MODE: The World’s Photography Festival

Ro.lexx is a photographer and creative director from Long Beach, California, known for building emotionally resonant imagery that lives at the intersection of music, culture, fashion, and storytelling. She began her career in 2015 and quickly became widely recognized for shooting the iconic cover of Trapsoul, helping define a visual era in modern R&B. Over the last decade, Ro.lexx has expanded her work far beyond photography, developing visual worlds, aesthetics, and narratives that deeply connect with audiences. Her portfolio spans album artwork, editorial imagery, global campaigns, and cultural storytelling, with collaborators including Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Khalid, Summer Walker, Rosalía, YG, Kobe Bryant, and Odell Beckham Jr. Her commercial partnerships include brands such as Nike, Jordan Brand, Levi's, and Adidas. As both an artist and a mother, Ro.lexx brings a human perspective to her work, capturing honesty, intimacy, and the beauty within real life. Her imagery blends cinematic emotion with cultural impact, solidifying her voice as one of the most distinctive photographers of her generation.

Ryan Laux is a freelance Motion Designer, Animator, VFX Artist, and Photographer specializing in high-impact short form visuals. With over 10 years of experience, he has created visual content for high profile brands such as Nikon, Insta360, Miss Universe, LiveNation, Jack Daniels, and many more, as well as collaborating with top independent content creators to help bring their visions to life. He has also found a niche in onsite specialty capture, creating Hyperlapse, 360, & VFX content from live music festivals to special events with social-first approach. Ryan previously served as a Senior Content Producer & Motion Designer at integrated PR agency MikeWorldWide, having written, shot, edited & produced a variety of multimedia pieces for high profile brands including Nikon, Atkins Nutritional, MetRx, Kelley Blue Book, Marshalls, & more.

Sanjay Suchak is a photographer and video director whose career has straddled the boundaries of both the music industry and photojournalism. As the photographer for the Dave Matthews Band and Public Enemy and video director for Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats he’s helped translate and record the energy of a live performance into lasting memories.  At home his documentary photography work now focuses on issues of race, identity, equity and memorialization in Virginia and across the South. His immersive work from 2016-2024 covering the efforts to remove Confederate statues has been featured in the New York Times and in museum exhibitions across the country.  His work has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, VQR, Politico and many others.

Sari Rowe brings more than 20 years of integrated production experience across leading agencies and creative studios in the U.S., including Ogilvy New York, TBWA\Chiat\Day, RPA, and VSA Partners Chicago, where she led the production department before transitioning into an Executive Producer role. She later developed and led the animation division at We Are Snyder before returning to the pharmaceutical sector, producing for Omnicom. With a strong background in multimedia production, Sari has built lasting industry relationships and deep expertise across photography, illustration, animation, live action, AI, Web3 technologies and experiential activations. Above all, Sari is passionate about discovering and championing emerging artists, as well as her love for her family and the beach, with a book, in a chair :)

Timothy Archibald has long believed that photography and the arts are a lifelong journey—a path shaped by continuous exploration and a personal connection to the medium. Introduced to photography as a teenager through the guidance of a strong mentor, Timothy has carried that spirit of mentorship throughout both his commercial and artistic careers, striving to build communities that nurture creative growth. As a working commercial photographer, his work has been featured in Communication Arts Photography Annual, American Photography Annual, Popular Photography, and Photo District News. His commercial client list includes major brands such as Facebook, McDonald’s, American Express, Netflix, and Botox Therapeutics. Beyond his commercial practice, Timothy’s personal projects have led to lectures and exhibitions at institutions ranging from SFMOMA and Emory University to the Museum of Sex in New York City. His work is also included in the permanent collection of Le Musée Français de la Photographie in Bièvres, France. Timothy’s current project is a work of narrative fiction titled The AI Camera Club. He is the Director of the School of Photography at The Academy of Art University.

Tony Bynum is a Montana-based conservation photographer and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Grand Ronde. With a Master’s degree in Resource Management and extensive experience as an environmental scientist and resource manager—including work with the Yakama Nation and the EPA—Bynum uniquely blends tribal values, scientific expertise, and policy knowledge in his photography. His work focuses on conservation, wildlife, public lands, and environmental stewardship, creating powerful narratives that go beyond aesthetics to highlight ecological and cultural significance. Since 2006, Bynum has been commissioned to create images on six continents. His wildlife photographs have appeared on over 300 magazine and book covers. He is regularly commissioned by publications and platforms such as The Washington Post, Terre Sauvage, The Weather Channel, NPR, Montana Quarterly, and many more. He has also contributed to award-winning films, including National Parks Adventure (2016), The Last Keeper (2024), and The Real Yellowstone (2025). His conservation photography work has also been featured by the New York Times and Der Spiegel. As a past president of the Professional Outdoor Media Association and a passionate advocate for conservation, Bynum’s philosophy, “Don't just love something, do something for it,” encapsulates his dedication to protecting nature, public lands, natural resources, and cultures around the world.