The arts and culture industry sector thrives in the city. While 

well-publicized attractions such as white water rafting receive ample 

attention, approximately one hundred arts, culture, and humanities organizations in the metro area are also vying for the spotlight. It appears, 

however, that there are enough customers to go around. Combined, 

Columbus metro arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits employ 358 

people, earn more than $35 million in revenue annually, and have assets 

of $199 million. And that was as of 2019. The next time those statistics 

are measured, the numbers are sure to be higher. 

Something New for Selfies

From the outset, the visionary founders of this selfie photo business 

recognized the potential to rethink and reshape the way people interact 

with photography. Selfies, or cell phone self-portraits, have come a long 

way from the days of the Polaroid™ and the eventual selfie stick. Now 

there’s an entire industry of products aimed at improving the outcome 

of these single-subject photos, such as light rings, filters, lenses, and 

tripods. With the snap of a shutter and the click of a lens, selfie photographs digitally transfer subjects to international cities, lush gardens, 

and more dreamy locations without ever leaving the city, or in this case, 

the Photo Shop Selfie House . 

At the Selfie House, the owners have curated captivating backgrounds and settings that turn taking a selfie into an opportunity for 

self-expression and exploration. Each background has been meticulously designed to transport individuals into a different world, capturing 

their unique essence and telling their stories through the lens of creativity. 

Housed in a historic building, the walls are adorned with multiple 

pieces of impressive artwork, including folk and found art pieces that 

provide a complementary setting for the various backgrounds available to strike the perfect pose. Take, for instance, these three: First is 

the butterfly wall. On the surface, it’s a virtual world where butterflies 

float, creating an ethereal and magical backdrop for your selfies. On 

a deeper level, however, it can symbolize transformation and growth. 

With its vibrant colors and delicate beauty, this background represents 

the metamorphosis each person experiences when capturing a fleeting 

moment.

Next, step into a nostalgic vinyl album booth. In an era of digital 

music dominance, the partners recognized nostalgia’s allure and vinyl 

records’ power. The vinyl LP booth allows visitors to immerse themselves in a retro ambiance surrounded by vintage vinyl albums. The 

faint crackle of needle meeting vinyl is almost audible. It’s a reminder of 

how the magic of music connects to the power of a picture to transport 

us to different times and evoke emotions while capturing the essence of 

a bygone era in a single frame.

And then, there are backgrounds for the action-oriented. The Selfie 

House offers dynamic scenes, such as a bike ride through a field of 

green. This setting encapsulates the spirit of exploration, freedom, and 

vitality. Capturing individuals in motion against the backdrop of a lush 

green landscape creates a sense of energy. It celebrates the joy of being 

active and in the moment. There truly is something for everyone. 

Looking Ahead

As they celebrate their one-year anniversary, the owners of this selfie 

photo business reflect on their journey with gratitude and excitement. 

Their commitment to providing an exceptional experience, expanding 

their offerings, and contributing to the local arts and culture industry 

has solidified their position as an indispensable part of the community.

So what advice would they give to someone with a great idea who 

wants to become a business owner? 

“Do your research, for sure,” Young says with emphatic agreement 

from Foster and Day. “Some of the things we planned didn’t pan out, 

and we lost money. That could’ve been avoided had we done more 

research. We were able to recover because we had each other.” 

Foster’s advice speaks to the long hours and endless days of launching a venture. “You’ve got to have a passion for it,” she says. “Things 

may start out slow, but as long as your passion is there and you keep 

pushing, your hard work will pay off.

Day says flexibility is critical for new business owners. “You have 

to be flexible and ready to adapt,” she says. “We had a plan but had to 

pivot to accommodate the market by providing an event space as well.”

Plans for that event space are underway as the Selfie House moves 

forward into its second year of making its mark in the heart of the city’s 

thriving arts and culture industry. Go check it out! The Photo Shop Selfie House located at 1425 3rd Avenue in Columbus. And, perhaps best of 

all, no cell phone required and a great time is guaranteed.