I create images because it makes me happy.

Photography transports me back to simpler times growing up in the peaceful town of Hamilton, New York. As a boy, the abundance of local wildlife and pristine forests provided endless fascination, cultivating a lifelong curiosity for the environment. Reflecting on those cherished memories, I see how deeply my early connection to the land has shaped my path as a visual artist.

Today, I am driven by a desire to share the breathtaking elegance and understated power of the natural world. For me, photography is far more than just capturing images—it is an act of honoring this natural splendor, preserving extraordinary, transient moments, and passing that joy on to others. Because our world holds such a quiet, deeply soothing rhythm, I reveal these gentle elements to infuse your home with their peaceful essence.

By disclosing nature’s quiet, deeply soothing rhythm, my work brings that innate sense of calm into your everyday surroundings, crafting a serene sanctuary of visual rest where you can truly pause, exhale, and feel at ease.

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 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.

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