How to Hire a Photographer for a Bar Mitzvah

A bar mitzvah is an important day for your son and the entire family. Hire the right photographer to ensure that you will have beautiful, lasting photos of this special event.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bar mitzvah pictures for inspiration

Research and Locate a Bar Mitzvah Photographer

1. Ask your son's bar mitzvah teacher to recommend a photographer. He may have a very good sense of which parents have (or have not) been pleased with their photographers in the past.

2. Take a look at the bulletin boards at your synagogue, where photographers often post flyers.

3. Look at a good sampling of photographers' websites (at least five or six). Examine the actual website design as well as the images of photos themselves--it says a lot about a photographer's visual style. Photography.com provides links to photographers' websites (see Resources below).

4. Expand your search beyond those photographers who specialize in bar mitzvahs. Many wedding photographers, for example, are also happy to do bar mitzvahs. However, if you do hire a wedding photographer, you'll want to go over the ceremony with her in detail so she understands exactly when the important moments are.

5. Decide whether you would like photographs of the religious portion of the bar mitzvah only, or the after-party as well. Some parents choose to hire a professional photographer to do pre-synagogue family portraits and take pictures during the ceremony, then rely on an amateur photographer for party shots.

6. Note which style or styles a photographer tends to prefer. Common specialties include posed, candid, traditional, photo-journalistic, color and black-and-white shots. If you want a combination of styles, ask up front whether your photographer is comfortable with all of them.

7. Narrow your choices down to three photographers and call or email to set up interviews with each of them.

Interview and Hire the Right Photographer

8. Bring examples of photography you like for your initial meeting with the photographer. These can be samples from friends' albums, pages from magazines or even non-bar mitzvah photos that convey a mood or style similar to the one you're envisioning.

9. Ask to see a proof book of the photographer's work. A proof book will include a wide variety of photos, not just the best shots a photographer has taken.

10. Ask how many years of experience the photographer has. You want someone with a well-developed portfolio and a solid base of satisfied clients.

11. Find out about packages and pricing. You'll want to know what's included in terms of hours of service, number of photos, types of prints, proof delivery and album options.

12. Get references and make some calls to see what other clients have to say about their experiences with each photographer.

13. Make sure the photographer you choose, based on photo samples and a personal interview, will be the one shooting your Bar Mitzvah. Some large studios have several photographers, creating the potential for scheduling mishaps.

14. Choose the package you want and get a written proposal from each photographer, including the fee schedule and payment plan. Compare the proposals and hire a photographer.

15. Meet with your chosen photographer to confirm the date, sign a contract and put down a deposit.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask whether your synagogue allows photography during the ceremony. If photography is prohibited, schedule a separate session before the bar mitzvah so you can obtain photos of the boy in the sanctuary.
• If you hire a large photography studio, you might not meet with your photographer initially, but make sure to meet him before the Bar Mitzvah and iron out the details.
• Don't let yourself get talked into hiring a friend or family member as a photographer if you aren't truly enthusiastic about their work.

Resources

• Searchable photographer database at Photographers.com

[pcohen15]

on 9/8/2009 I also can't emphasize enough the "getting to know you" part of the process. Telling your photographer who's who in the family, what groups are important to capture, what to look out for -- "Make sure you get a picture of my mom dancing" -- can go a long way toward making the album truly memorable. Most people in the business are capable of shooting a good picture that's sharp and well-lit. So when you're looking at portfolios, really *look* at the photos. Are they just snapshots, or do they capture an emotion? Having been through it ourselves (we couldn't shoot our own son's bar mitzvah), we know that selecting the photographer might just be the most stressful part of the process. Good luck! Peter at www.mymemoriesinmotion.net

[jgirtman]

on 3/29/2009 I agree with most of what is suggested. I would like to add that photos are the longest lasting part of the celebration, aside from the transition itself, and that quality should be considered over price. Also, consider that photography can also double as entertainment in the form of photo booths and signing boards. Lastly, communicate with your photographer. Let them know if you prefer color or black and white, if you love the hora pictures, if you would like details of the buffet and flowers before guests arrive, etc. Don't hesitate to send random emails when you think - Oh I really hope we get a photo like this - I good photographer will add these notes to your file and on the day of you will get everything you want without having to remember to mention it while you're greeting guests. www.LifeOnFilmPhotography.com/mitzvahHappy Planning! Jenni Girtman 678.637.6111

[grahamphoto]

on 8/1/2008 All good comments--but ahem--not all wedding photographers are female! Also, many families are looking to save money by having their relatives take the pictures. That's fine and dandy--if they show up and do the job. In our experiences, if the relative is at the party, he/she is partying, and taking pictures occasionally. Plus, do they have professional equipment--and backups, in case their equipment fails? That's why you hire professionals. Jeff, http://www.grahamandgrahamphotography.com