EVERY BIT OF WHIMSY IS AN ACT OF QUIET DEFIANCE.
Somewhere between sense and nonsense, every great photo begins with a defiance. I don’t follow norms... I chase light that slips through cracks, laughter that doesn’t wait for permission, and ideas that might make the Queen of Hearts spill her tea.
I prefer the crooked path, the upside-down frame, the “you can’t possibly shoot that here” sort of moment. (Spoiler: I can, and I will.)
Because real art doesn’t come from coloring inside the lines. It comes from grinning at the rules, then turning them into confetti.
That’s not just photography. That’s a little bit of madness... and all the best stories start there.
Let’s be clear... I’m not here for ordinary snapshots or cookie-cutter trends.
I capture images that wink at the expected, tumble down the rabbit hole, and reveal something unforgettable about you.
When I lift my camera, I’m not just taking a picture... I’m catching moments that misbehave, light that dances where it shouldn’t, and expressions that whisper stories the world wasn’t ready to hear.
Every portrait is a small defiance, a wink at the expected, a hint of the impossible made real. They aren’t for everyone... only for the ones willing to notice, to linger, to feel.
All that’s left is a choice.
Shall we make some wonder together?
I
My Style
I chase moments that refuse to sit still.
My portraits are deliberate mischief, precise yet playful, modern yet a little impossible.
I notice the details others miss, and I capture the sparks that make a face, a gesture, or a glance unforgettable.
II
My Method
I begin with the spark, the flutter behind a smile, the story hiding in a glance.
Then I twist light, angle, and shadow just so, until that moment pops into view like it’s been waiting all along.
Every portrait I take exists to be noticed, remembered, and entirely yours.
III
My People
The collaborators I adore are the ones who bend reality just enough to make hearts catch fire.
Makeup artists who turn a smile into a spell, hair artists who braid laughter into every lock, videographers who follow the light when it dances away... together, we craft portraits and weddings that feel like they could only exist in imagination.
PLAYING THE PIANO
Max in a nutshell:
BRUTALISM
SPOTTED COW
HAPPY
PLACE
TREND
COCKTAIL
ORDER
Guilty Pleasure
SUGARFREE REDBULL
NEVER
WITHOUT
CAMERA
BREVE
PICK ME UP
HANA
VACAY
SPOT
BEHIND
the LENS
I’m Max Lee. Photographer and mastermind behind Max Lee Photo.
I used to keep planes running and wrangle supercomputers, turning impossible problems into solutions. Now, I chase light, mischief, and moments that refuse to sit still, capturing portraits and weddings that feel a little unexpected, a little impossible, and entirely yours.
Recognized as one of the leading voices in contemporary portraiture in his respective areas, Max has been voted Best Wedding and Portrait Photographer in the Chippewa Valley for six consecutive years. He holds Legend Status in the Senior Style Guide and will serve as a judge for the Hot 100 in 2025. His work has also earned a spot in SeniorInspire Top 25 and has been featured in numerous other national publications.
Max approaches every session as a unique collaboration, tailoring each experience to the individual or brand he’s photographing. When he’s not behind the lens chasing light and perfect moments, you’ll likely find him perfecting latte art on his espresso machine or spending time with his wife and family — often with a camera still nearby.
I balance cameras with cuddles, and every day is better with my family by my side.
Espresso all day.
My chief-editor. Lilly the poodle.
Served in the NAVY during Operation Enduring Freedom for 5 years.
Honestly my happiest place is shooting in unique places!
my life
The
questionnare
Still curious? Awesome. Let’s dive in... here are my answers to the famously big questions, Vanity Fair edition.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A perfect latte in one hand, redbull in other, my camera in reach, and my family laughing at something I can’t even remember.
What’s your greatest fear?
Forgetting memory cards at home.
Which living person do you most admire?
Anyone who can pull off being wildly creative while keeping their plants alive.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Turning my love for photography into a career that lets me travel, create, and connect with amazing people.
What do you most dislike?
Blurry photos, bad coffee, and people who don’t appreciate the importance of good lighting.
What is your favorite journey?
Any road that leads to an epic shoot... bonus points if there’s good music and snacks.
What is your favorite food?
Rice.
What is your favorite film?
Anything by Quentin Tarantino
What do you most value in a client?
Someone who’s ready to have fun, try something bold, and trust the process.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Buying yet another lens or camera gadget I probably don’t need.
What is your favorite quote?
“Every path to art begins with a spark no one else can see.”
He captured an amazing side of Allison I have ever seen. The photos were absolutely breathtaking and I can’t believe that is my little girl."
— Kelly Nicole
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