Spotlight Interview: John Dimaio
This month’s interview is with John Dimaio of John Dimaio Photography in Northfield. John has been a self-employed advertising, portrait and wedding photographer for over 25 years and has developed an international reputation as an artist and commercial photographer.
Where did you go to college? I started at the University of Maryland and then transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I then earned my Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tyler School of Fine Arts at Temple University, including a year of study in Rome, Italy.
How did you get started in photography? In college at Maryland, I used to go down on the field at football and basketball games and discovered that photography was a great way to get close to the action - where most people were not allowed to be. It just seemed like a great way to have some fun and make a living.
What brand of equipment do you use? Canon Digital, but it’s really not about the equipment.
Is there any reason to use film these days? In commercial photography, no. In fine art or for your basic family candid photos, then sure. There are many good reasons to stay with film. In many ways, particularly for those that are not computer savvy, film is just easier.
Other than digital cameras, how has the business changed in the past twenty years? Everything has changed. There’s a lot more competition, but photography is still something where you get what you pay for. Having a photographer with a great depth and variety of experience will almost always get you a much better end-result.
You do a lot of weddings; what’s the key to being a good wedding photographer? Anticipation and people skills. I really enjoy photographing weddings because I get to become part of a families’ inner circle for a few days. Weddings are universally happy occasions and not only am I allowed to participate, I get to create a families’ visual history - the photographs that will be part of that family and will be talked about and remembered for many, many, generations.
Have you been sent to any exotic places to work? I do a lot of architectural photography and that work has taken me, on may occasions, to all corners of the U.S. as well as trips to Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Hawaii.
What’s your favorite place to shoot scenery at the Jersey Shore? I would have to say the small bay towns like Oyster Creek, Bass River, Clam Town and Bivalve (on the Delaware Bay). They allow you to go back in time a bit.
John can be reached at (609) 484-5946 or go to JohnDimaioWeddings.com