What my creative process looks like.
From mood board, to location scouting, get a look into how I create.
This is my first substack post and I'm so excited to connect with you guys deeper on this journey. My intention for this is to foster community amongst other creatives and to connect deeper with my clients.
Who is Max?
Max Hemphill, is a creative photographer specializing in fashion, editorial, portrait, and travel photography, based in Los Angeles with frequent visits to NYC. Originally from New Jersey, Max's childhood was marked by a deep fascination with nature and light. Long car rides offered moments to gaze out the window, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, envisioning himself in serene landscapes surrounded by countless trees.
In his late teens, Max's passion for art and photography was ignited by the discovery of Tumblr. In 2016, he took the decisive step of picking up a camera, embarking on a creative journey that has since become a permanent part of his life. Max draws inspiration from spirituality, nature, and the profound connections between individuals.
How I start my creative process:
I like to start my creative process off by location scouting. Starting off with location is like using a brand new canvas and it ultimately depends on where I want to take the shoot. Then I look at lighting. Lighting is huge thing I pay attention to in my work, so that’s always one of my main things I look at. Then comes mood boarding. I scour different sites like Cosmos, Tumblr (yes I still use tumblr) and archived sites to see what makes the most sense with the shoot. Then casting. I’ve been know for choosing distinct models because it really helps to improve the quality of the images.
I’m proud of my ability to pick models that not only are talented but can really push the image to the next level. Then comes styling. Clothes can also make or break an image, so I carefully help to choose what aligns with the location, model, and mood of the shoot. Now all of this is based of personal projects. I’ll know go into what my creative process looks like when i’m working with a client.
The creative process when working with clients:
When I am working with clients, I love the collaborative effort. When working with the Creative Directors, stylists, models, hair/mua, clear communication of our common goal really helps to make the shoot great. During the shoot, I strive to create a comfortable and collaborative atmosphere, allowing for genuine expressions and capturing the unique personality of the subject. Another thing is, I LOVE to make work fun. Being on set should never feel like a chore, it should feel fun and collaborative. We’re all creatives so we should all make it creative and exciting.
I believe in the power of storytelling through visuals, and my goal is to deliver not just photographs but narratives that resonate with the clients visions and mine.