To capture or document light. Max Haynes was a brilliant photographer for many reasons, but it was his talent for capturing people's brightest moments that made him a being of light himself. Work, play, or somewhere in between, he documented the light of other's passions in motion; each one of these golden moments fueled the next click of the shutter. He often said, "people are the flowers of any photograph," and saw his work as journalism of life's most precious moments, from the invisible every day, to the big stuff.

Max rarely used flash in his photography. We believe this is because he lit up every room. It's easy to capture smiles when the life of the party is behind the lens. His kindness and humor radiated through the lives of his friends and family - the subjects of his life's work. In the days since his passing, there has been an outpouring of love and support from the people that he impacted. Hundreds have shared stories of how he made them feel beautiful, valued, and seen - both through the images he captured and the compassion he expressed. These memories are the echoes of his golden energy. He would protest at the attention, but no one deserved the praise more.

Max was ever the champion of the disadvantaged, and his light shone brightest on those who needed it most. He embodied the spirit of the helping hand through his dedication and the warmth of his hugs. On May 13th, 2022 he shared a picture of a little girl hugging an old man with the caption, "I know it's just snapping pictures, but to me, it's sacred work." That sacred work didn't stop at the lightroom. He was often found secreting away hot packs for frozen fingers and filling his glove box with essentials for those rainy days when he would see the light of a hurting heart glowing outside his car door window. This was only part of what made him, well, Max.

Max spread his light through his work. Every project and client were met with equal passion and care. Just a few of his favorites include Wings of the North Aircraft Museum, Metropolitan Airport Commission, Minnesota Independence College and Community and the University of Minnesota. There was also the excitement of covering Rugby, which took him across the world as far as Hong Kong and Scotland. Max also loved capturing Akagi Jiu Jitsu, where he relished getting to experience people finding their power on the mat.

His clients would often reignite an interest or evolve into new-found passions. Aviation was his biggest passion, and he found his own power in hanging out of airplanes' bomb bay doors, his hair whipping in the wind, fearless for the perfect shot.

He would thank all of you for your contributions to what he viewed as the meaning of life: finding joy in others' joy and helping spread it further.

Earlier in his career, Max was a children's book author and illustrator, with a whopping 16 books published. And on shelves nationwide you'll find his educational and photographic tomes. He also had a robust career illustrating greeting cards for his life-long friend and client, Gibson Carothers.

He was a prolific creator and had trouble stopping his train of creation. None of us ever complained.

Max was also an excellent father to his kids Madeline and Riley and his "bonus" child, Matt. He adored his Lovely Wife Jane, and picked out the perfect hounds in Woody, Sparky, Luna, and Howdy. Maddy's dog Bunny was also his doing. Animals knew love in his eyes when they saw it. He has left behind his loving extended family, brother David, sister Laura Haynes Shimek (Gerry), Mother-in-law Joanne Messenger and the extended Messenger family, John (Penny), Nancy Hofstad (Kendal), sister-in-law Julie Messenger, Gretchen (Dave Wick) and Amy Beckham (Rich) plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Cate and Took, his father-in-law Dick Messenger, brother-in-law Marvin Messenger, and several aunts and uncles and cousins.

We will miss him every day, for all of our days. We are hundreds, and we are probably you too. Goodbye for now, Dad.

In lieu of memorials, contributions are encouraged to the Minnesota Independence College and Community or to Project Homeless Connect.

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