South Whitehall residents recently welcomed a new business to the community.

Frank Mitman's photography studio recently opened its doors at 1321 N. 18th Street.

Mitman has been a photographer since 1976.

"Basically photography found me when I was in college," he said. "When I was in college studying journalism, I had to take a photography class as a requirement for my degree and that's what got me into photography."

After graduating college, Mitman apprenticed for two years working in a camera retail store.

He also photographed commercial beauty products.

"I worked with a wedding photographer for three years before I felt comfortable going on my own," Mitman said.

He and his staff, Gail Schnurman and Michelle Flohl, moved to 18th Street in October 2012, because they outgrew their former location in Allentown.

In addition to Schnurman and Flohl, he has six freelance photographers who work for him.

"In the late 1990s, my father, Frank Sr., and I started doing digital photographic imaging (high end posters) together," Mitman said.

"In 2001, I opened a photography studio at 2200 W. Hamilton, Allentown, and my father ran the digital printing business in Bethlehem.

"As the business grew, we combined the two."

Mitman has always enjoyed photographing people.

"I like the interaction," Mitman said. "My best enjoyment is when they enjoy the end product.

"I always enjoyed the process of taking pictures. It was work and work never felt like work."

Mitman, one of the local pioneers of digital professional portraitures, became the official photographer for the Parkland School District in 2001, Northwestern Lehigh School District in 2008 and the IronPigs in 2009.

His studio offers high school photos, high-end family and business portraits, photos for special events and weddings, international passports and full-service custom framing.

In addition, Mitman includes retouching in the work he does.

The studio offers bracelets and charms, creates senior portrait mini albums, and does oil painting from prints.

Owner Frank Mitman and his wife Ann, a registered nurse, live in South Whitehall Township.

The couple have three sons, Hayden, Tyson and Eric, all who reside in Philadelphia.

The studio is opened 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evenings and weekends are by appointment only.

For more information about Frank Mitman Photography Studio, call 610-433-2110 or visit frankmitman.com.