SPEAKERS 2026
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 2026 GRAIN WEDDING FESTIVAL
Robert Marcillas
Robert Marcillas has been shooting weddings for over ten years, and working alongside Arnau is where he finally found the language he had been looking for.
What he has learned is this: the most powerful images are not made, they are discovered. They live in the in-between. The moments that do not have a name but will mean everything twenty years from now.
Based in Barcelona and working throughout Europe, Robert shoots on film because it is honest for him. He admits that he does not direct weddings, he reads them… looking for the thread that runs through the whole day and turning it into a narrative that lasts.
His goal has never been to only make pretty pictures. It is to give people something to return to.
Robert started like most photographers do: with a camera, a lot of passion, and absolutely no idea how to turn that into something that truly lasts.
Over the years, he learned that being a great photographer is not enough. What really makes a business grow - and survive - comes down to three things he has worked hard to develop: the people around you, the portfolio you builds with intention, and the business structure that holds it all together.
In this talk, Robert speaks openly about how he developed each of these pillars within his own studio - what worked, what did not, and what he wishes someone had told him earlier.
No magic formulas. Just lessons learned the hard way, and insights he hopes will save others from some of that same pain.
The 3 Pillars of Success
The Saums
Pia and Chris originally come from psychology and graphic design, before fully dedicating themselves to photography. With a decade of experience in wedding photography, they now work across weddings, fashion, and editorial projects, combining film and digital formats.
Shaped by a strong fashion influence, their visual language leans toward refined, editorial storytelling with a subtle romantic edge. While they appreciate the aesthetics of a wedding day, their priority lies in documenting people as they are - focusing on connection, atmosphere and genuine moments, captured with a quiet, observational approach.
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”.
An Introvert's Approach to Weddings
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.