Bob Dell’s passion is portrait photography. He got his first camera at age 12 and has experimented with different types of photography since. Over the years, he has photographed a variety of events for Marin County, including employee headshots, artists’ portraits, art exhibit openings, and other events for charitable organizations.
He has been a dedicated photography student at The Image Flow for nearly seven years, taking Portrait Photography and Photo Challenge Workshops to develop his work. Learn more about Bob’s portraits of his grandson in his own words below.
The Image Flow (TIF): What inspires your photography?
Bob Dell: I’ve always strived to capture my portrait subjects’ personality and the emotions they exhibit. One of my favorite subjects is my 11-year-old grandson Ben. Ben has been a fascinating subject from a very early age. Obviously I have a bias as his grandfather, but more objective friends have commented on his “old soul” personality that emerged by age 5.
TIF: What draws you to portrait photography, specifically?
Bob Dell: I always come back to photographing people as my favorite genre. I find people’s faces and especially their eyes to be fascinating pathways to their personalities.
TIF: Your portraits of Ben over the years are so striking on their own, and as a collection, it is incredible to see the passage of time and how he grows into himself. Did you intend them as a series when you began?
Bob Dell: I didn’t intend my portraits of Ben to be a series. I have photographed all members of my family over the years, but particularly loved chronicling the lives of my four grandkids. My goal in all my portraits is to expose my subject’s personality, and Ben has always made that fun.
TIF: Does Ben collaborate in the photo-making process with his outfits and poses, or do you direct him?
Bob Dell: I’ve never had to direct or pose Ben. He is usually quick to respond to my camera with one of his many expressive poses. He loves fashion and manages to find inexpensive, interesting outfits to express his fashion sense.
TIF: How has your experience been taking workshops at The Image Flow over the years?
Bob Dell: My portrait photography has benefited greatly from classes I’ve taken at the Image Flow. In addition to specific portrait classes, I’ve really enjoyed the Photo Challenge classes at the Image Flow where my work is assessed not only by Stuart and Nathan, but also by the other talented class members.
TIF: Would you like to share any more stories behind making photographs with Ben over the years?
Bob Dell: As he grows, I love capturing his confident individualism and his many expressions.
He has developed an interesting combination of passions — jewelry-making, fashion, writing and filming movie scripts for him and his sister to star in, photography, and being a dedicated Warriors fan. He built his own jewelry-making business and holds semi-annual sales from his home that draw scores of regular customers. Hopefully, my photos reflect his diverse and fascinating personality.
Thanks to Bob for sharing this insight on his practice!
Inspired to work on your own photography? Check out our current workshops here.
