YK

YK films a series of short how-to videos at specific locations around Minneapolis before the festival, pinned in the MODE app. Attendees follow the map, find the spots, and use YK's tutorials to recreate the image or put their own spin on it, without YK needing to be present. A city-wide, self-guided photography challenge that will turn Minneapolis into a classroom.

A forward-looking celebration of New York street photography in 2026, exploring how today's creators are documenting the city differently while honoring its cultural memory. The conversation covers the influence of 90s film aesthetics, street photography as a cultural archive, building a recognizable voice, and translating personal work into sustainable opportunities.

Breaking down his instinctive but structured approach to street photography, YK teaches participants how to read an environment, anticipate a moment before it happens, and compose on the spot. Drawing on his signature cinematic and moody visual style, this session shows that great street photography is part patience, part preparation, with a little bit of luck.

YK leads participants through the streets of Minneapolis, training their eyes to notice the details, shadows, and fleeting moments that most people walk past. Followed by a group edit session where participants fine-tune their images together.

Singapore-based street photographer and self-taught creative YK takes you through his journey from shooting city architecture on an iPhone 4 to becoming one of Asia's most followed photographers. With over a million Instagram followers and clients including Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Porsche, and Apple, YK gives a cinematic, story-driven talk about learning to see the details others walk past, and building a global creative career on curiosity.