Bar / Bat Mitzvah Planning with Doctor Simcha

Photographers / Videographers

• Photographers & videographers sometimes do photo montages. Ask yours. DJs may also do montage as part of the package.
  
  
• Check the professional's work before giving them the job. Ask for a few demos. Shop around.
  
  
• A professional's work will cost you. Think if it is something that you want to pay money for. How much should you expect to pay? It really depends. You can get basic montage for a few hundreds of dollars. For the high end artistic ones the price can go up to 1000 dollars or more.
  
  
• When you check about the pricing, ask if there are any extra costs. Professionals can give you hard time with extras, so check ahead. Here are some details to inquire about:
  
  
• How many pictures, title pages, transitions, songs and DVD copies will you get?
  
  
• What is the cost of scanning the photos?
  
  
• What about converting video to digital format?
  
  
• How long will the montage be?
  
  
• How many edits will you be allowed, until you are happy with the montage?
  
  
• Give the photos to the photographer at least ten weeks before the party.

Professional DVD montage companies

• If you choose to hire online DVD montage services, ask to watch samples of their work online.
  
  
• If you can recommend DVD montage online companies, please drop a comment at the bottom of this page.

A student

• Cinema or photography students should be able to make a video montage pretty easily, and the cost will be lower.
  
  
• Put a note on a cinema or photography school's board asking for someone to do your montage.

Do-It-Yourself Montage

• The do-it-yourself montage option is the Doc's favorite. Fun fun fun, and it will save you money!
  
  
• You can do the DVD montage yourself, don't worry, it is not that difficult.
  
  
• Maybe you can do it together with your child? It is a beautiful opportunity to share family memories and prepare emotionally for the big day. They children can also help you with the complicated computer work. 
  
  
• Start working on the montage well ahead. It is time-consuming (but well worth it!).
  
  
• Continue reading. The Doc will give you detailed instructions on how to make the montage yourself.

Comments (6)

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written by Blond , February 17, 2010

I would definitely recommend creating your own montage, or have a friend do it. I have created a few of these for friends for parties, Bar Mitzvahs and graduations. I would never spend the money when I can create something just as beautiful. Find someone who has a mac, and knows how to use it. Choose your own music, add as much detail as you want. It's easy, and you can spend your money on other things.

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written by Steve , May 26, 2009

I hate to be a nay-sayer but I would recommend AGAINST doing your own montage.

We really benefited from collaborating with our videographer - he brought the expertise and professional touch and helped reign in our tendency to pick too many shots. We brought our tastes and vision. (Not to mention our photos, videos & music!)

An overly long or poorly edited montage is an energy-killer at a party and these are usually home-made productions. This isn't to say I haven't seen bad "professional" montages but I think you get the best results when you have someone to put it together and someone else to look over their shoulder (so to speak) and provide feedback.

Just my 2 cents.

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written by Tova , May 26, 2007

What about party favors?
I was thinking about t-shirts.

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written by Doctor Simcha , May 26, 2007

thank you :-) l'amour !!!

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written by thx for the info doc sim , May 05, 2007

luv ya

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written by Deborah Baron , November 28, 2006

You're site is very informative. Thank you,
Deborah

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