The Fetish of Beauty
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A while back, while hanging out in Vegas, we came across the wonderful, and fairly well known fetish photographer, Steve Diet Goedde. He was nice enough to grant Ms. Vaughn an interview and here it is. Read on to learn more about this great guy.
Retrokitten: While the typical question to ask is, why or how you got started, we'd rather know what drives you to do you still do your photography?
SDG: I've been doing my erotic photography now for almost 15 years, and it is definitely a driving passion in my life. I love the art of photography, the allure of the feminine mystique, and erotic fashion. First and foremost I do my photography for myself. I rarely take an image for someone else's interest. All my work is honest and is never produced for commercial intent.
Retrokitten: What's been your favorite shoot to date so far?
SDG: I think my best shoot ever was my very first shoot with Kumi and Midori, also known as the So Hip It Hurts Chinatown shoot that my friend Molly organized. This was the day that I met both of them for the first time. Little did I know that each of them would play such a huge role in the development of my art. Both have also remained two of my closest friends. Oh, and the photos from the session are some of my favorites as well. One particular image of Kumi ended up being the cover of my first book, 'The Beauty of Fetish' (Edition Stemmle)
Retrokitten What's your number one thing to do that helps you relax?
SDG: Gosh, I feel like I never relax. I would like to but my mind keeps me preoccupied with getting work done. The last time I took a 'real' vacation where I didn't have to do anything photography or promotion-related was in 1986 when I went to southern Mexico. All my travelling is usually centered around work and promotion. I guess in those rare moments at home where I just have to stop my mind, I like to watch good foreign films.
Retrokitten: Would you rather approach models or have them approach you?
SDG: I've never ever approached a model. Here in LA, every attractive woman is always being approached by would-be producers, promoters, photographers - all with ulterior motives. I would never want to be perceived as one of these types. Besides, I have so many models waiting in line to shoot with me that there is never any need for me to go looking for more.
Retrokitten: I understand that you've put a DVD together or one is in the works. Could you tell us a little bit about that?
SDG: The DVD is called 'Living Vicariously Through Steve Diet Goedde' and will be an anthology of all my work from 1990 through 2004. The photographs, which are all digitally rescanned from the original negatives by me personally, will be presented in various slide-shows along with original music and/or commentary. There will also be interviews with me and my best known models along with lots of behind the scenes footage.
Retrokitten: Where would you travel if you could and why?
SDG: I would love to visit India and Japan. I've been to a lot of big European cities (London, Zurich, Prague) but I always feel as if I'm in just another busy urban environment which isn't all that different than places I'm used to (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, etc). Being in India or Japan, I could almost feel as if I was on another planet. Their environment and culture looks so much different than what I'm used to here.
Retrokitten: Cats or dogs?
SDG: I'm definitely a CAT person. I've had my big fat cat Ozzy for 11 years now, and I feel as if he's my closest friend. I get so much love and affection from that big ball of fur. I just find dogs needy and dependant. Those are traits I don't need to deal with.
Retrokitten: Are there any models in the industry you'd like to work with but haven't had the chance to yet?
SDG: I never like to pursue specific people to work with. I like to depend on fate to determine who and when I work with them. I also prefer to work with models that aren't well-known nor have the intention to be celebrities in this little genre. When I take photographs of a well-known face, some viewers immediately think of the image as a photograph OF someone rather than just appreciating the photograph on its own artistic merits. For instance, when I used to photograph Kumi before a lot of people knew who she was, there was a sense of mystery behind her which made the images more powerful. But now, people look at the images as photos of Kumi rather than photos by Steve Diet Goedde. I'm not putting down the models in my shots, it's just that I'd rather people appreciate the artistry behind the photo rather than who's in the photo.
Retrokitten: What's one thing about you that might surprise people?
SDG: Most people don't realize that I'm fairly quiet and shy. A lot of people tell me they assume I'd be real flashy and full of myself with two girls hanging on each shoulder, etc. But the truth is that I like to stay home and avoid club-like environments. I'd much rather stay at home to either get work done or watch movies.
Retrokitten: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
SDG: Well, I'll be 49 years old and hopefully have at least 5 more books released and a major retrospective of my work shown at the Guggenheim
Many thanks go out to the hip cat that is Steve Diet Goedde for taking time out of his busy schedule to grant us this interview! Make sure you take the time to go check out his site.
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