First Posted: 4/22/2014

Photographer Andy Molitoris, of Trucksville, is in the business of smiles.

But not just capturing them on camera. He also aims to first inspire the smiles on his portrait subjects, so that when he does photograph them, they are genuine, rather than stiff or forced-looking.

“If I’m skinny, smile, and if I’m fat, laugh,” is just one of the silly lines Molitoris, 47, keeps up his sleeve to prompt the up-side-down frown, especially when photographing children.

“The camera is just a box,” he said, to which Studio Manager Michele Kuhar added, “The smile has to come from within.”

Molitoris’ business, Photography By Andy, is located at 5 Dug Road, Shavertown, in a building he rents from the Trucksville Fire Company. Many of his jobs, however, are done on location, and he works both with studio and natural/available lighting. He and his associates photograph a variety of subjects and events, including senior portraits, families, children, pets, schools, day cares, sports leagues, public relations and more.

The business also stays involved in the community, supporting various organizations such as the Osterhout Free Library, Community Cares For Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local PTOs, the Luzerne County Fair, Youth Salute and others.

What he enjoys most about running a business in the Back Mountain, he said, are “the people, the personalities, the way that everyone works together.”

He emphasized he would not be in business were it not for the community and the support of his family and friends.

The fire company recently worked to renovate the building in which the studio is located, during which time the business was housed a few doors down while volunteers completed the work.

“A lot of people came in on Saturdays and Sundays and worked like crazy,” said First Assistant Fire Chief Ken Claflin, who explained the rental property is just one creative means of fundraising for the fire company. He said the benefits are mutual, with the company helping Photography By Andy and vice versa.

Molitoris said he also wouldn’t be able to survive as a business without his dedicated staff.

“I couldn’t do it without the team,” he said. “They’re the driving force. They make the customers happy and take care of any problems or issue that arise.”

Kuhar agreed, adding that everyone at the studio does what they have to and helps each other out.

Another aspect Molitoris enjoys about the job, which doesn’t seem like a job to him, is “the opportunity to create.”

“At times,” he said, “you’re making memories that will last a lifetime, and at times you’re capturing things that will be around even after everyone there is gone.”