Bonnie Brihan is the owner/operator of Bonnie B Photography studio, serving the Greater Cleveland area. Her photography studio specializes in high school senior portraits, posed sports photography, corporate headshots, and branding and marketing images.
Prior to professional photography, Bonnie earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Miami University and immersed herself in the competitive business world, where she successfully spent 20 years as a top perennial producer in the sales and marketing field. She currently lives in Willowick with her husband, Bob Schindler.
Where did you grow up while attending Villa Angela Academy?
I grew up in our great community of Euclid. My family, friends and I would bike ride everywhere! We enjoyed Upson playground, Sims Park, Euclid Memorial Pool and quite a few of the recreational sports offered each year.
Where did you go to school before Villa Angela Academy?
I attended St. William Catholic School from K-8 and made great friends who I still hang out with today.
Which teacher or class at Villa Angela Academy do you remember most and why?
My favorite and most impactful teacher and “class” was Miss Slak who headed up the Drama Club for us. The reason this is so memorable to me is because I was so introverted and shy in elementary school. Once I began high school, I decided I wanted to be more extroverted and not be afraid to talk in class nor be afraid of public speaking in a larger setting. I chose to step out of my comfort zone, join the Drama Club and try out for the leads. I landed the leads my senior year, playing the Pied Piper for the children’s play and one of the leads in “I Lost My Egyptian Mummy.” Miss Slak must have seen something in me to have faith that I could nail both of those roles. Those experiences were certainly a turning point in who I am today. If you know me now, you would say I am definitely not shy and have no apprehension at all when it comes to public speaking!
Did you have a favorite spot to hang out and what did you like about it?
As a teenage girl in the ’80s, it was Euclid Square Mall of course! My friends and I could hang out there all day and entertain ourselves. I could be found sipping my Orange Julius while shopping at Lerner and picking up the latest albums at Record Town … or was it Record Den? I’m sure I was at all of the music stores!
What, if anything, about your experience at Villa Angela Academy would you do over?
There are so many people, friends and experiences that I am so grateful for while attending Villa Angela. I definitely wouldn’t change any of those things! What does come to mind about one thing I would change is participating in the volleyball program at VA and playing on the school team. I have played recreational sports my whole life but never for my schools.