We found Dima last year, at a time filled with quiet excitement and careful anticipation, as my future wife Taryn and I were planning our intimate wedding. From our very first interaction, it was clear that Dima brought more than just a camera to his work — he brought intention, foresight, and care.

What struck us most was his thoughtful approach. Well before the ceremony, he made a special trip — weeks in advance — to visit the church where we would exchange our vows. He studied the space, its light, its angles, and its spirit. This level of preparation spoke volumes about his dedication and the artistry he brought to what he does.

On the day itself, Dima moved with the grace of someone who understands how to both witness and disappear. He adopted a “fly on the wall” presence, quietly observing, never disrupting — yet somehow always in the right place, at the right moment. Not a single detail slipped past him. Every stage of the day, from sacred vows to celebratory laughter, was documented with sensitivity and precision.

Dima also took the time to learn who mattered most to us. He asked about the guests, requesting names and faces we didn’t want overlooked — a gesture that felt both deeply respectful and rare. His planning had the feel of strategy, yet never at the expense of spontaneity or joy.

When the photographs arrived, we were stunned. Technically flawless and visually moving, each image was a delicate balance of composition, light, and feeling. The moments he captured were real — unscripted, emotional, full of life. And everything was delivered exactly as promised: on time, in high resolution, and beautifully edited.

Even in the practical aspects — financial terms and communication — Dima showed fairness and understanding.

Without hesitation, we would recommend him to anyone seeking not just a photographer, but a quiet, guiding presence to preserve the heart of their celebration.

Ryan and Taryn Mercer

We first met Dima during an incredibly difficult chapter of our lives — a time when my family was just beginning to absorb the devastating news of my beloved husband Dick’s cancer diagnosis. It was then that Dima, with quiet sensitivity and deep understanding, suggested beginning a series of family photographs. He gently explained the importance of creating a visual legacy — not for public display, but for us, for our own memory, and for the archive of love that a family carries forward.

We hesitated at first. Privacy had always been our way; we were never ones to seek the spotlight. But Dima’s thoughtful approach, his reassurance that none of the images would ever be used publicly or commercially without our explicit permission, gave us the confidence to move forward.

More than that, his presence was never intrusive. He worked with the subtlety of a shadow, practicing a quiet, unobtrusive art — like a “fly on the wall.” And somehow, despite the sorrow that lay beneath those moments, the experience of being photographed never felt burdensome. It was peaceful. At times, it even brought unexpected joy.

Now, with Dick gone, these photographs have become far more than just images. They are windows — precious portals to a time when we were still whole. In them lives a quiet grace, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

Hadley Ferguson

★★★★★

★★★★★

Dima has worked as a photojournalist, researcher and translator for The Sunday Times of London for the past 20 years in conflict zones throughout the former Soviet Union, the North Caucasus and most recently in the east of Ukraine and in Syria.

His photography will speak for itself but what you also get is someone who by the very nature of how he operates, witnesses modern history being made on both sides of whatever or story he’s covering. Being able to negotiate in the field is an important skill and he has it. Apart from this, Dima remains calm and unbiased and does cover stories, making sure that he remains neutral.

He is practical, helpful, dedicated to his mission and continues to care about what he does. Through the course of career Dima has conducted investigations and politically sensitive interviews. He is brave without being reckless and vastly experienced in volatile situations.

For The Sunday Times he has covered many stories, to highlight a few: he was with Marie Colvin as she escaped across the mountains in Chechnya in December 1999, documented the Beslan school massacre, was under heavy fire in the Ukraine many times and also traveled Aleppo with our Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb.

Dima would bring a wealth of experience few can match but at heart is his enthusiasm for the story combined with exceptional photographic skills that for me, singles him out.

Ray Wells

Photo Editor

The Sunday Times (UK)

★★★★★

TESTIMONIES