For photographer Max, creating a beautiful image is about far more than choosing the right camera, lens or location. It’s about understanding light, developing trust and allowing the personality of the person in front of the camera to become part of the creative process.
Based on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Max draws inspiration from the remarkable colours and landscapes surrounding him, combining natural light, warm tones and an instinctive approach to portraiture, glamour and artistic nude photography.
His photographic journey began at just ten years old, working alongside his uncle in a darkroom. After years working in the entertainment and sporting events industry, he moved into glamour photography in 2008, developing an approach that values collaboration, professionalism and natural expression.
In this exclusive interview with HERA Magazine International, Max discusses his early influences, the importance of trust between photographer and model, his frustrations with social media censorship, and a photographic project he hopes to bring to life across Italy.
Follow Max on Instagram: @maxnapoli_foto_imagomax
The Interview
HERA: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you first become interested in photography, and what inspired you to make the move into glamour and portrait photography?
Max: I first got into photography at the age of 10, helping my uncle and starting out in the darkroom. I moved into glamour photography after years of working in the entertainment and sports events industry. I have been working in the glamour field since 2008.
HERA: Looking through your portfolio, there’s a wonderful warmth to many of your photographs, both in the colours and the atmosphere you create. Is that something you’ve deliberately developed as your photographic style, or has it evolved naturally over time?
Max: I work with both colour and black-and-white photography. I love warm, earthy tones that evoke a sense of intimacy. My style has evolved over the years, constantly enriched by new experiences and the fresh inspiration I draw from the models I work with; the model herself often shapes the style of the shoot. If I don’t have a predetermined theme, I let myself be guided by my instincts and the reactions the model evokes in me.
HERA: Your work ranges from intimate indoor portraits to outdoor photographs using natural landscapes and beautiful Mediterranean light. How do you decide on a location, and how much does the environment influence the final image?
Max: I am fortunate enough to live on a beautiful island—Sardinia—which offers stunning and captivating scenery. The colours range from pinks and reds to turquoises and blues. I select locations based on the time of year and the time of day, tailoring the setting to the specific model; some models suit wilder, more rugged environments, while others call for softer, more delicate backdrops.
I shoot both indoors and outdoors—I enjoy both types of sessions—though for nude photography, it is generally easier to shoot indoors.
HERA: One of the things we particularly admire is how relaxed and natural your models appear. How do you build trust and create an atmosphere where someone feels comfortable and confident in front of your camera?
Max: Before every shoot, I try to establish a rapport with the model—initially via chat or email—to get a sense of the type of shoot and the style of posing. I like to build a connection right from the start; I am very calm and direct about what I ask for, and I encourage the models to be the same—clarity and mutual agreement are the foundation of any successful photoshoot.
Both before and during the shoot, I strive to be very approachable while still maintaining the necessary level of professionalism. In nude photography, complete trust and the right emotional engagement are essential for achieving natural-looking shots that convey sensuality.
HERA: You’ve photographed women in a variety of styles, from elegant portraiture to more sensual glamour and artistic nude photography. What do you believe makes an image genuinely beautiful, rather than simply provocative?
Max: Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. I try to avoid creating images that exist solely for their own sake; instead, I consider the perspective of those who will be viewing them.
True beauty transcends mere provocation—it’s something that even women themselves can appreciate. The line between provocative, sexy, and vulgar is very thin—much like the boundary between the erotic and the pornographic. It takes very little to turn a wonderful photograph into something that belongs in the worst kind of pornographic magazine.
HERA: We’ve noticed that some of your Instagram photographs have required censorship to comply with platform restrictions. As a photographer, does having to obscure part of an image affect your original artistic vision or composition? How do you feel about the balance between artistic expression and social media rules?
Max: Unfortunately, some social media platforms, such as Instagram, have introduced increasingly stringent rules regarding nudity and glamour content. For the past few years, this moderation has been handled by algorithms that lack the human sensitivity required to distinguish between artistic photography and pornography.
This often leads to the removal of an image or even the suspension of an account. The solution we’ve adopted—censoring our shots—is purely a measure to avoid being banned.
It’s like putting on your finest outfit only to cover it up with the ugliest coat imaginable.
I don’t like censorship; I prefer the approach used by other platforms, where images deemed borderline are blurred, and the viewer is asked for their consent before they can be displayed.
HERA: Your portfolio also includes some beautiful black-and-white photography. What makes you decide that a particular photograph will work better in monochrome rather than colour?
Max: For me, the choice between colour and black and white usually comes down to the setting; the background is one of the main factors in my decision.
If there’s a beautiful seaside backdrop with the rich colours of nature, it would be a shame to use black and white. Conversely, in situations where the background and environment are already monochromatic, I like to use black and white to emphasise the model’s figure against the rest of the scene.
HERA: Every photographer has their favourite equipment and techniques. What’s your go-to camera and lens combination, and when it comes to lighting, do you prefer working with natural light, studio lighting or a combination of both?
Max: I’ve been using Canon gear for years—not because I’m a brand fanatic, but because after working with one brand for so long, you get to know it well, and you end up building an entire kit around it that would be difficult to replace.
I use fast 24–70mm mid-range zooms, 50mm and 85mm prime lenses, and the classic 70–200mm when I need to isolate the subject from the background. I also own other lenses that I use less frequently.
I definitely prefer natural light—sometimes supplemented with a flash to soften shadows—but I also shoot using studio lighting, incorporating natural light whenever possible.
HERA: Photography is often a collaboration between the person behind the camera and the person in front of it. How much creative input do your models have during a shoot, and have their ideas ever taken a photograph in an unexpected but wonderful direction?
Max: It happens much more often than one might think. Personally, unless I have to follow a set plan, I give the models a great deal of freedom; I like for them to move and express themselves as naturally as possible.
I’m not a fan of forced or unnatural poses, so the answer is yes—I have ended up with results that were unexpected, yet truly beautiful.
HERA: Finally, looking back over your photographic journey, is there a particular shoot or image that holds special meaning for you? And what ambitions or creative projects would you still love to explore?
Max: There are a couple of images that, naturally, evoke specific emotions—tied to the location, the moment, and the people who, in that instant, changed something within me.
I feel a very strong connection to all the models I’ve photographed; I enjoy staying in touch with them and keeping the bond we formed alive.
I wouldn’t call them “ambitions” exactly—perhaps “desires” is a better word—but I’d love to travel throughout Italy and create a photo book featuring these models in their own natural environments—the places where they actually live. That would be a wonderful experience.
With Thanks to the Models
Max would like to extend his thanks to the models he has worked with, recognising their professionalism, creativity and willingness to collaborate.
Ringrazio le mie Modelle sempre disponibili e Professionali:
- Ely Red Rose — @ely_red_rose2
- Marty Party — @marty-Party2
- Laura Nocca — @lorelaynmallow
- Kiwi Free — @kiwifree00
- Yuliya — @yu.broke
- Sara Ciampa — @saretta85red
- Sara Caratelli — @s_aveagemodel
- Alice Furesi — @modellasenzaglutine
- Lady Marusia — @ladymarusiia
- Francy Benvenuti — @francy_benvenuti
- Francy Rando — @sailor_shard
- Dafne Boshnjaku — @dafneboshnjaku
- Magda Gomes — @magdagomes75
- Gioia Conte — @giaoia_conte_
- Daniela Caruso — @danielacarusomodel
- Alice Gremese — @_gremesealice
- Chiara Narciso — @narciso.chiara
- Georgiana Tabacelia — @georgia_na
- Melyssa De Luca — @im.melissaaa
- Ilaria Martinez — @mirtosa.sarda
- Chiara Interno’ — @chiara.interno
- Sarah Benvenuti — @sara.benvenuti
- Glory Osumbor — @ladyyyunique
- Roberta Contino — @robertacontino_
- Asia Puopolo — @asiapuopolo
- Marika — @Clementine.poulain.onceagain
A Final Word from HERA
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Max for taking the time to share his experiences, creative philosophy and thoughts on photography with HERA Magazine International.
What emerges from this conversation is a photographer who places great importance not only on light, composition and technique, but also on the relationships that make his work possible.
From the warmth of Sardinia’s landscapes to the trust he builds with his models, Max’s photography reflects a belief that beautiful images are created through understanding, collaboration and a willingness to let creativity develop naturally.
We wish Max every success with his future projects, particularly his wonderful idea of photographing models throughout Italy in the places they call home.
Thank you, Max, for sharing your world of photography with HERA Magazine International.
To discover more of Max’s photography and follow his latest creative projects, visit his Instagram account:
Instagram: @maxnapoli_foto_imagomax
Vorremmo anche ringraziare Max per il suo ottimo inglese, decisamente migliore del nostro italiano!
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