Photography

Challenge

How do you stand out in the sea of generic content? When everyone is publishing, posting, and promoting, the real question is memorability. CMOs and founders know that generic visuals don't cut it anymore. To truly resonate, your story needs to feel real and human.

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Over two decades, I’ve built a body of work with both subjects and audiences defined by emotional precision, visual perfection, and trust.

Solution

My path began in conflict zones, not boardrooms—capturing raw human moments. That same instinct now powers how I help brands speak visually. Whether I was embedded with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan or creating campaigns for Microsoft, McDonald’s, and American Express, I’ve always focused on one thing: genuine storytelling.

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Key areas of focus:

• Conflict photography (Afghanistan, Uganda, Senegal, Niger, Ukraine) for outlets like AP, NYT, Bloomberg, and Reuters
• Humanitarian fieldwork for UNFPA, MSF / Doctors Without Borders
• Corporate/editorial campaigns for Microsoft, American Express, Bloomberg, McDonald’s, Stern, WSJ, and National Geographic
• Longform visual essays, including Inshallah—my photo book on Afghanistan, trauma, and personal catharsis
• Cultural and humanitarian storytelling, elevating dignity over spectacle
• Artistic interventions, including multimedia installations and teaching workshops on ethical storytelling and self-expression

My work has been honored by PDN’s Photo Annual, American Photography, PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, and Schönste Deutsche Bücher, among others. I’ve exhibited solo and group work in Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Toronto, Portland, Cleveland, Athens, New York, Providence, and Łódź.

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 Impact

• Multiple international awards for visual storytelling and book design
• Global exhibitions, from Blue Sky Gallery (Portland) to Quai Branly Museum (Paris)
• Published and exhibited Inshallah, a finalist and winner across photo and publishing competitions
• Contributed to global awareness and fundraising campaigns for healthcare, reproductive rights, and conflict zones
• Mentored emerging photographers and taught visual storytelling at Columbia, CUNY, and international schools

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“Dima’s photography doesn’t ask for your attention—it holds it still, and then opens something deeper.”
—Christine Barthe, Quai Branly Museum

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Role

Photographer, editor, collaborator, and visual ethnographer. I’ve served as the eye—and often the conscience—behind headline events and the world's forgotten corners. Whether working on assignments or personal projects, my goal has always been to create images that feel true, not just look good.

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