The Man Behind the Images

BY DEBBIE HALL / PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASHMAN PHOTO ENTERPRISES

When Chic Compass magazine was developed six years ago, the high-glossy print and digital magazine had several goals to achieve. One is the inclusion of the artistry of photography and the messages captured and expressed. Robert Dolan, one of the partners of Chic Compass and owner, president and CEO of Cashman Photo Enterprises, brings this creativity to multimedia platforms, including photo and video production.

A man of many successes, Dolan exemplifies hope, faith, overcoming adversity and a higher power’s grace. Robert is a masculine name of German origin that means “bright fame” from the old German name Hrodebert.

Born in Washington, D.C., Dolan grew up in Philadelphia, learning about fortitude and grace first from his mother. She had what some would consider a difficult start in life. When his mother was four years old, 85% of her body was burned due to a kitchen fire. This happened during the 1930s when plastic surgery and treatment were in their infancy to today’s procedures.

As she got older, corrective surgery and improvements were made, but she would remain scarred her entire life. His mother met his father, a very handsome man; they married and had 11 children. “I would say about my mom, in short, that she wasn’t in any way, shape or form hindered, handicapped or disabled because of it. It was her inner self that made her become a person who never let anything or anybody stop her from doing or getting what she wanted and needed, especially for her family,” Dolan said.

Their first six children were all full-term baby girls; some passed away immediately upon birth, and one lived a few months. They would have five more children. Dolan was born 11 years after his brother. Then, his sister, Eileen, who has spina bifida, was born. Since the 1950s, Eileen has undergone hundreds of surgeries, operations and full-body casts. Like his mother, Eileen was never disabled a moment in her life. She obtained her master’s degree in special education teaching and operated a home for mentally disabled adults of all ranges of abilities.

Outside of his sister’s obstacles, Dolan faced challenges of his own while growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. “I grew up in an Irish Catholic family, and I believed that homosexuality was wrong. That’s how I was raised and what I truly believed. Then, at some point, I came to think that there was a possibility that I was gay. I struggled with that for several years until I realized I was judging myself based on other people’s beliefs and standards, and I knew that was just wrong. I got through that challenge and got to the point of acceptance and moved on.” This challenge was one of Dolan’s many gifts throughout his life journey.

Three days after graduating high school, Dolan planned to move. He told his older brother first about his homosexuality and then his father; they both were accepting and said they still loved him. However, his mother told him he was dead to her, which became a journey of acceptance and navigating through differences.

After moving with his friend, Dolan often visited his family but had to stand in the driveway because he wasn’t allowed in the house. After eight months, his mother finally asked him to come in; she kissed and hugged him, acting as if nothing had happened. “From that point on, we had an incredible relationship. I’m not saying that it wasn’t hard for them to accept, but eventually, they realized that Robert was just Robert. They became a very integral part of my personal life.”

By this time, Dolan obtained his cosmetology license and became a hairdresser. After working in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., he moved west to Los Angeles. “I worked very hard. I traveled all over the world. I speak five languages, although not fluently, enough to enjoy the people and culture. It was a fast-paced life.”

Dolan met his partner Stan in Los Angeles at a party around 1978, and almost immediately, they started dating and moved in together. Unfortunately, Dolan got involved in drugs and alcohol socially and then, at some point, Dolan was no longer in control of it. It was controlling him.

“For about four years, I was completely out of control and hit bottom, asked for help, went into treatment and got sober. The same place that I got sober at is the same place that I started working in recovery myself, which was a very important part of my recovery,” said Robert.

Changing his trajectory, he obtained several certifications in the field, and while it was rewarding, he also wanted a financially stable lifestyle. The cost of living and the pace of Los Angeles was getting very stressful for him and his partner. They visited Las Vegas frequently and considered moving there.

Dolan’s career direction transitioned to the gaming industry. He started with Circus Circus Enterprises and moved on to The Stratosphere (now known as The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower), where he was part of the opening team in 1996. “I met a gentleman who operated a photography business in major theme parks like Paramount and Six Flags. He offered me a job. I thought it sounded interesting and exciting,” he explained. Learning a lot about the photography industry began his next phase in life.

Then Sept. 11, 2001, happened.

“On that day, I was in a meeting, working in Mexico City. I got a call from Stan telling me that there was a horrible accident in New York, that a plane had hit one of the towers. I had yet to learn that it would become what it did. I finished my meeting, and all my bags and everything were at the front desk, ready to go to the airport. I was informed that they had taken my bags back up to my room, all the airports were closed and directed me into their big solarium and a big TV to see what was happening. I was stranded there for eight days. I returned to Las Vegas and decided I was done with traveling.”

“Many businesses suffered greatly due to 9/11; unfortunately, the company I worked for couldn’t withstand the financial blow and closed down. The good news is that it was my introduction to photography.” At that time, the owners of Cashman Photo Enterprises, Morgan and Karen Cashman, were the previous company’s customers. “They asked me if I’d like to work for Cashman Photo Enterprises, and I said yes,” he said. “I had been with them for over 20 years, eventually becoming executive vice president of the company. I love the company’s culture and the fact that many people have been with the company for years. We have worked with big celebrities and artists, such as Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Katy Perry, to name a few,” Dolan said.

“I was also part of the succession plan. When Karen retired in 2019, a year after Morgan passed away, she came to me and asked if I was interested. The answer immediately was yes,” said Dolan, who was in his 60s then.

“My reasoning, regardless of my age, was that I loved the company and the industry first and knew I was the best person to carry on the company’s name and legacy. I wanted to make certain all of these folks who invested their lives in the company, including me, that the company would continue.”

Joseph Amato, a consultant of Cashman Photo Enterprises, introduced him to Chic Compass magazine and publisher Ann Parenti. “I was very impressed with the magazine, first and foremost. More than anything, I was very impressed with Ann’s unending energy and passion for the magazine. I believed it was a good possibility of great synergy with Cashman being a multimedia company and getting involved with a local magazine. I thought Cashman could also benefit from being a part of the magazine. So that’s how I got involved,” he said.

“My role is to provide whatever support Ann may need regarding the magazine. We bring the photo-video production piece of the puzzle to the magazine. With my wealth of contacts and networking within the city, I bring some business to the magazine and help it grow.”

Despite his many challenges and obstacles, Dolan continues to enjoy this phase in life.

“Through the example of my mom and sister, the loss of my six sisters, the passing of my sister with COVID and brother by suicide, I had what I would consider an incredible example of tenacity, positivity and fortitude,” he said “I was taught never to give up. Under no circumstance is it an option. You may fall, but you get up and keep it moving.”

He added, “I’m not saying life wasn’t difficult because it can be hard. The sum of all parts is something I grew up believing: Everything that happens in life can be used to grow positively. It’s you who chose. Never give up, no matter what and never listen to the naysayers.”

Dolan exemplifies his philosophy and shares his messages through many platforms.