Artist Statement
I create images because it makes me happy.
Photography transports me back to simpler times growing up in the peaceful and happy upstate town of Hamilton, NY. As a young boy, the abundance of wildlife and natural landscapes provided endless fascination.
Reflecting on cherished memories, I’ve come to see how my deep connection to nature has profoundly shaped my path as a visual artist. Today, I’m driven by a desire to share the breathtaking elegance and understated power of the natural world. For me, photography is more than just capturing images—it’s about honoring the artistry and beauty of nature itself and the joy I find in preserving those extraordinary moments in time.
There’s something deeply soothing and peaceful about the natural world. My work translates that sense of peace into your home, crafting a serene sanctuary where you can truly exhale and feel at ease.
Artist Biography
Originally from Hamilton, NY and holding a B.A. in Marketing from Michigan State University, Max's journey as a visual artist has largely been self-guided, devoid of formal training. Throughout the years, he has cultivated and perfected his own style and techniques, unshaped 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 made Valencia, Spain his permanent home in pursuit of a richer quality of life, embracing a “Do What Makes You Happy” philosophy. He now divides his time between Valencia and Toulon, France.
As an award-winning artist in the medium of digital fine art photography, Max has his work showcased on this website, publishes his monthly Blog - the Tripod Traveler, offers guided photography tours and workshops in Valencia and select pieces of his are frequently featured in art shows and 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
International Artistic Photography Awards Winner's Interview - Black and White category - "Rest Stop"
Pi Lambda Phi - Max Dobens – Adventures in Photography
The Telegraph - The European Photography Awards winners
Forbes - Funny, Cute, Amazing Wildlife: 30 Winners Of The Nature Photography Contest
Recent Awards
2026
PX3 Prix de la Photographie - Honorable Mention in Nature/Underwater - "Kiss Cam" - Paris, France
Arcadian Gallery International Nature Photography Competition - Aquatic Life category Finalist - "Octopus Vogue" - Cumberland, Maryland, USA
BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2026 - Natural World Qualifying Image - "The Scent is Enough" - Preston, UK
BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2026 - Natural World Qualifying Image - "Octopus Vogue" - Preston, UK
BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2026 - Natural World Qualifying Image - "Emergence in Antarctica" - Preston, UK
BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2026 - Natural World Qualifying Image - "Eye to Eye" - Preston, UK
Federation of European Photographers - 2026 FEP Awards Wildlife category top 10 Finalist - "Eye Contact" - Brussels, Belgium
Federation of European Photographers - 2026 FEP Awards Wildlife category top 10 Finalist - "Rest Stop" - Brussels, Belgium
Federation of European Photographers - 2026 FEP Awards Wildlife category top 10 Finalist - "Octopus Vogue" - Brussels, Belgium
Foto Art Manresa - 2026 Festival of Light Contest Color Finalist - "Breakfast Time" - Manresa, Barcelona, España
Foto Art Manresa - 2026 Festival of Light Contest Color Finalist - "Silent Swimmer" - Manresa, Barcelona, España
Foto Art Manresa - 2026 Festival of Light Contest Color Finalist - "Penguin Chill" - Manresa, Barcelona, España
Foto Art Manresa - 2026 Festival of Light Contest Monochrome Finalist - "Ciao for Now" - Manresa, Barcelona, España
2025
International Artistic Photography Awards - Winner - Black and White - "Rest Stop" - Los Angeles, CA, USAhttps://iapawards.com/max-dobens/
Monochrome Photography Awards - Honorable Mention - Wildlife - "Rest Stop" - London, UK
BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers) Print Masters 2025 - Natural World Finalist - "Rest Stop" - Preston, UK
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Artist-in-Residence program for April 2026 - Finalist - Hawai'i, USA
10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Monochrome Acceptance - "Depleted" - Bucharest, Romania
10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Nature Acceptance - "Risk v. Reward" - Bucharest, Romania
10th CAMPINA 2025 International Exhibition of Photography, Nature Acceptance - "Rest Stop" - Bucharest, Romania
Budapest Foto Awards, Honorable Mention, Nature - Wildlife - "Hibernation Hustle" - Los Angeles, CA, USA
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Wildlife - "Hibernation Hustle" - Paris, France
PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, Honorable Mention / Nature / Landscape - "Black Sand Beach" - Paris, France
The London International Creative Competition - Official Selection - "Waiting to Drop" - London, UK
The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - People - "Medina" - Bucharest, Romania
The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - Travel - "Third Visit to Turnip Rock" - Bucharest, Romania
The 9th Annual ONYX International Exhibition of Photo - Nature - "Iberian Ibex" - Bucharest, Romania
Recent Exhibitions
2026
Arcadian Gallery International Nature Photography Exhibition - "Octopus Vogue" - Cumberland, Maryland, USA - September 4 – November 14, 2026
Artist 360 Contemporary Art Fair - Selected as an exhibitor by this prestigious Art Fair featuring over 120 juried international artists, galleries and collectives in this 5 day art fair - Madrid, España
SuperFair Art Show - Selected as an exhibitor by this Art Fair featuring over 200 juried international artists, galleries and collectives in this 3 day art fair - Washington, DC, USA
ARTMUC International Art Fair - Selected as an exhibitor by this prestigious Art Fair featuring over 170 juried international artists, galleries and collectives in Munich's largest art event - Munich, Germany
Art de Suisse Cosmopolitan - Selected as an exhibitor in this small boutique contemporary fair of International artists, galleries and collectives - Lucerne, Switzerland
2025
The Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art - Solo Exhibition September 2025. A series of 5 images from my Svalbard gallery were accepted for this juried exhibition - Washington, DC
The Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art - Narrative Exhibition 3/11/25 - 5/10/25. A series of 5 black and white images of the Faroe Islands was accepted for this juried exhibition - Washington, DC
Art3f Milan - Salon International d'Art Contemporain - Selected as an exhibitor and will showcase 10 ChromaLuxe HD Aluminium prints during the juried international 3 day art fair - Milano, Italia
ARTMUC - Selected as an exhibitor by this prestigious Munich-based Art Fair featuring over 150 juried international artists, galleries and collectives in this 3 day art fair - Munich, Germany
Art3f Paris - Salon International d'Art Contemporain - Selected as an exhibitor and will showcase 10 ChromaLuxe HD Aluminium prints during the juried international 3 day art fair - Paris, France
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."