Mitzvah Photographer Christina Montemurro

Mazel tov on your child’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah! After years of study, seemingly endless preparation, and attending classes and community service, family and friends arrive to celebrate this monumental event. It’s one of those days full of extreme emotion, both for parent and child – nervousness, joy, and pride.

Nothing preserves these memories more than photos that tell the story of the day. As parents and key participants, you don’t want to be responsible for capturing those photos! And your family and friends deserve to relax and enjoy the day, too.

I absolutely love being a Pittsburgh Mitzvah photographer. As a parent, I love seeing parents watching their children experience this very meaningful and moving ritual. There are so many emotions to document, and I take that responsibility very seriously.

What should you expect from Mitzvah photography?

It depends, as each temple has its own set of guidelines. But, in general, there are a few different parts of the day.

Before the Service

I will arrive 1 1/2 – 2 hours before (or another day the preceding week) or to the ceremony start time for:

  • Photos on the bimah of your child holding the Torah (if the temple allows)
  • Group family photos (either on the bimah or outside)
  • Detail/location photos
  • Your child meeting with the rabbi and signing the certificate
  • Other candid moments!

Service

I will capture as many moments as possible, within the confines of what the temple allows. This usually means shooting from one single location at the back of the temple. With a variety of lenses, I’m able to do quite a bit!

The Party

Whether in the afternoon or evening, I’ll capture the party details, and lots of candid photojournalistic photos of kids having fun. And adults having fun too! If you’d like, we can do additional portraits at this time, taking advantage of evening light.

I’d love to talk to you about photographing your child’s Pittsburgh Bar Mitzvah! Please contact me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. Mazel tov!

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Pittsburgh Bar Mitzvah photographer Christina Montemurro has been photographing Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs in the Pittsburgh area since 2010. With a keen eye for detail and capturing human emotion and expression, her photojournalistic style allows children to relax and have a good time without feeling pressured to perform for the camera. Christina’s Mitzvah photgraphy experience includes Temple Sinai, Rodef Shalom, Adat Shalom, Tree of Life ~ Or L’Simcha Congregation, Beth Shalom CongregationTemple Emanuel and Temple Ohav Shalom. Dates often book well in advance. Contact Christina for more information about photography for your child’s bar mitzvah.