Frank Yantorno: Top Guide, Top Photographer

Few people are privy to the knowledge that our Top Guide Frank Yantorno is also a top-rate, passionate, and creative photographer. “Next to cycling,” he says, “photography is my life.” Let’s explore Frank’s creative world far beyond—but inclusive of—the dazzling images he creates on every Ciclismo Classico tour. Read on to learn more about a unique couple’s photographic (and other) adventures.

above photo by Lauren Hefferon

Frank spent much of the ’80s focused on his love of photography. He studied undergrad at Metropolitan State College in Denver under Ruth Thorne-Thomsen, and went on to earn an MFA from New York University, in conjunction with the International Center of Photography. While in school, he worked as a photographer’s assistant for William Wegman. He returned to Colorado in the ’90s, where he taught photography at Colorado Mountain College for several years. He and and his life partner Dana Geraghty also taught children’s workshops at the Aspen Art Museum.

Since receiving his first camera—a 1948 Leica 3F—at age 14, Frank has continued with the Leica tradition and currently owns four: a D-Lux 6, which is with him at all times; an M2; a digital Leica M9 (named Oskar); and a Hasselblad 500 CM (named Igor).

He describes his favorite subjects as “live and crazy events.” A lover of Venetian Carnevale, Frank also travels around Italy to capture other colorful and animated Carnevale festivals, one of his favorites being in Viareggio, Tuscany.