We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dean Allman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dean, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It was kind of a journey of self-exploration. I found that I felt most fulfilled when I was being creative. That is when I feel most engaged in what I am doing. When I finish a project I am at a bit of a loss for awhile, but I have learned to feel comfortable with knowing that the uncertainty in that moment will motivate me to find the next project to get into. And it usually does not take too long.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
While I fell in love with photography at the age of 14, I have traveled a rather convoluted career path. After college at Penn State I started out working in the mental health field, eventually getting a Masters in Social Work and practicing for about 20 years. During that time period the tech revolution began and I followed along with it, eventually making a career change working in web development. My background in mental health was actually an asset as I understood people and could help software developers understand what people need from them. I was an earIy adopter of Adobe Photoshop during this period, and as the digital revolution came to photography I was able to combine that skill set with what I knew about photography and shift into what I do now.
More than anything I think I enjoy the process of doing this work: lens and camera selection, scouting locations, settling on the focus of the shoot, working with clients, and post-production. There is a little kid in me that will still say “wow” when the work is completed. I just really enjoy what I am doing. I also am continually amazed at how much one person can do with the technology that has trickled down so much over the years.
Upcoming projects include a documentary about an elementary school near where I live that helps kids learn to be entrepreneurs. I also do a lot of wildlife and travel photography, and will have several opportunities to explore these areas this year.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Find what you love to do and develop as much expertise as you can. Develop connections with other people as much as possible. Stay open and just know that opportunities will come to you, sometimes from where you least expect it. If there has been any constant in my life it is change. Learning how to deal with change is key to getting through life.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
There were 2 really. The first was “When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough: The Search for a Life That Matters” By Harold Kushner. That helped me see that a life devoted to creativity would be the most fulfilling direction I could take.
The 2nd was “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. That book helped me understand how I could work through creative blocks and understand how to curtail the influence of negative thoughts and move to more productive positive motivation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deanallman.com
- Instagram: @deanallman_photo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeanAllmanPhotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanallman/
- Youtube: Dean Allman
- Other: Threads: @deanallman_photo
