Portraits of the Ridge
“A good photograph is knowing where to stand.” - Ansel Adams
I’m so grateful to all the business owners, organizations, staff, and community members that have allowed me to photograph them as part of my continuing essay on Pleasant Ridge. A diverse and eclectic neighborhood, from the newest arrivals to the long established, everyone is unique with their own story.
It has been three years since I started my website portfolio and five years from photographing Michele at the Apricot Coffee House to start my current Ridge Portrait series. In that time the Apricot has closed, we’ve lost Robert at Ridge Jewelers and Clarence at his shoe repair. Emily at Share Cheesebar has closed her storefront, Paige Pederzani has moved her studio and Pearl and Don Forney Income Tax have retired. But in that same four year period the Ridge has welcomed: Argos Pet Supply, Cafe Alma, Coffee Exchange, Community Happens Here, Eastside Animal Hospital, Eighteen Tattoo, Fine Wine O’Clock, Goodfellas Pizzeria, Hello Honey Ice Cream, Hello Sunshine Yoga, Make Do, Mr. C’s Soul Food, Ridge T-Shirt Shop and Terp’s Smoke Shop!
My Portraits of the Ridge project has challenged me personally and artistically; a documentary that I hope will continue as the community evolves. I look forward to continuing my neighborhood essay, so I hope you will check back to see what's new!
A Portrait Series of the Pleasant Ridge Community • Cincinnati, OH 45213 •
A Salon Named Desire
All Saints Episcopal Church
Apricot Coffee House
Architectural Art Glass Studio
Argos Natural Pet Food
Bill Frost
Blendz Barber Shop
BP Pleasant Ridge
Cafe Alma
Clarence Howell Shoe Repair
Community Happens Here
Chris Reece
Dan Roketenetz
Donovan's Auto & Tire Center
Douglas G. Linn Attorney
Dovetail Architectural Services
DPT Beauty Salon
eighteen TATTOO
Erin Fay
Elliott Jordan Studio / Gallery
Everybody’s Records & CD’s
Fine Wine O'Clock
Flair Hair Studio
Flying Tiger Tattoo
Gas Light Cafe
Gil’s Barber Shop
Goodfellas Pizzeria / Wiseguy Lounge
Hamilton County Democratic Headquarters
Hello Sunshine Yoga
HodesH
Jennifique
Jenny Myers
Jim Cundiff
Make Do
Mallory Feltz
Mr. C's Soul Food Restaurant
Paige Pederzani Photography
Pearl Income Tax Service
Pleasant Ridge Public Library
Pleasant Ridge Chili Restaurant
Pleasant Ridge Pet Hospital
Queen City Comic and Card Company
Rafeeq
Reggie Sansalone
Revolution Rotisserie & Bar
Richard Valerius
Ridge Jewelers
Ridge Shoe Repair
Ridge T-Shirt Shop
Ryan Duebber Architect
Scrap It Up
Share Cheesebar
St Peter's United Church of Christ
Tacos Locos
Terps Smoke Shop
Thane Lorbach Custom Woodworking
The Caring Place of Cincinnati
ALL images © David W. Smith. Not for use or reproduction without express permission.