Immersed in the Moment

Staying Present With Photographer, Max Draeger

Words and Photos by Max Draeger

When winter arrives and the mountains get covered in a white coat, paths used for hiking and biking become meaningless. As skiers, we are free to move wherever we want as long as there is snow. There are endless opportunities to leave your own mark on the mountain… it is like painting on a blank canvas.

Watching someone ski a beautiful line is like watching an artist drawing, and as a photographer, it is my desire to perfectly frame that moment. Over the years, I’ve worked with amazing athletes that I am truly happy to call my friends. I love how they see and interpret the mountain, a face or a feature, and the process of merging our visions into a beautiful photograph. A great ski image is always the result of teamwork at its finest!

Teletubby buddies, Eric Hjorleifson and Stian Hagen in the European mecca of rad skiing—Chamonix.

Anne Wangler always nails the spot! Paznaun, Austria.

Julia Mehner waiting for the storm to clear and the lifts to open. Tyrol, Austria.

Young gun, Julia Mehner doesn’t hold back her ski racing background... and why should she? “Do you even turn, bro?!”

Just by looking at the landscape, you can tell the mountains in Northern Greece are a windy and rough place. Skier: Philipp Müller

Known for beautiful islands, stunning beaches and great food, Greece is not on top of the list for skiing, but if you are lucky enough to catch a storm cycle, it can be heaven on earth. Philipp Müller scoring all-time conditions in the trees of Vasilitsa in Northern Greece on our most spontaneous ski trip yet.

Don’t we all love the feeling of security and coziness you get from spending a night in a mountain hut? Simon Wohlgenannt getting his gear ready for the next day’s mission in his home mountains around the Arlberg.

Lena Koller and Simon Wohlgenannt breaking trail at Austria’s famous Arlberg.

Eric Hjorleifson blending into the endless white powder grounds of Chamonix.

Back in 2017, Jochen Reiser was one of the first professional skiers I reached out to when I decided to pursue a career as a photographer. It took us over five years to finally get out together, but I am very happy every time we do so! This time, we headed into the Karwendel mountains, just in between our homes.

“Nerd of the turn” Anne Wangler finding a tiny bit of light in the dark shades of the early season at Hintertuxer Glacier.

Kathi Sandbichler and Manu Nadler looking for the entrance of their line on a stormy January.

What I am looking for is a clean, minimalistic frame. I normally reduce colors or go for a black-and-white edit to really highlight the action, finding tiny bits of sunlight in the dark shadows or going for strong backlight on the bluebird days. But I also really appreciate the storm skiing days when everything blends into endless white.

I really embrace the effort that goes into a successful shoot: early wake-up calls, endless skin tracks, trying to understand weather patterns and snowpack, turning around because conditions suck, coming back again, taking turns on the radio, throwing snowballs, finally setting up a shot and feeling the nerves set in because you know you only have one try…

The feeling when everything lines up and when I know we got the shot the moment I press the shutter is priceless.