How to Look Better in Photos, According to Beauty Photographer Max Bronner

Summary

Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: How to Look Better in Photos, According to Beauty Photographer Max Bronner
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Hosts: Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan
Guest: Max Brauner, Renowned Beauty Photographer

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1. Introduction to Max Brauner

In this engaging episode of Gloss Angeles, Kirbie Johnson and Sara Tan welcome Max Brauner, a celebrated beauty photographer known for his work with high-profile celebrities like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. The conversation kicks off with warm reminisces about Max's early days interning at Law for Media, where he collaborated closely with the hosts.

2. Early Career and Memorable Experiences

Max shares a memorable moment from his past: experiencing his first earthquake while working in a high-rise building in Glendale. This event highlighted his ability to remain composed under pressure.

Max Brauner (00:50): “It was terrifying. I was like, I'm gonna die here.”

He also reflects on his early shoots with notable figures such as Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande, emphasizing the fun and camaraderie of those experiences.

Max Brauner (02:30): “I love the edits. It's just so fun.”

3. Photography Style and Approach

Max describes his photography as energetic, storytelling, punchy, colorful, bold, yet classic. His approach centers on collaboration, ensuring that clients’ visions are met while fostering authentic connections.

Max Brauner (04:53): “I would say my photography is, like, energetic. I want to say storytelling... I love punchy. I love colorful. I love bold.”

He contrasts his collaborative nature with photographers who impose their own vision, advocating for a more inclusive and client-focused methodology.

4. Technical Tips for Better Photos

Max delves into the technical aspects of photography, emphasizing the importance of lighting. He offers practical advice for achieving flattering photos at home:

• Natural Lighting: Stand in front of a window and use your palm to gauge light and shadow placement.
• Overhead Lighting: Generally unfavorable unless creatively utilized, such as for laying down shots.
• Use of Ring Lights: While once trendy, Max suggests experimenting with angles to avoid unflattering shadows.

Max Brauner (12:11): “If you're going for like natural lighting, I would say stand in front of a window. A window's your best friend.”

5. Challenges in Photography: Product Photography and Editing

Max discusses the complexities of product photography, particularly with challenging items like glitter, which shifts colors based on light angles. He highlights the delicate balance required to capture such products authentically.

When it comes to editing, Max advocates for minimalistic enhancements, likening editing to applying makeup:

Max Brauner (11:03): “Editing is essentially doing makeup on the computer... lighting is so important.”

He stresses the importance of maintaining the subject's natural beauty while making subtle improvements.

6. The Impact of AI on Photography

The conversation shifts to the rising influence of AI in photo editing. Max expresses concerns about over-reliance on AI tools that drastically alter appearances, leading to the "uncanny valley" effect where photos become unnatural.

Max Brauner (21:31): “It's crazy. And it's so complex now.”

He advocates for authenticity, emphasizing that while AI can enhance photos, excessive use can distort true beauty.

7. Dream Projects and Collaborations

Max reveals his aspirations to work with iconic brands and personalities:

• Brands: Mac Cosmetics remains his top choice due to its iconic status and personal significance from his early career.
• Personalities: Khloe Kardashian and RuPaul are among his dream collaborators, envisioning dynamic and creative projects.

Max Brauner (35:28): “I would love to work with Khloe Kardashian. She'd be so fun.”

8. Advice for Aspiring Photographers

Max offers invaluable advice to those looking to break into photography:

• Collaborate Extensively: Work with makeup artists, hairstylists, stylists, and models to build a diverse portfolio.
• Continuous Learning: Utilize YouTube tutorials and other resources to hone technical skills.
• Manage Equipment Wisely: Start with essential gear and consider renting to avoid excessive initial investments.

Max Brauner (36:57): “Shoot as much as possible. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate.”

He emphasizes the importance of passion over profit, encouraging photographers to enjoy the creative process.

9. Final Thoughts on Makeup for Portraits

Max shares his expertise on makeup application for professional portraits, advising clients to enhance their features without overdoing it:

• Flawless Skin: Use products that blur imperfections and even out skin tones.
• Enhanced Features: Apply a bit more blush, bronzer, and eye makeup to stand out under camera lighting.
• Adaptability: Adjust makeup based on the shooting environment, whether in natural light or indoors.

Max Brauner (41:30): “Make your skin look flawless. Blur it out. Go a little bit more with blush, a little bit more with bronzer... start slow.”

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Notable Quotes

• "Editing is essentially doing makeup on the computer." — Max Brauner (11:03)
• "Shoot as much as possible. Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate." — Max Brauner (36:57)
• "Things should be about collaboration so that they're ensuring that they're getting what they want out of the shoot." — Max Brauner (07:32)

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Conclusion

Max Brauner's insights offer a blend of technical prowess and creative philosophy, making this episode a treasure trove for anyone interested in beauty photography. From mastering lighting techniques to navigating the challenges of AI in photo editing, Max provides actionable advice grounded in his extensive experience. Aspiring photographers and beauty enthusiasts alike will find value in his emphasis on collaboration, authenticity, and continuous learning.

For more of Max’s stunning work, you can follow him on Instagram @maxbronner or visit his website at www.maxbrauner.com.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

[Max Brauner]

Packages by Expedia. You were made to be rechargeable. We were made to package flights, hotels.

[Kirby]

And hammocks for less.

[Max Brauner]

Expedia made to travel glam. Los Angeles.

[Kirby]

Hi, Kirby. Hi, Sarah. Welcome to Los Angeles.

[Sarah Tan]

Max Brauner, former intern to one Sarah Tan. He's here.

[Kirby]

You didn't technically report to me. No, but I like to pretend that.

[Max Brauner]

I was your boss, literally. And no shade to anybody else. You were like the one in the office. Like, I was like. I was like, I got it. She was just. You were the one. You were the one.

[Kirby]

You were so sweet.

[Sarah Tan]

Where did you guys work together?

[Kirby]

Law for Media, which ran Tiger B and Bob magazines. And I'm pretty sure you were on, like, Justin Bieber photo shoots as well. Yeah, yeah, so we were. Yeah, we were in it together in that era.

[Sarah Tan]

Which is so fitting because baby Biebs just launched his new album last night.

[Kirby]

Have you listened so good, like, multiple times.

[Sarah Tan]

The opener, I'm like, this is giving smooth jazz R and B. Oh, yeah. I was like, so into it. Like, what I like. And Kelly from.

[Kirby]

Kelly from Tarot Bunny yesterday, she was like, it's like light skinned Bieber.

[Sarah Tan]

It's like, well, everyone's like, jamal Bieber's back.

[Kirby]

Yes. Producer.

[Max Brauner]

I have to listen.

[Sarah Tan]

So obviously, I mean, we are Bieber household.

[Max Brauner]

Yep.

[Kirby]

Fair.

[Max Brauner]

Fair.

[Kirby]

It's a Bieber summer.

[Sarah Tan]

It's a Bieber summer.

[Max Brauner]

We.

[Sarah Tan]

We are not gonna be able to escape it.

[Kirby]

So we embrace it, but that is our connection. And then, like, I feel like I didn't see you for a couple years and then all of a sudden you just like exploded.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my gosh.

[Sarah Tan]

You popped up at Makeup forever.

[Max Brauner]

It was a Makeup forever. It was a makeup forever Natasha event.

[Kirby]

Yes.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh, my God.

[Kirby]

That's what it is. Yeah. And I always knew you were a star as well.

[Max Brauner]

Like, thank you.

[Kirby]

But can I tell I say this story all the time because it's like one of my most memorable moments with Max is when there was an earthquake in the office. And Max had never experienced an earthquake before. And we were. It's like the building was in Glendale and it was like a high rise and it was like one of the new buildings where it sways, you know? And we were like on like the 13th floor or something. And you just hear Max screaming.

[Max Brauner]

It was terrifying. It was terrifying. And here's the thing. So I grew up outside of la, so I had some earthquake experience. But being in a tall 12, 13 story building and just like swaying back and forth. Also, people would talk about the elevator just dropping.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

And I was like, this is. This is not safe for anybody. Like, I was constantly in a state of panic. Yeah. I was like, I'm gonna die here. This is it. Looking at Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Terror. This is the Tower of Terror.

[Sarah Tan]

The teeny bop Tower of Terror.

[Max Brauner]

Literally.

[Kirby]

Wait, what other photo shoots did you assist when you were.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my gosh. There was Victoria Justice. Yep. I shot. I got to shoot with Tiffany. Ariana Grande. That was nuts. That was nuts. She was like 16 years old, bright red hair. Bright red hair. With her mom. It was just us four and we were just like, gabbing. It was so wonderful and so fun. She was like. I remember Joan was like. Because I was thinking about moving to New York at the time. And she was like, oh, my gosh, I have a son. I'd love to introduce you to Frankie. Frankie.

[Kirby]

Oh, my God.

[Sarah Tan]

It could have been.

[Max Brauner]

You know, it could have. And you know what? I'm grateful for his journey and I'm grateful for mine.

[Sarah Tan]

Very different journeys.

[Max Brauner]

Very different journeys, but just wild. Wild. Yeah. If you Google Ariana Grande pancake. That is a. Cause she had a heart shaped pancake. It was claimed of.

[Sarah Tan]

That was you.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

Okay.

[Max Brauner]

We will be posting that with a pancake.

[Kirby]

Yeah. You have to. You have to, like, be like.

[Sarah Tan]

From Ariana Grande to Kirby imitating Doja Cat at Schiaparelli, your claims to fame.

[Kirby]

Literally, but also to literally flying around the world with some of the biggest brands.

[Sarah Tan]

Let's just break this down. So we obviously love Max. You guys can tell by the way we're talking to him. He's our friend and we adore him. But he's just this incredible photographer. He has a background in makeup as well. As we mentioned, we first. I first met him at this Makeup Forever event in collaboration with Tatcha. I like. You know it's Toonday, right?

[Max Brauner]

Tunday. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

She was a makeup artist at Makeup Forever before Peloton Queen. I mean, so crazy. All the different connections you have. Then every single brand was like, yo, this guy is incredible. We need to hire him. Kosas uses you regularly, has flown you everywhere. I was just at an event where they had. You literally said, max Brauner photos. I said, say less. And I look like I'm about to enter the villa as the newest bon joke.

[Max Brauner]

Okay, that's good. You do so.

[Sarah Tan]

And that's my new LinkedIn photo, so thank you. I have to. I wonder how many people use his photos as headshots.

[Kirby]

Oh, literally everyone. Why wouldn't you?

[Max Brauner]

It's such an honor, too. Like, if I see it on LinkedIn or somebody changes their Instagram picture to it, it's like, the honor in the world. I love it.

[Kirby]

Wait, on that note, what would you say is, like, how would you describe your photography?

[Max Brauner]

I would say my photography is, like, energetic. I want to say storytelling, because I love, like, a little bit more in depth and then, like, punchy. Like, I love punchy. I love colorful. I love bold. But I just also love it to be classic.

[Sarah Tan]

Yes.

[Max Brauner]

I think that's. That's how I would. Yeah, yeah, that's how I describe it.

[Kirby]

It's so good. You need to raise your prices, though.

[Max Brauner]

You know, as of today. Thank you so much. Max. Bottom photography, double. Yeah, you guys get free. You're double the race.

[Sarah Tan]

Sarah and I very much are like, we pay people that we love, we want to get. But then I'm also like. But also creative. Fun times. Don't forget about me.

[Max Brauner]

But that's the thing. It shouldn't always be about money. I feel like money's just energy and it's like. It doesn't. It's not.

[Sarah Tan]

I agree.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

If you are with a good group of people and you're making something together that you're going to be excited about, I think that this is going to sound so un capitalistic, but, like, that's the payment.

[Max Brauner]

I agree with what you put out. It's like, I was talking to my therapist about this. It's like, I want everyone to, like, rise together. I don't want to just, like, make money and be, like, on an island alone.

[Kirby]

Right.

[Max Brauner]

I mean, that does sound nice, actually. That does sound wonderful. Love you guys. So much. Love.

[Sarah Tan]

Okay, bye, Quinny. Quinny would love it as well.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, Done.

[Sarah Tan]

Okay. So, Max, what first drew you to photography, though?

[Max Brauner]

I feel like I've always been drawn to beauty. Like, I think, like, even when I was growing up, I think my biggest thing, I remember, like, distinctly, like, opening color books and only drawing or, like, only coloring the women. Like, I would only do, like, Belle or Jasmine or, like, and I would just get so excited to, like, do their hair and their dress and their lashes. And then, like, I'd get to Aladdin and I'm like, I mean, he's hot, but, like, what am I gonna do? What am I gonna do?

[Kirby]

Yeah, no accessories.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. I'm like, it's fine, whatever. So I think beauty was always, like, at the forefront. And, like, watching my mom do her makeup growing up was, like, the sound of, like, Clinking is like, that's it. So that combined with my dad and grandfather also did photography for fun. So I was always around it. And so I think I've just like innately, like, it's just been like my calling since I was born, if that, like, I just feel like that's so. And then it's just kind of just taking a road. Like, I took it classes in high school, fell into beauty, worked at different companies, and I feel like at each company, like, photography was like right next to me. And I was always afraid to take that leap because I was like, that's not a real career. Like, I can't do that. I didn't study photography like that, you know. And then a few years ago, I just. One thing led to another and I just like took the jump and it's just been like the best. It's like the most fun I could ever have. I love it so much.

[Sarah Tan]

You really trusted yourself.

[Max Brauner]

I did. I mean, sometimes. Sometimes I'm like sitting in a corner crying, you know what I mean? But it's like it was a journey that was just like, I could not be happier right now.

[Kirby]

So photography is obviously super competitive industry. Like, everyone wants to be a photographer on set with the brands that you're working with, how do you stand out from the rest?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, I think for me the biggest thing is collaboration. Like, if I'm collaborating with a client, a brand, a person, whoever, it's always about, like, collaborating so that they're ensuring that they're getting what they want out of the shoot. I think there are a lot of photographers who I admire who are like, this is their vision. Take it or leave it, whatever. And like, that is some. That is an approach that I think is like, great. My approach is just different, you know. And so I think, like, every relationship I've made across the past 15 years, right from like tiger beat and bop to like now, I just am like, who knows, like, whether this is something that can help in the future or I can help them or they can help me. Like, I think it's just about making really good, solid, authentic connections. And then also, like, technically, just like constantly trying to push and test. I've tried recently to take away, like the word test and just play because I just want to play. I want to be creative. Like, I want to, like, have fun. Like, we're taking photos, it's not that serious, you know, Like, I love it and it's fun and it should be light and like stress free and like play good music and just have fun.

[Sarah Tan]

But so many people do take it serious.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

I'm sure you get a lot of people in front of the camera that are so self conscious about how their face looks. I know that when I shoot with you, you're always like, tilt down, chin down. Because I'm so. I don't want this to, like, you know, whatever. But then when I look at the photos, I'm like, oh, yeah. But in my head, I'm like, well, why would I tilt down totally. If it's going to make this underneath my chin look more prominent? And you obviously have the vision. How do you disarm people in front of the camera?

[Max Brauner]

I think it happens even before you take the photo. Like, I think it's a conversation of, like, how you feeling? How you doing? Like, it's just like, we're hanging out because that's what we're doing, right? You're standing there. It's awkward to be in front of a camera. I hate it. Like, literally, I'm like, all these cameras, I'm like, oh, I do. Like this. This is.

[Sarah Tan]

I was like, you're smiling.

[Max Brauner]

This is great. This is great.

[Kirby]

You look great.

[Max Brauner]

This is great. But it's just, you know, it's also like a lack of control. Standing in front of a camera, you're like, I don't know how someone is going to take a picture of me. I know how to take a selfie of myself, but, like, I don't. You're at a different angle. You're at a different thing. Am I going to look good? Like, it's all this kind of, like, panic, I think. And so it's just about, like, calming that down and just realizing that, like, at the end of the day, we're here just taking photos. There are going to be some not flattering ones, and there are going to be some ones that you look great. Like, it's just the reality of it. Like, on every shoot, my best shoe, it's probably like 20% of the photos are great. So it's like, you know, if we take 100 photos, 20, you don't need more than 20, you know, so it's just like, the odds.

[Kirby]

Yeah. You really are just so incredible. Like, I absolutely hate getting my photos taken. I feel like my, like, my smile starts to quiver and I'm like, my eyes are like, tear. I'm like, what am I doing? But you really have a way of making people feel really comfortable. And I think that's also a reason why you're so successful, is because it's just like, again, like hanging out. You have like, no ego. It's not like, like you are really focused on making the person feel like their best self.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

And I feel like that is like your superpower.

[Max Brauner]

Thank you. Honestly, I. I agree. Like, I love that. And I. That was my favorite part about being in beauty. Like when I was working at the Mac counter 12 years ago, my. It's still one of my favorite jobs to date because I loved like sitting down and helping a client and making them feel beautiful and like looking in the mirror and like that. I feel like I'm doing the same thing, but now in photography and it's just so fun.

[Sarah Tan]

Speaking of the Mac counter, so working at Mac and makeup forever, how have you brought your beauty expertise into your photography? Is there something that you do to guide the person in front of the camera? Is it something that you do in editing?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. I mean, it's so funny because editing and makeup are so similar. Right. Like, we're talking about highlights, we're talking about contours, we're talking about like enhancing colors. Color theory, like, it's all similar. And so it's just kind of like editing is essentially doing makeup on the computer, you know, and so there's similarity in that. And then it also comes down to lighting. Like how we're lit, how it looks. You know, I love a frontal light. I love a light that's a little bit above the face, giving like a nice snatch. Like, it's so similar. It's so similar.

[Sarah Tan]

Yeah. Because if you think about it, if you're on your phone and you are editing on just the iPhone. Apple contrast.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

You can see that your face becomes a little bit more snatched when you're removing those lights.

[Max Brauner]

Totally.

[Sarah Tan]

It's like when you're looking, if I look like this, I feel like my eye bags are less noticeable, but if I'm like turned more to this side with shadows, they're more prominent. Lighting is so important.

[Max Brauner]

Oh my gosh. It never ends.

[Kirby]

But what do the normies at home not understand about good lighting? Like, how can we recreate good lighting at home for our at home photography?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. Okay, so there's two kind of approaches. If you're going for like natural lighting, I would say stand in front of a window. Like an in and standing. A window's your best friend. It's big, it's bright, it's great. If you look at your palm, you can see where the light's hitting and where the shadows are hitting. And so if you move your palm around where the most even light is, is where you want your face to be. So that's going to, like, that's like just a. If you're out in the world and you're like, the sun's out, I don't know where to go. Find a little shade. Find a window that's going to be your best friend. Like, that's like rule number one. If you're going with lighting, overhead lighting is probably not your best friend. Unless you're laying down. Then that's gorgeous because it's on the.

[Sarah Tan]

Top of your nose.

[Max Brauner]

But you just. If you're. If you're kind of just trying to figure out, always put the light in front of you. So even if you're taking a selfie and you only have overl. Overhead lighting, just, like, put the camera as high as you can without, like, breaking your neck, you know, and make it look a little. Maybe zoom in a little bit. Maybe look a little, you know? But that's like. I think having light in front of you is always going to be your best friend.

[Sarah Tan]

Do you find that people like light in a different. I can't imagine wanting light anywhere else.

[Max Brauner]

I think if you're a model, yeah, absolutely. God bless them. Like me with a hard light to the side. Not, not. Not my best, you know. And then, like, you know, Kendall Jenner can do it. I'm like, oh, my God.

[Kirby]

Right?

[Max Brauner]

Holy shit. Wait, what'd you just ask? I'm so sorry.

[Sarah Tan]

Well, for, like, most people, I would think they'd want it in front of you.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, in front of it, 100%.

[Kirby]

Like, do you see people's photos and you're like, they prefer to have the light, like, a certain way, or they're just like, they prefer the way they look in a certain.

[Max Brauner]

I would say.

[Sarah Tan]

I would say if we're going, like.

[Max Brauner]

Full body, go for it. Play with shadows. Have fun. Go with. If you're just doing, like, a beauty. Yeah. Like, that's cool, right? Like, if a long shadow or, like, cool things you can play around. If it's like just beauty or just a portrait, like, and you're just like, alone and trying to figure it out, just go safer out. You know what I mean? Point your face to the sun, close your eyes, open it right before take it. You know what I mean? Sunlight is the best.

[Sarah Tan]

Sunlight is the best. So also, you need to be facing the sun.

[Max Brauner]

Facing the sun.

[Sarah Tan]

I can't tell you how many times a week I say, we're gonna be backlit. Yeah, we're gonna be Backlit. We're gonna be backlit. Like, just as a statement, I should have a hat that says this.

[Kirby]

You should literally have a hat that says face the sun. Cause that's the easiest way to think about it.

[Sarah Tan]

Face the sun by the sun. Make sure your face is being lit by the sun.

[Max Brauner]

Absolutely. And it's gonna hurt a little bit, you know, your eyes.

[Kirby]

Close your eyes until the phone is being blinked.

[Max Brauner]

Close your eyes. You might cry a little bit. Yeah, it's not gonna be good. It's not gonna be good.

[Sarah Tan]

Close my eyes and open them.

[Max Brauner]

There's gonna be a couple. Unless you're, like, on a shoe and you're back lit and then, like front lit really well. Like, just face the sun.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Max Brauner]

It's easy.

[Kirby]

Face the sun. If we have to purchase our own lighting at home, what is your favorite? Like, is it a ring light? Is it Alex earlight?

[Max Brauner]

I do love Alex Earl. Light's good. I've seen it. I don't have one, but I've seen it. I go to dinners and I'm like, wow, like, y' all are taking my job. Like, that's. It's good. It's pretty. So I think if you're on the go, alex, or light 100%, I think at home, like, there's so many things on Amazon that you can just that work, you know, that are just like a soft light. I don't think they're that expensive anymore. There's so many out there that it's like a ring light works great. I think a ring light works great, but maybe not just putting your face in the mirror in the ring light anymore.

[Sarah Tan]

I agree.

[Max Brauner]

Because a ring light, what it does is it's like, it's cool and it's great, but it also lights the bottom, which then can potentially create shadows. So you kind of want this like, 45 degree angle, like, top down. So if you're putting. If you're angling that way, great. It gives a great quality of light. But, like, kind of how we traditionally used it, like 2016, 17 vibes, which also I still love. I see pictures of myself and I just have those, you know, those like, circles in your eyes. You're like, alien. Like, I still love it, but, like, I think that we can kind of play around with it differently now.

[Kirby]

Totally.

[Sarah Tan]

A ring light. What's interesting is we thought that was the end all, be all of lighting, but it lights the entire perimeter of your face. So it's not really snatching in a way that we really, like now.

[Max Brauner]

No, it Just likes it.

[Sarah Tan]

Really.

[Max Brauner]

Just evenly, like, it's. Which is fine, but it's not. It's not gonna do much, right? Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

I will link these in our show notes, but I have two really nice panels like this that actually clip on to my desk.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my gosh. Great.

[Sarah Tan]

That are right above my computer. So if I'm doing Kirby's a queen of lighting computer.

[Max Brauner]

You are.

[Sarah Tan]

I very much care. I have four Alex Earl lights.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. I love it.

[Sarah Tan]

And the interchangeable things, I make sure I have one charged at all times.

[Max Brauner]

Every time we're on set, I do you, like, open your bag, and there's, like, all these lights in charge. I'm like, wow.

[Kirby]

You're like, she knows what she's doing. I love it.

[Sarah Tan]

But they're $35 on Amazon.

[Kirby]

And worth it.

[Max Brauner]

And worth it. I remember ring light. When I first got my ring light, I think it was 2013 or 14, like, early, early days. And I think it was, like, four or five hundred dollars at the time, which was, like, a lot for a light of a circle. Like, it's just. It's not that hard. And now there's so many. Literally, I'm like, oh, my God.

[Kirby]

Okay, now talk to me, both of you. The different settings, the colors. Like, what is the best setting for, like, just, like, a selfie?

[Max Brauner]

What do you think?

[Sarah Tan]

Why you. Why are you saying?

[Max Brauner]

Because you are great. You are so good at this.

[Kirby]

I never use a warm cool. Yes.

[Sarah Tan]

I don't like warm.

[Max Brauner]

Okay.

[Sarah Tan]

I usually don't do warm.

[Max Brauner]

Yep.

[Sarah Tan]

I feel like it makes me just look sallow.

[Max Brauner]

Fair.

[Sarah Tan]

So I will typically do just the bright cool or the mix of the two.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

I like, but it depends on, like, if I'm in my bathroom where I have, like, no natural light, I do the. The just the cool. For whatever reason, I really like the way that looks in there.

[Max Brauner]

Y.

[Sarah Tan]

In my living room or like, anywhere with natural light. I use the. The combo.

[Max Brauner]

Yep. Yep. I. I think. I would agree. I think warm is fun if you're going for, like, a vibe. But I always love, like, a cool tone light. And then warming it up in post, like, just then you can kind of get, like, a mix of two. Cause you're never really going to just, like, post or, like, take the picture and post it. You're always gonna, like. I love, like, a little adjustment in the photo.

[Sarah Tan]

What's a little adjustment? What's a little zhuzh? Tell us.

[Kirby]

And, like, what are you using? Are you just using the iPhone?

[Max Brauner]

I love the iPhone.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Sarah Tan]

Really?

[Max Brauner]

I love the iPhone. I do.

[Kirby]

You're not using any other apps?

[Max Brauner]

Well, if I'm shooting, like, if I'm really. If I'm like, actually on a shoot, I'll do the whole Photoshop thing.

[Kirby]

Totally.

[Max Brauner]

All the things. God bless. But like, if it's just like a selfie or I'm just like going, I will only go in the iPhone app. And I just, like, love. I love the adjustments. I love going deep diving into the adjustments. And now there's so many different, like, settings and things that I like, I don't even know about. Like, I was literally just in Europe with friends and they were like, they were talking about all these things and I'm like, holy shit. I also have the old iPhone. So, like, probably not. Probably not the best. But there's.

[Kirby]

But you have the software update and it has. Okay. I feel like I don't play around enough with the different settings.

[Max Brauner]

Like, I've never used any of the vsco. I've never used any of those. Or is that even a thing still?

[Kirby]

I think so.

[Max Brauner]

God bless.

[Kirby]

But not as much. Or like, what was it? Teza or like, whatever. All the different apps.

[Max Brauner]

I don't even know where.

[Kirby]

It's just like, everything was so dark, right?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

And grainy.

[Kirby]

Yeah, the grain. I'm glad that we're out of that era.

[Sarah Tan]

No, it's coming back. Because now. Yes. They're on TikTok. It's like how to edit your photos to look like a film. And literally it's like taking down, like, super contrasty. Taking down the saturation.

[Kirby]

The Polaroid. Remember we would run our photos through.

[Sarah Tan]

That Polaroid app and it would shake.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God.

[Kirby]

Literally, if you go back to my first photos on Instagram, it's just like, she's back. It's like 50 photos. Photos using that.

[Max Brauner]

What was it called? Oh, my God. I remember that. I can't remember.

[Sarah Tan]

And then there was the one that was supposed to be like a digital or like a disposable camera. Yes. So you only got one a day and you'd have to wait for it to develop after a few hours. So you would take it, you would know what it looked like. And then you go back.

[Max Brauner]

This is an app.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh, yes.

[Kirby]

Was it called Hipstamatic? Was that. Well, that was definitely one of my favorite.

[Max Brauner]

That was something.

[Kirby]

And then remember there was the one that made everything sparkle. Like, it was like the Japanese.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh, my God.

[Kirby]

And we went through that phase.

[Max Brauner]

That was wild. Kirakira.

[Kirby]

Oh, my God.

[Max Brauner]

Love Kirakir. Everyone with their highlights. It'd be like, literally. I was like, twinkle, twinkle. Literally, just like, it was wild. That was so fun. Let's bring Kirakira back. Oh, my God. That was fun. That was so cute.

[Sarah Tan]

Like, I literally just think of Jaclyn Hill, Laura Lee, Manny Mua, James Charles with those, like, just bricks of highlighters.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. 2016. Let's go back. That was so fun. And also, don't take me back.

[Kirby]

Yeah. Also don't.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God.

[Sarah Tan]

That was such a scary time.

[Max Brauner]

Beauty is great right now. We're in a great beauty run right now.

[Kirby]

I feel like we are.

[Max Brauner]

I really do too.

[Kirby]

And I feel like, especially with the photos that we're seeing from brands, like, especially the ones that you take, it looks like the person 100%. It really looks like the natural beauty of the.

[Max Brauner]

I feel like we're just. Yeah, we're in, like, a natural enhanced, like, get your bag era, which I love. And it's all like, even, like, bringing back, like, little film cameras. Like, little disposable, like, it's just so, like, digital cams. Yeah. I love it.

[Kirby]

You carry around a little film camera.

[Max Brauner]

I do, I do. And I got it for 35 doll at a flea market. Some of my favorite photos I've ever taken. Like, it's just like, you don't need.

[Kirby]

Like, all vintage Japanese.

[Max Brauner]

I do want one too. I do. I am going to Tokyo and I'm like, I want one.

[Sarah Tan]

Some of my favorite images from our shoot last year that you did were the film. Yeah, I think there was five of them and I love them. I want to get them printed out. And like.

[Max Brauner]

Because what's great about film is, like, it is just. It's who you are. You know what I mean? It's not the editing. It's not the thing. It's not the thrill. It's like, you totally. And like, you're taking photos to be. Look like yourself, I think.

[Kirby]

Okay. But on the. I know we're in a natural beauty era for, like, brands, but I think for celebrities, we and influencers, there's a heavy face, app usage, heavy editing, AI things happening.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

We were talking about this earlier, before we started recording. But, like, how can you tell if.

[Max Brauner]

Someone is like, I don't know anymore. Like, it is wild. Like, even yesterday I was watching this video with my mom of, like, this. This, like, grandma on the street getting asked questions, and she's like, look how funny it is. And I was like, mom, that's AI. And she's like, wait, what? And I'm like, how do you tell. And I was like, I don't even. I don't even know. I don't even know anymore.

[Sarah Tan]

No, I saw that. And the first time I was like, oh, this lady's sassy. And then I go, oh my God.

[Max Brauner]

With all pink Gucci outfit.

[Sarah Tan]

There was something that happens in that video that I first hand, like six fingers or something. Yeah, there's something. It's like uncanny Canny Valley when you're watching. So you're first like, oh, God, this woman's really like speaking truth to power. And then you're like, wait, oh, this is AI.

[Max Brauner]

Yes.

[Sarah Tan]

It's crazy.

[Max Brauner]

It's crazy. And it's so complex now. Like Photoshop has their own AI. There's also different like websites and things. It's just so complex.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

So I feel like I can't even tell. I think if someone does like the Facetune, like and like takes their thumb and like just like rubs their face, I can tell, you know, like that's a sign where you have no facial context.

[Sarah Tan]

No face.

[Max Brauner]

Just eyeballs. Eyeballs and teeth.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh, the white teeth. The Real Housewives are the most guilty of the most blindingly white eyeballs and teeth. I'm like, we need to the Ramona face app usage. Ramona Singer, we need to help you. She looked like she was 12 in that photo.

[Max Brauner]

Keep going. Like, I'm obsessed with it. I'm like, okay, who am I to tell you, go for it if that's what you want to look like. God bless. Go. Like, I love it.

[Sarah Tan]

I feel like not knowing Ramona, seeing that photo of her on a dating app, going to meet her and being like, you are 50 years older than this image.

[Max Brauner]

It's like a 12 year old's face on its. God bless her, don't know her age, six year old body. And it's like, it's so.

[Sarah Tan]

I'm like, that's why she's.

[Max Brauner]

I want to live in that.

[Sarah Tan]

It's such a reality star.

[Kirby]

Do you feel like these people though, then really think they look like that version of themselves? Like you, you've worked with a lot of celebrities before.

[Max Brauner]

I think some. Yeah, I think some that's like their own insecurities and their own projections and their own things that they're working towards. And I'm like, you know, I take a photo and I'm like, that's the most beautiful photo I've ever seen. And they're like, ew, I look gross. And I'm like, yeah, wow. I'm like, that's You. You know what I mean? Like, that's like them. So I think, like, a couple of them, like, want to look non recognizable. And like, that's totally fine. That's like theirs. I think that's where it comes into, like, creative. I don't even know what the word is, but it's like, if this is your. This is a photo of you, and if you wanna look a certain way, that's how you wanna look.

[Sarah Tan]

I have talked to people who work with huge name celebrities who have never actually seen a photo of themselves unedited because their team has protected them. There have been issues with glam being like their manager coming in and saying, do not show so. And so the photo before it gets to editing. And so it's like you have things where you see people like, being like, they edited the photo to make me have cellulite. It's like, well, okay, they probably didn't edit the photo to give you cellulite. They probably enhanced the contrast so it looks worse.

[Max Brauner]

Right.

[Sarah Tan]

But she's at one point, probably never saw that she even had cellulite.

[Max Brauner]

Totally.

[Sarah Tan]

Which is so crazy. And it's like, that's just an example I'm throwing out there. Not the example I actually know. But the editing thing is really scary sometimes.

[Max Brauner]

It really is. And I think it comes. There's so many layers. Like, if you're working with a celebrity. There's so many layers between me and that celebrity. You know, there's. It could be a brand, it could be a manager, agent, and it's like, you just never know.

[Kirby]

Do you have, like, boundaries, like, set in place? I don't know if that's the right word in terms of, like, you know, they're going to ask you to edit it to, like, oblivion, and you're like, that's just not my style.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, I mean, my style is like, less editing is more. You know, unless we're doing Skatparley and we're just like, you know, going, we.

[Sarah Tan]

Needed some more because we ran out of the 30,000 right now.

[Max Brauner]

And that's. Listen, there's times for it. I still love an edit. Like a fun, creative edit is. I love that so much.

[Sarah Tan]

But you edited our show art. Y' all can go look at it. Yeah, one of my eyes was lower than the other one. I said, make those even.

[Max Brauner]

But it's like, that's just. That's the reality. You know what I mean?

[Sarah Tan]

Sarah looked great. We liked it.

[Max Brauner]

No, you both look stunning. You both look absolutely stunning.

[Sarah Tan]

And I'm not saying that we both didn't look great, but it's like we had this image that we both really liked, but there was one thing off with it. And I'm like, instead of trying to find this other one where we're both completely 100% happy, just make sure my eye is more open, because I had a wonky eye.

[Max Brauner]

And I think that's the thing is, like, if it gets to a point where we're, like, going back and forth and, like, you're not enjoying what I'm doing. I'm not. You know, I'm not understanding with that. I always refer him to, like, a retoucher, because a professional retoucher, you can. I can be removed from it. You do whatever you want to that photo, you know you want to do. You make your brow 10 times higher. Go for it. You know, I like less editing the more.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

But I do love a nice snatch.

[Sarah Tan]

You work with Trixie Cosmetics, right?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

I love the images that you create with that team, and I love their makeup so much. I use it all the time.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

When you go into a project like that, where obviously Trixie is in full drag and you're also photographing makeup, do you have to change your technique in order to photograph it differently?

[Max Brauner]

Not really. Cause it's just, like, ultra glamorous. So it's just taking kind of, like, your natural glam lighting and just, like, bumping it to the extreme and just, like, really showcasing. Because it is about showcasing the beauty, showcasing it. That it looks. The product looks good. The makeup looks good. She looks good. So it's just about, like, tailoring it for her. Yeah. Not really. I mean, it's just, like. It's just bumping it up a bit.

[Sarah Tan]

Those are some of the best shoots I've ever seen.

[Kirby]

They're so fun. They're so fun.

[Max Brauner]

Thank you. They're wonderful. I love that.

[Kirby]

Is there a beauty product that's, like, particularly hard to. To photograph?

[Max Brauner]

Mm. Okay. On somebody or like, an actual product?

[Sarah Tan]

Both.

[Max Brauner]

Both. I think like. Like. Like a pencil sometimes is really hard to take a photo of because it's just, like, tiny.

[Kirby]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

I also like product photography. Me, I'm like, yeah, I've been asked to do it, and I still do it. And I'm like, this is good. Like, I can't feel it. You know what I mean? Somebody. I'm like, okay, we got the shot. Great. It's like America's Next Top Model. Hand someone my camera. I'm like, all right, I'm out. Like, I like that. Shooting a product, I'm just like, I think I'm having a stroke. I don't know if this looks good and I want to be better at it. But there are certain product photographers who are like, God bless in terms of product on people. I think glitter is tough. Glitter is the one product that is, like. It's just hard because, like, glitter, it's like multidimensional. It's chromatic, it looks different in different lights. It's like duochrome shifting type glitter. Like, that's tough because you see it in movement, but you don't necessarily see it in photos. So it's trying to find that right balance between, like, you know, like, you've ever seen those, like, green to red shifting things. It's like one light. It looks red, one looks green. Like, how the hell am I going to take a picture?

[Sarah Tan]

Like, half magic.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, totally.

[Sarah Tan]

A lot of their duochromes, totally. They're beautiful, but probably hard to photograph.

[Max Brauner]

Totally. So it's just finding that right balance and just having the expectations, you know, like, just with the creative team of, like, hey, we got to figure out how you want it. But then we always get there. You know, it's just like. It's like a little dance. And it's just about being patient.

[Kirby]

Do you prefer shooting and outside or inside?

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God. I love inside. I love. Well, I do love an inside studio, and I love. I love outside with flash. Like, I love being on location with flash. That is. That's like, number one. Yeah. Cause it's like the location. Like, I was watching White Lotus recently, and what I love about White Lotus is that the hotel is like a character. Like, it plays a part in every season. And I was watching it a little high, and I was like, I want that to be how I approach photography. Like, I want the scene to be like a character in it. So, like, I feel like shooting outside, shooting on location. Like, that's.

[Kirby]

That's a dream.

[Max Brauner]

That's a dream. That's a dream.

[Sarah Tan]

What's one photo that you are especially proud of?

[Max Brauner]

Mm.

[Kirby]

Besides our show art?

[Max Brauner]

Besides your show art? Yeah, that was number one. Number two? Yeah. I did a shoot with Gigi Goode, who was a contestant on Drag Race and a wonderful trans woman now model, who's like, dear friend. And she and I worked really close together, and she did a project with Louis Vuitton. This is back in 2021. And so it was basically Louis Vuitton highlighted 200 of their creators to celebrate their 200th anniversary of their trunk and we did a shoot together that was, like, just so batshit crazy. It was in my apartment. It was like her being a magician, sawing herself in half. We shot it. It was like 10 photos mixed together. Shot it. I started editing it, mind you. I was going to Mexico City the next day. Had to edit in one night. Was sitting there crying because I was like, this is maybe the worst photo I've ever taken. Like, this is for Louis Vuitton. And I failed, you know? Like, it was just like that, like, defeated moment. My best friend came over, Tess. She sat behind me and she's like, just edit. And so, because as I was sitting there editing, tearing, she's like, keep going. Just keep going, keep going. So I did it. Got to a place, and I, like, stopped. And I was like, this is the best thing I've ever taken. Like, this is the most. This is like this. I knew that this was going to change my Life. And then Q2, a couple months later, it ended up being, like, in front of Louis Vuitton stores. They published it in their book. Like, it was like, this moment. They put it in their gallery. Like, it was just this moment that I was like, I couldn't have dreamed of this moment. Like, this is a moment that I could. Like, it was such a growing experience and, like, celebratory, like, fashion moment for me that I couldn't. Again, like, that's, like, the highlight of my life. And it was the moment that I left milk makeup. Like, it was. It went live, I think. September 4th and September 12th, I put my notice in. I just, like, gave it a week, and I was like, I can do this, you know? Like, I just. So that's, for me, like, the most, like, life changing, up, down, all around moment.

[Sarah Tan]

What did you learn from that experience?

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God. To just trust myself and just, like, know that, like, have faith in, like, what I'm doing, just to keep going. I'm a perfectionist. It's a sickness. And I feel like not everything's gonna be perfect right away, you know? Like, it's just like, keep trying, keep playing. Keep going. Like, it's not. It's also not that serious. Like, it's just a photo.

[Sarah Tan]

Is there ever an image that you look at and you think, this is not salvageable, or is everything salvageable?

[Max Brauner]

I am a psychopath, so I think so. I have this weird journey where I fall in love with photos right when I take them, and then I look at them later, and I'm like, this is horrible. I should just throw away My camera.

[Kirby]

That's like writing, though, right?

[Max Brauner]

It is. And it's just this. It's this, like, up, down, and you're like, wow. Oh, my God. So I think everything is salvageable. I think it's just about quieting your, like, low frequency bitch. Like, she comes strong for me. She comes in and she's like, you're not good enough or, this photo's not good. And I'm like, shut up. Shut up. Like, stop it. So I think everything is salvageable 100%.

[Kirby]

When do you know? It's, like, time to walk away from a photo, from editing.

[Max Brauner]

When I get dark. Yeah, when you get dark? Yeah, yeah. Like, when I'm going. And I'm like, I can, like, feel it. And I'm like, this is bad. This is it. And I'm just like, take a step, walk around for a bit, come back to it. And every time I come back, I'm like, I'm a psychopath. This is the most. This is stunning. Like, this is insane. This is insane. And talking to other photographers and creatives, that's like a theme. So it's nice to know that I'm not in it alone. But it's dark. It's crazy.

[Kirby]

It's literally the same thing with writing. It's like, you could keep working on that piece, but, like, you will literally work on it until you die.

[Max Brauner]

100%.

[Kirby]

Walk away.

[Max Brauner]

@ a certain point, I could take a photo. I'm like, this is horrible. And someone could look at and be like, this is the most. This is stunning.

[Kirby]

Totally.

[Max Brauner]

And so it's just about, like, if I'm feeling good about it, then that's really all that matters. Yeah, it's great.

[Sarah Tan]

Let's say you hire somebody to take your photo, you get images back, and you're allotted five photos from the shoot.

[Max Brauner]

Yep.

[Sarah Tan]

How do you decide? And what are you looking for? To determine the best photo or to determine the photo that you shouldn't pick?

[Max Brauner]

I think what I always do is I go through and I keep clicking. Like, I just have all of them up, and I just keep clicking through all of them. And whatever you stop at is the one that you should mark. So if it's like a certain type of energy that you're getting, you're like, ooh, you'll know. You look at photos of yourself and you're like, oh, I like that. Like, so I think, go with your instinct. Go with your instinct. You're gonna also ask people. Everyone's gonna have a different opinion. But go with your instinct. You Know how you wanna look, you know the best way you wanna look. So just trust that. So I think go with that. And I think don't go with ones that if people are saying, hey, do that one. And you're like, I really don't like that one. Don't go with it. Cause you're not gonna be happy with it.

[Kirby]

Right?

[Max Brauner]

Like at the end of the day, it's your photo and the way you wanna be represented. Just go with your. Go with your gut.

[Sarah Tan]

What does it say about me that I would never ask anybody's opinion of what photo to use?

[Max Brauner]

No, honestly, that's great. That is literally like, that's the correct answer. That's self confidence and that's self love. 100%.

[Sarah Tan]

I do not want someone telling me I don't look good in something. I don't want somebody telling me I should choose something that I didn't.

[Kirby]

I also, like, want to look at the photos by myself.

[Max Brauner]

100 per. Oh, absolutely.

[Kirby]

Sorry. Can you please, like, with the photographer maybe, but like, no one else.

[Max Brauner]

No, but it's also a picture of you. It's also like a vulnerable, weird place to be. Like, again, getting your photo taken. It's weird. It's weird. And especially you're like, clicking. There's trust and like, if you can't see the images right away, which sometimes you can, sometimes you can't, that's weird. And you're just like, I hope that was good. Like, I hope you know so.

[Sarah Tan]

So the key is to mark the ones that you have an instinct for. Then you can go back. Is there anything that you immediately, as the photographer think, oh, like this hair is out of place or her eye is a little bit closed?

[Max Brauner]

No, because all those things can be saved.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Max Brauner]

I feel like it's about like, do they look good? Is there good energy? Is there like a. Like, is it like, inviting? And I think it's kind of like what you want the photo to be. If it's a headshot, you want the photo to be inviting. You want to get a job from this. Pretty much. You want people to like, look at this and be like, oh, I want them. Right. So it's like, there should be an inviting element to it. But if it's like an editorial and you're going to be sexy and hot or whatever, like you want to play into that vibe. So I think it's just like whatever story you want to tell, make sure that that photo fits that vibe. And then pick those.

[Kirby]

Is there a dream brand or a dream person that you'd like to shoot?

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God. Everybody and every brand. I would say, like, for me, Mac Cosmetics is number one. Yeah. Cuz I started there. That's where I started my makeup career. They used to do the shoot with Miles Aldridge, who's this photographer who did, like, such editorial cool, like the Barbie collection and like, all this stuff in like, the 90s and 2000s, that's like, iconically Mac. And so I would love, love, love to shoot with them, and I just love that. To me, that's been one of my favorite brands forever. Yeah. Like, I grew up watching it. Like, it's. It's like so iconic for me to work there. Like, so that would be that person. I mean, I would love to work with Khloe Kardashian. She'd be so fun.

[Sarah Tan]

That's your very.

[Max Brauner]

I love her.

[Sarah Tan]

I did not expect you to say that also.

[Max Brauner]

Well, because I just think she's so fun.

[Sarah Tan]

When's your birthday?

[Max Brauner]

June 28th.

[Sarah Tan]

So day after hers.

[Max Brauner]

I know. I just feel like we'd get along.

[Kirby]

Oh, 100%.

[Sarah Tan]

You get along.

[Max Brauner]

I just. Oh, my God. I love her. I also.

[Kirby]

She's got like 20 million brands that you could totally.

[Sarah Tan]

I love her too. I do, I do. We need to.

[Kirby]

That's gonna happen.

[Max Brauner]

It's gonna happen. I just feel like we get all.

[Sarah Tan]

This will happen for you.

[Max Brauner]

Who else? I mean, Hailey Bieber. She's so beautiful.

[Kirby]

You've not shot Hailey yet. Okay.

[Max Brauner]

No. Love her. I think RuPaul would be great one day.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh, my God.

[Max Brauner]

Like, that would be iconic. I would literally be scared shitless. But that would be so fun.

[Sarah Tan]

We gotta get you on, like, actual Drag Race.

[Max Brauner]

That's a dream.

[Sarah Tan]

Being there to photograph behind the scenes.

[Max Brauner]

That'S, I think, my dream. Like being Nigel from America's Next Top Model on a show. Sign me up. If I could shoot and then, like, be on the panel, I don't want to necessarily be on tv, but, like, that would be so.

[Kirby]

But you'd be so good at it.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God. Thank you.

[Kirby]

Because, like, you would give, like, really constructive feedback.

[Max Brauner]

Thank you. I would love that.

[Kirby]

You wouldn't be, like, mean.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. If there's a resurgence of America's Next Top Model, like, I'm in or anything. Oh, my God. That would be.

[Kirby]

So who do you think should host it?

[Max Brauner]

Oh, God. One of you.

[Kirby]

Great.

[Max Brauner]

Both of them. Let's all be on the judge panel together.

[Kirby]

Great, great.

[Sarah Tan]

I'll be Janice Dickinson.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my.

[Kirby]

Does that make me tired, honestly.

[Max Brauner]

Please, please.

[Sarah Tan]

Great. Great.

[Kirby]

Love It. Okay. Anyone who's listening, who wants to be a photographer, like, you follow in your footsteps.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Kirby]

What is your advice?

[Max Brauner]

I think shoot as much as possible. Collaborate, collaborate, Collaborate with makeup artists, hairstylists, stylists, models, influencers, whoever. You can, like, constantly expand, you know, like, that's, I think, first and foremost, like, put your ego aside. It is. It can be a very lucrative world. But it also, like, doesn't start out that way for everyone. And so I think, like, just having fun, playing around, kind of forming your teams of, like, who you love working with, what style you like, what you enjoy producing. Like, I think start there. Then on the technical side, like, YouTube has so many tutorials. Like, I've still to this day, we'll just watch different photographers on YouTube, like editorial lighting or like how to light a portrait or just. Just to watch and see how different people light it. And like, that's another avenue. And then you can just like rent so much so you do not have to. I'm a psychopath and I a shopaholic. So I just like, buy everything. So I'm like, oh, I see a light. I'm like, y. Yes, add to cart. But you can also, like, rent. You can start slow. There's so many different places. Like, you do not need to, like, spend all your money. Don't follow in my footsteps that way. Cause my apartment is head to toe in photography equipment now that I don't need.

[Kirby]

And then is your Instagram your portfolio? Social media is your portfolio.

[Max Brauner]

For me it is. But I know there are a lot of photographers who like, mix it and that works for them. For me, I'm like, there'll be a story from Europe once and now. And like, that's when I like, post myself. And then I'm like, okay, I'm going dark and here's my work, you know?

[Kirby]

Got it. Okay.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

For our last question, are there any apps, period, that you think people should have on their phone to help that literally are not ignassify, but they're not even able to get a photographer. You know, they just want a good photo, but they're like, this is not doing it. Do you have any app recommendations?

[Max Brauner]

So there is Photoshop for your phone.

[Kirby]

Okay.

[Max Brauner]

So you can start there. I've played around with it. It's pretty in depth. I think it's pretty nice. I have played around with FaceApp a little bit. I think it's pretty nice. If you don't go full setting.

[Sarah Tan]

If you don't do Hollywood 4.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, totally. Which sometimes it does look kind of fun. No, I do love a Hollywood 4.

[Sarah Tan]

Jackie Aina and I were talking about this.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

Hollywood 4 is diabolical.

[Max Brauner]

It is terrible.

[Sarah Tan]

It literally looks like a sim's face on a human body.

[Max Brauner]

Yep.

[Sarah Tan]

You are void of literally. We will gassify all.

[Max Brauner]

Oh my God. Let's take a picture in 2000.

[Sarah Tan]

Oh my God. We're just gonna post it. No contest.

[Max Brauner]

Oh my God, please.

[Sarah Tan]

Hollywood 4.

[Kirby]

And if people's hat but anything.

[Sarah Tan]

And people are going to be like, what?

[Max Brauner]

Oh my God. Suddenly I have hair down to my ass.

[Kirby]

I told you. I used a Hollywood 4 for my dad and I sent the picture and he was like, I don't see a difference.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, honestly work. I mean, honestly love it work. Love it work.

[Sarah Tan]

Greg Tan. Work, Greg Tan. There are settings though, where it's like, oh, you can like contour your face or like change the lighting or like get rid of a zit or whatever. That I think is helpful.

[Max Brauner]

Totally agree.

[Kirby]

But.

[Sarah Tan]

But some people are truly changing their entire face.

[Max Brauner]

Shit. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[Sarah Tan]

And then nobody else is.

[Max Brauner]

That's rude.

[Kirby]

The golden rule is if you are editing yourself, you have to edit everyone.

[Max Brauner]

Else in the picture. Yeah.

[Kirby]

Or else you're going to hell.

[Max Brauner]

I think so too. I think that's hor. That's not a good friend. You need to stop being friends with them is what they do.

[Sarah Tan]

We did a shoot with Hailey Bieber last year and we took a photo with her and we were like, we're downloading face app.

[Kirby]

I was like, I'm sending you my edits. You send back and then we'll confirm fair.

[Sarah Tan]

I was like, we gotta do something. We gotta totally. We didn't even touch her though.

[Max Brauner]

Yeah, of course.

[Kirby]

She was perfect.

[Sarah Tan]

We're just like, whatever you are. FaceApp.

[Max Brauner]

Totally.

[Sarah Tan]

It was crazy. Max, we love you so much. This was so much fun. Where can everybody find you and follow you and support your work and hire you?

[Max Brauner]

Yeah. Oh my God. My Instagram is my name maxbroner. M A X B R O N N E R. My website is just www.maxbrauner.com and yeah, that's where I live.

[Sarah Tan]

Wait, before we go, I am so sorry, we have to ask this question. This is like, I think one of the most important questions. You're getting a professional portrait taken.

[Max Brauner]

Yep.

[Sarah Tan]

What makeup should you wear and how should you apply your makeup for a really good portrait?

[Max Brauner]

So I would say if you're getting your makeup done, bump it up a little bit. Don't go overboard because I think that so many people think, like, oh, I need to go overboard with makeup for, like, lighting. But that's like, theater lighting, right? So, like, you want. You don't necessarily. If you're getting your photo taken, like, it's high, definitely it's gonna see every pore. So I would say, like, make your skin look flawless. Blur it out. Go a little bit more with blush, a little bit more with bronzer, a little bit more eye, and then see how you react. Like, I would take a photo, ask the photographer to look at it, and then you can always bump up more, but just, like, start slow. You don't need to, like, always be, like, when they say camera ready, I think be ready, but not. It's not gonna be perfect.

[Sarah Tan]

Okay.

[Max Brauner]

You know?

[Sarah Tan]

Yeah.

[Max Brauner]

Okay. Okay.

[Kirby]

Love that. Okay, thanks much.

[Max Brauner]

Oh, my God. Thank you all so much. Thank you, guys. How many discounts does USAA Auto Insurance offer? Too many to say here. Multi vehicle discount. Safe driver discount. New vehicle discount. Storage discount.

[Kirby]

How many discounts will you stack up?

[Max Brauner]

Tap the banner or visit usaa.com autodiscounts restrictions apply.