Writer: Chris Ahrens
When our own Aaron Chang was profiled for this section of RISEN, he had only one request: “I’d like my portrait to be done by Robert Maxwell.” Chang, who is at the top of his field, elaborated only by saying, “He’s one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen.” Maxwell humbly bats the compliment back into Chang’s court, before adding that it was he, Chang, who convinced him to drop everything else fifteen years ago, pack his bags, head to France, and pursue a full-time photography career. The move seems to have worked out, since Maxwell has worked for many major publications, includi ng Vanity Fair, Vogue, Mademoiselle, W, Elle, Interview, and The New York Times Magazine. In the last decade and a half, he has shot everyone from Presidential candidate John Kerry to actor Johnny Depp.
    So how does a La Jolla surfer and high schoo