As a story teller, Todd Shapera Photography captures a child’s inner beauty and close family connections with relaxed, lifestyle images, and beautiful lighting. He is a calm, unobtrusive artist.
He was the photographer for Ryan & Brody’s recent B’nai Mitzvah and put us in touch with their Mom to hear more about their special “Miracles On Ice” themed celebration.
Meet Ryan (left) and Brody (right)
Ryan and Brody were born at 25 weeks, 15 weeks early and they were each a pound and a half at birth. They were at Englewood Hospital in New Jersey for 4 1/2 long months with many ups and downs. Their older brother was very into hockey and they taped hockey sticks inside the Ryan and Brody’s isolates.
At one point, they needed a blood transfusion and one of their parents friends, who played for the New Jersey Devils, donated. The boys love to tell everyone that they have hockey player blood in them! Today, these brothers play on a travel hockey team. Ryan is a goalie and Brody is a forward.
When they were strong enough to go out, most of their outings were to numerous hockey rinks to watch their older brother play. Before they even began to walk they would crawl around with mini hockey sticks. Brody’s first word was “score” and Ryan’s was “goal.” They were on skates as soon as they could walk and would even walk around the house with all of their hockey gear on.
Their “Miracles On Ice” logo
From the moment they were born, this family knew they were their “Miracles.” Their B’nai Mitzvah theme was easy to decide, “Miracles On Ice” was beyond perfect because not only were they Miracles, but their all time favorite movie is “Miracle on Ice.”
As proud Mom and Dad tell Mitzvah Market, “We never knew 13 years prior if we would ever get to this day or what the outcome would be with their lives…so this to us was the most unbelievable milestone and event in their lives!”
Todd Shapera Photography provided the pictures below and we hope you enjoy seeing some of this special celebration.
This party took place at Seasons, in Washington Township conveniently located near Westchester where the family resides. Alexa Maniaci from Anna Rose Floral in North Haledon created a Winter Olympics feel for the ballroom
The room was decorated in red, white and blue with Ryan and Brody’s names in lights
Red and blue hockey players were part of the decor
Pure Energy Entertainment provided the music entertainment with Brian as the MC
Each of the boys had their own cake for the candle lighting ceremony
Dad gives the boys a special toast
Mom shares a dance with Brody
They had an ice sculpture featuring their logo
Their entrance video included part of Herb Brooks’ speech featured in the movie Miracle On Ice. The family was announced the way a hockey team is announced and also included the grandparents
The entire family
Mom Jules said it best, “It was a night filled with so much love, happiness and joy. Not just because they became a Bar Mitzvah but because they truly are our Miracles.”
We thank Todd Shapera Photography for sharing this special B’nai Mitzvah celebration with our readers.
