"As a professional speaker I've seen far too many dull headshots over the years. Looking for someone who could capture my essence versus just my face is what led me to Max Poppers. I'm stunned by his ability to consistently get something more, something you don't expect, which leads me to believe that Max sees the world pictorially, even on his days off. He's able to get the moments that look as if we don't have any idea we're being photographed. The memory that lingers is how warm and comfortable he makes the whole experience."

Maureen

Welcome to the Portrait Gallery, a collection of illuminated and soulful portraits.

Max Poppers has been drawn to the light reflected through a person’s eyes and skin and which, at just the right moment, can be uniquely captured through a ready camera lens. Since his early years, he has photographed the children who played in the street near his studio, to musicians who poured themselves into their music, to the residents of the towns he’s lived in.

The essence of light that emanates from a person is what the camera lens must capture, and Max strives to do just that.

Max’s philosophy is short but sweet: “The only rule I have is that it must be fun for the subject, and for me.” His ease at making even the most nervous comfortable allows him to capture a person’s essence on film.

Max Poppers has been photographing people since the late 1960’s when he was a student at UC Berkeley. He has moved primarily to digital film for portraiture because “the people I am photographing can immediately see a batch of shots. First, they feel a great relief when seeing that I have taken some really good shots, ones they can be proud of, and second, they feel great relief when I can delete, right in front of their eyes the ones they don't like."

Max photographs people in his studio in Asheville, North Carolina as well as on location. He is staff photographer for Western North Carolina Woman, a women’s magazine that has gained recognition in the Western Mountains of the state since its inception more than five years ago.

His ability to put people at ease is cited as a one of the great benefits of working with him. His one requirement during the portraiture process is that “we ALL have fun.” Max goes out of his way to make that true for everyone concerned.