Interview: Photographer Simon Diez (USA)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I was born in Lima, Perú. I came to the US on 2014 and if you would of tell me by then that I will have a photography business like the one I have now I would of laugh. Since I remember I had a camera on my hands, and I love to take pictures of everything but mostly people. I started my journey to become a photographer in 2017 and so far, has been a journey that I wouldn’t chance for anything. I’m having fun, meeting new people and earn a living doing something I love to do.

How and when did you get into photography?

As a business we have only 9 months, but I’ve been taking pictures using a DSRL since December 2017. I used to work in a pawnshop in 2015 and my boss kinda pushed me to buy my first DSRL, it was a Nikon 5200. It was spring cleaning session and she said, “C’mon dude, you like to take pictures and I know for sure you gonna do something cool with this camera”. I mean, she wasn’t wrong after all.

What does photography mean to you?

It’s my passion. As cheesy as it sounds, I do what I love, and I love what I do. My clients have the option to see their entire session immediately after we finish so they can choose and buy the pictures they want and that’s how we make our income but to me working with these people and see the sincere smile on their faces after showing them what I capture for them is something that money can’t buy.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers.

I am a portrait photographer. My style is a combination of classical portraiture inspired on the old painting masters like Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Velazquez, Ruben, Goya among others with a modern twist focusing mainly on making my subjects feel comfortable so they can put the guard down allowing me to do my job. Even though the photos you see in my portfolio look pretty candid, they're very elaborate, starting with the right lighting for the type of portrait I'm taking, professional makeup, cool styling, and posing that flatter whoever is in front of my camera.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Everywhere. We did a photoshoot once inspired on a potato bag we saw at the supermarket. I don’t look for “inspiration” online. I try to read books, go to museums or places where you can see all these massive pieces of art regardless the type. I love to walk to clear my head and out of the blue… BOOM! I see something that catches my attention and I ending sharing it with my team and we come up with something hella cool that started with simple like that potato bag.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Of course! Planning is the most important part of the shoot. We can improvise on the run, but we always had a plan setup for all our clients based on the consultation that we did with them.

Studio, on location or both?

Both have their own uniqueness, but I have my own studio and spend most of my working time there.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

This is my full-time job and it allows me to pay my bills, buy some clothes, put food on my table and everything in between. I can proudly say I am a professional photographer.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

December 12, 2022. Client’s name is Lisa. This lady called me few days before out photo shoot because she was looking to take pictures for her obituary as she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and doctors have told her that they can’t do anything, and she didn’t have much time and she wanted to leave something for her kids to remember her. She came to the studio looking like an old school mafia boss, you know, like the ones you had seen in the movies. She was full of live and with an amazing sense of humour. We laughed during the entire shoot and at the end while picking her pics she said, “If I knew I would of feel this good, I would have come way earlier instead paying to those doctors” and she started laughing her lungs out. We all did. Weeks after she called us and said something like, “Hey, I just want to let you know that I went to my checking routine and the doctor was impressed because of SOMETHING happened and my body is reacting different, and I might have a chance for therapy. I know for sure it was that I didn’t feel this good in years and you guys making me feel like you did literally might save my life. You guys are amazing, and I can’t thank you enough”. I am not a doctor by any means, but I do believe in the power of positivity and that love is the most powerful thing in this world. If you feel good, you can do anything. I want to believe that we did something for this lady because she was by far the most incredible person, I had the chance to work with.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

I’m a Nikon person. My absolute favorite lens of all time is the Sigma 50mm Art f/1.4

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their

own business?

Have fun and focus on improving your craft one day at a time.

What do you think of our new magazine?

You guys are pretty cool

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/comunidadsimondiez

Website: https://www. simondiez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simon_diez/