A couple of years ago Mieke Vrijmoet dug out their 35mm SLR camera and started taking photos in their neighborhood while walking their dog. Taking in details of parks and streets turned into a fascination with analog photography, and they decided to take a class at Franklin Foto to learn more. 

CULTURAL HUBS: An Occasional Series

In a time of digital prints and instant photo gratification, Franklin Foto in Portland offers community members the chance to explore the art of black and white film photography. The classes often sell out, and participants develop film in the community dark room. 

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Soon Vrijmoet was photographing music sessions in their backyard with friends, playing fiddle and enjoying old-time string band songs. The parallel worlds of old-fashioned music and photography soon came together. 

Now two of Vrijmoet’s photos are part of an exhibition titled Noise & Grain at Franklin Foto, 8953 N. Lombard St. in Portland, until Dec 31. The photo exhibition, celebrating Portland’s music scene, opened Dec 6. Attendees viewed photos of local musicians and enjoyed live music. 

“I’ve always been interested in photography as part of preserving memories, and it makes me want to capture how my life exists in the moment,” Vrijmoet said. “It’s about the community effort and sharing tunes and oral tradition.”

Film photography

In the community darkroom at Franklin Foto, photographers have access to 12 enlargers and a shared developing space with trays, chemicals and a washing area for prints to go through and be developed. People can use each tray simultaneously. Anyone can sign up to use the darkroom, and all they need to bring is film and paper. The classes on subjects such as framing, lighting, and developing fill up quickly and cap at eight. 

“Photography is not inherently social, so it’s nice to have a place to go to talk to other photographers and be in the creative space with others,” Vrijmoet said. “I’ve learned so much from watching how other people work and asking questions.”

Filmmaker, photographer, and musician Zach Putnam curated Noise & Grain as a way to show Portland’s music scene. The photographers and musicians have a wide range of expertise, from novices to seasoned professionals. 

Putnam plays bass guitar for a few bands in town, including Anjali and the Unhinged. His photography interest began early, and he is a full-time filmmaker with his own company, ZP Productions.

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“Around 8th grade I got a Sony Handycam video camera from my grandpa and in 9th grade I talked my teachers into letting me make videos instead of writing papers,” Putnam said. “I’ve been working that scam for 20 years as a filmmaker. I still wake up every day astonished that I get paid for playing with cameras.” 

The ongoing exhibition features portraits and live performance images of local musicians Pete Krebs, John Craigie, and Ural Thomas. Hip hop artist Mic Crenshaw is featured, as are members of alt-rock band Sleater-Kinney, with Carrie Brownstein from the hit television show Portlandia. A photo of folk musician Michael Hurley was taken shortly before he passed away in April 2025.

“Portland has a thriving but overlooked music scene,” Putnam said. “Franklin Foto deserves credit for being the nexus for so many people to meet and collaborate over their love of photography, and now expand to music and photography.”

Jason Kaplan and Bobby Abrahamson founded Franklin Foto in honor of Abrahamson’s brother Franklin after he passed away in 2023. It is smaller and more rustic than the Newspace Center for Photography, where they both had taught. They wanted a similar space for photographers in the St. John’s neighborhood. Kaplan said he appreciates the core group of longtime members. People pay $10 an hour to use the darkroom, and membership is about $120 a month. 

“Part of our mission is, we always have a sliding scale,” Kaplan said. “Financial challenges shouldn’t be a barrier.”

A fun evening

The St. John’s neighborhood was hopping on Saturday evening, Dec 6. 

Volunteers welcomed people at the door as folks crowded into Franklin Foto to gaze at the mounted photos on the walls, depicting scenes that called up memories for those who recognized the place or the band. Singer/songwriter Blair Borax brought music. Johnny Franco & His Real Brother Dom and Jake William Capistran and Jake Mackie performed at an after-party at Havalina, a cocktail bar next door. 

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Sharmil Elliott Reclusado, a professional photographer, is the assistant director of Franklin Foto, and she teaches classes. 

Elliott Reclusado gave tours of the darkroom, and guests exited to the brightly lit gallery through the revolving darkroom door she likes to call The Portal. It is also known as a light-trap entrance.

“Every exhibit shows a different aspect of life and a different way of presenting art,” Elliott Reclusado said. “I love the variety the gallery shows offer.” 

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Nearby on North Lombard Street, another celebration took place. 

From 7 to 9 p.m. Blue Moon Camera and Machine, a shop where many analog photographers buy their supplies, hosted its 23rd Annual Customer Show. Outstanding photos from customers throughout the year, handpicked by staff, were on display at four venues: 45th Parallel Wines, Revolutions Bookshop, St. Johns Boxing, and Leisure Public House. People enjoyed food and drinks at the wine shop, wandering around the perimeter to see photos of nature, family events, pets, and a variety of subjects displayed with each photographer’s name. The book shop was quietly buzzing with photo viewers who filled the space between the stacks of books.

All about community

Elliott Reclusado said people frequently thank Franklin Foto for providing a space for community and collaboration. She hopes that folks will feel welcome to come in, take a tour, read books in the lounge, and enjoy the social vibe. Gallery shows change every month, with a first Saturday opening event for each.

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“I think it’s important to have community support and resources to keep a community space going,” Elliott Reclusado said. “Those who give more than membership keep the lights on and doors open and make it possible for others to use space.”

At Saturday evening’s well-attended reception, a portrait of Blair Borax looked on from the gallery wall as she played guitar and sang for the audience gathered around at Franklin Foto.