I Married a Photographer

One of Dean’s photos of the ESP has been selected to be used for Schmap Philadelphia Guide

Yeah, DSP!

Having a husband who is a photographer is a vastly interesting experience.  I have worked with photographers off and on for 10 years, met  a handful of them and have found that in more instances than not, they really are a rare breed.

Over the past few months, we have entertained ourselves with exploring the Coal Region; driving out there to find a hidden treasure or interview a resident who can point us in a new direction.  Over the Summer, we had the documentary approach to our new journeys, hoping to come across a park bench with a few people who would lend us ideas on how best to approach our findings (and sometimes name them).  Both Dean and I have memories of spending time in the Shamokin/Trevorton region from childhood and every time I visit, I am flooded with episodes and stories being replayed.

I attended a tiny elementary school in West Cameron, it now is some sort of community/lodge hall type thing now -in my opinion, is a total waste.  Our cafeteria, auditorium, music class and gym were the same room.  I remember during gym class, it  was very terrifying playing games like “Red Light, Green Light” and “What Time is it Mr. Fox” because when we had to sprint back to home base, we all headed full blast to the cafeteria tables, neatly folded up at the opposite end of the ‘gym’.  These tables that had the aqua blue stools attached and when not in use and folded, stood about 10’ high, they were like up-side-down Vs an the only thing touching the floor were wheels.  I’m sure there was a mechanism on them that locked them in the upright position but as a kid, I often thought of the dangers of playing under and around these.   And we were often warned by the teacher’s aides to not go near them. EVER!  One time, I remember one of my classmates was sprinting toward the tables and I  heard an ear piercing bang.  By the time I turned my 10 year old head to see, I caught the table on its bounce up from hitting the concrete floor once.  I needed no warning after that.  I wanted no part in doing anything with or near those tables.

Later, in life I had learned to not like the coal region for one reason or another. Honestly, no good reason.  Until I had to work out there. I was a nurse’s aide and had been working for an agency which placed me in various healthcare facilities all over the area.  I worked at the Shamokin Hospital with some of the nicest people I have ever met.  If I could remember their names, I’d give them all kudos, for getting me started in my current field.  Dean and I often talk about how that is the only area near us that has culture.  Defined more by living than the things one  area has.  Though, I don’t necessarily want to reside there, I find the people very entwined with their families and neighbors alike.  A lot of people and things get a ‘bad wrap’ here for how they live but I  notice that a number of the people who I have met from there are sincerely dear people.  Tight with family and religion interested in helping out a fellow human and still holding on to traditions that previous generations have set.

In our outings, Dean has done an number of things.  When he was learning how to take and process HDRs we made a trip out toward Shamokin; and in search of some interesting dilapidated architecture we found a gem in some old mining territory.

It's a celebration!

Where to begin? This is always the hardest part, starting off cold; getting to know someone. I married a photographer.That is a simple statement, yet a lot can be inferred. Deciding to restart my blog with more of a purpose than a therapy session, I discussed with my (photographer) husband how my writings should focus. He suggested the brilliant idea of my energy, creative writing and artistic managing  to set up in a blog type format where I explore the photography world from my perspective.

I am involved yet mostly behind the scenes. Spending my twenty-somethings modeling, primarily in New York City (and on the rare occasion I’ll work for two of my favorite creative minds, Dean Michael Dorman and Oscar Bond), I have learned a lot from being in front of the camera. Dean has taught me a lot about the millions of things to think about while taking beautiful photographs. My experience modeling has proven invaluable in the photography industry and at the very least; I look forward to working with other models/clients who enjoy art and photography as much as we do!

So please allow me to introduce to you, my husband, Dean Michael Dorman, the founder of Die Strafbar Photography. If we were in a television studio, this would be the part where the applause light flickers and the crowd goes wild. I know that for real life events we don’t have the applause light but boy if we did –we all could compete for Vanna White’s Guinness book of world records . . . applause record, of course. Wouldn’t that be swell? I digress, back to the artist. I learned about Dean’s interest in photography soon after meeting him. He had purchased a Nikon D70s as his first semi-professional camera and after seeing some of his work I was very impressed. I remember seeing one photo, in particular titled From Frankenstein’s Junk Drawer, simply put it is an image of bolts. Yet, it’s not just bolts. It is an overall feeling of broken, maybe on the mend but incomplete. It is a great DoF shot, the color is a soft bluish-green and I get the sense of just wanting to look around the scene to get more of the story. These images and his approach to photography are unique to me.I completely understand that every photographer begins for various reasons; Dean’s was to meet people and have an expressive outlet. His images tell a story sometimes keeping the viewer guessing, just allowing us to see snippets rather than the complete version.

My purpose for this blog is to get people with common interest involved; fellow photographers, models and art lovers. So anyone who has an opinion, feedback or constructive criticism is welcome. I would like to have a weekly topic and get your take on our topics. As well as discussing photography, we will keep everyone up to date with local art shows and community art events. I look forward to this experience! Both Dean and I can appreciate that everyone sees art in their own individual way. Not all of our work will be loved by everyone but the Die Strafbar Photography palette is a great one hoping that you can find and enjoy some of our offerings.

Please register your email and make comments freely! We encourage any and all creative outlets and look forward to sharing our photography and career with you!

Andrea Dorman

Contact me at Andrea – at – DieStrafbarPhoto .com