Simon Diez is a portrait artist whose work lives at the intersection of Fine Art Portraiture, Cinematic, Glamour, Fashion, and Editorial storytelling. Born and raised in Lima, Perú and now based in Marysville, WA, Simon has built a reputation for creating portraits that are powerful, emotional, timeless, and unforgettable.
He lives by one rule: “Technique is the mother of art.” Time and again, he proves that simplicity makes the work hit harder. His mastery of lighting and posing gives each image a classical yet contemporary edge that makes his style instantly recognizable. He calls it Modern Vintage Aesthetic, his signature style that blends old-world elegance with cinematic energy.
Simon’s work is heavily influenced by the old masters like Rafael, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Velásquez, Rubens, Boucher, and Goya, but always with his own twist. His Painterly Portraits combine classical soul with modern grit. It’s all about sculpted light, rich tones, and emotion that feels raw and real. A timeless portrait style with today’s touch.
But Simon’s work goes far beyond classical portraiture. His portfolio is bold and diverse. His Fashion and Editorial Portraits mix couture style with attitude, using bold color and confident posing that radiate high-end magazine energy. His Cinematic and Glamour Portraits bring back that old Hollywood power, blending props, wardrobe, and mood to make each subject look like they just stepped out of a movie scene. His Avant-Garde Series pushes boundaries with futuristic tones, neon hues, rich color, and fearless concepts.
He also creates Power Portraits of entrepreneurs, executives, artists, and musicians, with Bruce Kulick of KISS and Grand Funk Railroad, Phil Soussan of Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, and Last In Line, and Charlie Parra of Saratoga standing as the crown jewels of his elite clientele.
For Simon, the camera is just a tool and light is his language, a way to speak loudly and clearly without saying a word. The real art lives in the connection. The trust, emotion, and authenticity he builds with every subject. Through that connection, each session becomes an experience, and every portrait tells a story.
Simon is passionate about helping other photographers grow and sharpen their craft. Through hands-on classes, workshops, and one-on-one mentorship, he shares everything he’s learned—from lighting and posing to the business side of photography. His studio, The Lounge, in Marysville isn’t just a workspace. It’s a creative playground where inspiration and growth collide. For many, it’s a little slice of heaven where learning feels exciting and reminds them why they fell in love with photography in the first place.
Simon’s love for photography and his dedication to the craft have made him a respected and inspiring voice in the photography community.