Meet Me
Artist Statement
I create images because it makes me happy.
Photography transports me back to simpler times growing up in the peaceful and serene upstate town of Hamilton, NY. As a young boy, the abundance of wildlife and natural landscapes provided endless fascination. I vividly remember watching sunlight weave its way through the leaves and pondering the intricate dance of light on snow-covered ground. As a curious and analytical 10-year-old, I relished these moments of quiet observation. I can still recall the feeling of lying in a sun-drenched field, watching clouds drift lazily overhead while the gentle rustle of tall grass filled the air.
Reflecting on those cherished memories, I recognize how my deep connection to nature has profoundly shaped my journey as a photographer. Now, I am driven by a deep desire to share the breathtaking elegance of the natural world with others. It's not just about capturing images; it's about conveying the overwhelming power of nature and the joy it brings me.
Your home should be a sanctuary—a place of peace, comfort, and happiness. Through my nature photography, I aim to bring the calming elegance of the outdoors into your space, creating an atmosphere that inspires tranquility and joy.
Proud member since 2024
Artist Biography
Originally from Hamilton, NY and holding a B.A. in Business from Michigan State University, Max's journey in photography has largely been self-guided, devoid of formal training. Throughout the years, he has cultivated and perfected his own style and techniques, untouched by external influences. His strength lies in being self-taught.
Max has an innate curiosity that drives him to create images that are not in plain sight and from a perspective that departs from the ordinary. He continuously scrutinizes scenarios and potential compositions, tirelessly striving to achieve the optimal result.
In November 2020, Max permanently moved to Valencia, Spain, as part of his quest for an enhanced quality of life, adopting a "Do What Makes You Happy" philosophy.
As an award-winning artist in the medium of digital photography, Max has his work showcased on this website, publishes his monthly Blog - the Tripod Traveler, and select works of his are frequently featured in gallery exhibitions in the US, Canada and Europe.
Artist-in-Residency
one photography project: Farm to Table - Wheat to Bread
the other photography project: Beautiful Port Austin
Recent Press
The Times - The European Photography Awards 2024 winners
Forbes - Funny, Cute, Amazing Wildlife: 30 Winners Of The Nature Photography Contest
Recent Awards
2024
The International Photography Awards IPA 2024, Honorable Mention in Nature / Wildlife - "Another Slurp" - Los Angeles, California, USA
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Landscape - "Lavender Sunrise" - Paris, France
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Wildlife - "After Dinner Drink" - Paris, France
The European Photography Awards - Nature Photography / Wildlife - Gold Winner - "Eye Contact - Iberian Lynx" - New York, NY, USA
The European Photography Awards- Black and White Photography - Wildlife - Honourable Mention - "Posers" - New York, NY, USA
One Shot "Searching for Peace/Nature's Serenity" competition of the International Photography Awards - Honorable Mention - "Blåbær" - Los Angeles, California, USA - 2024
ViewPoint Gallery July 2024 International Photo Competition Winner - "Bear Sushi" - Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
PhotoArt Prague - Certificate of Acceptance, Nature - "Bear Sushi" - Sulice, Czech Republic
PhotoArt Prague - Certificate of Acceptance, Nature - "Los Mochuelos" - Sulice, Czech Republic
The Momentum Photo Contest - Salon E-Diploma - "Dama de Oro de Santander" - Skopje, North Macedonia
Back to Nature Art Competition of the The Blue Koi Gallery - Honorable Mention - "Bear Sushi” - Kansas City, Missouri, USA
2023
Monovisions Black and White Photography Magazine Awards Honorable Mention, Landscape Series - "Improvise" - Los Angeles, California, USA
PX3 Prix de la Photographie, Honorable Mention / Architecture / Cityscape - "The Bean" - Paris, France
Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023 - Street Top 10 - "the Golden Lady of Santander" - Kent, United Kingdom
Black and White Photo Awards Winner - "Reflections on the Stairwell" - León, Spain
Kaleidoscope Travel Photo Award - "The Chicago Bean" - Kumanovo, North Macedonia
Budapest International Foto Awards, Honorable Mention - "Sunrise with the Bees" - Budapest, Hungary
The Nature Photography Contest - Finalist - "Salmon Regret" - León, Spain
The Monochrome Photography Awards - Honorable Mention in Architecture -¨Black and White Bean¨- London, United Kingdom
The Black and White Photography Awards - Honorable Mention-¨Black and White Bean" - Léon, Spain
14th Annual Taste Photography Awards Winner - "El Galeón Andalucía" - San Francisco, California, USA
14th Annual Taste Photography Awards Finalist - "Expect the Unexpected" - San Francisco, California, USA
Recent Exhibitions
2024
InBoxEat restaurant exhibition - the owner invited me to be the featured artist of the inaugural exhibition in the restaurant's new gallery space. Six images of various citiscapes and award-winning nature images were selected - Valencia, Valencia, España
Port Austin Artist in Residence Exhibition - "Beautiful Port Austin" - A solo exhibition featuring 12 images captured in the area during my residency - the Bee Barn gallery - Port Austin, Michigan, USA
Port Austin Artist in Residence Exhibition - "Farm to Table - Bread to Wheat" - A solo exhibition featuring 10 images telling the story of how bread is made - the Bee Barn gallery - Port Austin, Michigan, USA
Art Mozaik Gallery Desert Breeze Exhibition - "Morocco Sirocco", "Dromedary Life" and "Wind Sculpture" - Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Lioncourt Gallery Flora and Fauna Exhibition - "Slurping" - USA
Praxis Gallery Animal Life Exhibition - “Queen” - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
ViewPoint Gallery International Photo Competition Winner - "Bear Sushi" - Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
7th Chania International Photo Festival - "Portixol Twilight" - Chania, Crete, Greece
The Holy Art Future Stars Exhibition - "Locked but not Loaded" - London, United Kingdom
2023
The Max Dobens Annual Photography Exhibition - Solo Exhibition Featuring 18 Images - David DuPuy Studios - New York, NY, USA
The Praxis Gallery Landscapes Exhibition - "Spanish Milky Way" - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
The 7th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photography - "Spanish Milky Way" - Bucharest, Romania
The Glasgow Gallery of Photography Landscape Exhibition - "5369 Seconds" - Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Decode Gallery Natural Wonder Exhibition - "5369 Seconds" - Tucson, Arizona, USA
The Blank Wall Gallery Travel Exhibition - "Sunset with the Bees" - Athens, Greece
WILD Foundation - Featured Artist
For Wildlife Conservation Day 2023, Max Dobens was interviewed by WILD.org and answers the question: "What Can Wildlife Teach Us?"
"During the time I spent capturing this image I was overcome with a profound respect for nature and wildlife, I felt that I was not in control, and I also felt in awe of the battle for survival for both the salmon and the bear. A few weeks after capturing the image, I now feel that it defines wildlife for me and is a graphic example of why we need to take better care of our planet."