In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re excited to spotlight Frannie Ortiz, the manager of our Mounting and Large Format Department at Nations Photo Lab. Frannie, a proud Puerto Rican and true New Yorker, has been with us for seven years, bringing her unparalleled expertise, humor, and warmth to the team. As a leader, Frannie is known for creating a welcoming environment where hard work meets joy, fostering a sense of family with her coworkers. We spent time with Frannie to talk about her day to day, approach, and experiences to being a part of our team
Faith: Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do at Nations Photo Lab?
Frannie: My name is Frannie Ortiz, though most people here just call me Franny. I’m the team lead for the Mounting and Large Format Department. I’ve been with Nations Photo Lab for seven years, and I do a little bit of everything. From mounting to QC and helping out wherever needed, I’m all over the place. It may look easy, but it’s not! I’ve put in the work to get where I am today, and I love every minute of it.
Faith: What do you love most about your job?
Frannie: I love what I do, and I love my people. To me, this team is my family. I spend more time with them than with my actual family during busy seasons like Q4, and we laugh, cry, and go through everything together just like a real family. Every day, I look forward to coming to work, making people laugh, and doing what I love. This is my first family!
Faith: What was it like when you first started working at Nations Photo Lab compared to now?
Frannie: It’s funny to look back because when I first started, I was supposed to be a Prepper. But things shifted, and I ended up teaching myself how to handle mounting. I wasn’t the best at trimming at first, but Miss Jen B really helped me get the hang of it. Now, I’ve got the whole process down, and I know this department like the back of my hand. It’s been a journey, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Faith: How do you train and guide new team members?
Frannie: When I train someone, I get a sense of their strengths right away. Some people are great at mounting but struggle with trimming, and vice versa. I like to play around with their abilities, guiding them based on what they’re good at. I always tell my team that I want them to be where I am one day, to be able to come in and do the job with their eyes closed. I joke around a lot, but I take my job seriously—this is my rice and beans, and everything has to be perfect.
Faith: You’ve mentioned a few of your colleagues like Darnell and Mr. B. How do these relationships impact your workday?
Frannie: Oh, my colleagues are like my extended family! Darnell, who I call my "firstborn in Mounting," does a little bit of everything just like me, and I’m really proud of him. Then there’s Mr. B—he’s been here longer than I have, and he always knows how to make me laugh. And Karen, who works in the "fishbowl," is my best friend. We’ve worked together for eight years, and we make a great team. Honestly, having these people around makes work so much more fun. We joke around, we work hard, and we’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.
Faith: Any funny training stories?
Frannie: Oh, for sure! One time, I was training someone to use the roller for mounting. You’re supposed to cut the paper so it fits perfectly, but this guy kept forgetting. The paper would get all over the roller, and it would take over an hour just to clean up the mess! Eventually, we had to move him to a different part of the department, and he wasn’t too happy about that!
Faith: How has your Puerto Rican heritage shaped your experience here?
Frannie: My Puerto Rican heritage is a big part of who I am. My mom always told me to be proud of who I am and where I come from. I’ve got the best of both worlds—being Puerto Rican and growing up in New York. I make sure to bring that sense of pride and community to everything I do, whether it’s here at work or at home.
Faith: You mentioned you love to cook, especially Puerto Rican food. Do you ever share your cooking with the team?
Frannie: Oh, for sure! I always say my kitchen is the next best thing after my mom’s. My coworkers love my food, especially Brian! I bring in homemade Puerto Rican dishes, and they’re a hit every time. It’s part of my culture—food brings people together, and I love sharing that with my team. If my mom were still here, I’d send everyone to her kitchen, but for now, they’ll just have to settle for mine!
Faith: You’ve worked here for seven years and clearly love what you do. Is there a particular part of your job that you enjoy the most?
Frannie: Oh, definitely! I think my favorite part is when I’m in the flow, bouncing from one task to another, and keeping everything moving smoothly. I’m all over the place—mounting, trimming, QC—you name it, I’m there. It keeps me on my toes, and I love that about my job. And, of course, I enjoy helping my team get better every day. Watching them grow into the work, knowing that I had a part in training them—it’s really satisfying.
Faith: You hinted at making a TikTok debut—can we expect to see you and the team on there soon?
Frannie: Oh yes! I told them we’ve got to do a TikTok together! It would be so fun. I’m always joking around with my team, and I think we could make something really funny. Plus, I think it would show off how much fun we have while still working hard. We’ve got the perfect group for it, so who knows—maybe you’ll see us go viral one day!
