MEDINA — Photography has been a passion for Alexandra Peracciny since she was 10. Along with a 30-year career teaching French and Spanish at Medina High School, Peracciny has maintained her interest in photography.
“I loved the idea of preserving memories,” Peracciny said. “That was a big attraction for me. In those days, film was a challenge and I love challenges and capturing a good image, especially on film.”
She received her first professional camera at the age of 16. She graduated from Royalton-Hartland Central School, and after getting her certification to teach, she went back and got certified in photography. She began taking professional portraits in 2007, and in 2018 opened her first studio above The Booke Shoppe in the building owned by her parents. When they sold the building in 2024, she moved above Blissett’s. This spring, a storefront became available at 426 Main St., and she took advantage of the opportunity.
Her new location allows her space for a studio, the availability to offer classes and have a retail store, where she has a selection of Medina-themed items, pictures and gifts.
It has also provided space for Peracciny to host a Community Photography Exhibition, showcasing works of 15 local amateurs. It is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and correlates to the Medina Triennial’s theme, “All that Sustains Us.”
The exhibit is free to the public and light refreshments will be available. More than 50 photographs will be featured and will remain on display until Labor Day.
Regular hours of the studio are 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“I wanted to do something special for Medina’s Triennial,” Peracciny said. “I wanted to join in their theme, and I hope to make it an annual event.”