What began as a project for Suzi Camarata’s photographic studies has since grown into a deep relationship with the ethnically and economically-diverse neighborhood she calls home, Mission Hill. For three years, she has photographed the businesses that line Tremont Street and Huntington Avenue for a community calendar to benefit Mission Hill Main Streets. Part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Program and a non-profit organization, the Mission Hill neighborhood joins 18 other designated areas sponsored by the city of Boston. Even during this short time period, the area has begun to show signs of gentrification, with artist live/work spaces and chain businesses beginning to replace the very same enterprises she first documented.

Born in Korea, Camarata grew up in Japan and Dallas, TX. She holds a BA in political science from the University of Rochester ( Rochester, NY) and pursued studies in photography at Art Institute of Boston. Her exhibitions include solo shows at Gallery Diablo in Mission Hill and group exhibitions at venues such as Panopticon Gallery ( Waltham, MA) and the Texas Photographic Society ( San Antonio, TX).

2006 calendars are available in the exhibition space.

The neighborhood of Mission Hill has been my sole residence since moving to Boston six years ago. Adjacent to the Longwood Medical Area and neighbors to Brookline and Jamaica Plain, the Hill has been home to immigrant groups since it was first settled. To this day, the area is rich in ethnic and cultural diversity and continues to attract transplants like me who find comfort in the differences.

I began taking environmental portraits of the businesses along Tremont Street in Mission Hill in 2000. Fascinated by the number of ethnicities represented by the businesses, I wanted to know the personal history of the owners/employees. Where were they born? When did they move to the U.S.? Why did they start a business in Mission Hill? Prior to moving to Boston, I had lived in Texas where small businesses were an anomaly among the large, generic stores that surrounded them. Thus, it was exciting to be able to go into a store on the Hill and get a taste of another culture.

The business owners were very receptive to my photo project and allowed me to make numerous visits to their shops. I started with a 35mm camera intending to do a photo essay, but it became apparent after a few shoots that a more formal portrait, shot in medium format conveyed the personality of the businesses. I wanted to make portraits in the most straightforward manner that would then convey the strength and character of the individuals photographed. August Sanders was an influence in my work as he managed to capture the personalities of his subjects through his seemingly direct approach.

When I was asked to photograph the shops participating in the Mission Hill calendar, I saw this as a perfect way to celebrate the businesses that had become a part of my photo project. Once again, the doors were opened and I was given full creative license to portray the businesses. The portraits in this show are a sample of the images that were taken for the 2004 calendar.

As Mission Hill grows, the community will continue to celebrate the diversity of her people. With grassroots organizations like the Community Alliance and Mission Hill Main Streets, existing businesses will continue to thrive while new opportunities are becoming available to help put Mission Hill on the map as a place to visit.