How is this Louisiana photographer preserving music history?

THROUGH LIMITED-EDITION BOOKS HANDCRAFTED WITH RED RIVER PAPER.

Bound by Purpose

Since founding his business in 2001, Frank Hamrick has been creating limited-edition handmade books that merge his passions for photography, bookmaking, and advocacy. Some volumes are blank sketchbooks with striking graphics on the inside covers, while others contain his photography. All reflect his deep interest in letterpress printing, papermaking, and book binding, and Frank often donates a portion of proceeds to support causes like voter registration and flood relief.

Take "Stronger Than the Waves Crashing on Us" (shown above and below), for example. Featuring photographs from the 1999 Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam, the book cover is crafted from cotton rag paper Frank made himself, giving him complete creative control. As for printing the photographs, he gets a little help from us.

Enter Red River Paper

Frank's mission to create museum-quality books demands materials that balance professional results with practical affordability. He relies on our 50lb. Premium Matte Double-Sided paper for its perfect weight and smooth, non-reflective surface that beautifully reproduces original art and photography.

"The affordability and the weight of the double-sided matte paper" are what Frank appreciates most, enabling him to maintain the integrity of his limited editions while keeping production costs manageable. This approach has allowed him to place his work in the hands of libraries, museums, and private collectors.

See More of Frank's Work

Watch for more books of his music-related photography, including volumes featuring photos from the first Bonnaroo Concert in 2002. Explore current creations at his Etsy store and follow his journey on Instagram, where he often shares creative works from his students at Louisiana Tech University's School of Design. (His 9/17/25 post showcases stunning leaf images from a chlorophyll printing workshop.) Read our Q&A below for more insights into his "Stronger Than the Waves" book, with 10% of proceeds going to the Tibet Action Institute.

Enjoy our Q&A with Frank Hamrick

What year was your business founded and how did you get started?
I started my business in 2001.

Tell us a little about what product or service your business offers.
I am a photographer creating limited-edition handmade books, printing my photographs on Red River Paper.

What makes your business unique?
I produce my own books. So, if you want a Frank Hamrick photography book, it comes from me. My books reflect my interest in photography, letterpress printing, papermaking, and book binding.

Where do you source your raw materials from?
The photographs are printed on Red River Paper but my covers are handmade, cotton-rag paper that I produce myself.

Who are your typical customers?
Private collectors, libraries, and museums.

What is the most interesting project you've encountered in the course of your work?
Photographing the [folk/Americana band] Dave Rawlings Machine when John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin was playing mandolin for them.

What has Red River Paper done for your business? Is there a particular challenge Red River Paper has helped you overcome or a goal they helped you meet?
Red River Paper produces an affordable 50lb. Premium Matte Double-Sided paper that I use in my books.

Which Red River Paper products do you use, and what do you appreciate most about them?
The affordability and the weight of the double-sided matte paper.

How can people purchase your products/service?
They can visit my Etsy store.

Do you have any future growth plans?
I am beginning to publish books of my music-related photography, which will eventually include photographs from the first Bonnaroo Concert in 2002.

Is there a special story you'd like to share about your work?
I have just completed production of a limited-edition book, “Stronger Than the Waves Crashing on Us,” a handmade book of my photographs from the 1999 Tibetan Freedom Concert in Amsterdam. Fifty copies were printed on Red River Paper's 50lb. Premium Matte Double-Sided paper. Ten percent of book sales will be donated to the Tibet Action Institute.

Four Tibetan Freedom Concerts took place Sunday, June 13, 1999, in Japan, Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands. The music festival held at RAI Parkhal in Amsterdam featured a speech by former political prisoner Ama Adhe, as well as musical sets by Luscious Jackson, Urban Dance Squad, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, Dutch band NRA, Gang Chenpa, Garbage, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, Alanis Morissette, and Blur.

I captured the Amsterdam images on Kodak Tri-X 35mm black and white film in a Pentax SLR camera with a 50mm prime lens. The title is set in Cheltenham and Ruben typefaces, and the Old Fan Press logo relief is printed in metallic silver oil-based ink on handmade cotton rag paper. The first softcover edition of 50 copies was printed with Epson UltraChrome HDX archival pigment inks on double-sided matte Red River Paper. The colophon and edition number are set in Craw Modern typeface. The pamphlet is bound with 18/3 Irish linen thread.

Original Publication Date: November 03, 2025

Article Last updated: February 20, 2026

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