Hadar’s Rising Song Institute seeks to empower Jewish community-building through music. Working alongside communities Joey Weisenberg works educates and train individuals around the world to unlock their musical and spiritual potential, and to make music a lasting and joy-filled force in shul and in Jewish life. On Thursday, December 28, 2018 Joey Weisenberg and the Hadar Ensambled joined the NYC community at the Upper West Side B’nai Jeshrun for a night of song.
Rain, Rain, Go away… and maybe come back another day? For two weeks, Bryan and I planned how he was going to propose and where. We decided on Central Park just past the Bow Bridge at around 12:30pm. And then, 3 days before the big day the weather headed South with rain in the forecast. I made several suggestions for a plan B location (Grand Central, Holiday Shops, The Oculus). However, we stayed positive and we kept watching the weather hoping for the best. Our concern was “would Nicole go on a walk through the park if it was raining?”. Creating a story and convincing her to go is always a challenge.
In the end it all worked out! The rain ended earlier in the morning and Nicole agreed to go on walk throughout the park with Bryan.
Just a few minutes before Bryan and Nicole arrived, I politely asked several lingering tourist if they could move. “A couple is about to arrive and he’s going to propose. Do you mind moving to the side?” I politely asked.
Bryan and Nicole arrived. As tourists made their way around the couple, Bryan went down on one knee and Nicole gasped!
After the big moment everyone took it all in. There was crying and there was laughter.
After a capturing the big moment. I introduced myself. We took several posed photos, a few close ups of Nicole’s new ring, and then we went for a walk throughout Central Park. Bryan and I had chosen a few locations for more photos (the Ramble, Reservoir…). It was great!
Congrats Bryan and Nicole!
I chose to photograph Noah’s Bar Mitzvah over a two day span. Starting on Friday, before the Sabbath, we photographed family photos and took our time staging shots. Then on Saturday, I photographed both his service and the preceding party.
Photographing for Noah’s family was super easy and fun. From the moment I met Noah and his family at their Long Beach, NY home I knew they appreciated quality photos. And as a Long Island family event photographer I appreciated their love of great photos. Their home was filled with family photos on the walls, on bookshelves, and in hard cover albums.
Venue: Temple Emanuel of Long Beach
Hillel offers a variety of conference opportunities to convene Jewish professionals and college students from Hillels around the world. This year the conference was at Long Island’s Hofstra University, a school Jonathan photographed for full-time over two years.
Our assignment was aimed at creating stock imagery for marketing/advertising to be used in both internal/external pieces. The challenge was the attendees schedule did not include any downtime…. at all. So, our photos had to be candid. The next challenge Jonathan had, and was fully aware of prior to arriving on site, was the facilities. At Hofstra University most of the buildings are dimly lit, poorly lit, and are extremely dated. Jonathan in some cases used fill flash to add additional light and other cases photographed with a slower shutter speed and higher ISO than preferred.
Matt and Sarah live for their summertime Montauk weekends. For Sarah, this just another weekend on the East end of Long Island. For Matt it was thee weekend. For several weeks Matt and I planned how he was going to propose. We decided the beach across from Gosman’s would be a great spot. From Gosman’s family and friends could watch as he asked the big question. I was stoked as I drove out East to Montauk and picked up a few “supplies” for the couple.
Our biggest concern was the weather. Throughout the day I constantly checked the weather report. Matt and I were texting back and fourth all day, and finally at 4pm we said “IT’S A-OKAY! The weather will be fine.”
Once I arrived to the spot I put the supplies (champagne in a cooler and flowers) in a safe spot and waited. The light and the weather were amazing and so were the views of the Atlantic Ocean. Matt and Sarah arrived right on time, and walked down to the beach. They sat on a blanket and after a few moments Matt stood up. As he started to ask the big question Sara stood up as well. Matt then got down on one knee.
Congrats Matt and Sara!
