Photo Imaging News has a team of highly experienced people exhibiting a wide range of talents. As an international company, we work without boundaries or time zones. For specific information, e-mail us directly. For added convenience we have brief bios below that includes staff member’s contact information.
Don Franz has been involved in the photography / photofinishing industry for 45 years,covering both the consumer and professional segments.
As Group Publisher of the Photofinishing News International Media Group, he was responsible for our periodicals, the International Business Forum conferences in China, Germany, India and the USA and various published reports.
He created the now-discontinued Global Syndicated Market Forecasting Program, which tracked nine individual countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as sub-regional trends, and has been referenced in numerous high-profile lawsuits.
Don has also written articles and column for several international photo-imaging industry publications and served as an expert witness in several international lawsuits.
He has been involved in many of the IS&T International Symposia on Photofinishing, and has spoken to numerous professional groups in the Australia, China, Europe, India, Japan, South Africa and the USA. Don continues his travels to international destinations, attending conferences and tradeshows as well as visiting photo industry members to keep aware of developments in the local / regional markets.
CONTACT INFORMATION – Don Franz
Photo Imaging News
6807 Apaloosa Way
San Antonio TX 78256 USA
tel: 239.398.0440 (GMT -5)
e-mail: dfranz@photo-news.com
Vimal Parmar – Independent Marketing Consultant | Digital Print Evangelist | India Editor – Photo Imaging News
Mumbai, India
Vimal Parmar is an independent marketing consultant and digital print evangelist with over 40 years of experience in the photo imaging and print industry. He is widely regarded as a thought leader, educator, and communicator who has consistently championed the relevance and value of printed photographs in an increasingly digital-first world.
He currently serves as the India Editor of Photo Imaging News (USA), a globally circulated publication founded in 1983, and writes a regular monthly column for leading photography and print publications in India. His work bridges photography, print technology, marketing strategy, and industry advocacy.
Over the course of his career, Vimal has held senior roles with Agfa Gevaert India / Allied Photographics, and TechNova Imaging Systems, where he played a pivotal role in introducing several landmark imaging and print products to the Indian market.
A founding member of the Professional Photographers Association of India (PPAI), Vimal is also the conceptualiser of the WhyPrint? platform—an initiative dedicated to encouraging photographers, print service providers, and consumers to preserve memories through print.
Post-retirement from corporate life in 2019, he has remained deeply engaged with the industry as a faculty member at Shari Academy of Professional Photography, teaching marketing to aspiring photographers, while continuing his work as a consultant, speaker, and columnist.
Vimal has introduced a wide range of technologies to India, including advanced photographic papers, inkjet and medical imaging media, archival substrates for fine art prints, and specialised media for wedding albums. Beyond industry contributions, more than 200 of his photographs are permanently displayed in patient rooms and wards at a hospital in Mumbai.
In recognition of his efforts to promote printing of photographs among professionals and the general public, he was honoured with the ‘Vande Bharat, Bheeshma Vishista Puraskar’ at the Photofina Imaging Expo in Hyderabad, India in 2023.
Vimal is a frequent speaker, panelist, moderator, and jury member at major photography, print, and imaging forums across India. His interests extend to graphic arts, photography, Zines, teaching, writing, travel, music, long-distance road trips, and creating meaningful professional networks within the creative community.
CONTACT INFORMATION – Vimal Parmar
Photo Imaging News — India Editor
e-mail: Vimal Parmar <vmparmar.photonews@gmail.com>