Dennis Covey: A Journey of Art and Passion

By Cesar A Reyes

Having the opportunity to sit down with a longtime friend and mentor is very special to me. Collaborating for over 20 years I am always amazed at the continues discovery of community connections Dennis has built since he first set foot in San Diego in the late 70’s. Reluctant to step away from behind the camera to be in front of it, we talked about community, what inspires him, and the upcoming Liberated Forms exhibit at The Studio Door. 

Please introduce yourself and tell us where you came from and how you ended up in San Diego.

My name is Dennis Covey and I’m originally from Iowa in the Midwest. I came to San Diego in 1977 to complete my degree in the performing arts. I graduated in 1979 with a BFA in acting as an intern at the Old Globe Theater doing a summer season of Shakespeare.   

How did you become a photographer? 

I’ve been enamored with photography since I was 12. Starting with the magic of seeing an image appear out of nothing on paper in a darkroom developer tray. I continued through high school working at a camera store and shooting weddings and senior portraits. In college I did multi-media presentations and I photographed actor headshots in the professional company. 

Can you give us a rundown of the many projects you have been involved in?

After college and my Old Globe season I moved to LA for a couple of months and hated it, so I moved back to San Diego and decided to pursue photography full time. I got a job running lights/ go-go boy at a club which is where Rich’s is now and convinced them to let me do their advertising. So I set up a loft and studio above and behind the club in what was a big storage area. I was fortunate to have my business card/portfolio seen by the art director for International Male catalogs and they needed someone to shoot b&w retail ads for their stores. That led to a 15-year stint shooting catalogs for the IM and Undergear catalogs. I worked doing shoots for several early publications in the gay community. I photographed off and on for Petco for 20 years shooting dog outfits for packaging and . I photographed for The American Council on Exercise for about 15 years shooting training manuals and exercise routines and editorials for their monthly magazine. I happened to get a referral from a former photo assistant to shoot for a Halloween costume company. That led to a gig that is ongoing 23 years later. I have photographed for 5 different Halloween companies over those years, still shooting goblins and witches for two.   

What does Hillcrest mean to you?

When I first moved to San Diego, I didn’t know anyone and had taken over an apartment of a performer going on tour from the school I was going to attend. Once school started I met other students that lived in Hillcrest that would eventually become my tribe. After 6 months I moved to Hillcrest and it felt like I was home. The sense of community and pride was so strong, so Hillcrest will always have a special place in my heart.   

Aside from photography you do cast sculptures and erotic art can you talk about the inspiration?

I had started following digital imaging very early on, probably before most people knew what it was, that was my personal art form, but once I started shooting digitally for my commercial work, I felt the need to pursue a new art form. I came across the work of Philip Hitchcock, an inspiring Lifecast artist, and he was holding a half day hands on seminar at the Gay and Lesbian Center in LA that a friend and I signed up for. And just like the magic I felt with photography, I was hooked on capturing a moment in time in a three-dimensional media. So 25 years later I’ve cast over 250 pieces.   

You are part of the sexy art exhibit Liberated Forms at the Studio Door, how excited are you for the show?

I’m very excited. I’ve had a concept for quite a while to create an experiential erotic exhibit called Phallutopia, with an emphasis on genitalia as other than sexual. Creating plantlike sculptures from cast penises and large fantasy spinning carousels. This exhibition is allowing me to explore the concept further.  

How can people connect with you on social media?

You can find me on Instagram as @malefolio and also @Phallutopia.