Life & Work with Donnie Remus of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donnie Remus.

Hi Donnie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been interested in creative fields, making clothing, art, but when I started shooting photos, I felt a very large click. I love the idea of combining outerworld or beyond unthinkable themes into real life situations. The idea amuses me a lot, and that is where I found my passion with shooting photography. Sometimes it is by outfit choice, or location, but placing someone somewhere so meaningless or simple, and then adding some unhinged reason for viewers to double take and be like “wait a minute, what is this” or “what even am I looking at?” is beyond thrilling. The way I shoot is like a landscape of endless possibilities and themes and that is what I think people really enjoy about my work.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have a problem with staying on track. As I have mentioned, I have found interest in so many different creative lines of work. I will start designing clothing, and then lose interest, that same example can be carried on, and on – but photography and working with models really stuck. It stuck so much that one time, in order to make a rent payment, I had to sell my camera. It was devastating, and pretty funny, but in under a month, I bought another camera, better than my last. That told me, maybe this is something I want to stick with (or maybe I have bad spending habits and need to seek help). I think one thing that was really hard for me to discover was the style I wanted to shoot. I knew I loved working with people, but I never really grasped how. My portraiture style changed a lot over the years, and now I have finally landed on whatever my mind comes up with, no matter how crazy the idea or concept is, I have a tendency to try to make it happen.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in creative (that is one way to word it) portraiture work. I work with people to create unthinkable concepts and bring them to life through a camera. I think I am most proud of how fast I have taken off, and the recognition I have seen. It is really exciting to see your photos reposted, on news articles, prints purchased, etc.

I think what really sets me apart is my style as a creative designer. I try to really create “unimaginable” concepts with the people I work with, through lighting, outfits, accessories, or even locations. All of my photo work has a reason for people to double, or even triple take and discover something different each time, or something to fascinate over. I think that is what really sets me apart and sets the tone for shooting the way I love to shoot.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I think I have learned that doing what you love is costly, and sometimes really difficult. There is always some form of issue you will run into, but thinking outside of the box really does work. I have also learned that working with friends is important. Three minds on how to conceptualize a shoot is a lot more effective than one. Trust your friends, trust your own vision, because there always is a way to get it done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://donnieremus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donniiies/