Photography has been a part of my life for over 40 years—a constant thread woven through every stage, always drawing me back like a first love. It all began in high school, where I was captivated by the art of capturing moments. My teacher, Mr. Owens, introduced me to the fundamentals of photography, and I was hooked. There was something magical about the combination of art and technology.
After high school, photography became my creative outlet as I pursued a career as a firefighter and volunteered with the Gresham Fire Department. During this time, I met Riley Caton, a lieutenant with the department and an amazing photographer, who graciously offered to mentor me in photography and taught me a wealth of knowledge, much of what I still use today. Unfortunately, our mentorship was cut short due to business constraints, but the spark had been ignited. When I started my education at Oregon State University, photography remained my sole creative outlet, taking me on countless weekend drives to the mountains and the Oregon Coast, and photographing friends.
Like many young couples, starting a family meant reassessing priorities. The cost of slide film and processing became a luxury I couldn’t afford, and photography took a back seat for a while. In 2007, however, I decided to invest in my first digital camera, and everything changed. Digital photography reignited my passion for photography, and, once again, became my sole creative outlet, a journey documented in my online Flickr account.
Realizing that photography needed to pay for itself, I launched the first iteration of Mark Frisco Photography. Initially, I focused on portraits and later transitioned into wedding photography. While my clients were thrilled with my work, I didn’t feel weddings were the right fit for me. So, I stepped back from the business and returned to shooting for friends and personal creative projects, always staying connected to the art form I loved.
Nine years ago, my career took an unexpected turn that led me into videography. Working for a chemical manufacturer, I needed to create safety training on a topic that wasn’t commercially available. I assumed my photography skills would transfer seamlessly to videography—a significant underestimation. The two disciplines are worlds apart! But with the support of my employer, who invested in equipment, I began to learn and grow. My next employer provided even more opportunities to develop my videography skills, and it quickly became another creative passion.
It was with this employer that I also discovered the world of drones. A colleague who flew drones at area landfills introduced me to the technology. He eventually passed down an older drone with a fixed lens, and I used it to hone my cinematic flying skills. The fixed lens was a limitation, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, helping me focus on creating smooth, cinematic footage—a skill I’ve fallen in love with.
Last summer, I added another layer to my photography journey: rodeo photography. I’ve always loved going to rodeos, and I've found capturing the people, excitement, and pageantry of these events has been a joy. As I plan to photograph even more rodeos this coming summer, I realized I needed a platform to connect with clients and market my images. That realization has brought me to today—to the next edition of Mark Frisco Photography.
This time around, my vision is broader, yet more refined. With decades of experience and lessons learned, I’m ready to offer clients a diverse range of services. Whether it’s traditional photography, cinematic videography, or aerial drone footage, I’m equipped to combine all aspects under one roof to deliver the best service possible.
Photography has always been more than a business for me—it’s a lifelong passion, a way of seeing the world, and a connection to the moments that matter. I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes me and the stories I’ll get to tell through my lens.