Volkmann began his photographic career in Europe primarily working for beauty and fashion advertising, as well as editorial clients.  He has worked in Paris, Milan and London for European magazines such as the "Rai" family of magazines: (Amica, Max, Sette, Anna, Sportweek); Italian Conde Naste, Italian Harper's Bazaar, Stern, Grazia, etc.

A one time dancer, Volkmann brings his knowledge of movement and the human body to his photographic images. “This experience gave me an understanding and respect for the body - its movement through space, its tension, and releases.  I try to bring that to a photograph."

His dance photographs are studies in form and the grace of movement, revealing the performers’ strength, poise, and kinetic symmetry.  Volkmann’s stark lighting defines and emphasizes taut lines of musculature.  Through his lens, he captures the dancers’ fluid motion, freezing in time their liquid dynamics, and transforming them into discrete, geometric images.

As a dance photographer, he has collaborated with The Alvin Ailey Company, Dance Theater of Harlem, David Parsons, Feld Ballet, Philobolus, and The Monte/Brown Dance Company.  The latter has honored him by naming a suite after him, "The Volkmann Suite", a dance created with inspirations from his photographs.