I haven’t found the time yet to post images from this amazing bat mitzvah I was honored to photograph at the Ritz-Boston. I will do so when I get through this busy fall portrait season. In the meantime I wanted to share these images of Sloan’s gorgeous Fine Art Book.

Books are not just for weddings. I create them for all kinds of special events as well as portrait session. I offer three styles of books. Please contact me for more information.

It’s not called busy season for no reason — I feel like I’ve been going non-stop since June. At this point in the year I am desperately trying to complete what seems like a Sisyphean task of finishing all the job edits. There is simply not enough words of thanks for the kind patience my wonderful clients afford me as I work my way through everything.

If you follow me on Facebook (you really should because I update there much more frequently) you know I’ve been putting up slideshows about every two weeks. Here’s what you might have missed if you are not yet with me on Facebook.

September I was lucky enough to shoot two bat mitzvahs. When I lived in DC I photographed bar/bat mitzvahs all the time. I don’t get to shoot many of them up here in Maine, which is too bad because they are really so much fun! I had the great fortune to photograph Laney’s bat mitzvah in the suburbs of Boston. It was wonderful day —  check out the slideshow.  The second bat mitzvah was Sloan’s fabulous event at the Ritz in Boston. Feast your eyes on this bakery-themed party.

Every summer I am look forward to making at least one trip up to Bar Harbor. This year I had to wait until September for Amanda and Frank’s wedding at the Bar Harbor Club. It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful wedding. Oh, and the dance floor was rocking all night. You can see the slideshow here.

There will be a few more slideshows to come and then I’ll start getting down to the business of writing individual blog posts featuring each event. But first let me get through all these edits!

Are you looking for a photographer for your wedding or special event? Please contact Maine Wedding photographer, Amy Salerno, for more information.

It’s been over two years since I last shot a bar mitzvah in Washington, DC.  I used to shoot one almost every weekend before moving up to Maine and transitioning into more of a wedding and family portrait photographer. These were usually great big parties that made my job seem like more fun than work.  So when Cyndi Smith emailed me about my availability for a b’nai mitzvah in Portsmouth, NH I was instantly excited.  Of course, a b’nai mitzvah means two teenagers, no small challenge for the most seasoned bar mitzvah photographer.  I hoped shooting bar mitzvahs was like riding a bike and that it all would come back to me when I got there.  Would I remember the terminology and the standard poses (and would these New Hampshire clients even want what was considered standard in DC)?  More importantly, would I be able to relate to 13 year-olds or would the simply see me as a 36 year-old mother of a toddler? I silenced by doubts as I pulled into the nearly hidden Temple Israel parking lot.  Rabbi Barry greeted me warmly and led me into the sanctuary.  I knew instantly that I would be okay.  There was the bimah, the arc, the torah, and the tallit.  All as familiar as a wedding dress and boutonniere.

The Katz family arrived and the rehearsal started.  Because most synagogues do not allow photography on the sabbath, it’s common to shoot the temple portraits prior to the event.  Instead of posing and recreating everything, shooting the rehearsal affords an opportunity for some more natural images.  Jordan and Alex and the rest of the Katz family did an amazing job reading their torah portions with me shooting away around them.  After some quick posed portraits we said our goodbyes until the party that Saturday.

I had been anticipating this party from the moment Marla (The Mom) told me they were basing the decor on Khloe Kardashian’s wedding.  If you’re going to throw a party, you might as well do it in style!  The large Sperry Tent stood dramatically on the grounds of Strawbery Banke, a Sturbridge Village-like museum in Portsmouth,  NH.   It was quite a sight, and attracted many curious passersby.  Inside the ladies of Janie Haas Events were putting the finishing touches on the stunning decor.  White leather banquettes faced black leather chairs creating a lounge effect.  A black dance floor reflected the tent’s peaks and the shiny red chandeliers that hung from each tent post.  Lucite tables were lit from below, and red candles and pillows accented the white and black.  In a word:  Gorgeous.

The guests walked from the temple to Strawbery Banke and were greeted by tasty passed hors d’oeuvres and pumping dance music.  The food and the dancing did not stop until after 10 PM.  To my delight they played some old school bar mitzvah party games like human musical chairs and dance-offs (even though they didn’t play it, the DJ assured me Coke and Pepsi was still a staple game).  There was no shortage of goofy party hats and glowing things — it just isn’t a bar mitzvah without that stuff.

I had a awesome time!  Mazel tov, Jordan and Alex!

Some of my favorite images are below.  Check out the slideshow to see more.

Temple:  Temple Israel, Portsmouth, NH
Party:  Strawbery Banke
Tent:  Sperry Tents
Event Planning:  Janie Haas Events
Party Rentals:  Party by Design
DJ:  Northern Lights Entertainment
Catering:  Max Ultimate