Derek Frankowski is a versatile visual artist who uses the camera to navigate and interpret challenging environments. Guided by light, instinct, and a sense of presence, he captures moments—both moving and still—that seek to connect with viewers, drawn to projects that feel essential.

Known for his hands-on approach and reliability as a collaborator, Derek works with patient determination. His work balances artistic intuition with technical precision, creating images that are unmistakably his while resonating deeply with audiences—he often navigates visual chaos in natural scenes, distilling them down to their essentials.

Derek’s early experiences assisting commercial photographers, working in a camera store, and training in photojournalism helped lay the foundation for his approach to visual storytelling. He began his career in the 1990s as a photographer in action sports, traveling globally on editorial and commercial projects, and earning international recognition as one of the foremost photographers in the genre. This path led him to co-create the feature documentary Life Cycles (2010), a film widely acclaimed and loved by audiences around the world that helped redefine the sports film landscape.

Since then, he has collaborated internationally with talented teams on award-winning campaigns and documentaries, blending cinematic storytelling with photographic depth. His work on BBC’s Planet Earth II earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography, recognizing his ability to elevate natural history filmmaking.

The artist within has always shaped his approach, and he’s now leaning fully into that perspective. Some of Derek’s latest work is taking shape at Transport Art Gallery, where he experiments with and presents cinematography as fine art.

Frankowski Pictures is a full-service production company led by Derek that produces and delivers creative projects for clients worldwide—combining technical expertise with a collaborative, story-driven approach.