Photo by Cameron Gilson
Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Ruehrmund IV.
Hi Max, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Almost my entire life I have been into some type of photography/videography. Growing up I made highlight reels of my lacrosse team and took photos everywhere I went. In college, I attended Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware, and noticed all the media teams working on stages capturing the shows; it honestly just clicked – I wanted to be on that stage capturing the energy and enjoyment of live music. My first step in the industry involved tagging along with my friend Cam Gilson @cameragilson who is an NYC music photographer; he showed me the ropes and allowed me to capture some big moments during the performance. From there, I spent my weekends building a portfolio by reaching out to local artist and venues asking for opportunities to take photos.
Not counting 2020, the last few years have really taken off, I primarily work with management companies covering their artists at music festivals/as they are in-town or doing house photography for a few venues in Baltimore.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a bumpy road and earning your “foot in the door” takes time. My observation is the industry is based on trust and word of mouth, but once you make those connections it becomes a matter of building client relationships. Fortunately, there are lots of opportunities to be involved as the Maryland/DC area has numerous venues that attract every genre of music.
The real challenge today is sharing your skills on a platform that accommodates creativity. I despise Facebook/Instagram for a laundry list of reasons – but at the same time, Instagram is the industry standard for sharing projects with the world. On a brighter note, the platform has connected me with new photographers/videographers, allowed me to give advice where I can, and most importantly be inspired by others’ creativity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The industry has made me genuinely grateful for the opportunities, people I’ve met, and places I’ve been. I have done everything from real estate to marking for parks but live music is my favorite thing on the planet. Watching a rock band electrify the crowd or the pyrotechnics sync with the music. Those “big moments” are exactly what I want to capture. Through my work, I want someone to feel like they were there, connect with an artist or be excited to buy a ticket to the next show. In a sense, I am most proud of sharing my affection for live music with others – capturing the crowd being encapsulated and living in the moment.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It will take time, some mistakes, and lots of being turned down for paid work. I actually have a file of rejection emails from reaching out to artists and venues asking for an opportunity to shoot as a reminder of where I started. Don’t let this be overwhelming and be persistent in your goal.
As for gear and equipment. I promise you do not need the newest and best camera on the market. Entry-level cameras are impressive as you are basically buying camera features with the increased cost of new camera bodies. When you are ready to make that investment, start with fast/prime lenses, a flash or mic, then a new camera body. The software can get expensive fast, start off with Adobe Lightroom 6, it’s the last non-subscription version of Lightroom. Lastly, do not be hesitate to ask for advice, and take advantage of all the free tutorials on YouTube.
Contact Info:
- Email: maxlifephoto@gmail.com
- Website: www.maxlifephoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxlifephoto/
