SPEAKERS 2025
Grain is focused on diversity rather than pure photographic thematic.
From business, inspiration through social media, and the core of our business - our speakers will provide fresh insight and cover the most relevant industry topics today.
Let us introduce the lineup of the next Grain festival and see why we're so proud to host this truly amazing bunch of talented grain in Croatia next November.
WE PROUDLY PRESENT THE LINEUP OF THE 2025 GRAIN WEDDING FESTIVAL
Anna Roussos & Thanos Asfis
Thanos Asfis and Anna Roussos are internationally known wedding photographers and the co-founders of RATTA STUDIO—a creative powerhouse renowned for its editorial aesthetic, bold use of color, and imaginative storytelling.
With over 40 years of combined experience, they have not only honed their craft but have also been recognized among Europe’s Top 25 Wedding Photographers and recently named among the Best Wedding Photographers in the World. Beyond their work behind the lens, Anna and Thanos are respected educators in the wedding industry.
Posing doesn't have to feel stiff or awkward—for you or your couples. In this talk, we’ll dive into real, practical techniques to help you guide couples and guests naturally throughout the wedding day. Whether you're working with shy clients, in the middle of a hectic timeline, or just not feeling fully confident about giving direction, this session will give you tools to pose with ease, read body language, and create images that feel genuine, effortless, and full of life.
Mastering the subtle art of posing for wedding photographers
Oli Sansom
Oli is one of the true legends of the wedding industry — a creative force from Down Under with a fast Aussie accent (he’s promised to skip his morning coffee and speak slowly just for us!).
An artist in the truest sense of the word, A wildly original voice in wedding photography.
Once knocked out by a UFC heavyweight (Oli swears its a true story), these days he prefers to see other people as stars rather than see stars, making honest and outrageous records of the joy of gatherings.
After a decade spent in advertising agencies covering illustration, music composition, design, animation and music video directing,
Oli combined the learnings from this chaotic creative career into a singular vision of making meaningful images for families and couples, rather than selling burgers or cars (but as he admits, no shame on anyone shaking hands with those cogs of capitalism #journey).
A big part of making good art (and a good career) is resistance against the noise: so in this presentation, he will look at that through the lens of what makes us human, and which ten aspects of our business we can bring more humanity to, not less… in a presentation that he named: “Running a human business in a robot world”.
Running a human business in a robot world
Joy Zamora
Joy is a photographer, but above all, someone with a curious eye for everything that happens in front of his eyes. For ten years he has been capturing the essence of the love stories of hundreds of couples around the world.
With delicacy, craftsmanship and the professionalism of knowing that he is creating something unique and irreplaceable. His photography is emotional, cinematic and editorial.
An artistic combination of editorial and the simple elegance that his photographs convey.
His ability to make his couples feel special has positioned him as a reference photographer in terms of his creativity and his ability to create breathtaking moments.
A graceful dance between editorial drama and the quiet elegance
Camila Urrea
Camila Urrea is a Mexican wedding photographer living in London, with a background in art curation. With over a decade of experience, she bring an editorial and documentary approach to capturing weddings, always focusing on authenticity, emotion, and intentional storytelling.
Camila is the founder of Rise by Creatives, a platform where she mentor and teach photographers how to refine their vision, attract their ideal clients, and elevate their work through strong curation.
"Mastering the Art of Curation" is a talk designed to help photographers become intentional storytellers—rather than simply image deliverers. Camila will guide us through the process of reducing visual clutter, strengthening the emotional flow of galleries, and enhancing the client experience through thoughtful image selection.
The goal is to bring clarity to the editing process, cut through creative overwhelm, and leave photographers with a concrete, repeatable curation method they can apply to every wedding they shoot.
Enhancing the client experience through thoughtful image selection.
Alissa Beer
Alissa Beer is a photographer and content creator based in the heart of Europe, deeply inspired by design, architecture, and the beauty of simplicity.
Her aesthetic is grounded in minimalism and authenticity, capturing weddings and celebrations that feel effortlessly elegant and emotionally alive.
Often described as a social butterfly, Alissa believes that beneath charm lies something far more powerful — true connection.
That belief is at the heart of her presentation: ›Networking in the Age of Artificial Intelligence‹ — In her talk, she explores how AI can make networking more accessible and fun for everyone.
Through personal stories, real-life examples, and practical insights, Alissa will demonstrate how meaningful relationships can elevate your business, simplify your life, and empower you in ways you might never have imagined.
How meaningful relationships can elevate your business, simplify your life, and empower you.
Shari + Mike
Shari and Mike are partners in life, business and parenthood. For over two decades they have been travelling across Canada + around the world photographing weddings with heart and intention, often times with their daughter Auggie in tow.
Their work blends artistic composition with honest emotion, the kind of images you can feel through the frame. For S&M, community is everything. Board games are life and dogs (at least theirs) are the greatest joy givers. They also believe creativity thrives when we can quiet the noise, focus inward, embrace curiosity, and lead with
From the depths of building a business, navigating marriage, and embracing the wild ride of parenthood, they invite us into their journey—a journey of uncovering the beauty woven into every season of life. It’s about learning when to hustle and when to rest, finding light in the midst of challenges, and redefining what success truly means at life’s many crossroads.
Through it all, a shift in perspective emerges—the powerful realization that we have just one precious life. And with that awareness, everything begins to change when we start asking the simple but profound question: What really matters?
How the hell are we still doing this
Nigel John
Nigel is a self-taught photographer whose versatile portfolio spans weddings, events, and creative collaborations with both emerging and established brands in the retail, restaurant, and arts sectors. With a background as the founder of an online fashion brand, Nigel’s eye has been shaped by his deep appreciation for style, culture, and design.
This experience continues to shape his aesthetic—balancing modernity with mood, ambience with atmosphere. His work feels instinctive yet intentional, always capturing the essence of a moment through thoughtful composition and subtle us of light.
In his talk Nigel will bring things back to basics—focusing on the raw, foundational elements that give photographs life: light and emotion. He’ll explore how atmosphere and instinct can elevate the ordinary into the unforgettable.
Expect a refreshingly honest conversation on why “the vibe” matters just as much as the technical, and how work we produce, when done with intention, creates impact.
Back to basics : light and emotions
www.nigeljohn.com // instagram.nigeljohn
illeConcept
We wanted to introduce a fresh format — dynamic, design-focused lecture that go beyond photography and dive into the powerful art of brand building.
To do that, we’ve teamed up with @illeconcept - a creative agency with a passion for transforming ideas into compelling visuals, their work goes beyond aesthetics — it’s about creating designs that work with intention and impact.
Design isn’t just about how things look — it’s about how they make people feel, remember, and act.
In their presentation, ILLECONCEPT (Branka & Simon) will explore the emotional power of branding and the role storytelling plays in shaping strong, lasting identities. They’ll show how authentic, thoughtful design does more than just connect — it converts.
Especially within the emotion-driven world of weddings, this session will dive into why standing out visually has never been more essential — and how to do it with strategy and style.
Design that work with intention
Martina Skrobot
It’s time to shine a spotlight on our local girl — Martina - is Croatian wedding photographer with over a decade of experience behind the lens. Recognised as one of the top wedding photographers in the region, her work has been featured in prestigious and currently hot publications such as Vogue, The Lane, and Elle. With a background in fashion and journalism photography, Martina brings a refined yet honest approach to documenting weddings—always focusing on emotional depth, aesthetic intention, and timeless style.
Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: to tell real, heartfelt stories through photographs that resonate deeply and stand the test of time. In her talk, Martina will share how styled shoots played a pivotal role in shaping her career and attracting her ideal clients.
She’ll offer practical insights into building a meaningful portfolio, creating new opportunities, and using styled shoots and instagram as a tool for growth.
Styled shoots with purpose and intention
Anna Ohh Ginger
Anna is a Spain-based photographer recognised for her ethereal and unconventional approach to wedding and editorial photography.
At Grain, we don’t just celebrate creativity — we try to open the floor to real conversations. Our Industry Panel brings together leading voices from the world of wedding photography and beyond: photographers, planners, educators…
We’ll dive into what’s shaping the industry today — trends, creative burnout, AI and automation, social media strategies, shifting client expectations, and the challenge of staying grounded and human in a fast-paced world.
For us, Anna is one of the most fearlessly creative voices in the industry today and we can’t wait to hear her perspective on the burning questions.
But this isn’t just a panel for you — it’s a space with you.
We’re carving out time for open Q&A, honest comments, spontaneous reflections.
Because Grain isn’t about sitting quietly in the back — it’s about taking part.
Industry Panel - Grain isn’t about sitting quietly in the back — it’s about taking part.
Julia & Gil
Beside creativity, the Grain Industry Panel will dive deep into the education and business side of the wedding photography world — the part where art meets structure, where inspiration needs strategy to truly thrive.
And to help us explore that space, we’re thrilled to welcome @juliaandgil to the panel. With over a decade of experience, they’ve not only built a widely admired photography brand rooted in emotional storytelling and modern aesthetics,
but they’ve also become powerful voices in education, guiding countless photographers toward more meaningful, aligned, and sustainable businesses.
We believe Julia & Gil are a perfect choice for this year’s Industry Panel and we are eager to hear their thoughts on the challenges about the industry…
Industry panel - the part where art meets structure, where inspiration needs strategy to truly thrive
Opi Kaur
We love welcoming wedding planners to the Grain Industry Panel — their voice adds depth to the conversation, with their pulse on trends, client expectation, and behind-the-scenes magic, planners bring a valued perspective.
Opi Kaur, founder of @openthedoorevents — a design-led wedding studio based in Spain creating events throughout Europe. With a deep focus on human connection and how the right atmosphere can slow down time. As someone who’s always been sensitive to space,
Opi used that sensitivity to create ambiences that awaken the senses and root people in the present moment. OTD strengths have always been staying true to their values and purpose.
Which is exactly why we believe Opi will be a powerful addition to this year’s Industry Panel.
Industry panel - a fresh approach to discuss the burning topics in the industry
Join these
amazing
creatives
Nov 4&5 2025. - Zagreb, Croatia
All presentations are in boutique cinema, with comfortable chairs and state-of-the-art video and audio set up for a perfect experience of our speakers' presentations.