Bar / Bat Mitzvah Photography FAQ

What are your bar/bat mitzvah photography packages?

My standard bar/bat packages start at 6 hours of coverage with a single photographer (me). This 6 hours can be split into 2 segments, typically Temple & Party. Package includes: digital images delivered on a custom USB drive, an online gallery, and a proof book OR set of 4×6 prints. You may choose to add a pre-mitzvah portrait session (more on these below), extra hours, a second photographer,  and an album (or 2 or 3 albums). Please let me take this opportunity to stress the fact that I am included in all of my bar/bat mitzvah photography packages. I will be your photographer.  Please contact me for more details and my current price list.

What is a “proof book”?

A proof book is a spiral-bound book of thumbnail images, 12 to a page, contact-sheet style. It’s basically an index of all the images you receive on your USB drive. It looks like this:

What is a pre-mitzvah session?

Ha! Good question. A pre-mitzvah session is just a portrait session that isn’t an “official” part of your bar/bat mitzvah celebration. It’s a great way to get MORE  portraits or your bar/bat mitzvah kid or of the whole family. More info & images here.

How many images should we expect to receive?

This is a great question. Usually, the number of delivered images will be between 50-80 images per hour of coverage. I realize that is a HUGE range, but it’s true. Of course, the more “stuff” there is to photograph, the more images you will receive. By “stuff”, I mean more portraits, more guests, more dancing, more rituals, more hugs & kisses, more laughter, more FUN, more speeches, more details…
What you will NOT receive is dozens of duplicate images. If I photograph several frames of one group of people, one aspect of your party decor, etc., I will deliver one (or 2-3 if they are different in some way) and save you the headache of sorting through them yourself.

When will we see our images?

A few favorite images will be posted to the Poppy Studio Facebook page and/or Instagram within 7 days of the event (unless you prefer no images on social media). The complete image gallery goes online 6 weeks after the event. You will receive digital images on a custom USB drive & your printed proof book 6-7 weeks after the event.

How does all of this work? Will you help us with the timeline & shot list for our event? How much time do we need for portraits? When should we photograph family groups?

Not a problem. I love helping my clients get all of these things organized!
There are SO MANY ways to configure the schedule for your bar or bat mitzvah photography. The 6 hours typically breaks down into about 1.5 hours of portraits (at the temple or location of your choice) and about 4.5 hours of party coverage.
Every temple will have rules and preferences about where & when families should do their Temple Portraits. Some temples require these to be done a day or two before the service, other temples suggest they be done an hour before the service or directly afterwards. In my experience, most temples do not allow photography during the service itself. Your family may want lots of photographs in the sanctuary, or you may prefer more outdoor portraits. Some families would prefer not to have any portraits at the temple at all. Your priorities are my priorities when it comes to your images. If you have questions during your planning, you can always email me.
About 5-6 weeks before your event, I will send you an online questionnaire so that I can get some info & details from you. What family members are coming? What groups would you like photographed at the temple and/or the party? How many guests are you expecting? Etc. I will use this info to write up a timeline & shot list for your event.
Extended family groups can be photographed at the temple and/or at the party. However, if there is no gap between your service and your party, I may suggest you schedule most of these groups at the temple. Whenever possible, it is great to have 45-60 minutes for portraits at the party, before the guests arrive.

Sounds good! How do we book you for our bar/bat mitzvah?

To book me for your event, I will need a signed contract and payment of $750. This first payment is a non-refundable retainer that secures my services for your event.
The remaining balance will be split into two equal payments, due two months before & two weeks before your event.
All contracts and payments can be done online. Contact me to get things started.