Max Grudzinski's Journey from Photography Pro to Vermont Farmer

We recently sat down with Max Grudzinski, a former professional photographer now concentrating on farming in Vermont, for an insightful interview. Max's journey offers a unique perspective on the art and business of photography, marked by a deep-seated work ethic and a desire to capture authentic moments.

From Fine Art to Furniture and Back to the Camera

Max's artistic path began with a Fine Art degree, where he delved into large format photography, a process that resonated with him due to its tactile nature. After college, he initially leaned into his materials and construction background, building high-end furniture for several years. However, the physical toll of construction eventually led him to reconsider his path.

It was the dawn of social media, where "every story had an image," that drew him back to photography. He noticed friends in painting or sculpture struggling, while photographers "were making money". This realization spurred him to "hyperfocus into the photography realm," a decision he didn't regret for a decade.

Diving into Wedding Photography

Max's entry into wedding photography was a pragmatic one. Unlike the high barrier to entry in fashion photography, weddings offered a "low barrier to entry" through friends getting engaged. He quickly learned the ropes by second shooting for larger companies, gleaning knowledge from main photographers and becoming a "sponge". He observed how flashes were set up, cherry-picking techniques from those whose work he admired and avoiding styles he disliked, such as "muddy muddled slow shutter" images.

While he couldn't point to a single mentor, Max credits several individuals, including Chris Mendoza and Chris Chrisman, for helping him overcome his own self-imposed barriers as an artist. He emphasized his own self-driven learning, stating, "I'd watch 10 YouTube videos, I'd go practice".

The Essence of a Great Wedding Photographer

For Max, being a good wedding photographer evolved over time. Today, he believes it's about being a "chameleon" – capable of being a calming presence or a motivator when schedules run late. Crucially, it's about being less focused on the camera and more present for the couple. He strives to be a "fly on the wall," not wanting to be remembered as part of their day, but rather to give them the most amount of time with their friends and family.

He highlights the immense responsibility and trust placed in a wedding photographer. As he often tells clients, "The Cake's going to be gone, the champagne's going to be drank, the flow is going to be dead – your pictures are going to make it out". These photos are the only tangible memories left from a day they've often dreamed about since childhood, carrying a priceless value that will sit alongside generations of family photos.

The "Trench Guy" Mentality and Capturing Time

Max's unwavering work ethic is a core part of his identity. He describes himself as a "trench guy," someone who is always "in it," whether it's farming or photography. He constantly seeks to challenge himself, to "beat yourself," by taking a better shot than the last time in the same venue, rather than simply regurgitating "Pinterest" looks.

He also carries a camera daily, driven by a "documentary mode" and a desire to be a "keeper of memories". Having photographed his Philadelphia neighborhood for a decade, he possesses images of buildings and people that are no longer there, reinforcing the importance of "capturing these moments in time".

When it comes to commercial work, Max developed a preference for the "dirty greasy Grill real" over the "perfected nature of a product photo." He found himself more energized by capturing candid kitchen scenes than meticulously staged food shots.

A New Chapter: Farming and Future Photography

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a sudden halt to Max's photography career, with nearly two years of work canceled in three days. This experience led him to embrace the concept of "resilience" and embark on a new journey into farming in Vermont.

His long-term vision, a "5-10 year journey," is to live a lower-cost life by growing his own food and living off the land, and then "turn the photography back on". He aims to capture more margin by having lower living expenses, eventually being ready to shoot "commercial, the weddings, everything". He acknowledges the lower volume of work in Vermont compared to a city like Philly, but is seeing a natural "snowball" effect form after three years.

Max's Advice for Photographers

Max's primary advice for new or seasoned photographers is to "follow your gut" and not feel pressured to mimic others' work or specific "looks" prevalent on social media. He cautions against the perpetuation of unrealistic beauty standards, recalling how "digital retouching" in fashion shoots, like photoshopping out veins or blemishes, contributed to an "idea of perfection" he now sees reflected in teenagers' use of face-tuning apps.

Ultimately, he advises leaning into what "feels good" and embracing the profound responsibility that comes with capturing people's most cherished memories.

Max Grudzinski's journey reminds us that a career in photography can be dynamic and evolving, driven by passion, a strong work ethic, and a deep understanding of the lasting impact our images have. Like a resilient plant, he adapted to new terrain, growing new skills while keeping his roots firmly in the art of seeing and capturing the world.