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frank murphy’s store (former)

from gordon parks posted in art and design

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frank murphy's store (former)
360 st peter st
saint paul, minnesota 55102

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The American photographer, musician, writer and film director, Gordon Parks, got his photographic career started when he walked into Frank Murphy's department store and asked if they needed a photographer.

Although Frank Murphy turned him down, Mrs. Murphy overheard the conversation and decided to give Gordon Parks a chance. After a stilted start (he accidentally shot all the photos with double exposure), his photographs were a success and featured throughout the store.

His career began shortly after, and Parks later became a photographer for the Farm Security Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, Life magazine and several other publications. In 1971, he directed the film Shaft.

Today, the location is a restaurant called Pazzaluna.

Frank Murphy's dress shop in 1948, photo @ MN Historical Society