He had the eye and heart of a true storyteller

OBITUARY >> JOHN DOMAN, 79, PIONEER PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER

Colleagues say Doman’s passion set him apart from other photojournalists

Longtime Pioneer Press photographer John Doman at home with his photo archive. JIM GEHRZ

The lonely glow of Mickey’s Dining Car lights up Ninth and St. Peter streets at 4 a.m. on Aug. 13, 1985. The original caption for this noirish photo of the downtown St. Paul institution called it a “vehicle” that always runs but never moves. JOHN DOMAN — PIONEER PRESS

The Jonathan Padelford steamboat may not be ready to stoke up until spring, but winds whipped the steam emanating from the District Energy plant horizontal as 7-degree weather and 22 mph winds pushed the wind chill down to about minus-15 on Harriet Island in February 2013. JOHN DOMAN — PIONEER PRESS

Fans swarm Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington after the Minnesota Vikings lost 10-6 to the Kansas City Chiefs in their final game at the stadium on Dec. 20, 1981. Game temperature was 10 degrees and a wind chill of minus-8. JOHN DOMAN — PIONEER PRESS

Sparky VI and her trainer Krista Webber give a hand — or flipper — to fans at the end of the Sparky Show at Como Zoo in St. Paul on Aug. 16, 2006. The show marked the 50th anniversary of the Sparky the Sea Lion Show, a St. Paul tradition that began in 1956. JOHN DOMAN — PIONEER PRESS

Bob Duerr handles a 6-foot Australian carpet python that’s getting too close to his ear Sept. 1, 1998, at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Duerr said he doesn’t recommend “snakes or any other wild animals as a pet unless a great deal of research is done on the animal.” JOHN DOMAN — PIONEER PRESS

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By Natasha Delion

ndelion@pioneerpress.com

John Doman, a Pioneer Press photographer for decades, was gifted in capturing the essence of a moment and displaying humanity in a photograph through his curiosity and compassion.

“I think the thing that made John so special with his work is how he connected with people,” said Jerry Holt, a former photographer for the Star Tribune and friend of Doman’s. “John had that gift about him.”

Doman died Nov. 2 of cancer and pulmonary fibrosis in St. Paul, at the age of 79. A well-known and respected photojournalist in the Twin Cities, he also worked at the Ohio Press and the Miami Herald.

Photos and mentorship

Doman, who was born on July 19, 1945, in Cleveland, was drawn to photography because he felt he could do it better than anything he’d ever done, according to his partner Janet Hostetter.

His passion for taking pictures showed in his assignments, colleagues said, even the less exciting ones. He was a leader in the newsroom and helped other photographers grow. Many said he had a knack for interacting with people, which contributed to his work.

Susie Hopper, a former photographer at the Pioneer Press, said Doman influenced change in the industry with his ability to go outside the norm to find the best photo.

“Things really started to change because of photographers like John,” Hopper said. “He could see pictures within pictures. He understood storytelling before people even called it that.”

Brian Steffens hired Doman at both the Miami Herald and Pioneer Press, saying he was able to immediately connect with new colleagues and always approached assignments in a unique way. Doman found humanity in photographs.

“He came back with people pictures, people who were surviving, who were making their way through whatever challenges they had, and I always admired that about him,” Steffens said. “That kind of set him apart from some photographers.”

Hopper and Steffens said Doman was supportive and willing to help others in the newsroom. He found their strengths and pushed them to go out of their comfort zone.

Former Pioneer Press photographer Jim Gehrz said Doman had the ability to capture the essence of a photo and mentored him to see things differently.

“He taught me that you don’t really see pictures with your eyes, you see them from the heart,” Gehrz said. “That was probably one of your most important pieces of equipment, not a camera, not a lens or anything like that, but your personality and your heart.”

Beyond photography

Traveling was always a part of Doman’s life, whether to shoot sports competitions, other assignments or with family.

He loved sports, history, trivia and books, always recommending his favorites to his colleagues. Jeff Wheeler, a photographer at the Star Tribune, said Doman challenged the stereotype that photographers aren’t very literate through his love of books — and his Scrabble skills.

“He was playing Scrabble with a couple of reporters and the reporter was sort of taken aback at losing to John because here’s a pencil losing to a photographer,” Wheeler said. “John was like ‘Yeah, I’ve beaten better reporters than you.’ ”

Hostetter said Doman always lived life to the fullest, such as finding all the best restaurants across the country.

He also knew how to have fun.

“We had to photograph the opening of the Vespa Scooter store in downtown Minneapolis, and I walked in and John’s already there and he’s on the scooters making out like he’s going 100 miles an hour,” said Bruce Bisping, a former Star Tribune photographer. “I looked at John and said ‘John, what are you doing?’ and he said ‘I’m having fun.’ ”

Doman is survived by his partner, Janet Hostetter; daughters Emily Stelter and Sarah Flygare; sisters Christine, Georgie and Katy; and five grandchildren. He was preceded by his parents, John Martin Doman Jr. and Jean Marie Long.

A life celebration will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Bad Weather Brewing Company, 414 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.