A big thank you to Ben Tran for do the amazing photography during the Phillies game.
Dahlia was ready for her moment to shine from the moment they showed up to the Synagogue portrait session. She had watched her two older sisters go through this before her and knew exactly what to do. The Bima and outdoor portrait session can be a little long and repetitive but this family, especially Dahlia, was excited for every click of my shutter. When we started talking about the Party, I highly encouraged the family to arrive early to Platform 30, so we could do some outdoor photos. I'm so glad they agreed and we got some of the best photos I've taken there (and I've been there many times with many amazing families). Beth worked with Hila Shiff @thepartyartists2014 and Platform 30 to completely rearrange the party room to make it the best layout I've ever seen there. Once the party started, it did not stop until the last song was played. DC and All Around Entertainment had everyone on the dance floor the entire time. Dahlia and all her family and friends, had the best time dancing the night away.
I'm so excited to share with the world the beautiful event that was Dahlia's Bat Mitzvah. Check out a few of the photos below and enjoy reliving this wonderful Simcha.
]]>
]]>
]]>After the ceremony ended, I took the Bride, Groom, their children, and immeditate family out to the Gazebo/Pier overlooking Boat House Row. The sun was shining bright but the city looked amazing in the background. The time we spent with just Michael, Melissa their kids was so much fun and the walk back was so full of laughter and joy.
Back at the reception, the party began and was a huge simcha! The energy was amazing and the live music fanatic. So amazing to see how much fun everyone was having dancing for hours! Near the end of the party, Michael had Melissa sit in the middle of the dance floor and sing to her. It was a beautiful moment and amazing that Michael put himself out here to do in front of everyone. The wedding ended with a fantastic coffee and dessert bar. This party was a beautiful simcha from start to finish and I wish Melissa, Michael and their entire family Mazel tov!
The party took place at Beat Street in Huntington Valley, a unique venue with many cool colors, lighting, and graffiti. It was a beautiful (albeit a little cold) day and we took a ton of photos both outside and inside the venue. Michal was a star gave her attention to everyone there. This is a very impressive trait for someone her age and the loved showed by all her family and friends proves it.
Once the guests arrived and the party started, there was no stopping them! From the cocktail hour through candle lighting, the hora and the dance party itself, this was a party that truly rocked. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to capture this family's special moment. A huge Mazel Tov to Michal and her entire family!
]]>
]]>
Leah had a beautiful day for her Bat-Mitzvah. The sun was shining bright and the weather was perfect. I heard that Leah did an amazing job at her Bat-Mitzvah ceremony. The party was so much fun and everyone was smiling the entire time. Leah had so many friends there and I don't think even the MC's and dancers could even keep up with their energy. From start to finish this family had it going on. Mazel tov to Leah and her entire family!
]]>
Later that day, we met up a Citizen Bank Park (Phillies Stadium) for the party. The immediate family showed up early, sp we got a chance to take pictures all around the park. It was a bit cold out that day but it didn't stop us from shooting some awesome photos! We had so much fun taking them that we were almost late to the actual party! Everyone was dancing and celebrating the entire night including Zach and Rachael's 101 year old great-grandmother (I actually think she partied the most, ha!). This party went to the next level when the Philly Phanatic showed up and joined right in. We all had such a great time celebrating this joyous occasion. Thank you, Jamie and Jennifer, for allowing me to capture this extra special day - I hope everyone enjoys this small visual recap. Mazel Tov Rachael & Zach!
]]>
Josh is the true definition of a Philadelphia Eagles fan. This young man decorated his entire Mitzvah in green with full Eagles decor, and about one month before the Bar-Mitzvah, Josh, his siblings, his Mom and I were lucky enough to spend time touring around the entire Lincoln Financial Field Stadium. It was a few days before a big game and we had full access to pretty much anywhere (as long as we didn’t step on the paint on the field!) How often to get you to play catch on a professional NFL field, hang in the locker room, check out the Super Bowl Trophy, and run out to the Eagles game start introduction?! Even with all of this, Josh and his family did not take lightly the amazing event that was his Bar-Mitzvah. I also had a lot of fun photographing the Bima/Synagogue photo shoot - the Chalal's definitely know how to have a great time and made my job seem easy! I hope you can see all of their love and joy shining through these photos. Check out the sneakers on Josh and his siblings and witness the liveliness of the party. Both kids and adults knew how to have a great time and kept the energy going from beginning to end. I absolutely adore this entire family and was honored that they chose me to capture this joyous occasion in their lives.. Mazel Tov to Josh and his entire family.
DJ: All Around Entertainment with MC Showtime
Party Planning: The Party Artisit with Hila Shiff
Photo-booth: Brad Gellman Photography and Video
2nd Photographer: David Yanishevsky
Pre-Shoot: Lincoln Financial Field -- Synagogue: Har Zion Temple in Penn Valley, PA -- Party: Philadelphia Marriott West
]]>Reception Photography by: Blonnie Brooks http://blonnie.com/
Design/Party Plannie: Arielle Davis https://www.facebook.com/arielledavisdesigns
Food: http://bettythecaterer.com/
Music: MC Ava with https://www.ebetalent.com/
]]>
Location: Main Line Reform Temple
Catering:
Party Planning/Design:
DJ: Hot Hot Hot
]]>
Reception: Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, PA
Band: Sally Mitlas @ https://www.mitlasproductions.com
DJ: MC Ethan Mazer with Empower Event Groups @ https://www.empowereventgroup.com
Event Planning: Katie Grinnell @ https://www.katiegrinnellevents.com
Party Design by: Hila Shiff @ https://thepartyartists.com/
]]>
((check out the score board for this photo!)
]]>
The theme, this time, was HGTV. I was so impressed at how hard Michelle (mom) worked to create this very unique theme. The center pieces were hand made planter boxes, with blue-prints for homes as the table covers. The best part was the string lights overhead to make this DIY mitzvah come together so well.
The party did not stop from the moment everyone entered the room until the last song. It was a fantastic night with an amazing family. I hope that the photos below capture a little bit of this special day!
Photos by: Brad Gellman & Bonnie Wireback
Locations: Tiferet Bet Israel Synagogue in Blue Bell, PA
Event Plan and Design by: Hila Shiff www.thepartyartists.com
Music/DJ: Josh Smilk with EBE Events & Entertainment
]]>
]]>
]]>
]]>
Broad St. was packed within 5 minutes after the game ended
you have to include one selfie of you and your friends :D
if you don't know why that sign is hilarious...go ask someone living in philly
so much for the grease
the police were having a great time cause there was so little for them to do!
yes...that is a officer explaining how they greased the polls!
nothing is going to stop people for climbing
this is one of my favorite photos!
The whole city was lit up in Green light!
it was so fun that even the cops were having a good time! If that doesn't tell you how peaceful it was...
]]>On January 20th, 2009 Barrack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. This was a historic occasion for so many reasons but mostly because of the potential this change can bring! I was beyond honored to be gifted VIP tickets to this momentous event. As I walked around the crowd that freezing cold morning, it was so amazing to see so many different people from so many different backgrounds and ethnicities! As cold as we all were, no one seemed to be bothered by it. The energy and excitement that went through the crowd was palpable. People from all over the country came to experience this Inauguration first hand. Even though the crowd stretched from the white house to way beyond the Washington Monument, there was not a single person there who didn't seem beyond excited and just happy. I look forward to what the next 4-8 years will bring and who, we as a country, will become.
Enjoy the photos below and please don't hesitate to leave comments or contact me if you'd like to use these photos!
]]>
My wife and I met Elad a few years ago at a friend’s party. I had no idea who he was, other than that he was a friend of a friend and from Israel. We soon started running into each other at many charity and political events I was photographing. Little did I know, this most non-pretentious man was actually the Israeli Deputy Consul General of Philadelphia.
One day in mid-November, Elad called to tell me that he was getting married and that his wedding was going to be in the beginning of the new year. Mayor Nutter had graciously volunteered to officiate the wedding, which was to be held at City Hall. He then proceeded to tell me that he had shown my work to his fiancé, Oren, and how both would be honored if I was the one to capture their wedding day. The honor was all mine! We had multiple meetings, dinners and phone calls discussing the details of the big day, but it really just came down to how much they wanted to show the love they had for each other while running around to their favorite Philadelphia landmarks! We scheduled 3 hours for photos before the ceremony and “borrowed” one of his friends to drive us around Philly. The day came, and while it was a cold one, these guys managed to keep each other warm. We had so much fun and no, UNIQLO was not my idea, ha!
The big day finally arrived, and even though Mayor Nutter was running a bit behind, the ceremony was well worth the wait! Mayor Nutter was funny, charming and personable. I was also impressed to see how all the officiants from different congregations worked so well together. The ceremony was just beautiful and it was truly an honor to be the photographer to capture the first gay wedding by a standing mayor in Philadelphia. This event was so special that even the National Museum of American Jewish History asked to display the kippahs that Elad and Oren wore.
Elad and Oren have since finished their assignment in Philadelphia and have moved back to Israel for now, but I know that Philadelphia will always hold a special place in their hearts. Enjoy the photos!
]]>
Abi and Harish met at the Pennsylvania School of the Deaf, and a majority of their bridal party had also met the couple there while attending school. Abi comes from a traditional African family, while Harish was raised in a traditional Indian family. This merging of cultures led to a wedding ceremony filled with distinctive elements, and many traditions I had never seen before. The ceremony was long, including six priests, 3 signers, and several other clergy members. Each guest came up to congratulate the couple, a tradition I had never seen during a wedding ceremony. The ceremony was long, however each moment was filled with excitement, life, and love.
As a photographer, I prefer not to make the bridal party jump unless the bride and groom want to. This couple was so enthusiastic, jumping seemed like a way to physically explain their excitement. There is nothing more fun than working with a couple who is so excited about their future together, it's bursting at the seems. From the beginning of the day, all the way to the end it was clear that this commitment was thrilling, they were off their feet with joy.
Throughout the reception, held at the First District Plaza, there were four outfit changes. They began in traditional religious outfits for the ceremony, followed by classic American outfits for the beginning of their reception. An hour into their reception, they changed into traditional Indian attire, and shortly after changed into African attire to close out their reception. This was truly one of the most inspiring weddings I've had the opportunity to photograph. While each wedding is beautiful and unique in its own way, the combination of cultures coming together is always something extra special to witness. It was very apparent that the family and friends of this particular couple were full of love and enthusiasm for Abi and Harish. I wish them as much happiness and love as I saw and shared with them on their special day!
