A
Laurie Segal, Chuckie and Larry Copeland at a Bar Mitzvah rehearsal
SLOTHASTRONAUT/THINKSTOCK H
“I love providing a family with photographs that they can
love and cherish forever,” said Debbie Zak Cohen of debbie zak
cohen photography, who said she particularly enjoys photo-
graphing B’nai Mitzvahs. “It makes me very happy.”
A quick Google search of local photogra-
phers will turn up countless choices, so Co-
hen recommended starting your search
by asking friends who they’ve used for
event photographers and pursuing
the people they recommend.

Cohen said that a client should
make sure the photographer has
the highest-quality equipment
to capture the best photos and
that the client feels comfortable
with the photographer.

“It’s a very intimate thing, to
be photographed, to put your
trust in someone who can cap-
ture and provide you with what
your heart thinks you’re going to
get,” she said.

TO EXP
T A
E CT
W YAD SKIMMING OVER the black letters of the
Torah during a Bar Mitzvah or a family gathered
under the chuppah at a wedding are images you
probably want to always treasure.

Once-in-a-lifetime events, like B’nai
Mitzvahs, weddings or special birthdays,
should have photos that reflect their
significance. With professional event photog-
raphy easily costing hundreds —
if not thousands — of dollars,
you want to make sure you end
up with photos you love. Ac-
cording to several local pho-
tographers, you should make
sure the person you hire is
someone you feel comfortable
with, available to take your
phone calls and is good with
people. And, of course, that
their style reflects your personal
taste in photography.

Photos by debbie zak cohen photography
FROM AN EVENT
SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOIM | JE STAFF
12 MARCH 22, 2018
SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



People have different tastes
in how they want their photos
to look, so just because a
friend recommends a certain
photographer doesn’t mean
that you will also like that
photographer. Nadel Berke Moskowitz wedding
Gal Abahel, owner of Galara Photography, suggests someone
looking to hire a photographer should first ask to see samples of
the photographer’s work. She noted that people have different
tastes in how they want their photos to look, so just because a
friend recommends a certain photographer doesn’t mean that
you will also like that photographer or his or her style.

“As a photographer, I do not like to use over-the-top
editing,” Abahel said. “I create my shots. What happens is
I use extra lighting if needed. I manage the location,
where I work, so I manage my lighting and my set. ... At an
event, I don’t use Photoshop.”
Abahel then recommends talking about the price. She sug-
gests asking for a starting price and then seeing if there is any
wiggle room for paying less. A client, she said, should stick
within the price range he or she feels comfortable paying.

Sasha Aleiner, a freelance photographer who shoots events at the
Chevra as well as weddings, said clients should find out about a po-
tential photographer’s background working with people, how easily
the photographer takes directions and how creative they are.

“The photographer should have a good sense of when it’s appro-
priate to interact, and when they really shouldn’t be intervening,”
he said. “A photographer can come in and greet the participants
and ask if they care to have their picture taken. Generally, that’s
the best way to interact.”
Abahel has photographed weddings and Bar Mitzvahs, in ad-
dition to corporate events, portraits and marketing events, for
eight years. Before the event, she likes to schedule a meeting with
the client where she can get a sense of the client’s vibe and even
See PHOTOGRAPHER, page 14
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