Gill’s Framing and Photography
LAWTON - Even after more than 30 years in the photography and framing business, seeing customers’ expressions is still as rewarding to David and Kris Gill as when they completed their first projects.
By taking pride and adding detail to their work since the 1980s, the couple has become a long-standing successful business in Lawton. Over the years, they have presented thousands of creative masterpieces by restoring, matting and framing photos, awards, medals, articles of clothing and other memorabilia to create works of art that bring tears of joy to many.
While working on a project, Kris’ creativity and eye for detail allows her to highlight objects and keep the viewer’s focus moving. And David’s photography skills have enabled him to remove many blemishes and restore older photos that have been damaged over time.
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL FRAMER
Kris became interested in framing while they were traveling and picking up souvenirs. She became Oklahoma’s second Certified Professional Framer. “I was at a seminar, listening to a professional framer answer questions, and I knew the answers before the speaker responded, so I decided to take the exam,” said Kris. “That was in 1988.”
When it comes to quality, Gill’s doesn’t cut corners. Many are under the impression that smaller stores are more expensive, but that’s not always the case, said Kris. “We use the best products we can to stay in the customers’ budget,” she explains.
“Someone brought in a West Point diploma that had been framed elsewhere using regular glass,” she added. “The customer said, ‘We paid a lot for that!’ I called the other framer and they confirmed they had used the regular glass.” Gill’s uses conservation or museum glass which filters out 99% of UV rays, while regular glass only filters out 47%.
PHOTOGRAPHY
David became fascinated by photography at a young age. “It wasn’t until I was stationed in Korea during the early 1970s that I learned to develop film and make black-and-white enlargements,” he said. He improved his photography skills by shooting landscapes on his way back from insurance claim jobs he worked as an adjuster. His pastime developed into a lifelong career.
He enjoys floral photography “because the subjects don’t get tired or move around,” he laughs. Although he has racked up thousands of hours with photo editing programs, at first, he was skeptical about digital cameras. During a photo shoot, he took both a traditional and digital camera to see if he could notice the difference. Seeing the digital images were more easily adjusted, the once film-only enthusiast decided to make the switch.
Producing installations for several businesses in the area is something they also both take pride in. 100 Years Portraits CCMH, located at the north entrance of the Comanche County Memorial Hospital, and Liberty National Bank’s 300 photos that highlight the progression of Lawton’s history from a tent city to present day, are just a few of the couple’s accomplishments.
100 Years Portraits CCMH showcases David’s 101 black-and-white photos of people from different cultures and nationalities from newborn to age 100. David also edited and restored Lawton’s historical photos at Liberty National and Kris did all the framing for both projects.
TRAVELS
Earlier on, the Gills traveled the country visiting art shows and festivals from Washington to Florida. Nowadays, they try to stay within a 600-mile radius so they can keep up with the business. They have recently been commissioned to frame a Johnny Depp painting for the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center in Lawton.
For 28 years, Gill’s Framing and Photography has been located at 415 SW C Avenue. With a sense of professionalism, product knowledge and creative passion, they will continue to create photographic and framing décor customers will enjoy for years to come.