MITZVAH

Jan 19

2014 is here and Mitzvah Monday is back!

I've been bursting at the seams to share this amazing event with you - Luis' Bar Mitzvah! When his mom Sandra met with me in the dead of winter in 2012, it felt like December 7 2013 would never come. But it came and with it, one of the most remarkable families I've ever met.

When I decided to focus my business to photographing bar + bat mitzvahs and families, I hoped with every ounce of my gold glitter heart that every family I worked with would shine bright and be filled with this energy that makes my "job" so easy. And so far? It's come true. And the "Fele Family" is no exception!

Luis is destined for greatness, whether that's on the basketball court, the baseball diamond or in front of an audience. This kid is one in a million and I'm so blessed for having met him. I never saw him not smiling, beaming or totally loving life. And upon meeting his grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends, it was clear that this family thrives on love. The love they show for each other is clearly visible in these images - and for the three days we spent together, I felt like one of the family.

We photographed the family portraits at Beth-El earlier in the week and on Friday night, I met this multi-generational family at the Marriott West for a Shabbat dinner. The sand ceremony represented this bringing together of all generations, all branches of their tree - and it couldn't have been more beautiful watching Luis thank each and every person in the room for their place in his life.

I've spent a lot of time with these images and when I look at them, I can hear the laughter, the excitement, the salsa music, the singing and the Spanish phrases that probably had a lot to do with love and pride for being a part of such a close-knit group.

To Isaac, Sandra, Alex and Luis: I will photograph your family until the end of time if you feed me more chilaquiles, bourbon french toast and teach me Spanish! Thank you for letting me into your lives - you've stolen my heart and I am so grateful.

ps. Because this weekend of events was so FABULOUS, part 2 will be coming to the blog TOMORROW!