Frank Haynes

Frank Jay Haynes (1853–1921), known professionally as F. Jay Haynes, was a pioneering American photographer, publisher, and entrepreneur whose work played a crucial role in documenting and popularizing the American Northwest, most notably the wonders of Yellowstone National Park.  

Often called “the Professor,” Haynes distinguished himself not just as an artist, but as a savvy businessman who turned his passion for photography into a lucrative and influential enterprise.  

The Official Photographer of Yellowstone

Haynes’s most enduring legacy is his extensive work in Yellowstone National Park.

  • First Visit: Haynes made his first trip to Yellowstone in 1881, immediately recognizing the photographic and commercial potential of the geothermal features and dramatic landscapes.  
  • Official Role: By 1884, he was granted a lease to operate a photographic concession, becoming the park’s official—though self-employed—photographer, a position he held until his death in 1921.  
  • Business Success: He established the Haynes Photo Shops (including his Log Cabin Studio at Old Faithful Geyser), which sold countless photographs, postcards, and guidebooks to visiting tourists, helping the park gain international recognition.  
  • Historic Expeditions: Haynes participated in significant early events, including documenting President Chester A. Arthur’s 1883 expedition through the park and capturing the first known photos of the park in mid-winter in 1887