Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Stevens.
Hi Max, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started photography my freshman year of high school, I took graphic design classes and I was always that kid that walked around with a Nikon camera at the time. Not really knowing much about photography or where It could take me. I eventually fell off from photography due to being a high school athlete and dedicating my time to that and other things. Eight years later, I picked up a camera while on vacation with some friends just to catch some priceless moments and that’s when I realized this was something I still enjoyed and loved doing. A month later, I used my savings to buy a used camera that someone happen to be selling on social media and it took off from there. At that time, I was going through a rough time trying to figure out what I really had a passion for and wanted to do with my life. Photography saved me, it was my way of expressing many things that I felt, visioned and also helping others bring their vision to life. It’s many experiences I gained just by picking up my camera, through social media, friends and word of mouth I was able to build a name for myself. Although it’s many ups and downs, specially growing up from Philadelphia, I was able to meet many people in the creative world and gain knowledge. I then decided to move to Atlanta and further my career in Photography. The little time I’ve been Atlanta, it’s been non-stop working and networking, being a new city definitely forced me to go one thousand percent harder.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not, being on the outside looking in it looks shiny and all good. But it’s just like running a business you’re pushing a brand. You come across some people that want free work due to you not being a well-known photographer or they deem you not the best photographer. And some days you have no clients, somedays you have a lot of work. It’s definitely worth it, once you get the chance to pick up your camera and create work and satisfy your clients and great people, it reminds you that the rocky road is absolutely worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an up and coming Photographer and creative. I don’t specialize in anything specific when it comes to photography. I don’t like to put myself in a box, I feel as though I will creative all different genres of photography. I would say most of my work I’m known for as of now are my portrait shot’s. I love those up, close and personal shot’s I believe their my best work I’ve done so far also my proudest moment’s just looking at them give me that feel. What sets me apart from others, honestly I would say just me, I’m behind the lens of my own camera, my attitude, work ethic, vision and ambition to just keep creating. I eat, sleep and dream of what I would love to create everyday.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is starting something and finishing it. I believe that comes to play a lot with Photography. I have these visions that I want to create and bring to life. Completing it and seeing it become exactly what I Envision makes me want to go ten time’s harder and continue to be a student to Photography. Before reconnecting with photography, I found myself trying to find my purpose, my thing, starting many projects, jobs or hobbies with sometimes the wrong intention which lead me to never finish what I started. It feels really good that I found my happy place and also able to share and learn with other creatives. It’s definitely like a whole new world that I would never trade up.
Contact Info:
- Email: info.hirphotography21@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hir.foto/
Image Credits
My person photo was shot by photographer and videographer based out of Philadelphia Charles.been.great IG: @Charles.been.great & @endlusmedia
