SPEAKERS

We curated a dynamic group of speakers across the creative industries to provide a rich educational experience for our attendees.  

Some of our 2022 Speakers...

VANESSA HICKS

Vanessa Hicks is a destination wedding and portrait photographer currently documenting love in San Diego! She is a military spouse and Navy Veteran as well! She truly believes in empowering others, and the importance of documenting her client’s legacy! She has been published worldwide, and has been voted Hawaii’s #1 Wedding Photographer back to back in 2018 and 2019! When she’s doesn’t have a camera in her hand , you can find her with a Starbucks cup in her hand at Disneyland, watching Harry Potter or The Office on reruns, or just lounging on the beach with an umbrella drink in hand!

REFUGE & CO.

​Anna and Ryan are a husband and wife team and the founders of Refuge & Co.!  Refuge is a 16 member photography company who believes in celebrating life and love, relationships over transactions, and creating experiences that feel like a Refuge for all they are blessed to love and serve! After a bold move and following their dreams, Anna and Ryan call Rosemary Beach, Florida home and have team members all over the SouthEast.  Anna and Ryan specialize in wedding and portrait photography, are passionate about educating other photographers on how to build a life of freedom instead of just flexibility while serving people- not their cameras, and are professionals at POPPIN' the CONFETTI and BOOMIN (also known as boomerangs :) )!

RUTH MILLER

Ruth Miller is a professional Executive Assistant and leads a team of highly skilled assistants to better the lives and business of creatives. She calls herself based on her Enneagram "The Helper Two" and is James & Jess' right hand gal, and may be the most organized human alive.

NATALIE FRANKE

Natalie Franke Hayes is an entrepreneur, mobilization marketer, community builder, and neuroscience nerd. 
As one of the Founders of the Rising Tide Society, the Head of Community at HoneyBook, and author of Built to Belong, she leads tens of thousands of creatives and small business owners while fostering a spirit of community over competition around the world.

REBECCA RICE

Her students dubbed her the “Queen of Mini-Sessions.” Rebecca Rice is a family photographer, educator, wife and mom living in Nashville, Tennessee.  She’s a lover of pizza and mac-n-cheese, and has a heart to equip aspiring and established photographers alike with the tools they need to create a profitable photography business so they can live a life of financial freedom.

SHAUN GORDON

Photographer turned CEO turned visionary, Shaun Gordon is passionate about helping photographers succeed. By providing growth resources and education, Shaun gives entrepreneurs a plan to create a thriving business. As Shaun says, “Who we are is not as important as who we will be. What’s on your to-be list today?”

HOPE TAYLOR

Hope Taylor is a senior portrait and wedding photographer located in Savannah, Georgia. Her journey of becoming a full time business owner immediately after graduating high school gives her a very unique perspective on entrepreneurship and business. She feels very strongly about educating and inspiring other creative small business owners to fearlessly pursue their dreams while also providing the practical tools that they need to get there.

JEFF KAYLOR

Jeff Kaylor exists to empower and equip people to create unforgettable experiences and relationships that feel alive. He has preformed in 35 countries, hundreds of cities and dozens of planets giving the most mind blowing experiences possible and teaching others how to do the same.

LAYLEE EMADI

Laylee is an educator, podcast host, and photographer with a heart for serving clients and fellow creatives. She believes in serving the creative industry with heartfelt encouragement, honest advice, and a shared pursuit of the ever-elusive “balance.” Laylee is passionate about her goal to help you feel confident in your ability to make a difference, create impact, and build a life doing what you love. She’s a connector, a cat mom, and a bloody mary enthusiast who can’t wait to get better acquainted over coffee or cocktails with you!

TYLER SPEIER

Tyler Speier is a luxury wedding planner based in Santa Barbara, California. He has planned and designed weddings & events around the world from celebrity weddings to Fortune 500 companies.  He says “I love being a daddy, date nights with my wife, family time, coffee, travel, hiking, reading, authentic conversations, clothing from Lululemon, and charcuterie. I’m a native Santa Barbarian with a deep love for California and a passion for experiencing the world outside of it too.”
Simply put, Tyler is amazing and is about to make the best f*cking conference you have ever seen…​

JAMES & JESS

James & Jess travel the world photographing luxury weddings & teaching fellow entrepreneurs how to thrive in business and in life. They have been named the #1 Wedding Photographers in sunny Santa Barbara and have photographed over 400 weddings around the globe over the past 16 years and strive to show others that this life is beautiful and worth living each day to the absolute fullest.