Temple Beth El Guidelines for Photographers

We understand that the family has hired you to capture the moment in photographs.  We have a number of “house rules” at Beth El pertaining to photography and while we have advised our member, we want to be sure that you know them as well.  Our rules have changed over the last few years and may change again, so even if you’ve been here before please do review the rules.  Unfortunately we have run into some issues lately causing us to add in the protocol of asking a vendor to leave the building when not adhering to our rules; we surely hope that you will abide by our rules and therefore we will never need to ask you to leave.  To that affect, we ask that you reply to this email noting your understanding of our rules.

Photography House Rules at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester:

• A B’nei Mitzvah family may reserve the Sanctuary for 45 minutes.  Timeslots on Saturday are: 8:00-8:45 am, 9:00-9:45 am, 3:00-3:45 pm or 4:00-4:45 pm.
• A reservation of the room(s) is required in advance.
• The temple building will open approximately 15 minutes prior to photographs.  If you would like more time to set up, the family may reach out to the temple office to ask if that is a possibility.  Please reach out to your client to request the confirmation that the building will be open at the time you expect to arrive.
• If you arrive and do not see a security guard at the desk, please ring the bell.  Our staff will come down to the door at the prearranged time.  If the security guard is there, they can let you in however if another family is taking photographs we ask that you give them the space they booked.
• In the Sanctuary, you can not move any furniture, sound equipment, microphone wires or electrical equipment.  Our staff are not allowed to move these for the purpose of photographs, so please do not ask them to do this.
• The ark will be unlocked for the purpose of taking a photograph with the ark doors open.
• No Torah is allowed to be taken out of the ark.
• No Torah is allowed to be undressed, nor unrolled.
• A prop Torah will be in the room for the child to take photographs with.
• Photographs may be taken in other areas around the building and property provided the area is available (lobby, social hall, front patio and courtyard are the usual other locations used).  Again, no furniture or equipment should be moved or touched.
• All photography equipment must be disassembled and removed from the Sanctuary 15 minutes prior to the service.
• This year a photographer can stay during services provided that they stay in the back of the Sanctuary with no flash and don’t make noise. 

Thank you for understanding that our rules are in place to ensure the security of our Torahs, our set up has been placed as directed and equipment has been tested, and our staff have the time to manage the needs of our members and facility.