For this installment of Robe Talk, we caught up with our friend, neighbor, and frequent creative collaborator Bryan Derballa. Derballa is most know for his keen eye as a photographer and unique ability to capture wholesome moments of camaraderie often experienced during camping adventures with his large network of close friends. It's not uncommon to find yourself jumping off waterfalls, bridges, or cliffs in Bryan's presence as his skill as a photographer is only rivaled by his ambitious search for adrenaline inducing fun.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: what do you do for a living? Or what has been your life journey so far?
I’m Bryan and I work as a photographer. It’s the best job in that I love what I do and always look forward to shooting. But I also have lots of free time to indulge many of my life’s other passions. I split my time between Brooklyn and Upstate NY and live a bit of a split existence. They’re very different but nice to give my life some balance. I’ll talk more about upstate for this interview because it’s generally more interesting and specifically more relevant to the Great Indoors ethos.
What are ways you find inspiration when you’re not feeling creative?
Lately, I’ve been trying to work with my hands as much as possible. It’s usually just a home improvement project but there’s always so much head scratching involved and I end up figuring out creative solutions. In the last couple years I’ve built a sauna and miniramp in my woods and a floating dock, ropeswing, and massive three-level diving platform for my swimming pond. None of that makes me any money but it brings me endless happiness.
What activities (indoor or outdoor) are most important to you?
When I’m indoors, especially at the house upstate, it’s playing records. My stereo setup is my favorite thing inside that house. And I love to host friends and cook while listening to music. It’s wonderful but outside is even better. If I’m upstate, I try to swim in the pond everyday year round. In winter, I’ll do a sauna and cold plunge. In summer, I’m flying off the ropeswing or flipping off the platforms. It’s the same shit I’ve been doing since I was a kid but never gets old. I also love woodworking and building all the things. I always have a couple house projects going at any given time.
How do you interact with your home? What is your favorite room in your house and why?
I like my house upstate when it’s full of friends. I have four guest rooms and enough beds to sleep 15 people. It’s the ultimate getaway. On those days we fill into the big living room listening to records and gathering around the fireplace, laughing and talking shit. But the outside is better than all that. In summer, we spend most of the time on the dock by the pond or at the miniramp. I love bringing friends together and feeling that sense of community. For me, there’s not much more to life than that.
What are some self care practices you find helpful?
I'm vegan and hopefully that counts for something. Swimming in the pond in winter is about as wellness-y as I get. I have an aerator that keeps the pond from freezing over entirely and I’ll get in there and swim around the ice. They say the cold water swims are really good for you. But I just do it because it feels good. It’s hard to be stressed about anything else when your body is in survival mode like that. And when I’m in the water for long enough it becomes pretty meditative.
Have you ever considered yourself a robe person?
I have become such an avid robe person since getting this house with a pond. I’m in and out of the water, often multiple times a day and nothing feels better than a plush robe.
What’s your favorite Great Indoors robe pattern?
I like the Spectre because it’s the grooviest.
Feel free to add anything you’d like here:
Nude Party rules!!!
