The Story Behind Max Mural’s Real Estate Photography Journey

Thank you! It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the MUSE Photography Awards.

My journey with photography began in 2015, when I started capturing cityscapes, people, and everyday moments—simply exploring my creative eye. For several years, I experimented with different styles, searching for my artistic direction.

In 2019, everything changed when a friend—a realtor—asked me to photograph one of his listings. Despite having no experience in real estate photography and using the wrong equipment, I was immediately drawn to the process. I became fascinated by the challenge of capturing spaces in a way that enhances their beauty and appeal.

At first, it was just a hobby. But when I moved to the U.S. in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, I turned to photography as my career. With nothing but my skills and determination, I worked tirelessly to establish myself in the highly competitive New York and New Jersey real estate markets. In just two and a half years, I built my reputation from scratch, earning the trust of top clients and agencies.

Winning this award is a reflection of the journey I’ve taken—from wandering the streets with a camera to becoming a recognized name in real estate photography.

The inspiration behind my award-winning piece comes from my deep passion for real estate photography and my commitment to showcasing spaces in their best light. Every property has a unique character, and my goal is to capture that essence through composition, lighting, and perspective.

This piece reflects everything I’ve learned and refined over the years—attention to detail, the balance of natural and artificial light, and the ability to create an inviting atmosphere through imagery. It represents not just a beautiful space but also my journey of growth, resilience, and dedication to the craft.

Winning this award is an incredibly meaningful milestone. It reminds me how far I’ve come—from being a self-taught photographer experimenting with styles to establishing myself in a new country and building my career from the ground up. It validates all the hard work, challenges overcome, and risks taken in pursuing my passion full-time.

More than anything, it inspires me to keep pushing boundaries, improving my craft, and striving for even greater heights in photography.

I submitted a photo that I truly fell in love with. It has interesting colors, beautiful lighting, and, most importantly, I genuinely enjoyed the entire shooting process. The energy and excitement I felt while capturing that shot made it special to me, and I believe that passion translates into the final image.

My first experience with a camera came from a simple desire to capture the world as I saw it. In 2015, I started photographing cityscapes, people, and everyday moments, fascinated by how a single frame could tell a story. It wasn’t about technique at first—it was about curiosity and creativity.

Over time, that curiosity evolved into a passion, pushing me to explore different styles and ultimately leading me to real estate photography, where I found my true calling.

One of my favorite types of photography has always been capturing cityscapes from rooftops and high vantage points. I love the way a city transforms when seen from above—its scale, its patterns, and the way light plays across the skyline.

There’s something powerful about showcasing the vastness and beauty of urban landscapes from a perspective that most people don’t usually see. That sense of height, space, and grandeur is what drew me in, and even though my main focus now is real estate photography, I still appreciate the art of capturing cities from above.

My go-to camera setup is the Sony A7R V, paired with my two main lenses: the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 and the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II. These lenses cover everything I need for real estate photography—wide angles for capturing spacious interiors and a versatile zoom for detailed shots.

I always shoot in manual mode, as it gives me complete control over exposure, lighting, and composition. This allows me to fine-tune every shot to achieve the perfect balance of sharpness, depth, and natural lighting.

One of my favorite features of the A7R V is its high resolution and dynamic range, which helps me bring out the best in every space I photograph.

I want people to feel the space—its depth, light, and atmosphere—as if they’re already there. My goal is to make every photo inviting, immersive, and full of life.

The biggest challenge was showcasing the lighting design without overpowering the shot. I had to balance the brightness and ambiance to highlight the details while keeping the image natural and inviting.

My biggest influence in photography is my mom—she was the one who bought me my first camera. That simple gift sparked my passion and set me on the path to where I am today.

Participating in photography awards is about more than just winning—it’s about growth, confidence, and pushing your creative boundaries. Every competition is a chance to showcase your work, gain recognition, and watch your skills evolve over time.

My advice: Submit the photos you truly love. If an image excites you, it will resonate with others too. Focus on details, lighting, and composition, and always strive for authenticity in your work. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there—every step brings you closer to success!

Shoot as much as possible and experiment with different styles. Don’t rush to find your niche - let it find you. Learn the basics, master manual settings, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Passion and persistence will take you further than any gear ever will!

Editing and post-processing play a huge role in many types of photography. In real estate photography, editing is essential to correct lighting, enhance details, and create a polished, market-ready look. However, in interior photography, post-processing is even more intricate, requiring precise color correction, texture preservation, and a refined, natural feel.

I personally enjoy the editing process for interior photography much more, as it allows for more creative control and attention to fine details. But at the same time, it’s far more time-consuming, requiring patience and precision to achieve the perfect final image.

I definitely love this progress! AI has already made a huge impact on photography, and I actively use AI-powered tools in Photoshop to remove wires, cars, and unwanted objects. While it doesn’t always work perfectly—sometimes the quality suffers—it has saved me countless hours of manual editing.

As AI continues to improve, I see it becoming an even more powerful tool, helping photographers work faster and focus more on creativity rather than tedious corrections. It won’t replace artistic vision, but it will definitely make our workflow much more efficient.

I would love to photograph a loft-style house in the forest. The blend of modern architecture with the surrounding trees, natural light, and serene atmosphere would create a magical and immersive visual story.