#columbusphotographer Archives - Page 8 of 17

State Auto Insurance Christmas Corner

State Auto Insurance Christmas Corner photographed Friday, December 16, 2016.

In the middle of the Great Depression, Robert Pein, founder of State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co., gave Columbus a gigantic Christmas present – one that decades later still brings joy to the city each yuletide.

In 1931, as the nation struggled thru the great depression and unemployment was rampant, Pein had the State Auto Insurance’s building on E. Broad Street decorated with more than 1,000 blinking lights, Christmas trees on the roof and an electric sign proclaiming “Christmas Greetings.”

Pein, who grew up the third of seven children in an impoverished Cincinnati household, was intent on his spectacular Christmas decorations because he recalled that although his family had been poor, “Christmas was somehow Christmas.”

Pein, who died just before Christmas in 1956, called the display a “Christmas card to the community.”

No photos survive of the original display, but The Columbus Citizen newspaper noted on Dec. 25, 1931: “Trinity Episcopal Church boys sang Christmas carols in front of the State Automobile Insurance Co. building on Christmas Eve in the city’s only outdoor public observance.”

On Christmas Day that depression year, the display gave cheer to passers-by on their way to church, friends’ homes and family gatherings.

The next year, the display was back — with 1,000 more lights, four crosses, a star and 853 Christmas trees. “Eight electricians worked around the clock for a week to complete the spectacle,” the company reported.

The display disappeared during World War II years and was downsized during the postwar years while the company’s headquarters were remodeled and rebuilt.

The company’s entire E. Broad St. building, which was now five stories tall, was decked out for the 1954 display. In 1962, the display’s signature life-size Nativity figures were added.

For 50 years, Mary, Joseph and a changing array of Nativity figures have drawn crowds each Christmas season.

In 2009, the display was moved from a raised area in front of the building to a small park to the east, where families can walk among the statues as they follow the story of the birth of Jesus.

State Auto Insurance Christmas Corner photographed Friday, December 16, 2016. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

December 16, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Paper Drive

Features, Images, News

The 2016 Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Paper Drive & Sale photographed Saturday, December 10, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.

The 2016 Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Paper Drive & Sale photographed Saturday, December 10, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

December 10, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Gala & Auction

Events, Features, Images, News

The 2016 Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Gala & Auction photographed Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Bluestone in downtown Columbus.

The 2016 Charity Newsies Clothe-A-Child Gala & Auction photographed Friday, December 2, 2016 at the Bluestone in downtown Columbus. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

December 2, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Christmas Corner Dedication

Events, Images

The dedication of the 2016 State Auto Christmas Corner photographed Wednesday, November 30, 2016 in downtown Columbus.

The dedication of the 2016 State Auto Christmas Corner photographed Wednesday, November 30, 2016 in downtown Columbus. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

November 30, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Taylour’s Senior Portraits

Images, Models, People

Senior session with Taylour Crutchfield photographed Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the Franklin Park Conservatory. I don’t typically do senior portraits, but our wonderful neighbor asked, and I couldn’t refuse. 🙂

Senior session with Taylour Crutchfield photographed Sunday, November 20, 2016 at the Franklin Park Conservatory. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

November 20, 2016/0 Comments/by James

The Forgotten War

Events, Features, News

The ribbon cutting of The Forgotten War, Korea 1950, Photographs by Max Desfor photographed Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Ohio History Center. The Ohio History Center has the honor of presenting, for the first time ever in the United States, THE FORGOTTEN WAR, Korea 1950, Photographs by Max Desfor. The extraordinary exhibit of Korean War photographs taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer Max Desfor who spent three turbulent years in Korea from 1950–1953. He captured the people’s plight and the American soldiers’ defense. The exhibit features 36 photographs printed from original material culled from Desfor’s personal collection and his 1950 winning submission to the Pulitzer Prize Committee.
Curated and produced by Cyma Rubin. Sponsored and presented by Business of Entertainment Inc., New York. Local funding provided by the Gordon Chandler Memorial Fund of The Columbus Foundation and Conestoga, a volunteer fundraising support group.

November 11, 2016/0 Comments/by James

David’s Senior Portraits

Images, People, Sports

Senior portrait session with David Andes photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016. I don’t seek out senior portraits, but a good friend sought me out to do her son’s senior portraits and I couldn’t say no – especially since he was an expert Fencer and I knew it would make great images.

Senior portrait session with David Andes photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

October 26, 2016/0 Comments/by James

Finish Strong OWU

Events, Features, News

Ohio Wesleyan University students are welcomed by facility during the “Finish Strong OWU”! event photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Ohio Wesleyan University gate.

Ohio Wesleyan University students cross Sandusky Street to be welcomed by facility during the “Finish Strong OWU”! event photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Ohio Wesleyan University gate. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ohio Wesleyan University students are welcomed by facility Dwayne Todd, Vice President for Student Engagement and Success, left with a high five, and Brad Puccini, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement / Director of First -Year Experience, red coat, during the “Finish Strong OWU”! event photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Ohio Wesleyan University gate. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

Ohio Wesleyan University‘s Residential Life Coordinator Dominique L. Aaron waves a pompom and blows a kazoo to welcome students to a “Finish Strong OWU”! event photographed Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at the Ohio Wesleyan University gate. (© James D. DeCamp | http://JamesDeCamp.com | 614-367-6366)

October 26, 2016/0 Comments/by James

2nd Annual Komen Athens Race for the Cure®

Events, Features, News

The 2nd Annual Komen Athens Race for the Cure® photographed Sunday, October 23, 2016 on the Ohio University Campus in Athens, Ohio.

Honorary co-chairs of the event are both breast cancer survivors. Mary Dupler, a single mother from Somerset, Ohio who has been cancer free for one-year and Cindy Oremus who battled the disease four times but has been cancer free for the past 16 years.

Both women tshared their experiences with breast cancer and their dedication to the Race for the Cure to raise awareness, research dollars and support for other cancer victims.

Julie McMahon who is Director of Mission at Komen Columbus talked about the organization’s cancer fighting efforts in 30 Ohio Counties.

This year $1.46 million was donated to 21 programs in the service area and 11 of those program served southeast Ohio, according to McMahon.

Southeast Ohio has one-third of the diagnoses and deaths for breast cancer in the 30 county area serviced by Komen and a higher death rate than the rest of the country, McMahon says.

Last year, Athens was the only spot in the country for a new Komen race.

Komen has delivered almost $1.1 million in services through the Ohio University Healthy Adult Project, Holzer, O’Bleness Hospital, Marietta Memorial, Genesis, Adena, Southern Ohio Medical Center, Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center and local health departments in Vinton, Perry and Hocking counties.