 
Speaking at ImagingUSA in Washington DC
This will be great as I know everybody that is there, is first... Interested in what I have to talk about which makes it easier to know that their eyes and ears will be open to know more about this great craft. Speaking at ImagingUSA is a huge deal, as previous years there has been around 10,000 photographers coming together to learn; while this year will most likely be a bit less; it's still going to be a great event. I'll also be up for a GIA (Grand Image Award) for one of my Minneapolis Architecture images and I will also be walking across the stage for my Image Excellence award which is a 11 year accomplishment. From Groundbreaking to Cloudbreaking of Block 9Here's a short video that shows some of my images that I've created of the Block 9 project here in Downtown Fargo. The ground breaking was around fall of 2018 and here we are in 2020 and the building will soon be open to the public for skating out front and businesses inside. congrats to those that had a hand in creating this from a parking lot to an 18 multi-use building for Downtown Fargo. 1958 Midcentury Prarie Style home built by granddaughter to famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright
I went through my projects that I’ve created over the last 11 years. Most of them involved people and their stories, so I thought I’d do a personal project that is closer to home, so to speak, that involves something I do everyday: Architecture Photography. But this project was special. I hope my images can draw more attention to what can happen in the future.
Last year, I was leaving an architecture event hosted by the Plains Art Museum and I drove past a home. I had not driven this way before, so while I drove down the street, I slowed down my car to get a better look. (According to the homeowners, this happens frequently!) Interest, right? Once you see it, it just has the power to draw you in. I later realized it was a historical home on the National Register because the home’s architect was a 3rd generation architect named Elizabeth Wright Ingraham – or, the granddaughter of the famous architect, Frank Lloyd wright, daughter to another famous architect John Wright. You may known him better as the creator of Lincoln Logs. The home was built in 1958; Frank Lloyd Wright passed away in 1959, making this one of the last projects he saw finished. I love discovering the rich history of my projects; just like the Fargo series.
The house is under threat for being torn down due to the Fargo Flood wall project. This time next year, the home may no longer be here. What a shame and loss for Fargo as we watch another historical structure being torn down. John, the homeowner, would love to see it saved for Fargo’s future. While I was shooting, John mentioned the potential for NDSU architect students can study the house to further their education and knowledge or even to serve as a muse for artists like myself. After living there for 36 years, this isn’t just a house to him; it’s a home.
-She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2014. -She was a draftswomen for the United State Navy in World War II. -She decided to pursue a career in architecture at age 14. -She passed away, just like Frank Lloyd Wright, at the age of 91. https://www.kvrr.com/2017/01/04/fargo-homeowner-fights-to-save-his-historic-home/ "Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Mid-Century Modern house in South Fargo was designed by the granddaughter of Frank Lloyd Wright, America's most famous architect. It is the only remaining home in Fargo Moorhead of the three she and her husband designed. It has many of the characteristics of a Wright design: flat roofs, clerestory windows, horizontal lines, built-in cabinetry, natural materials, connection with the outside. Living in the home is like living in a work of art that changes with the seasons and the time of day. Unfortunately, it is on a buy-out list to make room for a flood levee, although there is a possibility it will be saved." My first 10 years photographing for the Kilbourne Group in Fargo, NDWelcome! 1. Kilbourne Group purchased the St. Mark's Lutheran Church building in 2013, which later transformed into the Sanctuary Events Center through a historic renovation. In the summer of 2016, Sanctuary Events Center opened their doors.
3. Woodrow Wilson High School historic renovation to Woodrow Apartments. more info at: woodrow-apartments
Above: my Past and Present work done to show the past of the former Woodrow school and today's apartments
Resident Courtyard at Woodrow Apartments
4. Former Mathison's printing building transformed through adaptive re-use. Now home to Prairie Roots Food Co-op. More info at: 1213-np-avenue/
(above) North side office entrance of 1213 NP
5. The Black Building historic renovation. The sign of the same design and red color from the past was installed on May 1, 2019. More info on the building here: https://kilbournegroup.com/properties/the-black-building/
6. "Prior to the Loretta Building’s historic renovation, the building was underutilized. Renovations introduced contemporary amenities, a rooftop patio and inspiring modern materials such as raw steel, zinc shakes and glass. The materials, old and new alike, are thoughtfully connected within the building's interior space." –-Kilbourne Group website Learn more: https://kilbournegroup.com/properties/loretta-building/ Loretta construction interior above Kilbourne Group offices below
7. "Kilbourne Group worked diligently to preserve and maintain the integrity of many of the building’s historical features, including a pressed metal ceiling, large windows, corbelled brick, simplistic stone trim, an oak-encased office, exposed wood joists and beams, wood flooring and masonry exterior walls. In short, you’ll enjoy a living experience that melds historic charm with urban amenities. In May of 2009, Kilbourne Group was recognized by the Fargo-Moorhead Heritage Society, an architectural preservation organization, with an Adaptive Reuse Award for its efforts in renovating and creating The Lofts on Roberts." - Kilbourne website
8. "Storefront renovation of Lowman-Hadeland Block. Recent storefront renovations have given new life to the buildings, while maintaining their historic character unique to downtown Fargo. Spaces are currently occupied by retailers Unglued, Boots & Heels, Stabo Scandinavian Imports, Insomnia Cookies. and Drunken Noodle, and Slurp." - Kilbourne website
9. The Gibb building historic renovation into the Exchange Building.
10. Dakotah Block (The first image shows the former Metro Drug, vacant) The second image shows the post renovation of the Dakotah Block, which is now home to Black Coffee and Waffle Bar, Wasabi, Poke Bowl, and Silver Lining Creamery. The Dakotah Block is a commercial building located at the heart of downtown Fargo at the intersection of Broadway and 2nd Avenue North. More info here: https://kilbournegroup.com/properties/dakotah-block/
11. "The former Goodyear Schumacher building was transformed into the Broadway Garage through a temporary space activation. With the help of several local organizations, the site came alive in the summer of 2016 with craft beer, a food truck, a farmer’s market, local theater groups and live music. Uncorked, Revland Gallery, the Red River Market, Frostival, and the Night Bazaar have all activated this space while plans for redevelopment of the Mercantile site are underway." -Kilbourne Website
12. Historic renovation of the Loudon building located at 64 4th street. N. Fargo, ND Above: 1976-2012: energy-saving effort led to its nearly 20 front windows being boarded up and insulated. "By 2012, the Loudon building’s future looked uncertain.
13. Located behind the Loudon building and in between N.P and first avenue.
14. "Roberts Alley and Roberts Commons. What was once a surface parking lot is now a mixed-use infill development, known as Roberts Commons or (RoCo).
15. Block 9 Groundbreaking of the mixed-use infill development. "From 1983 to 2018 it stood as a 48,000-square-foot surface-level parking lot. Block 9 is in the heart of downtown Fargo at the corner of Broadway and Second Avenue North. Beginning Fall of 2018, this empty slate will be transformed into a mid-rise, mixed-use tower that will add to a vibrant city core and change the skyline of downtown Fargo. The project includes headquarters for hundreds of team members of R.D. Offutt Company, ground floor retail, a boutique hotel, restaurant, and residential condominiums. Block 9 also includes a programmed community plaza, over a half acre in size, which is anticipated to become a gathering and celebration space for the region. Plans include seasonal amenities such as a skating rink, splash pad, vendor spaces, and a band shell for live performances." - Kilbourne Website. More info here: https://kilbournegroup.com/properties/block-9/
Recreating the iconic NYC image into Fargo's own: "Lunch atop Block 9." I photographed this in the summer of 2019 while construction was going on at Block 9 in downtown Fargo. Below: Halfway there Downtown Fargo as seen in July of 2018.
2021 UPDATE: Block 9 had its first full year of operation including: Skating/Red River Market/Frostival/Movie night and so much more!
1 of 1: Limited Edition
Photographer Introduces 1 of 1: A Concept That Brings Back the One-of-a-Kind Appeal of Fine-Art Photography
In this digital age, photography seems to have become everyone’s domain. Anybody with a smart phone is considered a photographer, and even professional, copyrighted photos might be shared hundreds of times via Facebook, Instagram and the Internet. Now Fargo photographer Dan Francis is introducing “1 of 1,” a photo series that he hopes will bring back the unique appeal and special cache of fine-art photography. “When you have a painting, it’s an original painting and that’s it,” Francis says. “You could repaint it, but it will never be exactly the same.” Prints can be made, but they are never as good or as valuable as the real thing. Likewise, the name of Francis’ project, “1 of 1,” plays off the concept of limited-edition printmaking or photography, in which prints are marked “1/50,” or “1 of 100.” Francis plans to bring the same concept to a select portion of his own work. He will choose from his collection of unprinted fine-art images, print a photo using Hahnemühle Fine Art paper to the most exacting standards, then frame, matte, sign and number it, “1 of 1.” The image will then be permanently deleted from his computer. Anyone who purchases the photo will receive a certificate of authenticity that guarantees it has never been replicated and is the only existing image of its kind. In doing so, Francis hopes to preserve the artistry of certain handpicked images. Francis says he was motivated to develop the “1 of 1” concept in an endeavor to push himself to create the best work possible. “There will be a select few images from my past work, but this endeavor will continue on throughout my life,” he says. “The goal is to think more conceptual photographs, print them on the finest paper available and then archive them. I still hold onto a favorite film photograph of my childhood, and it’s been with me for almost 30 years. It’s the only copy I have of that image. When you care about something and it’s one of a kind, you take care of it as best as possible.” For Francis, the “1 of 1” concept is a way to preserve the quality and uniqueness of his chosen work. “It’s a way to bring a uniqueness back into photography again,” he says. “It’s just a way to choose the best of the best vs. just having a computer full of images you don’t print. It’s taking all those 0s and 1s and turning them into a real image.” Born and raised in Fargo, N.D., Francis is a Certified Master Professional Photographer and college photography instructor. Francis has been honored as a Professional Photographers of America Silver-Level Photographer of the Year. His work appeared as the cover image for the B&W International magazine for fine art. In January of 2013 he was awarded the Highest Portrait Print honor of PPA as a Grand Image Award Nominee. Francis is also a five-time Kodak Gallery Award Winner for his fine-art images. Dan Francis Photography (www.danfrancisphotography.com) is located in downtown Fargo, 10 8th Street, Suite 200. “The prints are posterity, not the negatives.” - Brett Weston Contact: Dan Francis, 701.238.7185
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