Don Frank

For me, photography is a way of interpreting my surroundings. Having a creative voice in this crazy world is amazingly empowering. I love working for myself and investing in my future, while being able to, literally, keep the lights on in my business and creatively in my head.

Don Frank Photography is a two-person enterprise. I do all the shooting and work out of my home office with an office manager. We work with local businesses, regional magazines, national companies and international organizations. I also do fine art photography.

I will advise you on how to get organized as a professional photographer, how to market and network your business and how to work with clients. Basically, how to translate something you love to do into a successful business. I will urge you not to be shy and not to give up. Perseverance is the number one attribute of successful people.

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I had a circuitous career path working in the juvenile justice system, driving a forklift, serving beers, selling knives and mowing lawns. I finally realized I wanted to follow my long-time passion for photography, and I wanted to work for myself. I received some professional training, and in 1998 opened my first photography studio in Portland, Oregon. Eventually, I moved my studio to the Oregon coast.

As the owner of my own small business, I do it all: answer phones, take out the trash, roll in all the glory and suffer every rejection. Specifically, I seek out clients, secure the work, provide the service, deliver the images and send the bill. And, then start all over again.

My photos have been on display in Times Square in New York, and one of my images was displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago, Illinois. My photography assignments have taken me to Italy, Korea and Hawaii.

I readily admit there are challenges. The photography business is very competitive particularly in this day and age of the availability of good, cheap digital cameras. If you want to make a profession out of photography, you have to stay focused (in more ways then one!), and put yourself out there to survive.

Our job is work, but our life is all play. I have met so many interesting people and seen so many places I would never have experienced if my camera hadn’t given me “a key to the world”.