Hello,

It's Sam from SB Creatives Photography here...

Last Motzei Shabbos, I had the incredible honour of photographing Yanky's Bar Mitzvah at Chabad Bondi – and it was honestly one of the most uplifting and energetic simchas I’ve been part of in a while.

The night began with a truly gorgeous Havdallah ceremony in the shul – a moment that set the perfect spiritual tone. The flame of the candle flickering against the shadows, the sweet spices passed around with heartfelt smiles, and the melodic singing echoing through the space — it was both beautiful and grounding. There's something incredibly powerful about transitioning from the peace of Shabbos into the joy of a simcha, and this Havdallah captured that feeling perfectly. You could feel the unity, the holiness, and the anticipation for celebration all at once.

And once the music kicked in, the atmosphere shifted — the room came alive. It wasn’t just a party – it was a coming together of community, family, tradition and unfiltered joy.

I’ve been working as a photographer in the Jewish community for a few years now, and events like these are why I do what I do. They’re not just moments to document – they’re moments to preserve. And when those moments are layered with such a strong sense of meaning, identity and simcha, they become even more powerful.

One of the things I love most about my job is that I get to see the event from every angle – sometimes literally. From behind the lens, I catch the quiet glances between parents, the cheeky laughs between siblings, the absolute ruach of a circle dance mid-song, and the kind of raw, human connection that can’t be staged. Yanky’s celebration had all of this, and more.

The highlight of the night? Without a doubt, the dancing. And the man fuelling the floor all night long was none other than DJ Mizzi. If you’ve ever been to an event where he’s playing, you know the vibe – high energy, perfectly timed, and always knowing exactly what song will get the crowd jumping. His music set the tone and helped turn the simcha into a full-on celebration. The crowd didn’t stop moving, from the first beat to the last. And as a photographer, moments like these are a dream — candid expressions, flying tzitzit, sweaty foreheads, arms lifted to the sky. Every photo tells a story of joy in motion.

As someone who has made the decision to work solely within the Jewish community, simchas like Yanky’s hold even more meaning for me. Since becoming more observant and immersing myself deeper in Jewish life, I’ve felt a strong pull to document our stories – to put Jewish joy, strength, and pride front and centre in my work. In times when antisemitism is still a very real issue in Australia and around the world, celebrating our traditions, our families, and our milestones feels like both a mitzvah and a form of resistance.

At Yanky’s simcha, you saw the beauty of our community on full display. Not just in the smiles, or the music, or the food – but in the way people showed up. The way they danced with him, celebrated his Torah reading, and surrounded him with love and pride. Being trusted to capture that is something I never take for granted.

Photography isn’t just about pressing a button. It’s about listening, observing, and knowing when a moment is about to happen – then preserving it forever.

To Yanky and his family – mazal tov! Thank you for letting me be part of your simcha. Your warmth and energy made the night unforgettable. And to everyone reading: if you're planning a simcha or milestone, I’d love to be the one capturing your story, too.

Let’s keep celebrating what makes our community so vibrant, so meaningful, and so beautifully alive — one photo at a time.