The photographic works of Nizhny Novgorod resident M.P. Dmitriev (1858-1948) consistently received awards at Russian and foreign photo exhibitions before the revolution. His "Volga Collection," which became the pinnacle of his creative path, not only elicited enthusiastic reviews but was also recognized as foundational in journalistic photojournalism. To create the longest-running reportage, the master needed hard work, financial investments, and ten years of effort.

This energetic man visited numerous settlements along the Volga, capturing magnificent landscapes and scenes from the lives of ordinary people on film. Dmitriev's works can be considered an informative chronicle of life in the Nizhny Novgorod region and all of Russia.

At the age of fourteen, he found himself in Moscow, where his mother arranged for him to be an assistant to the famous photographer M.P. Nastyukov, who even had members of the imperial family as clients. Here, Maxim gained experience and achieved success in mastering the artistic craft. He learned the subtleties of graphics in drawing classes at the Stroganov School.

At the Nizhny Novgorod Fair in 1874, Maxim met the local photographer A.O. Karelin, who had gained European fame. This acquaintance changed his fate, and he later became a pupil of Andrei Osipovich.

Dmitriev's first independent works were characterized by a strong social focus. After he presented a series of photographs at the Moscow Jubilee Photo Exhibition in 1889, it became clear that a great future awaited him.

Subsequently, Dmitriev gained recognition in Europe and the USA, becoming renowned as an outstanding portraitist and a pioneer of reportage photography. He also engaged in charity work and ethnographic research. His commercial acumen allowed him to open his own photo studio.

After his death in 1948, the house where Dmitriev's studio was located became the first photo museum in Russia. Today, admirers can see the best works of the photographer in his exhibitions.