Max has always been drawn to water. Constantly swimming and backflipping into pools as a child; growing up around rivers, lakes and by the sea in Cornwall, UK; Max has always felt at home around water, experiencing a profound sense of calm.

Max has lived and traveled all over the world. Being here in Dubai by the Gulf for the past 7 years; exploring above and below the east and the west waters of the Arabian peninsula; escaping the hustle & bustle of this sprawling metropolis to the beaches, has led him to discover the quiet, yet thriving UAE surf culture.

One of Max’s other life-long passions is art, design and creativity. In more recent years, he explores this passion through the lens, which has only served to reinforce his drive to create and find inspiration in the world around us. Just going down to the water’s edge and watching the movement of the waves: the colours; shades; sounds and smells, provides Max with new inspiration to capture these details and create an image that evokes a sense or a feeling in the viewer and a relatability to that same escapism.

There are many, many, grand and breathtaking coastlines and breaks across the world, but Max believes that the search for waves among this concrete and steel playground has created a truly unique community, putting surfing in the Middle East on the map. By combining the passions of water and the creative inspiration that it gives him, Max intends to tell this story; capturing and celebrating the community that shares the small slice of stoke that Dubai and the surrounding coastlines have to offer.

It is, then, with immense pleasure that we present Layback Visuals; Max’s creative outlet for the inspiration the Dubai surf community gives him. Partnering with Surf House Dubai to open the Layback Studio print store, we intend to share the story of our local break ‘Sunnies,’ and the men, women and groms that call it home.

If you see him on the beach or in the water, please say hi! He appreciates it each and every time.

To order photos from his gallery, simply take note of the file name/s then order your prints or digital files by clicking here.