Josh Barry Photography’s Blog

Ah yes. Never before did I think I would laugh so much inside a Shule (temple). Enter the Lipka's. Laughter certainly doesn't run short in their family.

Despite all the humor, PG-13 moments and , 'someone from above' speaking to us over the microphone we certainly got some amazing portraits. Here are a few from last night.

The best part of my night was practicing my Espanol with the closing custodian at the Shule with the night custodian. He couldn't speak english and I only remember what they taught me in 9th grade. I did manage to ask him his name…Lucas was his name. He helped me carry the equipment out to my car.

It was a good night and I look forward to the reception on Saturday.

Maryland Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Harrisburg Photographer

This about sums it up.

Celebrate What's Right With The World

Wow what a fun session.

Quincy came into the studio on Monday looking for new promotional images for his new CD coming out. His new 'Pre-Release' single "Don't Give it Away" is being put out in the next few weeks and hopefully might be a theme song for one of our presidential candidates in the upcoming elections. We'll be pullin' for you to achieve that goal. Here are some of my favorites.

We had Olivia in our studio today and had an amazing time. We laughed and played with lots of different things. Her laugh and smile was incredible. She showed up in such a good mood and lasted almost a full two hours. Mom was such a great help keeping little Olivia in her good spirits.

I know I am teasing everyone by not showing her amazing smile but this one below, in my opinion, is just too adorable for words. Her eyes just make me stop and stare at them for a minute or two.

Enjoy. See more of her in my galleries under my 'portfolio' in a few weeks.

harrisburg photographer

Just dropping a notice to anyone who might be thinking of using me for their Wedding or Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

I will be in the area meeting with some new friends/clients on Friday of this week. I will have some time slots open to meet with you and to get to know each other. Please e-mail (josh@joshbarry.com) or call me toll free at 888-517-5374 by Thursday evening to set up your time.

If you are reading this and have missed this opportunity please call to find out when the next time I will be down in the Maryland area.

Grins,

Josh Barry

Dear Josh,

We want to thank you for the wonderful Bat Mitzvah pictures and album you put together for us. The pictures of Gabrielle and the entire family are nothing short of beautiful! We appreciated your professionalism and enthusiasm during the photo session at the synagogue. You made everyone feel very comfortable.
We would highly recommend your services and look forward to working with you again in the future.

Sincerely,

Linda & Rick Weiner

Ben and his family met me at Temple Beth-Am in Philadelphia this apst Wednesday for Bimah portraits. It was my first time in this Shule and was completely awe-struck at the beauty of the Arc ( or is it Ark?). Ok anyway this was made completely out of stained glass. I have never seen such a colorful Arc.

Here are some teaser portraits from our Bimah session yesterday. The reception is on Saturday so be sure to tune come back here for an update and some teaser portraits from then as well.

Everyone was really nice. I hope Ben remembers how to put on his Talis because I won't be there to do it for him on Saturday LOL. Good luck Ben. Mazel Tov.

Harrisburg Photographer

Philadelphia Photographer

Bar Mitzvah Photographer

Below is a story. Not just a story, a horror story of someone who threw away a 30 year reputation in photography. Speaking without boundaries I hope someone cuts my hands off if I ever do anything this stupid. Photographer horror stories are usually the type thing that centers around the more common "I paid the photographer, he came and took the photos and then I never heard from him again and it's been 2 years!"

The story below sickens me. Seriously. I never say anything about other photographers. Any of my clients know this. It is not anywhere near professional. But I would be doing a disservice to my clients if I didn't share this.

Oy vey! Bat mitzvah photographer accused of stealing guest's purse

By REGINA MEDINA
Philadelphia Daily News

medinar@phillynews.com 215-854-5985
Sometime between the DJ playing "Hava Nagila" and "Last Dance" at a recent bat mitzvah party, the professional photographer allegedly stopped snapping pictures and got sticky fingers.

Steve Raab, 60, of Huntingdon Valley, allegedly stole a guest's black felt purse and apparently used a credit card it contained to pay for gas and dog food, Montgomery County authorities say.

Now, county prosecutors want to know if Raab, who specializes in weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and other festivities, has stolen other items while at work.

So far, there are no indications that Raab has stolen before, said Assistant District Attorney Steven Latzer.

Raab and his wife, Susan, 63, were arrested Friday and charged with theft, criminal conspiracy and other charges. The couple, who have run Creative Photography and Video for more than 30 years in Newtown, Bucks County, and in Northeast Philadelphia, are out of jail on bail until a March 26 preliminary hearing.

"It's obviously distressing," Latzer said. "You place your trust in them [photographers], you have a good time. You don't consider the fact that the photographer is going into your things and stealing them.

"In situations such as this, not only did he steal a purse, but he also stole the trust of the people that hired him," he said.

Steve Raab was hired to videotape and snap photos of a bat mitzvah at the Philmont Country Club in Lower Moreland Feb. 2, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The purse belonging to an out-of-town guest went MIA between midnight and 1 a.m. on Feb. 3, the police criminal complaint said.

The purse reportedly contained an American Express credit card, an iPhone, makeup and other items.

The victim canceled the card, but not before the Raabs used it to purchase $60 in gasoline at a Philly Amoco BP and for a large bag of dog food, valued at $66.32, on the same day, according to the complaint.

Susan Raab was not at the party.

The couple allegedly attempted to buy a global-positioning system and a man's shirt at a Wal-Mart in the Northeast, but the transaction was declined. The Raabs allegedly tried once again - and failed - to get the GPS at a Target store in the Northeast. The transactions at Target and Wal-Mart were recorded on surveillance video.

The investigation led cops to Raab's studio at 120 S. State St. in Newtown, where Lower Moreland Township Detective Rick Small showed the surveillance photos to Raab. The photographer said he had found the credit card "laying in the parking lot" outside the Philmont Country Club, according to the police complaint.

When Small asked where the card was, "Raab, without hesitation, pulled the card from a left jacket pocket that he was wearing and gave it" to the detective, according to the complaint.

Eventually, the couple hired a lawyer who helped facilitate the return of the black purse including all missing items, prosecutors said.

Small asks anyone who believes he or she was the victim of a theft at a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or other private party at which Raab was the photographer to call him at 215-947-3132, extension 223. *

Here is the link to the original story: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/16017157.html

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