Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Blakesberg.
Hi Max, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into photography started from a very young age, my parents must have dropped a camera into my hand when I was around 7 or 8 years old and I would wander around our house filming everything I could. I distinctly remember in the 6th grade getting my first DSLR, a Canon T2i, that I submitted a photo I had taken out in Loxahatchee of a gate to my local school competition and actually won!
From there- photography continued to be a component of my life that felt directly intertwined with who I was. I loved going out and capturing everything and anything I could set my sites on, and for the next two decades continued to be a major driving force of who I was. With that said however, I had absolutely no interest in trying to turn what to me, was a central part of my life into a career. I was terrified that if it didn’t work out I would turn to hate something that I hold so close and dear to my life.
It wasn’t until my early twenties that I had truly felt that I found my “niche” within the photography world. At this point I had shot a variety of work, mainly within the action sports, music and outdoor space, and with some of my work even gaining recognition on a global level, like my photo of Whiz Khalifa that had been published in rolling stone after my very first shoot in the music space, but during my Sophomore year of undergrad I was given the opportunity to shoot underwater photography with an old friend and after that first time, something clicked in a way I had never experienced before, and I realized that underwater photography aligned with all of my passions in one beautiful mixture, and that this was something I not only truly excelled at but also felt that childlike sense of excitement that reminded me of why I started taking photos in the first place.
I really didn’t decide I should turn this into a career until August of 2022 when I left the tech job i was working at after realizing there was not a single other thing I could see myself doing with my life every day that would allow me to truly be happy and feel like I am living a fulfilling life, and through the combination of acquired skills, hard work, determination and a burning desire to learn more about this world, I took the terrifying leap into pursuing this lucrative career path and although there is ups and downs, I could not be happier with my decision. I love what I do, I love the people I get to meet, the places I get to see and the moments I get to capture and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been anything but smooth! For a long time I was adamantly against even wanting to pursue this as a career as I was so terrified of what would happen if I failed. Photography has been something that has grown alongside me since I was a kid and my overarching fear was that if I tried to pursue this as my career, what would happen if it didn’t work out? I still struggle with this to this day, and I often have to remind myself that I have tried other careers and it is pretty evident they just are not for me, sure I can do them and sure I can get by, but if I want to wake up every morning and know I will be excited about what I’d get to do everyday, the only way to do that is through photography. I think one of my biggest challenges at first was maintaining a determined attitude. I knew I would experience some setbacks, especially in my earlier years, but I did not realize how much of an impact these setbacks could have on me until I actually experienced them firsthand. It definitely took some pushing on my end to get out of my comfort zone and truly understand that if I want this dream to turn into a reality I need to maintain a determined attitude and know that I am looking at this as a long term career, and not something that would just allow me to benefit in the short term, and even more so, that I am capable of doing this.
I think some of my biggest struggles throughout this process, outside of my own internal conflicts, were understanding how to even move forward, and what each step would look like. There isn’t really one process or “roadmap” that works for all photographers attempting to turn their passion into a career, similar to say how a doctor would go from undergrad to med school to residency to doctor, or an attorney knowing what each step would be until they are finally able to practice law, and it took me quite some time to grasp that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Max Blakesberg. For the past 15+ years, I’ve been fueled by a passion for capturing moments through my lens. Born and raised in sunny Florida-an environment that’s practically a playground for creativity- I’ve seamlessly blended multiple passions into a cohesive, artistic journey. My initial foray into the creative world was through the adrenaline-charged world of watersports, but my focus has since evolved. Today, my portfolio spans across various styles and subjects-from fast-paced action shots to evocative portraits and brand campaigns. This dynamic range has led me to collaborate with seasoned professionals in a variety of industries, fine-tuning a skillset that adapts readily to any creative challenge.
I am a professional photographer specializing in Underwater, Outdoor Adventure, Action sports and Lifestyle photography. I’d say what I am known for is mainly my underwater work which has allowed me to truly differentiate myself from other photographers, as shooting underwater requires a much different level of attention and awareness that is not always utilized when shooting on land.
I’d say what I am most proud of has been developing a body of work that I feel confident enough to share with the world, and knowing that within this body of work is countless stories, accomplishments and memories that I hold close to my heart.
What sets me apart from others, outside of my specialization in underwater work is probably and as tacky as it sounds, just me as an individual. I am entirely self taught, I am determined to learn and understand, I am able to adapt to any challenge thrown my way, and I make sure to put 110% effort into anything I work on. This level of determination has provided me with countless opportunities in a multitude of different industries, and has allowed me to develop skillsets in areas that fall even outside the realm of photography, and at the end of the day, I am open and receptive to new opportunities and experiences, as I firmly believe that the only way to grow as both a human and professional is to maintain that sense of openness and curiosity that first led me to trying photography all those years ago.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe risk taking is a necessary part of any entrepreneurs life, and a a critical component in the recipe for success.
And as someone who absolutely loves getting up close and personal with some of the oceans biggest apex predators, I find risk taking to be a major driving force for my work and my creative abilities.
For a long time I was fearful of the concept of risk taking, mainly as a result of that overarching internal fear of failure, but once I understood that A. Failure wasn’t an option and B. Risk taking can be done in a manner that would either lead to success at best, and at worst would lead to me learning something new that I can then apply in future settings, I realized that without risk, I’d never leave my comfort zone, and to grow in an industry that requires you to often times be out of your comfort zone, risk is a requirement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maxblakesberg.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxblakesberg/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-blakesberg/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-voTXpIUd0o
Image Credits
All images © Max Blakesberg Studios
