Louscious Feature - Interview with renowned London Fashion Photographer Dimitris Theocharis
Next in our LOUSCIOUS FEATURE series is the incredibly talented and renowned
London fashion photographer DIMITRIS THEOCHARIS.
His work has appeared in many leading publications including Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazaar, ELLE and Vogue.
I’m a fan of his art for years, so publishing this is quite something very special for me.
Genre: Fashion & People Photography
Instagram: Photography: @dimitristheocharis
Website: www.dimitristheocharis.co.uk
Tell me a bit about yourself. Where are you from?
Hey I am Dimitris Theocharis.
A Greek/ American photographer, based in London.
I am a Libra, I love trekking and I love to travel.
How long are you in the business?
Approx 15 years.
How did your career start?
After studying photography, I got a job as a creative in an architect's office.
I was lucky enough to set up a temporary photography studio in one of the derelict mansions we had in our portfolio.
Every evening after work, I would use the studio to develop my skills and to supplement my income. My first clients were dancers and actors,
then models, magazines, and finally, fashion and jewelry brands. Eventually, my side-business took off..
What inspires you?
Everything and nothing. It’s such a broad spectrum of things that inspire me, from dreams to music,
to nature, to colors, to sociopolitical and cultural ideas as well as the human form and human condition…
Whose work has influenced you the most?
It’s hard to narrow it down to someone specific. I appreciate the works of a lot of current and past photographers,
I’ll leave this one for the art historians to figure it out once my work is complete.
However the works of Man Ray, Robert Mapplethrorpe, John Coplans, Richard Avedon, Cindy Sherman, Hiroshi Sugimoto,
Herb Ritts, Irvin Penn, Diane Arbus and Nick Knight have all broaden my understanding of photography in my early years.
What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?
Balancing art and commerce is not easy… however, not fucking it up when the stakes are high,
and you have the client and team breathing down your neck can be a challenge.
What kind of gear do you use?
I am using my Hasselblad H5D50 and my Profoto Lighting kit.
What is your favorite lens, and why?
Probably the HC100mm, quite a versatile lens, it’s light and has a good aperture range from f2.2 to f/32.
What do you like most about being a photographer?
The ability to capture the personal and the transient and elevate it to the eternal.
Pet Peeves
A lot of things but photography wise: when people abuse my work, either by publishing or posting it without permission,
a licensing fee or at least proper credits…. One of the downfalls of social media is the way we consume imagery,
… to the point of not respecting the care and effort that goes into creating them…. Photography copyrights are violated constantly…
more so than another form of art… and all these social media platforms turn a blind eye…it’s really sad.
What is still a big dream for you - career-wise ?
I have a few, publishing a book with my work, doing several exhibitions, creating a magazine… the list goes on.
3 People you’re dying to work with
I wouldn’t die over shooting anyone. But there is a big list of creatives I want to work with.
What kind of music are you listening to while editing?
It varies on the mood and aesthetic of the work I am editing … from Chet Baker to Classical to Electro…
mostly though I have Netflix playing in the background.
Did you ever think about quitting?
Yes, a lot of times. I tend to be overcritical of my work and have super high expectations.
Also, I have had several bad experiences with clients and collaborators that made me wonder why I bother.
The path I've chosen requires a great deal of self-motivation, discipline, and perseverance, so it ain't always easy.
How important is social media for your business?
It wasn’t important before its existence… the earth kept spinning and I was as busy as I am now.
It only became important when clients were too reluctant to look at the artist's official website.
However it’s great to find and understand your audience and connect with creatives around the world.
But it’s a double sided sword. Maintaining or growing your audience may result in watering down
your aesthetic or constantly struggle for engaging new content.
(This is a huge subject that maybe we discuss further on another occasion.)
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started working as a photographer?
Learn to say no and don’t waste too much time photographing for publications,
brands and people you don’t believe in, try and stay true to your ethos.
Ah and one more thing, always get paid before delivering the final images.
How has photography influenced you as a person?
It’s hard to tell as it’s an integral part of my existence in the sense that it has defined my life for the past 15 years.
You accidentally ate some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what's even cooler is that they endow you with the Super-Power of your choice! What's it gonna be?
Time travel, I am super curious about the past and the future.
Name the top five things to take with you during a Zombie Outbreak.
I would take the following plus a massive bottle of water:
Indestructible bubble suit
Bulldozer
Eternal flamethrower
Shotgun
Elven sword
I had to google that one hehe.
