Man/womanhood at 13? Was someone trying to find the most awkward age to photograph a child turning into an adult? Now, in order to relax the child (soon to be adult), let's have him/her read from a scroll which has to be rolled to the correct position on a weekly basis.  To make matters even more confusing to the developing your soon to be adult. Let’s have the scroll written from right to left. That will really not only get their attention but when they get nerves for sure they will lose their place.  To further ensure that it is a relaxing and enjoyable event for the young student, let's invite the entire family, including all those cousins, aunts, uncles, many of whom we last saw when we were sleeping in a basement; to watch our performance.  There is always an Aunt Rose who insists on giving you one of those "wet" kisses leaving a big lipstick tattoo on your check, what fun.  Let’s throw in all our good friends and not so good friends so no one will feel left out, for luck.  Now when the friends come to the actual service we will need to hire security to help keep the herd under control.   Now to further heighten the experience, let's choose a language which is not used by the general American public on a daily basis and let's make all the characters none of the 26 we've learned in school known as the ABC's. To bring a sense of drama into the event, let's have our child chant the readings in a cadence which is more foreign than jazz on the shofar.   "If my child can't carry a turn?", join the choir of the many who also are unable to sing aloud for fear of extended laughter.  Somehow with the help of one or more tutors, they all make it to the bema one way or another.  But before the big day we have to take them out to get some appropriate cloths for the big day.  Suits for the boys and a fancy dress for the girls, we’re getting there!   Now, if no one has told you, at this age many of us start to really grow, especially the boys.   What does that mean to the unsuspecting parents?  Final fittings have to be near the actual big day; otherwise, "Mom, this doesn't fit" will be heard from a panicked pre-teen.  On the big day you surely don't want to hear, "Hey, I can't breathe with this shirt collar buttoned", or, "Mom, I can't get these shoes on!”   So, as the event looms ever closer there are many last minute things which must be handled such as "How are your parents getting to the temple Bob?   We don't have room in our car and we have to get there early for a run through with the Rabbi"  "Ruth, for God’s sake and everyone else in this family either rent them a car or call them a cab!"  So now many of you uninformed now know why Bob and Ruth show up with that worried look on their faces.  They know their child will do fine but what else did they forget to do?  Well back to the honored child soon to become an adult.  We have gotten the clothing thing all straighten out and our child looks great, is somewhat uncomfortable in the new formal clothing and the shoes look really great (now too small for him and she can't walk in hers not to mention the pain she will feel as the day goes on)!  Now, since all the family is coming, we need to fix up the house, clean the carpet, get a new dress, tie, etc. Let's not forget to have a party the night before and the luncheon the morning after for all the out-of-towners we invited who we were sure would not accept and have now caused us to go over budget, but its family!  The celebration, after the ceremony, sometimes takes on a live of its own.  Make sure our child invites our friends' kids even though they don't speak to each other! 

Finally, we need a photographer who can bring out our best through all this stressful, happy. meaningful, family oriented, wonderful day and celebration.