BRUNSWICK, Ohio – The picture on Facebook experienced to bring in a ton of focus. A group of 11 teenagers, listed as Spokesmodels for anything named Positively Portraits. It sounded intriguing and it turned out to be just that.
Positively Portraits is a business begun by Valley Town native, Samantha Ponomarenko, who has a lifelong passion for pictures. “I’ve been having photos considering that I was incredibly younger,” she stated, “I employed to take pics of my Barbies. I’ve never wanted to do something else as a job.”
A 2017 graduate of Buckeye Superior School where she was really concerned in the images club and yearbook team, she just attained her bachelor’s degree in Pictures from Kent State College.
It didn’t take a degree, having said that, to make her desires of becoming a professional photographer occur accurate. Even though even now in substantial college, she began taking senior pics for close friends. That friend advised one more and shortly, she experienced a business.
“It was generally word of mouth,” she explained, “I didn’t have a studio (and continue to really don’t) but the pupils and their households appreciated the way I consider to convey the students’ personalities into the photographs,” she mentioned. Her motto is “Genuine memories produced in the real globe for individuals that definitely worth daily life.”
Due to the fact the landscapes in Medina County and northern Ohio in general can be magnificent, she makes use of it as her ‘studio.’ Though she urges seniors to have their photographs taken now, because they will need to have them for a number of causes after faculty commences all over again.
“Almost all people wishes to wait around right until slide,” she mentioned., “Because of the tumble shades, there is just one week in Oct that is normally Quite chaotic.”
As her status grew, she began to want help with points like lights and props. And those helpers had been also younger girls. Neca Warren and her sister, Alexandra. When COVID arrived along and we have been cooped up, they experienced an plan to begin an annual occasion for higher school seniors all over northeast Ohio.
This year’s spokesmodels, from still left, are Madison Meincke, Krista Lamie, Ryley Taylor, Maggie Peters, Ashley Joslin, Alexandra Ponomarenko, Re’Nia Ross, Kaitlyn Fortuna, Ashley Jamison, Lydia Heinemann and Kayleigh Graham.
While they are juniors, those people who want to be element of the team send out in an software and that ought to consist of how they are included in the group, Ponomarenko explained. They need to concur to have their photographs taken only by her that they will share them on social media. They must also be accessible for one meet up with-and-greet where by the official group photo is taken, and are also invited to other functions.
“The ladies occur from all all over the spot and have a chance to meet other folks they might hardly ever have identified in yet another way,” she said. “Some have now had knowledge acquiring images taken, but some have not. This gives them a opportunity to be in entrance of the digicam and achieve extra self-assurance.”
She claimed it’s definitely entertaining as she is using personal photographs, the other girls are cheering in the history.
This yr, 11 younger women of all ages not only had their official photograph taken but bought their hair and makeup finished by Bloom Studio by Marina in Medina and Dani Leigh Hair Boutique in Strongsville. Most of the time, on the other hand, Ponomarenko would like them to just be on their own and however they want to look. They can even deliver their very own props.
While she’s confined her group to young ladies, Positively Portraits has heaps of younger adult men seeking photos, even if some are reluctant and she even has an intern – a younger man who is also interested in attaining a degree in photography. Aiden Dalton, does significantly of the powering-the-scenes do the job which include movies.
“I never want anybody to come to feel not comfortable. I want to present who they are,” she mentioned. “One youthful gentleman asked if he could have his pics with his filth bike. We put in an hour with him on and with his bicycle – even executing a wheeley, which I do not consider his mom was expecting – and it the photos have been excellent.”
In a different shoot, she booked two best close friends back again-to-again, having personal shots with each individual cheering on the other and then some with the two of them. She also does loved ones portraits throughout the yr, numerous of which are posted on the web.
If you are interested in mastering a lot more about Ponomarenko and her rising small business, go to https://www.fb.com/positivelyportraits or https://positively-portraits.com/ or call (330) 999-0585.