It’s always better when we work together
Cheryl Coleman (front) and her staff–with appropriate social distancing–at Two Black Sheep in Manchester were among the first to participate in The Storefront Project. Photo by Unforgettable Photos.
An increasing number of schools, restaurants, business services and many local enterprises have been reduced or totally shuttered under government orders, and others have closed proactively in light of the COVID-19 health crisis. Other businesses have chosen to stay open and try to weather the storm, offering various incentives for customers to utilize their services.
Photographer Mary Bortmas had not closed her business, Unforgettable Photos, but as the crisis worsened and people began to self-quarantine, phone calls have slowed to a bare trickle and she finds her appointment book increasingly open. Over the past 20+ years of running a business in Manchester, she has photographed thousands of high school seniors, athletes, families, and area professionals who may have needed a head shot or website photos. Her network of local business contacts is longer than most people’s arm, but still it wasn’t enough to keep her as busy as she normally is.
Rather than bemoan the situation, Mary decided to make lemonade from her lemons. She started The Storefront Project, an opportunity for Manchester people to virtually meet local business owners … those she describes as “filled with grit, and determined to survive the virus.” She decided if others could see their faces and their commitment to the community, they, too, could be inspired and find ways to support these folks who are just like you and me.
In The Storefront Project, she has created visual and word portraits of several business owners, whose determination to serve has driven them to adapt their businesses through a rapidly-changing climate. The collection gives businesses an opportunity to connect with the community and bring people together–despite being isolated.
She says, “As a photographer of families, business portraits, and youth sports, the recent closing of schools and the virtual shut down of our town has pretty much brought my work to a halt. Anyone that knows me well can imagine how stir crazy I have been going for the past couple of weeks! Like many people in town, I have been looking for a way to help support our local businesses. A photographer friend in the Boston area is launching a front porch project for families, and as soon as she shared her idea, I knew I could adapt it for businesses!
“My goal is to donate my time and talent to photograph local business owners, showing how they are adapting their services in order to keep their doors open as long as possible to serve the community,” she adds. “I reached out to a few friends in Manchester and got the ball rolling. This is just the beginning; I hope to feature many more businesses while we all wait for normal life to resume.”
The program is completely voluntary and it is free of charge to participate. Businesses can sign up by filling out a simple form at http://www.unforgettablephotos.biz/form/the-storefront-project.
The idea for another, related, project started last week when that the boys’ basketball team’s season was cut short on the brink of a district championship game. “I was feeling bad for those basketball players who were in playoffs when (their season) was shut down,” she says. “And who knows what the spring sports seasons will look like. This is so hard on the seniors, especially. When I thought of The Storefront Project I realized that I could also do a “front porch project” for athletes.
“Though they may be unable to play the sports they love at this time, these high school athletes still have hopes that they will play this season. I wanted to take these portraits on their front porches with their equipment to portray that while they are currently isolated, they remain committed to their teams.”
The Front Porch Athletes Project is also featured on the Unforgettable Photos website, and is open to any Manchester athlete planning to play a sport during this spring season. Again, the program is voluntary and there is no charge.
“I am getting nothing out of this, other than maybe some publicity,” Bortmas says. “It’s giving me something to do while I can, and keeping my business front of mind. I just mainly want to support my fellow business owners.
“But another thing I hope to show is that Together We Are Stronger.”
And that’s a message that is indeed … well, Unforgettable.
Addie Hiller, one of the first Front Porch Athletes to be photographed. Photo by Unforgettable Photos.
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