Can I just tell you that I LOVE working with the same families over & over again?!  There is something very special about documenting the important moments in the life of a family as it changes and grows over time.  And it’s definitely an honor build relationships with those families!  Well, a couple of years ago, I photographed Annika’s Bat Mitzvah and after the photos were posted her Mom emailed me and told me to save the date for Zoe’s as well!  So, a few weeks ago, the time had finally come for Zoe’s Bat Mitzvah and I was excited to be there to photograph the celebration with this fun family!

On Friday of that weekend, they had the ceremony at their home.  Because sundown marks the beginning of their Sabbath, I wasn’t able to photograph the ceremony & party that night.  So I came by that afternoon and shot some portraits of Zoe and her family.

I think it’s so cool that Zoe’s learning to play the drums!!!  There aren’t many girl drummers out there!

Sisters!

The Fam :)

After a fun Friday night celebration, they had a huge party for the kids on Saturday night at Veronique.  We started out with a few more portraits of the Bat Mitzvah girl!  She’s so cute :)

Being silly in the photo booth!

The party got started with some GAMES!  First up, a crazy hula-hoop contest!  Annika was totally impressive…

Then they played Coke & Pepsi.  If you haven’t been to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in the last 5 years or so, you probably have no clue what that is. It’s a crazy game where they line up on opposite sides of the dance floor and do crazy things as the DJ calls out commands… Like “Coke” means to run to one side and sit on your partner’s knee, and “Pepsi” means to run to the other side and do the same.  It’s a process of elimination to see who can keep up.  It’s hilarious (especially if you’re 13).  You can barely see in this photo the blur of the kids running across the floor…

There are always props, and hilarious teenage boys

Lots of dancing!  This family loves to dance!

You’ve gotta love a Grandma who likes to party :)

The sisters in the photo booth… more silliness!

And the whole family sang the final song of the night.  I told you they were fun :)

Jody, Paul, Siban, Annika & Zoe – it was SO great to work with you all again!  Thanks for trusting me with another great moment in your family history!  I hope we get the chance to work together again… maybe a wedding one day?!  Haha, no rush ;)  Congratulations once again Zoe!!!