MEET THE GIRL,
Hi, I’m Frances Whittenbury (she/her), though most people know me as Frankie.
I’m a photographer and the founder of Frankie The Creative, an Adelaide-based photography and videography studio specialising in events, tourism, brand and commercial storytelling. I hold a Diploma of Photography with 15 years of experience working in visual storytelling and content creation across Australia.
I began my formal training in photography in 2011 at TAFE SA, majoring in portraiture, where I developed a strong interest in capturing real people and authentic connections. Since then, my work has evolved into documenting everything from large-scale events and tourism campaigns to commercial brand content for organisations across government and industry.
Today, I balance running Frankie The Creative with life as a mum to a young son, which has only deepened my appreciation for storytelling, memory, and the importance of capturing meaningful moments as they unfold.
At the heart of my work is a focus on natural, honest imagery — moments that feel real rather than overly staged. I’m drawn to visual storytelling that reflects personality, connection and atmosphere, whether that’s on a stage, in a brand campaign, or within a lived-in, everyday moment.
If you’re looking for thoughtful, story-led photography and videography with a grounded, human approach, I’d love to hear from you.
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WHAT WE STAND FOR
OUR 3 CORE VALUES
AUTHENTICITY
We’re all about the preservation of your raw, unposed life stories. We want to photograph your events as if it’s unfolding in a documentary style. Doing so, we focus on your candid moments as if we weren’t even there. A fly on the wall approach. We’re the perfect fit if you’re not a fan of the traditionally posed, overly stylised, and edited photography. We’re ready to help tell and preserve your story, not manufacture them. In a nutshell, we value you, your people, your loves and your authenticity.
KINDNESS
Remembering one of the first adages we were taught as younglings - “treat others how you’d like to be treated”. The golden rule. Basic kindness is extended from us, to you, and to all we’re around. A moral which bears fruit through photos at events of people listening to one another, being intrigued by what others are doing and experiencing and laughing at each others’ jokes. But similarly, it’s how we conduct ourselves and treat other people and other animals - as equals.
SOCIAL REPRESENTATION
Photographs are incredibly powerful, and they play a huge role in shaping how we see the world and the people around us. Representation through visual media, or more pertinently, the lack thereof, is a reason why we strive to help redefine the status quo by committing to being inclusive and diverse. Over here, everyone’s the main character.
Social representation comes in all shapes and sizes. That’s why we offer a safe space of body acceptance here at Frankie The Creative. That’s why when we edit our images, we only tinker with colour and exposure correction, but we will never modify or do any extensive retouching to our clients.
Are we a match?
What about Lewis? ↓
MEET THE BOY,
You've learnt, at this stage, a fair bit about my 'better half'. I Lewis (he/him) would say that's pretty fair. She's the one who started it all. She's the one who first put a DSLR in my hand when we were teens and first started to get to know each other. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have followed this path of creativity - I was a science, maths and languages kind of guy.
I was lucky - I studied a Double Bachelor of International Studies and Media at University of Adelaide - whence I kicked the round ball around with a couple of old boys at SAFC (Up the Uni Whites!)
This stroke of fortune networked my way through an expanding skillset into marketing, web and digital. My love for analytics and data stemmed from this foray into the world of digital marketing, adding to my quivers in the world of hotels and luxury.
Somewhere along the way, the camera became less of a hobby and more of a career. Over the past decade I've had the privilege of shooting some of South Australia's biggest moments — LIV Golf Adelaide, the FIFA Women's World Cup, AFL Gather Round, the Santos Tour Down Under — alongside commercial work for Red Bull, Accor, Qatar Airways and the South Australian Tourism Commission. That work has found its way into Forbes, ABC News, Australian Geographic and the Sydney Morning Herald, which still feels a little surreal to type. Adelaide punches above its weight, and I'm glad to be here for it.
Now, speaking of luxury, the football on offer by my beloved Manchester United is champagne football. I've supported the Red Devils ever since my cousin brought home a United scarf when I would've been 6/7ish. I tend to watch them more or less religiously, only being staved off by 4:30am games days of meetings/shoots. Oh my days - we're terrible at the moment.
I shoot because I love the function and form of spaces, light and emotions. Whether that's the minimalist, straight concrete structures of Tadao Ando or the filtered light coming through trees - komorebi or the way Wes Anderson makes you feel through symmetrical frames. MmMMMmmm, warm.
Winter 2022, I started my foray into teaching, taking ~70 students in Introduction to Filmmaking at University of Adelaide. I've always felt an urge to teach, and when one of my professor's reached out, I answered the call to join the newly formed Department of English, Creative Writing, and Film.
I used to play D&D - and so should you. Fabulous way to hang out with friends and get creatively quirky.
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