Q & A with Dennis DeHart. By Pedro Garcia

Q and A with Dennis DeHart, WSU Photography Professor 

When did photography first interest you?

Around seven is when I took an active interest in looking at photography. Like many families, there were lots of photos and photography albums laying around, which I loved to look at. My grandmother was encouraging of my creativity and interest in photography/art as a form of play and expression. In high school, I had an english teacher who let me have the run of the yearbook darkroom. At the time, I was very interested in persona and identity, mixed with design, so photo became a perfect marriage.

What made you decide to get into photography?

When I went to Undergrad, I really had no idea what I wanted to study. I knew I was interested in photography, though I only took one color photography course. My BA opened up a lot of doors for me at the time, including studying filmmaking, and other forms of creative expression. I also become interested in visual culture, theory, nature/culture,  and the politics of representation.  

While living in Seattle in my 20's, I experimented with photography, though I was not particularly focused. At some point, I began combining my different experiences with art making, including time based media, and painting for example, and blending it into my photography. I also was involved with an art collective of artist and friends called Whirly, which was important for community and dialogue. 

Around my mid 20’s, I decided that I wanted to return to graduate school and study photography formally. Through some luck and good advice, I managed to get into the University of New Mexico’s fine art photography program. Graduate school is pretty much what sealed the deal to my commitment to photography.

What were your first jobs in the photography business?

My first jobs were actually working on independent films. I was idealistic in my 20’s and thought that working a job that did not require a lot of my brain cells (such as a bike courier, for example) would allow me to focus on my creative work. I did an internship with 911 Media Arts in Seattle, and met a lot of interesting media makers, which led into working on some independent productions including videos, documentaries, etc. 

What made you get into teaching photography?

Deep down I have always been interested in teaching, though I didn’t necessarily have a lot of confidence or experience with it. While in Americorps, I started teaching art classes to seniors and children. I found the experience rewarding. While in graduate school, I taught as a Graduate Assistant. In addition, I also taught and ran the summer photography program at the Northwest School on Capital Hill in Seattle. This experiences took me down the path I am on now.

With so many photographers out there, it’s very competitive to get a job. What job is probably the one that’s most in need of photographers?

To be a successful photographer, or more importantly to meet your personal goals, one has to be both diversified and specialized at the same time. In my opinion, the more your can learn about photography-the business, the craft, use of multi-media, imaging for print vs. web, fine art practices, lighting, theory, conceptual thinking, history, etc., coupled with a strong personal vision and style will serve you best. Again, diversified while specialized. Photography is also much broader then being a photographer. There are all kinds of ways to be involved with photography including for example curators, editors, historians, gallery assistants, art handlers, etc.

What is the most important thing an aspiring photographer should know about the business?

This is a hard question, but I suppose I would answer this by suggesting that photographers need to  have a clear idea of what their personal goals are. Are you interested in photography to make a living? Do you want to be an artist whose work is shown is an art gallery? Do you want to go into education? Is it important for you to live in New York and become a star? Do you want to continue to make photography for yourself and follow where you heart leads you?  Knowing your goals and yourself will help you arrive at where you want to be.

What one thing would probably look the best on a photographers resume?

Again, depends on the job and what he/she is applying for. With that, I am interested in working with people who are motivated, talented, work hard, and have a diversity of experience, which may extend beyond just photography, while demonstrating that they are competent to do what I am asking them to do.