Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Mitman.
Hi Frank, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I graduated from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA in 1976 with a major in journalism and photojournalism. I apprenticed with three commercial photographers specializing in three different genres; wedding, product, and fashion. All through the 80’s I worked as a fashion and beauty photographer for local and New York modeling agencies and created the photography program for the John Cassablancas modeling school system.
In the 90’s I worked with a partner specializing in commercial product photography, editorial illustration and portraiture.
I opened, Digital Photographic Imaging, LLC, my own portrait and commercial studio, in 2000 in Allentown, PA specializing in high school senior portraiture and commercial photography.
Now, after 26 years, I still have an active studio with four employees.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started in photography when analog film was the only photographic option. I came to digital imaging early as one of the early adopters learning and inventing the language of a brand-new medium.
Early digital equipment was very limited and expensive and required special finesse to create film quality images. Switching to digital imaging early was risky at a time clients found it untested and experimental.
I created a gallery with the same subjects in the same environments photographed with film and digital and dared my clients to tell the difference. Most could not tell a difference, and I became recognized as an expert with the new technology. Early adoption was a gamble, but it paid off as my clients recognized the benefits.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mastering digital imaging early allowed me to express my creativity in ways that were difficult or impossible with film. This provided my clients with imaging possibilities that made their marking campaigns stand out and allowed my portraiture to be refined and elegant.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Mastering your craft is essential, understanding business is necessary, but people skills may be the most important ingredient for a successful photography studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frankmitman.com
