Zach's Photo Studio

Zach’s Photo Studio is a location in Season Eight of the Showtime series DEXTER.

It’s a large office inside a low-rise building that has a parking garage. It's where Zach Hamilton spends much of his time.

History
Zach Hamilton is a wealthy amateur photography buff who seems drawn to blood. Dexter uses a photo op at a crime scene to get Zach to open up. Zach admits that he likes to shoot crime scenes and has a police scanner on his phone. As Zach is packing up his camera, Dexter gives Zach his card and expresses interest in seeing his work.

Summary

 * "A Little Reflection”

Zach invites Dexter to his studio and he arrives carrying a bag of Sadie’s Donuts.

"Zach: “Dexter, thanks for coming.” Dexter: “Sure.” Zach: “Couldn't wait to show you these photos.” Dexter: “Yeah, no problem. It's on my way to work. Donut?” Zach: “Fuckin' A. Mmm. Well?"

Zach directs his attention to the many enlarged photos that are displayed on the wall. Dexter notes that they all use blood as a theme. He treats the blood like a swimsuit model, Dexter thought.

"Dexter: “Well... very colorful.” Zach: “You know, a lot of photographers like to mute down their reds. You know, find it too distracting, but I like to ride the saturation.” Dexter: “Hmm.” Zach: “You think I overdid it?” Dexter: “No way. These are you. That's the important thing.” Zach: “Well, I can work you up some prints, if you want. I mean, I wouldn't have 'em if it weren't for you.” Dexter: “Actually, I think I have plenty of my own.” Zach: “Right. Of course. I forget it was a crime scene. Keep thinking that dead chick spilled all that blood just for me.”"

Dexter notices a photo of a dark-haired woman that’s on Zach’s desk.

"Dexter: ”Who's she?” Zach: [quickly crumpling the photo] “Uh, Just a lens test. New 300 millimeter. Fucking monster.” Dexter: “Wow.”"

Abruptly, Zach’s cell phone rings.

"Zach: [to Dexter] “Excuse me.”"

Zach walks to the other side of the room and answers the phone. Dexter takes the opportunity to peek at the photo of the dark-haired woman, now in the trash.

"Zach: [to caller] “Jesus, are you still drunk from last night or are you starting a new bender?” [pause] “Yeah, okay. Yeah, I said okay.” Zach: [to Dexter as he hangs up ] “Uh, I gotta go.” Dexter: “Anything wrong?” Zach: [turning sullen] “No, it's fine. I just gotta go.” Dexter: “Sure, some other time then.”"

While he’s on a stake-out with Joey Quinn (who's positive that Zach killed Norma Rivera), Dexter observes Zach taking pictures of the woman in the photo that he threw away. He memorizes her license plate number and learns that she’s a waitress named Sofia Fuentes who works at the Cypress Harbor Yacht Club, owned by Zach’s father. Dexter guesses that since Zach takes photos of his victims before he kills them, he likely takes after-photos as well. Perhaps Zach has kept photos of Norma Riviera.

Later, Dexter returns to the studio when Zach isn’t there to look for evidence. First, he finds the photos that Zach took earlier of Sofia. Then, inside a camera, he discovers a hidden flash drive. When he plugs it into Zach’s computer, he sees photos of Norma's being murder, as well as a reflection of Zach standing over the victim (hence the title of this episode: "A Little Reflection").

Intending to kill Zach, Dexter drives past his studio building and spots Zach's red Porsche parked inside the garage. However, Zach isn’t there so Dexter breaks in a second time. On the desk, there is paperwork showing that Zach has just bought a cheap used car, likely to avoid being spotted during his next murder.


 * “Make Your Own Kind of Music”

Dexter is intent on identifying Zach’s killer. He and Evelyn Vogel break into Zach’s photo studio and look for clues. Stuck under a table, Dexter finds a spot of blood and several hairs that Zach seemingly pulled from his assailant. Dexter wonders if Zach put them there on purpose to direct Dexter to his killer. When he runs the DNA, Dexter discovers that Zach’s killer is related to Evelyn.

Related Pages

 * Ed Hamilton
 * Norma Rivera
 * Oliver Saxon
 * Sofia Fuentes
 * Zach Hamilton