though the weather was cold and it was early December we managed to get some lovely family photos.
Looking forward to documenting all the festivities this March when Ava has her Bat Mitzvah!
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The service was led by her cousin Rabbi Caren who mentored Cha Cha over the past year. Family and friends filled the theater including her Grandma and Great Aunt along with many Nightingale school friends. Cha Cha did a wonderful job reading from the Torah and explaining her mitzvah project. Once the afternoon service finished the guests moved upstairs to a big loft party space. Cha Cha led Havdala which signals the end of shabbat. Let the festivities begin with cocktails, dancing and a buffet dinner. The kids had a blast never missing a beat as their feet moved along to the colorful lights illuminating the walls. The energy of dancing feet vibrated along to the music.
Francesca and her family were relaxed, fun and natural in front of the camera. It was a really bright, sunny day in Central Park so it was great to find this wooded area with a little trail. It felt like we weren't even in the city. I am looking forward to photographing her Bat Mitzvah this November.
Thank you Kristina, Zach and Serena for making my job so much fun! I was all smiles!
