3 minute read
'PEOPLE STILL NEED HELP'
People still need help' ' Ukrainian-born local photographer offers her talent to support her home country
By Hannah Hoffmeister | Photos provided by Olena Swoboda
Working in the arts seems only natural for Olena Swoboda. Growing up in a small city in central Ukraine, she loved spending time with her grandparents. Her maternal grandmother made handmade rugs and embroidered clothing and traditional towels, and her paternal grandma was an artist whose paintings hung in galleries. “I always wished I had this talent, but I did not,” the Elburn photographer says. Swoboda went to photography school and did private lessons with a photographer in Ukraine in 2017, then moved to Kane County in 2018.
Photographer
She enjoys doing portraits, family photos, small weddings and events, and branding sessions for businesses, remarking that it’s always been her dream to find a job that doubles as something you would do for fun. She felt compelled to use her talent to help friends and family in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in late February. In mid-March, she posted to several Kane County Facebook groups, writing: “I was born and raised in Ukraine and the situation in my home country is heartbreaking for me. My family and friends are in Ukraine as are millions of other people going through it now.” Her post went on to say that she was offering a discounted photography rate and that the money would be donated to kids and families in Ukraine. That discounted rate is still available this month — she’s offering a photo shoot with 20 highresolution photos for $100 instead of the usual $200, with proceeds going toward volunteers in Ukraine.
You can contact Olena Swoboda to take advantage of her photography deal through Instagram @swoboda_photo. View her portfolio at https://olenaswoboda.passgallery.com/portfolio.
PLANS TO MEET YOUR EVER CHANGING NEEDS
■ Coverage you can customize to meet your needs ■ Get the most value for your coverage ■ Contact me for a free coverage review
Harry Stout
Your Local Agent 11 S 2ND AVE STE 3 ST CHARLES, IL 60174 HSTOUT@FARMERSAGENT.COM https://agents.farmers.com/hstout
Call 847.640.0402 today!
For Home, Auto, Life and Business.
Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.
Ready to ride?
Looking for local bike trails?
Find the 2022 Fox River Trail Guide at local park districts and most retail locations noted below.
For businesses that are already supporting Ukraine through their own fundraisers, she is offering a free branding photo session as a thank-you. Swoboda’s home city of Kropyvnytskyi is about 190 miles southeast of the capital, Kyiv. At press time, Kropyvnytskyi had been spared some of the bombing but was seeing a large influx of people who had been displaced. If you’re interested in helping, she says donating or supporting local fundraisers is often quicker than mailing supplies. “People still need help,” Swoboda says. “I want to help.”
Hudson Crossing Park • Saw Wee Kee Park •
Elgin • St. Charles
www.alexanderscafe.com
Dundee • Crystal Lake McHenry • South Elgin
ST. CHARLES • ELGIN • HOFFMAN ESTATES • HUNTLEY • ROSELLE ROOKIES NOW OPEN IN THE FOX VALLEY ICE ARENA AT 1996 S. KIRK RD. IN GENEVA 630-402-0468 • WWW.ROOKIESPUB.COM
Elgin ★ Next to Marcus Fox Theater ★ www.oldrepublicbar.com
Ride, Hike,
& Play in Fox Valley 168 Parks, 48 miles of trails
