You can check out more of his work here: the24studio.com
I have seen his work grow over the years and am always impressed by what he brings to the table! Here is a quick interview with him:
1: What would be a brief walk through in a typical work flow for you?
Dimitri: That really depends on the type of assignment I am doing, but the common steps are:
A. Prep for the shoot (work out the concepts, lighting, etc.)
B. Execute (here the ability to direct becomes important)
C. Post-production (since I shoot only RAW, there is a fair amount of work involved, we could do a whole other article on this topic)
2: How many pictures would you say it takes for you to find "The One"
Dimitri: This again depends on a lot of factors: the subject, availability of resources to execute, the vibe of everyone on the set. Sometimes it's the very first test frame, sometimes I need to shoot a 100 frames.
3: How did you learn the skill of photography and what gave you the interest?
Dimitri: I always loved photography, but only gave it a real try when I was 30. Probably because I was tired of corporate life. The best method of learning for me personally is doing, getting feedback on what I am doing; of course a lot of reading, testing, and making mistakes is involved.
4: How do you chose locations or models to shoot? What do you look for typically in both?
Dimitri: I'll start with models, they have to inspire. Ms. Dolly Diamonds is a prime example of a true model who can't help but inspire :) Locations are a bit more difficult, a lot depends on availability and cost.
5: Do you ever feel that doing photography professionally would take the joy out of the creative process for you?
Dimitri: No I do not, in the matter of fact, I think the opposite is true.
5: What is a photoshoot you would love to do that you haven't?
Dimitri: There are so many, but I think a more important question would be: what are you doing to get to do the photo shoots you'd like?
6: Who are your influences?
Dimitri: In terms of other photographers these would be: Helmut Newton, David La Chapell, Richard Avedon. I also like the flow of the paintings by Henry Mattisse (is that the right spelling?).
7: What is the first picture you took that made you realize you had a gift?
Dimitri: I don't think I am there yet, I rely on others to tell me that I have it. But in terms of an image that I love that is one of again my muse Dolly's shots, from a shoot we did at Valley Ho.
8: How do you know when a picture is really good?
Dimitri: When I feel it, I think photography (and art in general) is about emotions; the technical aspects of it come in to play only as tools to make someone feel something.
9: Before you put a photo in your portfolio or publish a photo do you let others critique it first or do you just go with your gut instincts?
Dimitri: I do both, about 50/50.
10: What is the impression you would like to leave in your photos that lasts with the viewer?
Dimitri: I want them to connect with the subject, or in terms of more commercial assignments I want the viewer to take away from the images exactly what a client expects.