MODE: The World’s Photography Festival

Kelly Allison is an award-winning commercial director and photographer whose colorful, kinetic approach to storytelling has made them a sought-after creative partner for brands including MillerCoors, DoorDash, Kraft Heinz, Hershey's, Ziploc, and Del Monte. Drawn to the gooey, splashy, drippy, and stretchy, Kelly transforms the human story into immersive visual experiences that capture attention and spark emotion. Their work sits at the intersection of technical precision, playful experimentation, and authentic interpersonal connection.

Liz Miller Gershfeld spent 23 years as an executive art producer at a creative ad agency, on photo sets and in the rooms where decisions get made about who gets hired, what gets made, and what an image is allowed to be. She left in 2022 and walked straight into the most disorienting creative moment of her career. She's been in it ever since. Working under the name Not Liz AI, she makes short films, builds experimental tools, and collaborates with clients, bringing everything she learned about craft, intention, and creative judgment into a space that is still very much being figured out. She doesn't have a tidy answer for what AI means for image-making. She has a practice, a lot of questions, and a genuine belief that the people who've spent years caring about how images are made are exactly the ones who should be in this conversation.

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Naskademini is a Canadian born photographer and director and a first generation son of Caribbean parents. He founded Studio Espace Gris in Montreal in 2009 and is a co founder of If These Walls Could Talk Gallery. His work moves between portraiture, editorial assignments, commercial projects, and personal studies that look closely at people and the spaces they move through. He has contributed photography and visual direction to Grammy nominated and platinum selling projects, while continuing to build a body of work that pays attention to quiet moments, gesture, and the stories found in everyday settings. He is drawn to images that feel grounded and human. Studio Espace Gris remains his home base and the centre of his studio practice. From there he develops projects connected to music, culture, and contemporary life, with a continued interest in how images hold memory and carry meaning for the communities they come from. Naskademini is a Canadian born photographer and director and a first generation son of Caribbean parents. He founded Studio Espace Gris in Montreal in 2009 and is a co founder of If These Walls Could Talk Gallery. His work moves between portraiture, editorial assignments, commercial projects, and personal studies that look closely at people and the spaces they move through. He has contributed photography and visual direction to Grammy nominated and platinum selling projects, while continuing to build a body of work that pays attention to quiet moments, gesture, and the stories found in everyday settings. He is drawn to images that feel grounded and human. Studio Espace Gris remains his home base and the centre of his studio practice. From there he develops projects connected to music, culture, and contemporary life, with a continued interest in how images hold memory and carry meaning for the communities they come from.

Rooted in south-east London, where he was born, raised, and still lives, Nico Froehlich is a British photographer, director and cultural practitioner whose practice centres on human connection and belonging. His images celebrate the richness of everyday life, emphasising social realism and drawing attention to overlooked moments and perspectives that shape community and identity. Nico’s work has received international recognition, earning him awards including the Budapest International Foto Award, Creative Review Photography Annual, LensCulture Portrait Award, LensCulture Critics’ Choice Award, Lucie Foundation Award, Tokyo International Foto Award, and consecutive winning portraits in the British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain. His work has been exhibited across Europe, the USA, and Asia, at events such as Photo London and Paris Photo, as well as through a permanent display at Heathrow Airport. His photography has been featured in leading publications including the British Journal of Photography, The Economist, The Financial Times, The Guardian, ITV, NBC News, The New Statesman, The Observer, and The Royal Photographic Society Journal. In addition to his extensive personal projects, Nico collaborates on advertising campaigns, cultural commissions, and editorial assignments for clients, civic institutions, brands, and publications worldwide. As a cultural practitioner, he has been commissioned to deliver projects that combine documentary photography with cultural engagement, such as Portrait of Havering - a civic institution commission for Havering London’s cultural strategy, A Good Life. His practice often extends into youth-focused initiatives, introducing young people to hyperlocal documentary photography and encouraging them to take ownership of their perspectives in shaping authentic, optimistic representations of place.

Olivia Bee is a photographer and director. She is intrigued by the magic of everyday life, a human's inherent connection with land, the duality of love, and how the beauty of memories (real or imagined) touches us. With an initial rise in the photography world via Flickr in 2009, she began shooting commercially for international brands such as Nike and Converse at the age of 15, had a New York Times Magazine cover under her belt at 16, and a commission for Hermès by 17. While she was still a teenager, spearheading the rebrand of the iconic Cacharel fragrance Anaïs Anaïs got her foot officially in the door of the directing world. Within a few years, her music video for Olivia Rodrigo's "traitor" was nominated for a VMA in 2022, and her narrative short film "All The World" showed at multiple festivals in the US. She became the youngest artist to have a book published with Aperture Foundation with the release of her monograph "Kids In Love" at 22 years old in 2016. The work was shown as a solo show at Aperture Foundation as well as agnès b in New York City. She has been included in group exhibitions with Danziger Gallery, agnès b, Aperture Foundation, Weinstein Gallery, Bernal Espacio Galeria, and with Van Cleef & Arpels in Kyoto and Paris. Her solo show "In The Secret Distance" showed at Headstone Gallery at Upstate Art Weekend in 2025, as well as online at Danziger Gallery. Olivia has given two Tedx talks and has spoken at conferences around the world. She has been listed in PDN 30 Under 30 and Forbes 30 Under 30. Olivia lives in Southwestern Oregon with her husband, Joe, and their daughter, Mary. They run Y Knot Farm + Ranch in Oregon's Umpqua Valley, with a focus on regenerative, pasture raised meats. The dance between the rootedness of farm life, and the sparkle of international travel, punctuated with art making, is what makes Olivia tick.

Photographer Paul Seibert is known for his dramatic aerial images of New York City. Raised in the New York metropolitan area, he developed a deep familiarity with the city that later shaped his artistic focus. His work centers on capturing the scale, structure, and energy of urban life from perspectives rarely seen, particularly from above. Over the course of his career, Seibert has spent more than 15 years photographing New York, with a strong emphasis on aerial photography in recent years. His role as a photographer and director of digital content for a New Jersey based helicopter company gave him extensive access to helicopter shoots, allowing him to refine his technique and pursue ambitious projects. He is known for pushing technical limits, including photographing the city from extreme altitudes to achieve unique and expansive views. Seibert’s work is showcased in his book New York From the Air (2022), which features hundreds of images highlighting the city’s architecture, density, and atmosphere. His photography emphasizes patterns, light, and perspective, often transforming familiar landmarks into abstract compositions. Through his work, he offers a fresh way of seeing one of the world’s most photographed cities, reinforcing his reputation as a leading voice in modern aerial photography. Along with being a full time creator, Paul has also run large social media accounts, created, directed, produced and hosted YouTube series. Paul has worked with brands such as Canon USA, New York Road Runners, Tropicana, Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Foundation, New York or Nowhere, National Parks Conservation Assoc., and Empire State Realty Trust. Community and education are two passion areas of Paul’s creative life, and supporting young creatives is an extremely important part of Paul’s life outside of his creative activities.

Penny De Los Santos is a visual storyteller, photographer, and director who has traveled the world documenting people, food, and culture for publications including National Geographic, Bon Appétit, Saveur, and Eating Well. From the historical all-male dining clubs of the Basque Country to third-culture life on the Mexican-American borderlands, these experiences are at the heart of Penny's work — shaping the subjects they choose and the way they make photographs. Her distinctive perspective and creative style have attracted commissions from Starbucks, Walmart, Target, and Martini & Rossi. She has also received numerous grants and fellowships, including the National Geographic Photography Grant, the Eastman Kodak Photography Grant, the Canon USA Photography Grant, and the Parsons School of Design Marty Forsher Fellowship. Penny is based in New York City.

PHNTM is an experience company designing and producing ambitious work at the intersection of art, music, technology, and community.

Polly Irungu is a Kenyan-born, Washington, D.C.–based photographer, photo editor, and community builder who believes deeply in the power of visual storytelling to create access, equity, and change. Driven by curiosity, care, and a strong sense of responsibility, Polly is especially committed to uplifting Black and African women creatives whose stories have historically been overlooked. A former White House photographer and photo editor, she is passionate about representation, fairness, and building systems that allow talented people not just to be seen, but to thrive. As the founder of Black Women Photographers, Polly is most energized when she's connecting people, opening doors, and helping creatives gain the confidence, resources, and opportunities they deserve. Passionate about mentorship, collaboration, and community-building, she values both the craft of photography and the business behind it—believing sustainable careers are just as important as powerful images. Whether documenting history, leading conversations about equity in the creative industry, or supporting emerging photographers, Polly approaches everything with intention, generosity, and a belief in collective success.

Pratik Naik is a high-end retoucher based in the United States, specializing in commercial and editorial work. With over 15 years of experience, he retains a deep passion for mastering the art of retouching in Photoshop. His background in fine art fuels his passion for retouching. Naik believes in a streamlined, seamless approach that respects the photographer's original vision while striving for flawless results. His ultimate goal is to preserve the natural essence of an image while elevating it to the photographer's exacting standards. Alongside his retouching work, Naik finds great satisfaction in teaching. He enjoys simplifying complex techniques, making them accessible for aspiring retouchers. Witnessing the "aha!" moment when concepts become clear for a student brings him immense fulfillment. Additionally, Naik is the founder of Infinite Color, a leading Photoshop color grading extension, and their suite of other powerful Infinite tools.

Hailing from the Bronx, now residing in Brooklyn. Raheim is known in the photography community as Black Soap (a moniker that reflects his affinity for “dark and clean” images), Raheim is a New York-based digital creative. A storyteller in the truest form, his work is rooted in Black culture, grimey street photography, and abandoned spaces. Raheim is regarded for his ability to capture the emotional rawness of a moment.  Beyond his creative work, Raheim is the co founder of Environmental Hood Restoration (EHR), a nonprofit focused on uplifting underserved communities through initiatives such as food drives, youth programs, and neighborhood revitalization efforts—further grounding his work in real impact and cultural connection.

Reuben Wu is a multidisciplinary artist who explores new ways of telling compelling stories about the world we inhabit. His pioneering work with aerial lighting and long-exposure photography has defined a singular style within contemporary landscape photography with work held in the collections of Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and MoMA. His practice centers on fine art and extends to creative collaborations with brands including Apple, Volkswagen, Google, and Mercedes-Benz, as well as ongoing work as a National Geographic contributor. Originally from Liverpool, UK, Reuben works globally and lives in Chicago.

Rob Grimm is a commercial beverage, food, and product photographer with a bold, cinematic style and a serious obsession with glass, liquids, and great design. Rob has built high-impact campaigns for brands like Jack Daniel's, Bacardi, Woodford Reserve, Kraft, and Panera, but what really sets him apart is how he blends old-school craft with new-school tools—bringing AI-integrated workflows into the studio without ever losing the human touch. Rob is a creative partner, a problem solver, and someone who has never stopped evolving.

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.

Bio coming soon!

Artist details and schedule coming soon!

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.

Bio coming soon!

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.