Having begun his early career in the motion picture and television industry, Dfernando organically segued first into the fashion photography industry as a Photo Art Director and Producer, and later as a Surfographer. He applies his industry known minimal aesthetic to all of his projects from fashion editorials, campaigns, surfing imagery, to celebrity portraitures featuring Oscar winner Kathy Bates, Wendi McLendon-Covey, to Jason Derulo.
Bringing into his work visual references inspired from both surfing and fashion photography history, cinema, to pop culture, he specifically creates, photo art directs, casts and produces all of his own projects.
From April 2020 to July 2022 he co-hosted and produced the pop culture podcast GENERATION RIPE with Emmy Award and Critic’s Choice Award nominated actress/writer/producer Wendi McLendon-Covey (from TV’s ST. DENIS MEDICAL, THE GOLDBERGS, RENO 911! and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and the films BRIDESMAIDS, RENO 911!: THE HUNT FOR QANON, Disney PIXAR’s ELEMENTAL, PAINT, and BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR). The podcast archives are still available on various podcast platforms and featured guests from all realms of the spectrum - from comedy legend Sandra Bernhard, TV icons Patricia Heaton and Mimi Kennedy, to dancer and rock legend Toni Basil.
Being a surfer in his teens to mid-20s (circa 1980s to mid-1990s), Dfernando returned to his surfing roots in 2022 shortly after moving to Southern California from a 7 year residency in New York City.
Though he primarily focused on his work as a Photo Art Director and Producer working alongside top photographers, he decided on finally picking up the camera himself.
Inspired by the work of legendary photographers from Jeff Divine to Leroy Grannis and filmmaker Bruce Brown, Dfernando now captures the surfing culture of Southern California - both on the beach and in the ocean.
Dfernando is based in Southern California and is a member of the Huntington Beach Board Riders Club.