CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOUR JOURNEY INTO PHOTOGRAPHY BEGAN?

I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and originally studied engineering before eventually finding my way into photography. I’ve always been drawn to both structure and creativity, and photography became the perfect balance between the two. After moving to New York to continue my studies, I realized this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to.

 YOUR BOOKSCAPE SERIES HAS BECOME INSTANTLY RECONISABLE  — WHERE DID THE ORIGINAL IDEA COME FROM?

I’ve always loved books and the feeling of being surrounded by them. The original idea came from seeing bookshelves almost as landscapes themselves — collections of colour, texture, history and personality. I began photographing bookshelves and transforming them into large-scale compositions that feel immersive and almost dreamlike. Books hold so much memory and emotion, and I loved the idea of turning them into visual worlds.

MANY OF YOUR WORKS FEEL CINEMATIC AND NOSTALGIC. WHAT INSPIRES THE VISUAL NARRATIVES WITHIN THEM? 

A lot of the inspiration comes from memories, music, films and places that stay with us emotionally. I love creating pieces that feel familiar, almost like a memory people can’t quite place but still connect to.

 COULD YOU TALK US THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

The process is very detailed and can take anywhere from a couple of days to several months depending on the complexity of the piece. I work with thousands of photographs of books and carefully build each composition piece by piece. Even though the works feel organic, every detail is intentionally placed to create balance, movement and depth. With custom works, clients often share personal objects, books or meaningful details they want incorporated into the piece, which adds another layer to the process as I work to make sure the final composition feels deeply personal and emotionally connected to them.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE VIEWERS TAKE AWAY WHEN EXPERIENCING YOUR WORK IN PERSON?

I hope the work stays with people after they experience it in person. As viewers move closer, they often begin discovering small details and familiar books that create a personal connection, spark memories and naturally lead to conversation and shared experiences.

 WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU CREATIVELY?

I’m excited to continue expanding the series into new themes inspired by music, culture and collective memory. As bookstores continue to disappear, I’ve increasingly started sourcing books through friends, teachers and personal home libraries, which gives the work an even more personal and human connection and allows the project to continue evolving naturally. Ultimately, my creativity comes from the nucleus of my life — my wife Ali, my daughter Zoe, the tropical surroundings I live in, and the everyday experiences and emotions that shape who I am.

WE’RE GRATEFUL TO MAX STEVEN GROSSMAN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FEATURE. TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT HIS WORK OR ENQUIRE FURTHER, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH VIA THE LINK BELOW.

MAX STEVEN GROSSMAN COLLECTION