✂️ Dovi & Isaac’s Upsherin
A First Haircut, A Beautiful Tradition
This session was more than just another photography job—it was an invitation into a sacred moment, one I had the honor of witnessing and capturing.
The Upsherin marks a young boy’s first haircut at the age of three. It's a deeply meaningful tradition—a rite of passage in Jewish culture that celebrates the transition from babyhood to boyhood, surrounded by family, blessings, and joy. For Dovi and Isaac, this was their moment. And I had the privilege of helping preserve it through the lens.
📸 From the playful energy of the bounce house, to the sweet stillness of the moment scissors touched hair for the first time—every frame held something special. There were quiet expressions of pride, laughter echoing through the yard, and the warmth of family wrapped around them both.
✨ This was my very first Upsherin, and I’m so thankful to have been guided by Nathan Colbert, who trusted me to photograph this for his clients. Working alongside him as a second photographer not only taught me about flash balance and capturing key storytelling moments, but also about honoring the personal meaning behind every frame.
💙 What This Taught Me
Photography is storytelling. Even small gestures—a hand reaching for a cookie, a quiet pause before a snip—can say so much.
Cultural diversity is a gift. Every community, every celebration has its own rhythm, and as photographers, we get to listen through our lens.
🙌 Thank You, Nathan
Working with Nathan Colbert & Hawkeye Media was a beautiful reminder of what it means to document people’s lives with care. Check out more of his incredible work:
🔗 https://nathancolbertphotography.com
📷 Explore the Gallery
This gallery features:
✂️ First haircut moments
👨👩👧👦 Family portraits
🍪 Details from the party setup
🕍 Cultural expressions and joy
Every image celebrates growth, tradition, and the beauty of shared memory.
🎨 The Power of Color Grading – A Vintage Touch
As part of this Upsherin celebration, I wanted to take a moment to highlight how editing and color grading can completely shift the emotion of a photograph.
While the original edits were bright and vibrant—capturing the joy and energy of the party—I also created a custom vintage edit to show a different kind of beauty. This softer, desaturated tone feels more nostalgic, almost like a moment pulled from memory. It emphasizes tradition, intimacy, and timelessness.
Every image holds multiple stories. Editing allows me to reveal a new layer with each variation. Whether it’s vibrant color or a quiet vintage touch, both versions hold space for celebration—just in different emotional tones.
