Yay for catching up on blog posts! This bat mitzvah is from back in April. LOVE this family. You can also check out the slideshow of their event, and take a look at their family portrait session we did beforehand, one of my favorites ever.
Day-of-coordinator: Shira Citron
Venue: Pranna Restaurant
Decor: Stone Kelly
Entertainment: Untouchable Events
Transportation: Receptive Tours
Cake: Honeybee Cakes
Makeup: Bare Essentials
Hair: Jeffrey Stein Salon
Since my last post, the 2010-2011 bar mitzvah season has come and gone. Before my blog fills up with images from this summer’s weddings and travels, I’ll update you on the bar mitzvahs I had the privilege of photographing. Instead of event by event posts, though, I’m trying something new.
As usual, I can only write about winter from the safety of a warm summer day. But I will say now, sitting in shorts and a tank top, that the snow did look pretty by the entrance of Shaaray Tefila on that morning in January. And I can admit, after a lengthy string of June-green days, that there’s something wonderful about waiting for those bare branches to show their first buds.
But I still like warm weather most of all.
Enjoy this bar mitzvah progression from winter to spring. 
1. Shaaray Tefila in January
2. Temple Israel in March
3. Pranna Lounge on 79 Madison Avenue, in April
Decor by Jen Stone of Stone Kelly
Day-of coordinator – Shira Citron
Hello 2011!
Way back in 2010, after a morning service and kiddush at Temple Israel, and hair and makeup appointments on the Upper East Side, Jessica blew out the candle on her three-tiered cake designed by her mom, surrounded by all her friends and family at Crimson. The cake matched the turquoise, fuchsia and orange colors that were the theme of the night.
And in between the dancing, photo booth picture taking, and airbrushed art making was my favorite moment of the night – after the speeches (including a poem) and the toasts, when Matthew, the smallest member of the Lipton family, sweetly introduced the night’s ‘future presentation.’ Sweeter even than the chocolate fountain at the dessert table, and the cookies, brownies and hot chocolate that ended the night.
Jessica, you looked beautiful in your fuschia dress. Congrats to Jessica, Randi, Jeff, Matthew and Evan!
Click here for the slideshow.
What a fun day. First, let me just say that the mother and son dance was the most touching I’ve ever photographed. And then we had: Zack rapping and breakdancing, his sister Sydney doing backbends on the dance floor, their dad Andrew singing into the mic with his friends, and their mom Melissa whirling around in her beautiful dress.
The party took place at the Bohemian National Hall, a newly renovated space that hosts New York’s Czech cultural center. The interior is modern, playful, thoughtfully designed, and a pleasure to photograph.
A big hug to Ava and everyone at Shine Events who made the day run so smoothly, especially photography wise – definitely look them up if you’re planning a party.
Congratulations to Zack and his family, and thanks for being awesome! Check out the slideshow below.
Melissa and Andrew tearing up while watching the montage:
Bohemian National Hall
321 E. 73rd Street
New York, NY 10021
646.422.3318
Shine Events
info@shineevents.com
845.535.3100
Ellen Gelb
Special Attention Caterers
325 E Houston
New York, NY 10002
ellen@special-attention.com
212.477.4805
Ethan and Allison are a year and a half apart, and they held a joint b’nai mitzvah earlier this month. It’s a little unusual, but it’s a lovely statement of the family’s closeness with one another, which I got a glimpse of when we went to Central Park in September for their family portrait session.
They had the service in the beautiful and modern temple inside Hebrew Union College on W 4th st, and then all the guests walked straight over to Manhattan Penthouse, an open and sunny venue with city skyline views all around.
So much loving thought went into the Noah’s ark theme – the rainbow colors of the Hebrew Union College temple and the Krugs’ dress clothes, and the lollipop trees and animal table cards, were all tied together by the edible table centerpieces: cakes made by Sonia Riviera that showed the earth, the ark, a rainbow and a different animal silhouette for each table. And the take home party favor: umbrellas! The detail I liked most, though, was a pair of framed portraits at the guestbook table, done by Ethan and Allison’s own grandfather.
Congrats to Ethan, Allison, Laura and Lee!
Click to watch the slideshow:
Manhattan Penthouse Catering Hall
80 5th ave btwn 14th St and Union Sq, Penthouse
New York, NY 10003
212.627.8838
www.manhattanpenthouse.com
info@greenmansionscatering.com
Hebrew Union College
1 West 4th Street
New York, NY 10003
212.674.5300
Cakes N Goodies
Sonia Rivera
www.cakesngoodies.blogspot.com
Rachel and John had a beautiful ceremony at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary’s in Cold Spring, NY, and then an absolutely incredible, sun-drenched reception at The Garrison a few towns over. I shot alongside the lovely Kara Pearson, who came all the way over from Denver, Colorado for Rachel and John’s big day. Congrats to the newlyweds! 
Andres and Sue got married first in Beijing, but decided to throw another smaller, beachside wedding for family and friends for Sue’s first visit to Andres’ hometown in San Jose, Costa Rica. <3 to you both!
Check out the wedding slideshow!
They got ready together, so I got to catch sweet moments like this one: 
The bride’s shoes in nephew Nicky’s lap:
May 15 was a big day for the Liebhabers. I met up with Josh and his family after the service on that beautiful Saturday afternoon, and everyone walked over together to the lovely luncheon just a few blocks away at Centolire. Josh looked accomplished, and his parents Lisa Beth and Andrew were all smiles.
After some afternoon napping, the Liebhabers cabbed it over to Branch NYC for the party – right on time even with rush hour traffic, thanks to Josh’s punctuality. Josh’s night was racing car themed – everything from the chocolates to the beautiful cake, and the racing arcade games. By 11 the family, exhausted but happy, was ready to call it a night.
Watch the slideshow, and go here to sign up to view the full set of photos.
Congratulations to Josh, Lisa Beth, Andrew and Sari!
Park Avenue Synagogue
50 East 87th Street
New York, NY 10128
212.369.2600
Centolire
1167 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10028-0409, United States
212.734.7711
Branch
223 E 54th st
New York, NY 10022
212.505.7400
From afternoon well into night, Saturday I hung out with the Goldbergs on Reede’s big day, documenting – reception and luncheon at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, hair and makeup at the apartment, cab ride over to the party, and the rest of the night at Crimson NYC.
It was a colorful night – glow sticks, striped socks, dance floor lights and, of course, Reede’s yellow dress and blue heels. And everything turned out beautifully – Shelby and Theo serenaded their big sis, Heller and Jeff teared up for probably the 5th time that day, and Grandma was dancing decked out in hat and glow stick necklaces. The whole night went smoothly, the designs were elegant and original (‘Rg – Est. 1997′!), and dancing was inevitable.
Congrats to Reede, Heller, Jeff, Shelby and Theo. Reede, you looked beautiful. And guys, it was a pleasure and a blast photographing you as always.
Watch the http://katcheng.com/slideshow/reede/reede-batmitzvah.html”>slideshow, and sign up here to view the full set of photos.
And check out the Goldbergs’ pre-Saturday family portrait session: http://katchengblog.com/2010/02/the-goldbergs-central-park-family-portraits/
<3,
Kat
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 west 83rd street @ Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212.362.8800
Crimson NYC
915 Broadway @ 21st st
New York, NY 10010
212.505.2192
I manned the photo booth last night at Arts in Bushwick’s SITE Festival’s closing party, hosted by Page Not Found. Wish I could have stayed longer – apparently the looping saxophones and guitars, dance performances and live silkscreening I saw were just the beginning. Also, the home-brewed beer was delicious.
**More:
- SLIDESHOW! Many more photos in here.
- Tag yourself in the Facebook album.
- Email me (kat[at]katcheng.com) + I’ll send you the hi-res pics.
Thanks to Page Not Found and all the great people I talked to last night. See you guys around.
