Self-Portrait, Paris

1947

Emigrates to the United States

He emigrates to the United States and secures a job in New York City as a fashion photographer for Harper’s Bazaar.

1949

Camera magazine: the “new photography” of Switzerland

The new editor of Camera magazine, Walter Laubli, publishes a substantial portfolio of Jakob Tuggener alongside the work of the 25-year-old Frank, who has just returned to his native Switzerland after two years abroad, including some of his first pictures from New York; the magazine promotes the two as representatives of the “new photography” of Switzerland. Tuggener, first mentioned to him by his boss and mentor, the Zurich commercial photographer Michael Wolgensinger, becomes a role model for the younger artist.

1949–1950

Travels in South America and Europe; a hand-made book on Peru

He soon leaves again to travel in South America and Europe, creates another hand-made book of photographs shot in Peru, and returns to the U.S. in 1950.

1950

The group show “51 American Photographers” at MoMA

The year is momentous for Frank: after meeting Edward Steichen he takes part in the group show 51 American Photographers at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

1950

Married: Mary Frank

1950–1953

Disillusionment with America and a brief move to Paris

Though initially optimistic about American society and culture, Frank’s perspective quickly changes as he confronts the fast pace of American life and what he sees as an overemphasis on money: he now sees America as an often bleak and lonely place, and his dissatisfaction with the control editors exercise over his work colors the experience. He continues to travel, moving his family briefly to Paris.