Welcome
to Maryland, D.C., and Virginia's
only documentary photographer
exclusively photographing Bar and Bat
Mitzvah celebrations.
to Maryland, D.C., and Virginia's
only documentary photographer exclusively
photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations.
Style
our
pricing...
Rachael Spiegel Photography specializes in modern B'nai Mitzvah photography. Our team is dedicated to telling the story of your simcha with stunning documentary images. We patiently wait to see moments unfold and illustrate the narrative of your family.
Formal portraits are shot the month before the service at your synagogue or temple. This gives us a chance to capture images of your Bar or Bat Mitzvah child with the Torah and immediate family members without the pressure and time constraints of the big day. In addition to the synagogue session, many families choose to shoot casual portraits outdoors.
When the party begins, we are there to document your celebration from start to finish. Our style is photojournalistic and unobtrusive. We spotlight your family's personality and do not stage photos or direct your guests. We capture kids on the dance floor, grandparents chatting at the tables and all the moments in between.
Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, we regularly shoot throughout the state as well as in Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.
PRICING...
"Rachael is as much a talented photographer as she is a fun and easy going presence. Her commitment to capturing the significance of the B'nai Mitzvah through her photography is really quite remarkable. Love and warmth shine through the photos, which is not a function of the camera lens…rather they come directly from Rachael's own spirit."
- Jenn
"Rachael is as much a talented photographer as she is a fun and easy going presence. Her commitment to capturing the significance of the b'nai mitzvah through her photography is really quite remarkable. Love and warmth shine through the photos, which is not a function of the camera lens…rather they come directly from Rachael's own spirit."
- Jenn
"My favorite part of my kids' B'nai Mitzvah is seeing my kids so happy. It is also so amazing to be surrounded by all the people you love in one room. Rachael captured this in all her pictures.
Rachael Spiegel is an amazing photographer. She is wonderful to work with before, during and after the event! She is not intrusive, and yet manages to capture the event perfectly! I highly recommend her!"
- Julie
"Rachael Spiegel is an amazing photographer. She is wonderful to work with before, during and after the event! She is not intrusive, and yet manages to capture the event perfectly! I highly recommend her!"
- Julie
"Rachael and Joey managed to capture so many shots where you could feel the energy and essence of the event. I loved working with Rachael the month before Amelia's service when we did our family shots in the Temple. The whole experience was relaxed and enjoyable for all 5 of us.
When it came time to the party I didn't even know Joey was there which is how I wanted to feel. I didn't want to feel as though there was a photographer in our faces taking pictures all night. I would say that you could NOT go wrong hiring Rachael and I plan on using her for our next bar mitzvah. From beginning to end the experience was fantastic!"
- Kim
"Rachael and Joey managed to capture so many shots where you could feel the energy and essence of the event. I would say that you could NOT go wrong hiring Rachael and I plan on using her for our next bar mitzvah. From beginning to end the experience was fantastic!"
- Kim
"Rachael was everywhere we needed her to be and she captured every significant moment with such beauty and subtlety. She was unobtrusive, captured every detail quietly, blended in with our guests, and was such a delight all the way around.
Rachael is the photographer you want. There is no need to look at other photographers because no one could be better! This is one event that you want captured forever. Rachael is kind, patient, and has it well in hand. You will have photos that are as magical and wonderful as the lifecycle event she is recording."
- Josephine
"Rachael is the photographer you want. There is no need to look at other photographers because no one could be better! This is one event that you want captured forever. Rachael is kind, patient, and has it well in hand. You will have photos that are as magical and wonderful as the lifecycle event she is recording."
- Josephine
"My son's Bar Mitzvah was a magical day from the ceremony that morning to the party that night. Rachael's photography told the story of the day. Ben's album is something that we will cherish forever, and we can't wait for Rachael to be there for Daniel's Bar Mitzvah!"
- Melanie
"My son's Bar Mitzvah was a magical day from the ceremony that morning to the party that night. Rachael's photography told the story of the day. Ben's album is something that we will cherish forever, and we can't wait for Rachael to be there for Daniel's Bar Mitzvah!"
- Melanie
"I had a lot of choices when it came to photography. I have a lot of friends in the industry and while I think they all do fantastic work there was just that special *something* I connected to when I saw Rachael's work. Her work is fresh and clean and she does an amazing job of making posed photos look relaxed and natural. Plus, her calm, relaxed personality was much needed. Photography was the most important expense to me because it's the only thing that is left at the end of the day. You will not regret the investment or hiring Rachael."
- Kristin
"Rachael's work is fresh and clean and she does an amazing job of making posed photos look relaxed and natural. Plus, she's really nice.
She was very easy to work with and her calm, relaxed personality was much needed. I can't recommend her highly enough. Photography was the most important expense to me because it's the only thing that is left at the end of the day. You will not regret the investment or hiring Rachael."
- Kristin
"Rachael is an amazing photographer who truly captures the beauty and emotion of every moment. Her photos tell the story of the day, from the start of the service to the end of the party. The photos don't feel posed, they are natural and a true representation of the day. Rachael was easy to work with from start to finish. We can't wait to use her again for Zach's Bar Mitzvah!"
- Caroline
"Rachael is an amazing photographer who truly captures the beauty and emotion of every moment. Her photos tell the story of the day, from the start of the service to the end of the party. The photos don't feel posed, they are natural and a true representation of the day. Rachael was easy to work with from start to finish. We can't wait to use her again for Zach's Bar Mitzvah!"
- Caroline
"Rachael is the best mitzvah photographer out there. We looked at many photographers before we decided to work with her, and it was the right decision. I cannot tell you how many compliments we got about our photos. When all is said and done, the photos (and our memories) will be what we keep forever, and we are thrilled with what we received from Rachael. She is also flexible, kind, easy to work with, and a fun person. Her background in journalism makes for photos that tell a story and capture the moment in an artistic and authentic way. She is a true professional!"
- Eve
"Rachael is the best mitzvah photographer out there. We looked at many photographers before we decided to work with her, and it was the right decision. I cannot tell you how many compliments we got about our photos. When all is said and done, the photos (and our memories) will be what we keep forever, and we are thrilled with what we received from Rachael."
- Eve
"I was afraid that the pictures would look stoic and that some details would be missed in the photography. This did not happen. Instead, Rachael's pictures captured all the details. Rachael’s pictures are incredibly creative. She captured unscripted genuine moments beautifully!"
- Jenna
"I was afraid that the pictures would look stoic and that some details would be missed in the photography. This did not happen. Instead, Rachael's pictures captured all the details. Rachael’s pictures are incredibly creative. She captured unscripted genuine moments beautifully!"
- Jenna
In the past fourteen years, Rachael has photographed over one hundred B'nai Mitzvah celebrations. She adores the families, the kids, the parties and most importantly, the significance of marking a milestone in a young person's life. This combination of documenting such joy mixed with the responsibility of conveying the importance of the service is what made her fall in love with photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
In the past fourteen years, Rachael has photographed over one hundred B'nai Mitzvah celebrations. She adores the families, the kids, the parties and most importantly, the significance of marking a milestone in a young person's life. This combination of documenting such joy, mixed with the responsibility of conveying the importance of the service, is what made her fall in love with photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. In fact, she shoots nothing else, making her the only photographer in the country to specialize exclusively in B'nai Mitzvah photography.
After earning a degree in photojournalism from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications, Rachael worked as a photojournalist at newspapers around the country. She covered the sensitivity of breaking news, kept pace with professional athletes, and created compelling images in ordinary situations, all of which gives a unique perspective to her B'nai Mitzvah photography.
As a mom herself, Rachael looks for intimate moments between parents and their children. This allows her to connect with her younger clients on a personal level and capture images that take a parent's breath away.
Rachael grew up in Baltimore and lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland with her husband Ryan, son Jack, daughter Dalia and dog Ollie.
After earning a degree in photojournalism from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications, Rachael worked as a photojournalist at newspapers around the country. She covered the sensitivity of breaking news, kept pace with professional athletes, and created compelling images in ordinary situations, all of which gives a unique perspective to her B'nai Mitzvah photography.
Rachael
MEET
OUR STYLE . . .
Rachael Spiegel Photography specializes in modern B'nai Mitzvah photography. Our team is dedicated to telling the story of your simcha with stunning documentary images. We patiently wait to see moments unfold and illustrate the narrative of your family.
Our style is photojournalistic and unobtrusive. We spotlight your family's personality and do not stage photos or direct your guests. That's what makes documentary photography our passion.
Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, we regularly shoot in Washington D.C. and Virginia and are also available to travel worldwide.
Rachael Spiegel Photography specializes in modern B'nai Mitzvah photography. Our team is dedicated to telling the story of your simcha with stunning documentary images.
We patiently wait to see moments unfold and illustrate the narrative of your family.
Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, we regularly shoot in Washington D.C. and Virginia and are also available to travel worldwide.
Style
our
Meet rachael . . .
OUR STYLE . . .
In the past thirteen years, Rachael has photographed over ninety B'nai Mitzvah. She adores the families, the kids, the celebrations and most importantly, the significance of marking a milestone in a young person's life. This combination of documenting such joy mixed with the responsibility of conveying the importance of the service is what made her fall in love
Associate photographer Joey Pulone worked as a graphic designer until the birth of his children changed his outlook on everything. In one instant, Joey became less fearful of children and more compassionate about the world and his own community. He also decided to get serious about his lifelong love of photography. Joey's passion turned to obsession as he began studying all forms of photography with a voracious appetite.
A father of a 15-year-old son and two daughters who are 13 and 11 respectively taught Joey how to relate to wildly different personalities and demeanors of children. Every child is so unique and there's a different toolset and energy Joey brings to the table with every new relationship. Without having three children of his own, Joey never would have developed these skills and been able to relate to kids the way he does now.
Joey is always amazed at how different every event can be and how every group of people has a common cast of characters. Capturing these characters within there own unique story is fascinating, invigorating, and a great challenge.
Joey lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with his knockout wife, Debbie Ruth, and three kiddos Max, Liv, and Sofie.
with photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.
After earning a degree in photojournalism from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Communications, Rachael worked as a photojournalist at newspapers around the country. Covering the sensitivity of breaking news, keeping pace with professional athletes, and creating compelling images in ordinary situations brings a unique perspective to B'nai Mitzvah photography.
Joey
MEET
Pricing
READ MORE
Complete packages range from $3000 to $6200, with the average client investing $5000 in event photography, formal portraits, high-resolution digital files and a 60 page heirloom album.
All complete packages include a portrait session, event photography, an online gallery of digital proofs hosted for two months, an á la carte credit, and an in-person album consultation. The á la carte credit allows you to customize your package with albums, prints and wall art.
"Design your Own" packages start at $2000 with Rachael and $1700 with an associate photographer. Please get in touch to view a complete pricing guide and get a custom quote for your family's celebration.
Complete packages range from $3300 to $7000, with the average client investing $5500 in event photography, formal portraits, high-resolution digital files and a 60 page heirloom album.
YOUR ALBUM . . .
Albums
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Your customized experience does not end when your the party is over. After your images are hand selected and fine tuned, your proofs are posted for online viewing.
Once you select your favorite images we invite you to our home studio for your album consultation. We will view your images on our big screen and work together to make your final image selections and choose a cover fabric that complements your photos.
Your handmade album will showcase your favorite images and become a family heirloom that your children and grand- children will enjoy decades from now.
PRICING . . .
