Mallory's Big Day - Philadelphia Bat Mitzvah at Rodeph Shalom, and Front & Palmer
This past spring, on March 12th, I was honored to be able to shoot Mallory’s bat mitzvah at Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia, with a fun reception afterward at the Front and Palmer Club.
I met Mallory’s mother, Alyson, a couple years ago when she hired me to do a family session for her. I really hit it off with her kids, and as I was wrapping up the weekend shoot, she asked, “So, do you shoot bat mitzvahs?”
“Well, I haven’t yet, but I bet you I could rock the hell out of one,” I responded. Mind you, this was before my first one for Izzy, but it was Alyson who put the bug in my ear first, so thanks, Alyson!
I came to Philly a few days early to meet up with Mallory before the bat mitzvah at a salon where she and her mom were getting their hair done. That way, I could reconnect with her, since it had been a while since the family session.
The next morning, I got up bright and early in order to get to the temple before Mallory and her family arrived. I was able to get some really fun portraits of her before the service on Broad Street, and she totally rocked those images!
I had to shoot the actual service about 50 feet up in a balcony, so before the service, I told Mallory, “If you feel scared, or lost, just look up, and I will be there, sending you energy to carry you through.” In the middle of the service, I caught her looking around the temple for me, and I was able to capture that as she was smiling at me!
We decided to do getting ready images before the big party that night. This way I could hang with Mallory, her folks and even her brother Garrett. So, after a quick kiddish lunch and a few hours of downtime at their home, we headed into the Fishtown area of Philly to Front & Palmer, where my second shooter, Joe Gonzalez-Dufresne, was already working on the set-up for me and capturing some of the off-the-charts details, thanks to the brilliant event planner, Barbara Sheehan of Sheehan Events.
The party was amazing, and the MC/DJ Romeo, from All Around Entertainment, kept the floor moving all night. My head nearly exploded when I went to introduce myself to him, because I actually knew him! We used to be on a local TV show called Dancin’ on Air together!
Alyson & Craig, thank you for asking me to capture this important event for Mallory. Everything about the entire weekend was truly magical. Mallory is an amazing young woman for sure.
Vendors
Temple - Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Party Venue - Front & Palmer
Event Planner - Barbara Sheehan Events
Make up artist for Alyson and Mallory - Kat Sterrett