Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maksim Zverev. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Maksim, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were starting over today, I’d definitely do some things differently. In the beginning, I spent way too much time trying to plan everything perfectly before making any big moves. Now I know it’s way better to just get started and improve little by little. Getting 1% better every day is a lot more valuable than standing still, overthinking every decision.

That being said, I also believe that everyone needs to go through their own experience. It’s how we learn and grow. But if I could give myself one piece of advice from the start, it would be this: don’t set your expectations too high. Dream big, sure, but stay realistic. The small, consistent steps forward really add up over time.

So yeah, if I were doing it all again, I’d focus less on having everything perfect and more on just taking action, learning from mistakes, and trusting the process. Progress is progress, even if it’s not perfect. Just keep moving forward and things will start to come together.

Maksim, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. I started out playing music and being in a rock band, but over time I got more into visual arts. I’ve done a little bit of everything—photography, editing, motion design, 3D art, video retouching—but what really hooked me was color grading.

There’s just something about how color can totally change the feel of a scene. It’s such a powerful tool, whether you’re setting the mood or guiding the viewer’s attention. So now I focus on color grading for films and commercial projects. I help bring the visuals to life, making sure the color enhances the story in the best way possible. I’ve had the chance to work with big names like Vogue, GQ, Numéro, Esquire, and collaborate with celebrities like Zoe Saldana, Christina Ricci, Sydney Sweeney, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Idris Elba, and many others.

What makes me different is probably the way I mix technical skills with creativity. I’ve spent a lot of time learning from top colorists and always push myself to improve. My clients really appreciate how I can bring their vision to life and make everything look polished and cohesive. One of the things I’m proud of is being involved in that final stage of a project—where the color work adds the finishing touch and makes it all come together.

If someone’s interested in working with me, I want them to know that I approach every project with care and creativity. Whether it’s an indie film, a commercial, or something bigger, I always look for ways to make the visuals pop and feel just right for the story.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my career was when I shifted my focus from a broad range of creative roles to specializing in color grading. Early in my career, I worked in many areas—photography, editing, 3D graphics, and video retouching. While I enjoyed these roles, I realized over time that not having a clear focus was limiting my growth.

What drew me in was color correction. I became fascinated by how much color could transform the mood and emotional impact of a scene. This realization made me commit fully to color grading. It was a challenge at first to let go of other skills I had developed, but this pivot allowed me to refine my craft and grow as a professional.

This shift opened new doors for me, leading to collaborations with major brands and celebrities. Focusing on color grading has been one of the best decisions I’ve made, allowing me to carve out a unique place in the industry.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that everything needs to be perfectly planned before taking action. Early in my career, I used to spend a lot of time trying to predict and map out every step of the process. I thought that if I could just plan everything perfectly, I’d avoid mistakes and setbacks. But in reality, this approach slowed me down more than it helped.

The turning point came when I realized that it’s more important to focus on making progress, even if it’s just small improvements each day. I learned that getting 1% better every day is much more valuable than standing still, waiting for the “perfect” moment. By letting go of the need for perfection and just diving into projects, I gained experience faster and learned much more along the way.

This shift in mindset helped me embrace the idea that mistakes and challenges are part of the process, and that real growth comes from taking action and adjusting as you go. It’s a lesson that continues to shape my approach to work today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxgrades/
• Other: https://www.itsnova.com/maxgrades