Home: Los Angeles, CA. Age: 60-ish. Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA. Profession: Photography. Organization: Kenneth Dolin Photography. Title: Photographer. Alma mater: California State University, Northridge. Languages spoken: English, some German.
Current project: Corporate branding photography, e-commerce photography, headshot photography. Recent recognition: Multiple online and print articles, Ted Talk. Recent professional development: Photographed renowned Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Cat, Saturday Night Live alumnus Chris Parnell, actress Luna Blase from Manifest and the new Jurassic Park. Latest accomplishment: In discussions to photograph University Theatre departments; recent photo assignment shooting executives for Los Angeles County; coaching and private mentoring of photographers. Latest contribution to others: Started a private mentoring and coaching practice for photographers. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Took up photography after forty with no experience, then turned it into a very successful twenty-year career. Hobbies: Travel to Europe, hiking, horology. Recent travel or adventure: Dolomites, Germany, Slovenia, northern Italy.
Personality profile: Smart, funny, kind, sensitive, quirky, motivational; teacher, coach. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Kind. Moral compass: Lessons from my parents: never mistake kindness for weakness, never mistake cruelty for strength. A man’s goodness is defined by how he treats those less fortunate than himself. Also, this from the Dalai Lama: “My religion is very simple, my religion is kindness.” How do you define a perfect friendship? Laugher, trust, support, family. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Similar creative goals, always coming from integrity and a desire to do well by doing good. What is your greatest joy? Relationships with friends and chosen family. What is your greatest fear? Illness. Then, failure. What is your guilty pleasure? Ice cream. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Profoundly. What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Teachers and nurses.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel or a nice meal. What is at the top of your bucket list? Professionally: photograph an ad campaign. Personally: travel to Japan. How do you relieve stress? Hiking and time with friends. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? culture and nature.
What was your first paying job? Working at McDonalds. What was your favorite college course? Film. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Hot Wheels. What book have you repeatedly read? The Tao. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Godfather (Part 1). What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My own photography. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My friends. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Be kind. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t think, do. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Digital mirrorless cameras. What is your favorite app? Instagram (sadly, perhaps). What is your go-to source of news and information? BBC and The New York Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Cinema and the work of other photographers. What company or organization do you most admire? City of Hope. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? The pandemic.
What is your big idea? A book of portraits of people wrongfully accused and incarcerated who were later found to be innocent and released. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Shifting to more commercial and corporate work, and to more dramatic/honest portraiture. What change would you like to see in the world? Peace. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be kind to each other, you have more in common than you have differences. What widely held belief do you reject? That money is the source of happiness. What mega-trend most excites you? Simple living. What mega-trend most concerns you? Social media.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Rubber Ball: Always Bouncing Back. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Mark Rylance. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My parents. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A baseball player. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Photographs. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With people I love. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t worry so much. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? The last five years.
Personal mission: Balance, helping others, creating in a way that helps my clients and has integrity, having an open heart. Personal motto: Everything is temporary. Favorite quote: “Beauty is not in the face, beauty is a light in the heart” (Kahil Gibran).