Diego Lema
Artist | Professional | Photography

Argentina

I want to explore other faces of photography. I have become tired of those portraits where people look "pretty". I want to see models dirty, broken, flying, or under certain situations nobody would photograph for being too conservative.I studied Graphic Design at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA/FADU) After I finished my studies I moved to Mexico (Federal District) where I continued working as a model. I have been working for 13 years now. My first digital camera was a Sony (mavica CD400) and I used it basically on familiar portraits and vacation pictures. In 2005 as a need and hobby , I started taking my first self-portraits with that camera. In December 2005 I found the site flickr and saw the possibility of communicating my feelings through my pictures and of creating my own world in photography. I have made my living as a model for many years, a profession that has given me a lot of satisfaction but now I am also on the other side of the camera taking my own pictures and I find it very enjoyable. This is the reason why I have started photography.As a model you have to do what "others want you to do" , to pose the way they want and to transmit what they want to transmit. There are always fashion coordinators, customers, people to convince and the truth is that I am a little tired of it. I just got the camera and started to play with it and to do the things I have always wanted to do. No budget or make up just my camera and photoshop.Through photography I can bring out with total freedom what it is in my mind at that very moment. It is like a therapy.The possibility of developing the idea you have in mind at the moment without the pressure of having to convince others to do it was what has taken me to do self-portraits.I know it is not easy to find models if you don`t have a portfolio. Nowadays a lot of people have digital cameras with high megapixels that make them feel professionals. As a model I have also felt disappointed with false photographers with second intentions. I know the only way to be respected is to show a serious work and to "lay the cards on the table."

Current Residence: Buenos Aires / ARG

www.flickr.com/photos/quemas