Now THIS was a party! Benny’s Beach Bar Mitzvah Bash was one of the most amazing bar mitzvahs I’ve ever been to. While I choose not to shoot so many events, when Benny’s mom called me about a party on the beach I was all over it. The Jersey shore was our own spot of heaven for the evening, as family and friends kicked off their shoes and kicked up some sand to celebrate Benny. (Sorry folks, no Snookie sightings).

This celebration had it all – the plane that flew overhead trailing the ‘mazal tov Benny’ sign, kites flying, lanterns glowing, and tiki huts with tropical drinks. Benny’s siblings are hilarious and kept me laughing for hours, and their friends and family were so full of energy and love, they continued to energize me as the night went on.

And as the sun set, the stars came out, and the moon reflected off the water, we gathered around a bonfire to sing and toast to Benny.

It seemed as if no one wanted this party to end. Even at the end of the night as the kids grabbed the microphones and turned the dance floor into a disco, the crowd kept on dancing. I loved watching Benny’s siblings dance with him, but I was mostly drawn to his parents and the look of pure pride on their faces as they watched their bar mitzvah boy.

With almost a thousand final images, it was virtually impossible to pick my favorites for this preview, but here goes…

Mazal tov Benny, may your beach bash be the first of many, many happy moments to come.