Saint Louis, Missouri

1946

His first hand-made book, “40 Fotos”

He turns to photography, in part as a means to escape the confines of his business-oriented family and home; after training under a few photographers and graphic designers he creates his first hand-made book of photographs, 40 Fotos.

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