Art Wolfe
B&H Guest Speaker
Born in Washington State, Art Wolfe is an American photographer and conservationist, best known for color images of landscapes, wildlife and native cultures. He graduated from the University of Washington with bachelor's degrees in fine arts and art education in 1975, where he studied under professors such as Jacob Lawrence. His photography career spans five decades. During that time, he has worked on every continent, documenting scenes in hundreds of locations, and covering a dazzling array of projects. He still calls the city of Seattle home.
B&H Guest Speaker
Born in Washington State, Art Wolfe is an American photographer and conservationist, best known for color images of landscapes, wildlife and native cultures. He graduated from the University of Washington with bachelor's degrees in fine arts and art education in 1975, where he studied under professors such as Jacob Lawrence. His photography career spans five decades. During that time, he has worked on every continent, documenting scenes in hundreds of locations, and covering a dazzling array of projects. He still calls the city of Seattle home.
Casey Neistat
JOBY Ambassador
Award-winning filmmaker, storyteller and YouTube legend, Casey Neistat, is a digital creator whose videos have reached billions. You can still catch him exiting his studio on his skateboard with his camera and mic in hand, ready to vlog his next adventure. Casey’s creative process is unique and inspires digital creators to think outside the box, and redefine their creative potential. To Casey, it’s not the idea that matters, it’s the execution that makes the difference. Anything can happen while filming and creators need to be ready to catch it.
JOBY Ambassador
Award-winning filmmaker, storyteller and YouTube legend, Casey Neistat, is a digital creator whose videos have reached billions. You can still catch him exiting his studio on his skateboard with his camera and mic in hand, ready to vlog his next adventure. Casey’s creative process is unique and inspires digital creators to think outside the box, and redefine their creative potential. To Casey, it’s not the idea that matters, it’s the execution that makes the difference. Anything can happen while filming and creators need to be ready to catch it.
Ami Vitale
Photographer
Ami Vitale is a renowned Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer who has traveled to over 100 countries, capturing the realities of war and the inspiring efforts of those making a difference. Recognized as one of the most influential conservation photographers of her generation, she has received numerous awards, including the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and the Lucie Humanitarian Award. Ami is also the author of the best-selling book "Panda Love" and founded the non-profit Vital Impacts, which empowers youth through art activism. In 2023, she was featured on the National Geographic Channel's Explorer TV series, continuing her mission to raise awareness about wildlife and environmental issues.
Photographer
Ami Vitale is a renowned Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer who has traveled to over 100 countries, capturing the realities of war and the inspiring efforts of those making a difference. Recognized as one of the most influential conservation photographers of her generation, she has received numerous awards, including the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and the Lucie Humanitarian Award. Ami is also the author of the best-selling book "Panda Love" and founded the non-profit Vital Impacts, which empowers youth through art activism. In 2023, she was featured on the National Geographic Channel's Explorer TV series, continuing her mission to raise awareness about wildlife and environmental issues.
Scott Kelby
Photographer and Author
Scott Kelby is the president of KelbyOne, an online educational community dedicated to photographers. He is also the editor, publisher, and co-founder of Photoshop User magazine, as well as the host of The Grid, a live weekly talk show. Additionally, he founded the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk™. As a photographer, designer, and award-winning author, his notable works include Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It, The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, The Flash Book, The Natural Light Photography Book, and The Digital Photography Book, which is the best-selling book on digital photography to date.
Photographer and Author
Scott Kelby is the president of KelbyOne, an online educational community dedicated to photographers. He is also the editor, publisher, and co-founder of Photoshop User magazine, as well as the host of The Grid, a live weekly talk show. Additionally, he founded the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk™. As a photographer, designer, and award-winning author, his notable works include Light It, Shoot It, Retouch It, The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, The Flash Book, The Natural Light Photography Book, and The Digital Photography Book, which is the best-selling book on digital photography to date.
Mark Seliger
B&H Guest Speaker
Mark Seliger is a photographer whose clients include Vanity Fair, Elle, GQ, Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, German Vogue, Adidas, Anheuser-Busch, Lee, McDonald’s, Netflix, Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban and many more. His photographs are part of the permanent collection of the Houston Fine Art Museum, as well as the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Seliger is the recipient of awards such as: Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, Lucie Award, Clio Grand Prix, Cannes Lions Grand Prix, ASME’s and the 2019 Texas Medal of Arts Award.
B&H Guest Speaker
Mark Seliger is a photographer whose clients include Vanity Fair, Elle, GQ, Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, German Vogue, Adidas, Anheuser-Busch, Lee, McDonald’s, Netflix, Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban and many more. His photographs are part of the permanent collection of the Houston Fine Art Museum, as well as the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Seliger is the recipient of awards such as: Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, Lucie Award, Clio Grand Prix, Cannes Lions Grand Prix, ASME’s and the 2019 Texas Medal of Arts Award.
Grace Wells
B&H Guest Speaker
Grace helps brands find and express their voices on social media to raise awareness and solidify consumer loyalty. Best known for her series, "Making Epic Commercials for Random Objects," which has garnered 134M views across 21 videos for objects like an egg, dirt, milk and a crumb, Grace has built a TikTok creator platform of over 2.4M followers with 55M likes. Grace produces, directs and edits both paid and organic content for brands such as L'Oreal, The Weather Channel, Sabra, Poppi and Dawn to create fresh and exciting videos.
B&H Guest Speaker
Grace helps brands find and express their voices on social media to raise awareness and solidify consumer loyalty. Best known for her series, "Making Epic Commercials for Random Objects," which has garnered 134M views across 21 videos for objects like an egg, dirt, milk and a crumb, Grace has built a TikTok creator platform of over 2.4M followers with 55M likes. Grace produces, directs and edits both paid and organic content for brands such as L'Oreal, The Weather Channel, Sabra, Poppi and Dawn to create fresh and exciting videos.
Dan Winters
B&H Guest Speaker
Dan Winters is widely recognized for his celebrity portraiture, scientific and aerospace photography, photojournalism and illustrations. He has won 100+ awards globally, including a World Press Photo award, the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Magazine Photography, the Art Directors Club of New York and Life Magazine, among others. He was also honored by Kodak as a photo “Icon” in their biographical “Legends” series. Winters has published six books and had multiple solo exhibitions in NYC, Los Angeles, Savannah, Siena, Italy, Madrid, Spain and Sharjah, UAE.
B&H Guest Speaker
Dan Winters is widely recognized for his celebrity portraiture, scientific and aerospace photography, photojournalism and illustrations. He has won 100+ awards globally, including a World Press Photo award, the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award for Magazine Photography, the Art Directors Club of New York and Life Magazine, among others. He was also honored by Kodak as a photo “Icon” in their biographical “Legends” series. Winters has published six books and had multiple solo exhibitions in NYC, Los Angeles, Savannah, Siena, Italy, Madrid, Spain and Sharjah, UAE.
Alex Stemplewski
Creator and Photographer
Alex Stemplewski is one of the most followed photographers online, boasting over 20 million followers across various social media platforms. He is known for pioneering the genre of approaching strangers for impromptu modeling shoots. By blending his photography with narrative storytelling, he captures both striking images and the compelling stories behind them.
Creator and Photographer
Alex Stemplewski is one of the most followed photographers online, boasting over 20 million followers across various social media platforms. He is known for pioneering the genre of approaching strangers for impromptu modeling shoots. By blending his photography with narrative storytelling, he captures both striking images and the compelling stories behind them.
Shuang Hu
Actress, Producer, and Content Creator
Shuang Hu is a talented Chinese-Australian actress, writer, director, producer, and content creator who has gained over 12 million followers since starting her online content in March 2020. Her YouTube channel, THEONESHU, was listed as one of the top 50 most viewed US channels by Tubefilter.com, and her most viral short-form video has received over 298 million views. Shuang has appeared in various TV shows, films, and plays, including "The Family Law" (Hulu) and "Beyond the Reef" (Amazon Prime). She also co-wrote, co-created, produced, and starred in Amazon Prime's first original feature film, "Five Blind Dates," launched in February 2024, and she aims to continue sharing engaging stories across different platforms.
Actress, Producer, and Content Creator
Shuang Hu is a talented Chinese-Australian actress, writer, director, producer, and content creator who has gained over 12 million followers since starting her online content in March 2020. Her YouTube channel, THEONESHU, was listed as one of the top 50 most viewed US channels by Tubefilter.com, and her most viral short-form video has received over 298 million views. Shuang has appeared in various TV shows, films, and plays, including "The Family Law" (Hulu) and "Beyond the Reef" (Amazon Prime). She also co-wrote, co-created, produced, and starred in Amazon Prime's first original feature film, "Five Blind Dates," launched in February 2024, and she aims to continue sharing engaging stories across different platforms.
Drex Lee
Creator and Filmmaker
Drex Lee is an iconic filmmaker known for his signature "Epic 1 Shot" style, which has captivated audiences across social media. He inspires both emerging and established creators with simple yet effective filming techniques. With over 6 billion views on his channels alone, he has caught the attention of Hollywood heavyweights and collaborated with some of the most notable A-listers in Los Angeles. Drex creates content across various genres, with his favorites being Action Choreography, Super Cars, Culinary Arts, and Travel. He embodies the philosophy of always creating and finding joy in his craft.
Creator and Filmmaker
Drex Lee is an iconic filmmaker known for his signature "Epic 1 Shot" style, which has captivated audiences across social media. He inspires both emerging and established creators with simple yet effective filming techniques. With over 6 billion views on his channels alone, he has caught the attention of Hollywood heavyweights and collaborated with some of the most notable A-listers in Los Angeles. Drex creates content across various genres, with his favorites being Action Choreography, Super Cars, Culinary Arts, and Travel. He embodies the philosophy of always creating and finding joy in his craft.
Kendall Vertes
Content Creator
Kendall Vertes, one of the original Pittsburgh girls, is a talented dancer, singer, and creator. She continues to dance competitively and recently won the national championship at the collegiate level for the James Madison University Dance Team in 2024. Known as the relatable "Dance Moms girl," Kendall is celebrated for her charismatic and down-to-earth personality. She showcases her vibrant and fun-loving spirit on her social media through lifestyle and family content.
Content Creator
Kendall Vertes, one of the original Pittsburgh girls, is a talented dancer, singer, and creator. She continues to dance competitively and recently won the national championship at the collegiate level for the James Madison University Dance Team in 2024. Known as the relatable "Dance Moms girl," Kendall is celebrated for her charismatic and down-to-earth personality. She showcases her vibrant and fun-loving spirit on her social media through lifestyle and family content.
Shane Hurlbut, ASC
Co-Founder of Filmmakers Academy and Cinematographer
Shane Hurlbut, ASC, is a distinguished director of photography with over three decades of experience, known for his innovative storytelling and collaboration in cinema. Currently filming Way of the Warrior Kid with McG and Chris Pratt, his filmography features hits like Need for Speed, Terminator: Salvation, and Disney+’s Safety. A dedicated mentor, Hurlbut co-founded Filmmakers Academy with his wife, Lydia, and is a member of the ASC, International Cinematographers Guild, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Co-Founder of Filmmakers Academy and Cinematographer
Shane Hurlbut, ASC, is a distinguished director of photography with over three decades of experience, known for his innovative storytelling and collaboration in cinema. Currently filming Way of the Warrior Kid with McG and Chris Pratt, his filmography features hits like Need for Speed, Terminator: Salvation, and Disney+’s Safety. A dedicated mentor, Hurlbut co-founded Filmmakers Academy with his wife, Lydia, and is a member of the ASC, International Cinematographers Guild, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Thandiwe Muriu
Visual Artist
Thandiwe Muriu is a Kenyan artist known for creating surreal illusions using vibrant kitenge fabric, reflecting themes of womanhood and identity. A self-taught photographer, she discovered her passion at 14 and quickly gained recognition in the male-dominated advertising industry, culminating in her first solo campaign by age 23 and working with major East African companies by 2019. Her initial project, the Camo series, emerged from her experiences as a woman in this field, pushing her artistic boundaries while blending cultural practices and contemporary issues. Today, Muriu's work is represented in prestigious collections, including the Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon and the Fondation Gandur pour l’Art, and she is acknowledged as a rising star in contemporary photography.
Visual Artist
Thandiwe Muriu is a Kenyan artist known for creating surreal illusions using vibrant kitenge fabric, reflecting themes of womanhood and identity. A self-taught photographer, she discovered her passion at 14 and quickly gained recognition in the male-dominated advertising industry, culminating in her first solo campaign by age 23 and working with major East African companies by 2019. Her initial project, the Camo series, emerged from her experiences as a woman in this field, pushing her artistic boundaries while blending cultural practices and contemporary issues. Today, Muriu's work is represented in prestigious collections, including the Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon and the Fondation Gandur pour l’Art, and she is acknowledged as a rising star in contemporary photography.
Oren Soffer
Director of Photography
Oren recently completed shooting the feature film "Onslaught" for director Adam Wingard and A24, following his work on "The Creator" directed by Gareth Edwards, which was released in 2023 and recognized with a BAFTA shortlist and two Academy Award nominations. In 2024, he was named one of Variety's 10 Cinematographers to Watch. His other feature films premiered at TIFF and Tribeca in 2022, and he has also directed award-winning short films like "Opera of Cruelty" and "See You Soon." Oren studied at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, earning a nomination for the ASC Gordon Willis Student Heritage Award, and has filmed numerous commercials and music videos for clients such as Nike, BMW, and HBO.
Director of Photography
Oren recently completed shooting the feature film "Onslaught" for director Adam Wingard and A24, following his work on "The Creator" directed by Gareth Edwards, which was released in 2023 and recognized with a BAFTA shortlist and two Academy Award nominations. In 2024, he was named one of Variety's 10 Cinematographers to Watch. His other feature films premiered at TIFF and Tribeca in 2022, and he has also directed award-winning short films like "Opera of Cruelty" and "See You Soon." Oren studied at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, earning a nomination for the ASC Gordon Willis Student Heritage Award, and has filmed numerous commercials and music videos for clients such as Nike, BMW, and HBO.
