FROM INSPIRATION TO PUBLICATION
David & Kelly Hutchison
The Making of “Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape”
Exploring the creative process behind a 224-page coffee table book. With 20 years of nature & wildlife photography experience, David has 100s of images published in books, magazines, calendars & more around the globe. Recently, David published his first book (co-authored with his wife, Kelly), Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape, which has become a BC bestseller for over 13 consecutive weeks (available in bookstores across Canada). David is continuously inspired by both landscape and wildlife photography and has photographed across Western Canada, the Yukon, many US states, as well as Italy. David is passionate about preserving old-growth forests and works to increase public awareness through his photography.
During their presentation, David & Kelly will lead you through the process of creating their first book together so that you can learn how to create, publish, distribute, and sell your very own photography book.
Through the Lens of Success: capturing the journey from passion to profit
Aura McKay
An award-winning photographer turned business coach, Aura McKay is the founder of Business of Creativity and a champion for sustainable success in creative entrepreneurship. She holds a Master of Photographic Arts (MPA) and blends artistic credibility with real-world business savvy. Aura specializes in helping freelancers and solopreneurs gain clarity, increase profitability, and thrive doing work they love. As a sought-after speaker and educator, she brings over 20 years of experience to the stage—facilitating conversations that spark transformation.
Join Business of Creativity Coach, Aura McKay, as she moderates a candid conversation with four accomplished photographers who have built thriving careers in diverse niches. From first clients to six-figure incomes, creative pivots to retirement legacies, this panel pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a sustainable photography business. Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or reimagining your next chapter, you’ll walk away inspired and armed with practical insights to shape your own path to success.
USING AI AS A CREATIVE CALCULATOR
Eric Stewart
Eric Stewart is a technical photo-geek and lover of all genres of photography. He strives to impart the technical expertise students need to excel in the field of photography. He is a Langara College photography instructor, a curator for Canada’s World Photographic Cup team, and an international photography judge. His true passion lies in teaching students how to critique images in order for them to grow and create even better photographs. With Eric’s innovative teaching practices, students take ownership of their own learning and push themselves towards excellence.
Eric will reveal how AI can become a powerful tool for sparking fresh photographic ideas. AI can help you quickly explore emotional depth and compositional choices in new ways. You’ll also see how AI can assist in critiquing images, offering fresh perspectives that challenge and refine your creative decisions. Discover how to craft effective prompts that make AI a sharp, responsive tool in your creative process.
THE POWER OF PERSONAL: TURNING NICHE WORK INTO COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
Tilly Nelson
Tilly Nelson is a commercial advertising photographer based between Canada and England known for creating inclusive, joyful imagery that focuses on kids and adults in both fashion and lifestyle campaigns. Tilly has established herself as an industry leader, creating joyful imagery as a vehicle to champion diversity and inclusion in commercial advertising. Her passion for amplifying voices of underrepresented communities through authentic representation has helped her carve out a niche expertise that has led to international awards and industry-wide recognition.
Tilly’s talk will take us on a journey through the ups and downs of finding your niche, embracing discomfort, and being intentional with your time and effort. She’ll talk through how her personal projects have not only shaped the photography she is now known for but have also led to jobs and opportunities she would never have thought possible.
REAL FACES, SMART TOOLS: A NEW ERA IN HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Rafal Wegiel
Rafal Wegiel is a Calgary-based headshot photographer known for creating powerful, personality-driven portraits that help professionals make a lasting impression. With over a decade of experience working with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and creatives, Rafal brings a deep understanding of human expression and visual storytelling into every session. His work is focused on capturing authenticity, confidence, and connection through thoughtful direction and detail.
In addition to running his portrait studio, Rafal is the founder of RWPHOTO Media, where he explores the evolving role of AI in photography. By combining traditional techniques with cutting-edge tools, he’s pushing creative boundaries and reshaping how we approach modern portraiture. His mission is simple: to show the soul behind the face—whether through the lens or with the help of new technology.
Rafal will walk us through his practical workflow of high end headshot photography and discover how Al can streamline your process, elevate your visual impact, and transform the way you approach creativity.
IMAGINATION REALIZED: MIXING PHOTOGRAPHY, COLLAGE, AND AI
Emily Cooper
Emily Cooper is a commercial photographer, digital illustrator, and collage artist
whose work blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination. Mixing
photography, collage, and AI, she creates imaginative visuals that bring
impossible ideas to life.
Whether building a surreal composite or pushing the limits of visual storytelling, Emily approaches each project as a journey into the unexpected. Her wild ideas make imagery that surprises, delights, and lingers long after the lens is put away. Her work has been recognized nationally and internationally, including the Communication Arts Award, the Applied Arts Award, and inclusion in Lürzer’s 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide.
Emily will lead us in a playful, hands-on workshop where photography leaps into the imagination. You’ll explore collage techniques, experiment with AI, learn compositing tricks, and walk away with a one-of-a-kind image that pushes your creativity beyond the frame.