I can’t believe we’re more than halfway through December, and just a few days away from the new year! I always reflect on this time of year, and 2024 is no exception.
For years now, my business slogan has been “giving back to the community through photography.” Depending on the situation, giving back can look very different. For me, giving back could mean donating a session to a community organization, a family in need, or a fellow small business. The year 2024 presented plenty of opportunities for me to use my passion for photography to support, invest, and connect with my NE Ohio community.
Peace Community Church, the Peace Center & the Oberlin Free Store for Kids
I was contacted by Peace Community Church of Oberlin to photograph their beautiful sanctuary decorated for Christmas. They needed marketing materials for their upcoming Ecumenical Carol Sing (see the photo gallery here) and I also offered to photograph the event!
Additionally, I photographed their fully updated Peace Community Center, a rental community space downstairs in the church. It’s such a cozy space, and it shows in the photos! You can check them out here. The Peace Center is also home to the Oberlin Free Store for Kids, and I photographed their grand opening back in October (photos here).
PCC has provided me with multiple opportunities over the past year to use their space for portrait sessions, creative collaborations, and more, and I couldn’t be more thankful for this connection!
Indigenous Peoples' Day Committee of Oberlin
Some people don’t know this, but I’m one of the co-founders and the vice president of the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee of Oberlin, which was founded in 2016. We were the first city in Ohio to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. You can read more about the committee here.
For the past several years, I have been photographing our annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration and vigil. It's been fun to look back at the photos I've taken over the years and see the growth in support for our committee. Ultimately, though, using my passion for photography to bring awareness to Indigenous issues is a matter very close to my heart and something I’m very proud to do!
Gently Unbound Yoga
Hanna has been such a meaningful part of my journey as a photographer, modeling for me during the early stages of my career. Her support and trust in my vision have always been deeply appreciated. When I found out she was starting her business venture, Gently Unbound, and hosting yoga workshops, I jumped at the chance to support her the same way she supported me. It was an absolute joy to capture the essence of Gently Unbound during two of her inspiring workshops. Check out the photos here.
Thank you, Hanna, for creating such a wonderful experience and for inviting me to be part of this chapter in your journey. I’m so excited to see where this new adventure takes you!
Lorain County Pride Drag Show
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, representation in art and media is extremely important to me, particularly relating to Drag artists. I took my camera to this year‘s LGBTQ+ Lorain County Pride Drag show at the Cat in the Cream in Oberlin, and it was incredible. The Drag Queens and Kings gave amazing, energetic performances and gave me some of my favorite photos of the entire year! See some of the images here.
Resistance
The conception of this project started brewing back in February during the Indigenous Peoples' Day Committee’s Poetry Lounge; I remember tears streaming down my face as my friend, Asquith, shared a poem he’d written titled “Resistance”. I went home that evening, meditated on his words, and dreamed up the idea for a visual aide to go alongside his poem. You can see my photos with Asquith’s poem here.
A massive thank you to Asquith Clarke III, not only for graciously allowing me to share his poetry with the world but for allowing my art to be shared alongside his. It was truly a privilege to bring your words to life. Another big thank you to Angel Arnold for being an encouraging creative energy in this process and for trusting my vision throughout.
Conclusion
As we jump into 2025, I'm super excited and can't wait to see what's next! I'm thinking a lot about how important our community and relationships are. My main goal this year is to keep building and strengthening my ties with the community around me, both in Northeast Ohio and beyond. I'm planning to get more involved with local groups, join community events, and build relationships that support and uplift each other. I truly believe that by putting time and energy into these connections, we can make our community more vibrant and strong.
Thank you all for an amazing 2024 - let's make 2025 even more meaningful.
♡ - JOELLA
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