Are You Ready to Thrive?
Get ready for our two day, all-star wedding photography conference – taught by six phenomenal Speakers.
20-21 October 2026 | Brighton
Video: Cinemate
THRIVE: WHERE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS EVOLVES
At Thrive, we don’t just talk about reaching the next level – we help you make it happen.
Thrive goes beyond the usual photography conference format. Yes, you’ll hear incredible insights from our speakers, but you can also shoot alongside them, see how they work in real-time, and walk away with stunning portfolio content to showcase.
It’s more than just learning – it’s doing.
WHAT MAKES THRIVE DIFFERENT?
- Inspiration Meets Action: On Day One, you’ll listen to our six mentors share their keynote talks, packed full of inspiration and strategies, as well as valuable insights into their creative processes
- On Day Two, you can take that inspiration into the field, where you can book to shoot alongside the speakers, observing how they direct, compose, and think through each image. We also have a full day’s programme of business talks.
- Diverse Learning Opportunities: Potentially, take part in up to three different shoots with three different mentors in one day. That’s three unique sets of images for your portfolio, social media, and blog posts.
- All-Inclusive, Creative Environment: Thrive is hosted at Leonardos Royal Hotel in the heart of Brighton where everything – learning, shooting, and networking – happens in one relaxed, inspiring space.
- Tailor the Experience to Your Needs: Thrive is over two days but it’s flexible. Stay for both days and fully immerse yourself in the experience, or drop in for the shoots you’re most excited about. Thrive gives you the flexibility to take what you need.
Our Incredible Photographer Line-up
ABOUT KATIE
UK
Katie Rogers is a London-based wedding photographer with over eight years in the industry and more than 300 weddings behind her. Her work is relaxed, refined, and deeply attentive to the people in front of her lens.
Her client list spans London, the UK and beyond, and her work has been featured in Vogue, Grazia, Tatler, The Guardian, Forbes and Channel 4. She has been named one of the UK’s Top 50 Wedding Photographers by Professional Photo Magazine every year from 2022 to 2026, and took home Best International Wedding Photographer at The Loverly List in both 2024 and 2025.
She shoots both digital and 35mm film, and her approach carries that same unhurried quality throughout – holding space for quiet moments, real connection, and the kind of images couples describe as beyond their wildest dreams.
Katie exemplifies what it takes to build a business with a clear creative identity and a client-first mentality in one of the most competitive cities in the world. She knows her work, knows her worth, and has the results to back it up.
ABOUT JACKSON
AUSTRALIA
Jackson Grant is a wedding photographer and filmmaker from Australia – a self-described “creative cowboy from down under who really gives the finger to convention and stirs the pot” in the photo and video world. Ten years in, and he has got the stories to prove it – from getting stuck in the middle of a Greek Zorba dance to waking up on Adam Lambert’s couch after a wedding in Los Angeles.
He has never attended a wedding as a guest, only as the person making sure everyone else remembers it – though as he puts it, “boy do I act like one.”
Jackson is a Pilates aficionado, a 420 advocate and an electronic music lover. He caps his year at 25 weddings to “maintain the creative intelligence,” and makes a point of putting a face to a name before every single one.
For photographers who feel like the industry asks them to be a bit too polished and a bit too safe, Jackson is a reminder that having a genuine personality is not a liability. It is the whole point.
“Seeya soon strangers! Oh and I’m now 30 years old.. f**k.”
ABOUT MATT
My photography career began rooted in a gut-driven decision to move to Freetown, Sierra Leone, in my early 20s. While working for an NGO, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the outdated views of the country shared by those back home. Driven to show the world the resilience and beauty I saw every day in Sierra Leone, I bought my first camera and hit the streets. It was here that I discovered my love for documentary-style storytelling, the playfulness of photography and capturing real people and real moments.
When I returned to London, after a couple of years in the corporate world, I dove into wedding photography full-time, specialising in candid, emotive and unobtrusive coverage. A decade later, and I’ve photographed 300 celebrations worldwide, with images focusing on connection, energy and visual curiosity.
More recently, I launched Street with Matt, which brings together my lifelong love of travel, curiosity about people, and a passion for teaching. I’d describe my street work as playful and rooted in respect for his subjects and an enduring fascination with human stories unfolding in real time.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria French is a 36-year-old mum, artist, writer and photographer based in Yorkshire, with seven years of full-time business behind her.
She took an analogue photography diploma at nineteen and from that point her passion for the medium really evolved. Within those two years she realised where her focus naturally fell – faces and human emotion. That clarity has never left her.
Before photography, Alexandria was an English teacher. She brings that same love of storytelling and expression to everything she creates.
Outside of the camera, she is a lover of literature, film, painting, interior design, musical theatre, gardening and animals – a breadth of creative life that shows up in her work whether she intends it to or not.
She represents something important: a creative identity that is genuinely distinctive, built from who she actually is rather than what the market asked for.
ABOUT JESSICA
UK
Jessica Lily is a Surrey-based wedding photographer working across the UK and Europe. Her work blends editorial direction with a documentary instinct – images that feel considered and natural in equal measure. She regularly shoots on 35mm film, which brings a texture and depth to her galleries that digital alone rarely achieves.
Jessica is drawn to weddings where aesthetics and atmosphere matter – couples who have thought carefully about their day and want photographs that reflect that. Her approach on the day is calm and precise – observing, not orchestrating, and stepping in only when it counts.
She has collaborated with Pinterest and built a reputation for film-led wedding photography that feels modern and enduring. She works alongside her husband Steve, offering a seamless two-person team for larger or multi-day celebrations without ever losing the consistency of her visual style.
Jessica is an example of what it looks like to carve out a clear niche, hold a strong aesthetic, and attract clients who are specifically looking for what you do. That kind of clarity does not happen by accident.
ABOUT ANNI
Anni Graham is a destination wedding photographer known for her honest, emotional, documentary approach. With over 15 years of experience, she has photographed celebrations across Europe, Asia, South and North America – building a globally recognised portfolio rooted in connection, simplicity and real moments.
Her love of photography started as far back as she can remember, and 15 of those years were spent living in India – an experience that shaped how she sees people and how she works alongside them. She approaches every couple from a place of empathy, taking the time to understand who they are before she ever picks up a camera.
Film has become a significant part of her work – its imperfect, tangible quality a natural fit for the way she documents a wedding day. She deliberately limits the number of weddings she takes on each year, so she can be fully present – at home and at work.
Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Lonely Planet, Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes and the Huffington Post, among others.
For photographers, Anni is proof that clarity of vision and genuine human connection are what build a career that lasts – and travels.
What’s The Plan?
Day One: Talks to Transform Your Business
Six of the industry’s top photographers will share real, actionable insights that will make a tangible difference to your business. They’ll speak their truth about the challenges they’ve faced and the strategies that helped them succeed. Expect a balance of inspiration and practical advice that you can implement right away.
Day Two: Hands-On Shoots & Business Talks
Day Two is all about getting hands-on. With three optional shoot sessions, you’ll see firsthand how our mentors work. It’s not just about creating beautiful images – it’s about understanding their thought process, how they interact with couples, and how they adapt to their surroundings.
We also have a full day programme of short business talks designed to keep your momentum going. Whether you dip in and out between sessions or spend time soaking up every insight, these talks are open to all ticket holders. All the Day Two Talks are repeated online so you will not miss any if out on a portfolio shoot.
October 2026
20-21st Leonardo Royal Hotel Brighton
Six incredible speakers
THE best industry sponsors
Small group sessions with the speakers
Beautiful portfolio content
Yummy lunch and snacks
Brighton city vibes
The best goody bag in the industry
Hang with your industry peers
Did we mention the snacks?
 Image at Thrive by Ginger’s Eyes
What’s Unique About Thrive?
“I was feeling in some kind of ‘low-battery mode’ and after Thrive I feel renewed.”
Cristina
Our next Thrive wedding photography conference is on the 20-21st October in the heart of sunny Brighton. This is where we get together for two days of learning, inspiration, and growing. Unique to Thrive is that we don’t just listen, we implement.Â
- Day One Learning: Six inspiring keynotes created especially for Thrive from our headline speakers.
- Day Two Implementation: Grab your cameras as you have the opportunity to book onto a shoot with any of our main speakers. There’s also a full day’s programme of business talks. Torn between a shoot and a talk on Day Two? We’ve got you covered. All of our Day Two speakers will host online sessions in the two weeks after the event, and these will be recorded so you can watch at your own pace.
Image at Thrive by Tracy Jade
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Thrive
Thrive isn’t just another conference. It’s a unique opportunity to learn from a carefully curated lineup of photographers who aren’t just here to inspire – they’re here to share their business know-how and practical shooting techniques. This combination of real-world business advice and hands-on learning is what sets Thrive apart.
Flexible Ticket Options
We understand that not everyone can commit to both days, and that’s okay. You can buy a conference ticket and soak in all the talks, combine talks with shoots or you can just choose specific Day Two shoot sessions with the speakers you’re most excited about. We encourage you to join us for the full experience, but even if you attend just a part, you’ll leave with plenty of value. Need split payments? Just drop us a note and we will set you up.
Join us at Thrive: October 20-21st in Brighton
This is more than just a conference – it’s an opportunity to transform how you shoot weddings and run your business. Whether you’re looking to build your portfolio, fine-tune your business strategy, or simply get inspired, Thrive is your place to grow.
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