When planning Bar and Bat Mitzvah portraits, one of the biggest questions is: Should we take the photos outdoors or indoors? As a New Jersey Jewish photographer, I can confidently say the answer is… yes. Both have advantages, both have disadvantages, and both can result in beautiful photos. The real challenge is deciding whether you would rather battle the weather or battle the venue lighting.
Outdoor portraits can be absolutely beautiful. Natural light can make everyone look fantastic, and parks, gardens, interesting buildings, and scenic locations provide backgrounds that are much more exciting than standing next to a beige wall. Outdoor photos also give kids room to move around. Younger siblings can run, jump, and release approximately 14 hours of stored energy before being asked to stand still for three seconds.
The downside? This is New Jersey.
You can schedule portraits for a beautiful sunny day and wake up to rain, wind, freezing temperatures, humidity, or weather that somehow includes all four seasons within 45 minutes. And then there are the insects. Nothing says “beautiful family portrait” like everyone smiling while secretly wondering if that mosquito is about to land on Dad’s forehead.
Indoor portraits offer something incredibly valuable: predictability. There is no rain. There is no wind. Nobody’s hair is suddenly styled by a 30-mile-per-hour gust. Nobody has to pretend they aren’t freezing. And there is a much lower chance that a squirrel will unexpectedly become part of the family portrait. Indoor locations can also be convenient. If the Bar or Bat Mitzvah is taking place at a synagogue or event venue, portraits can often be taken without everyone needing to drive to another location.
The biggest challenge is lighting. Some venues have beautiful windows and amazing natural light. Others have lighting that makes a Jewish photographer wonder whether the building was designed specifically to challenge cameras. But with the right photographer, equipment, and planning, indoor portraits can look polished, dramatic, and beautiful.
Outdoor portraits give you natural light, beautiful scenery, and plenty of room for the kids to move around.
Indoor portraits give you convenience, climate control, and significantly less chance of someone’s hairstyle being destroyed by Mother Nature.
The best choice depends on the family, the location, the weather, and whether your children can survive being outdoors for more than ten minutes without asking when they can go back inside.
At Mendy’s Photography, the goal is the same whether your portraits are indoors or outdoors: create beautiful, natural photographs and make the process as painless as possible. After all, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah only happens once. The family arguing about which picture should go on the wall? That can continue forever.
You might also enjoy: The Secret to a Perfect Bar Mitzvah: Tips from a New Jersey Photographer
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