Aliyah's Bat Mitzvah! The party!

I just realized that I never posted any pics from my very first live event last August.  I took over 2500 pics at Aliyah's bat mitzvah and I am thrilled with how they turned out!  If you've never been to a bar or bat mitzvah, they are a lot of fun.  I've captioned some pics so you can get a better sense of the flow of the evening.

It was a great crowd and fantastic experience!  Congrats to Aliyah and her family!  Can't wait for another live event!

Aliyah chose a movie theme for her party.  Mom made picture frames for all of the guests to sign.  So sweet!

 

Both grandfathers and father give a blessing and cut a loaf of challah bread.  

Some table pics before dinner.

 Then it's time for some after-dinner dancing!

 

And...no party would be complete without the Limbo!

Then Aliyah lights 13 candles with her family and friends.  She introduces each group and expresses gratitude, love, and thanks.  It's a very charming tradition and a beautiful thing to watch.

Then more dancing and each member of Aliyah's family is hoisted on a chair and danced in circles.  The little ones have to hold on tightly!  I love dad's photo below - I think he captures the spirit of this tradition.

 

Some candids I took while everyone was dancing.

 

  Then, of course, it's time for the YMCA!  :)

 

Congratulations and happy birthday Aliyah!

Some 120 film art pictures just for fun!

Over the past six months or so, I've been getting really into 120 film cameras.  The pictures here were taken with a brand new Holga 120N (typically the grainier, light leakier shots) and a 1979 Yashica Mat124G twin len reflex 120 camera.  The Yashica is AMAZING - glass lens, real time preview pane (like an LCD screen only way more 1970s), and a light meter.  I just bought a Diana, so stay tuned for more art pics!

Here's the Yashica.  The ruddier pics were shot with Lomographic redscale 50-200 variable ISO film.  The crisp blue pics were shot with Lomographic color 400.

And here's the Holga!  She's WAAAY more persnickety than the Yashica, but I get some great images out of this plastic toy camera.  All shot with Lomo redscale 50-200 (not that the variable ISO does me any good on the Holga!).  

Geneva's first photo shoot!

Maybe I'm biased, but Geneva is the most magnificent creature I have ever laid my eyes on.  She was a champ throughout this photo shoot, especially after she had a full belly!  Welcome Geneva - we all love you so much already!  :)

Introducing baby Geneva!

Tara, Jason, Geneva, and I went to the park on a warm winter day to take some artsy and unique maternity shots.  I love the tuxedo and gold dress!  And the cowgirl shots are warm and beautiful.  Congrats to you and I can't wait to meet Geneva in just a few weeks!