Derek Frankowski is a versatile artist who uses the camera to explore and interpret visual stories. Guided by light and instinct, he captures moving and still moments drawn to projects that feel essential.

An Emmy-winning cinematographer for BBC’s Planet Earth II, Derek is known for blending artistic intuition with technical precision to create images that are distinctly his and resonate deeply. Rooted in the analog photographic era, he developed his craft through hands-on experience and curiosity that continue to shape his work today.

Raised on the Canadian prairies and based in the mountains, Derek began his career in the mid-1990s as a sports photographer, working globally across editorial and commercial assignments. Twice selected for Red Bull Illume, he became a leading name in action sports photography.

This path led him to co-create the feature documentary Life Cycles (2010), a defining film in action sports cinema with a global following that reshaped the genre.

Since then, he has worked internationally on award-winning campaigns and documentaries, combining cinematic vision with photographic depth.

Recent work through Transport Gallery, explores cinematography as fine art.

Frankowski Pictures is a film/photo production company built to bring ambitious creative work to life.