Ben Weiland

A conversation on what it takes to build a sustainable career as a creative nomad. Beyond the laptop-on-the-beach fantasy, the panel covers income architecture, layering revenue streams, choosing base cities intentionally, managing clients across time zones, and designing mobility without sacrificing stability or creative depth.

From underwater surf cinematography to the Arctic, Ben Weiland and Brian Davis have figured out how to get the shot in conditions most crews would turn around for. This workshop covers the practical realities of filming in remote and extreme environments: gear, safety, logistics, and the creative problem-solving that turns footage into a film.

Ben Weiland and Brian "Bobcat" Davis have spent over a decade building Fielder Films into one of the most distinctive adventure filmmaking studios today, with original films screened at Tribeca, distributed through Red Bull, and brand work spanning surfing, cycling, running, and exploration at the ends of the earth. In this session, they walk through how their films actually get made, using their own work as case studies to cover creative approach, production process, and what it looks like to tell a compelling story with a small budget and crew.

A conversation on the craft, business, and lifestyle of building a creative career in the outdoor industry, with adventure photographers and filmmakers working across personal projects and high-stakes assignments for major brands in some of the world's most challenging environments. Plus a look at photography's role in the conservation movement: how images drive public awareness, shift policy, and connect people to places worth protecting.