THRIVE: WHERE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS EVOLVES

USA

Summer Grace is a California-based photographer and educator who believes in doing what you love, creating work that stands out, and building a business that lasts. She began her photography journey at just sixteen and quickly realized it was more than a career—it was a way to connect, tell stories, and create something extraordinary.

As the founder of Summer School, an educational community for photographers, Summer helps others grow with purpose, refine their craft, and build sustainable, fulfilling businesses. When she’s not teaching or photographing weddings, she enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their baby girl Georgia Grace, and their pup, Indigo.

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Summer Grace is one of those rare people who sets her trajectory early and then absolutely flies. She launched her business at just 19 – no waiting for permission, no easing herself in – and she’s been carving out her own lane ever since.

She’s not only a phenomenal photographer, she’s a powerhouse educator. Through her Summer School programmes and her podcast, she pushes photographers to build not just striking images but thriving, profitable businesses. That combination of artistry and strategy is exactly what this industry needs more of.

We’ve already had a taste of what she brings – her Film Weddings class for Photography Farm was brilliant. After it wrapped, we ended up talking for nearly two hours about the industry and how we could bring her over from Los Angeles to inspire the UK crowd in person.

Summer is driven, sharp, and wildly generous with her knowledge. She’s a force – and she’s bringing that fire to Thrive.

Her Day Two shoot with a wedding couple is for photographers who want to sharpen their eye, elevate their directing skills, and create images with mood, movement, and intention – whether you’re shooting film, digital or both.

UK

Joshua Woodland – a wedding photographer based in the UK. With a warm, editorial and fashion-forward style of photography, Joshua shoots wedding from London and across Europe and worldwide.

I began my journey with photography through travel and capturing the world through my love for the ocean, culture and the feeling of escapism, but I longed to create images with a deeper meaning — capturing stories that will last a life to come.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved photographs. Looking back through old pictures and photo albums and gazing through fashion magazines.
There is something so amazing about freezing a moment in time and the feelings that are associated with just one picture.

When I’m not behind the camera, you will find me travelling to new destinations, spending time at the beach with my cockapoo named Honey, finding new coffee shops, clothes shopping or spending precious time with my family, friends and partner. Music is also such a big part of my life

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When I am hunting for fresh voices for Thrive, I have a few trusted advisors, one of whom dropped Joshua’s name. He was already on my radar for his, ultra-refined cinematic/editorial style, but he’s been focused purely on serving his clients and crafting exceptional work.

When I first approached him, he gave me a polite but firm “no”. And I respected that. It told me he’s selective. He doesn’t say yes unless he knows he can truly deliver.

But the idea clearly stuck with him. A few days later, he slid back into my DMs, full of thoughts on what he could bring to Thrive. We jumped on a call and by the end, we’d shaped a talk that’s going to hit hard, along with Day Two sessions that are clever, considered and seriously exciting.

Joshua is intentional. He cares about substance over spotlight. He’s joining us because he wants to give us something genuinely valuable – and that’s exactly the kind of speaker who I want to give space to.

His wedding couple shoots on the second day will focus on considered direction, cinematic composition, and creating images that feel effortlessly elevated. He’s the one to book if your portfolio needs more panache and style.

I’m a wedding photographer based in Scotland, a lover of travel, modern art, good food, and great fashion. I blend documentary storytelling with a modern editorial eye, capturing those unscripted, emotional moments and the kind of fashion-forward frames that wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine.

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Every Thrive, I make sure we spotlight someone from within our own Farm community – someone who might not naturally put themselves forward, but absolutely deserves the mic. This year, that person is Sophie Alexandria.

Sophie has been part of Thrive for so long now that it genuinely feels strange when she’s not in the room. I’ve had the privilege of knowing her closely since she joined my very first mentoring programme back in 2020, and since then she has absolutely taken flight. The goals she once quietly hoped for? She’s not only achieved them – she’s blown right past them.

I’ve watched her build a brand that turns heads and earns real respect across the industry. She might have started out as my student, but I’ve learnt just as much from her along the way. Her influence is growing, her inbox is full of photographers asking for guidance – the demand for her voice is already there.

It’s time. Time for her to step into the role others already see her in.

And I’m incredibly proud that her first major teaching moment will be with us, at Thrive.

Her Day Two session will focus on bridal prep, details and portraits – the exact areas her peers constantly ask her about. And for good reason. Her detail shots have the finesse of luxury product campaigns, and her portrait direction brings out elegance and presence without forcing anything. It’s the kind of polish that elevates your value.

If you’re ready to refine your eye, strengthen your client experience and build a more premium-feeling portfolio… this is the session to book early.

UK

Joanna is a highly reputable and experienced British fine art photographer based in Europe. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Over the Moon, amongst others.

Her style is discerning, visionary and refined. Since 2010 she has been elevating wedding photography beyond the norm.

Her expertise with film and digital leads to beautiful and captivating storytelling that is totally unique. Famously her tagline is ‘creating art that happens to be at your wedding.’

She specialises in multi-day luxury celebrations in Europe and the US. Widely travelled, she effortlessly connects her clients to their chosen destination through her lens. Her genuine curiosity and interest in others is palpable.

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Joanna is someone I’ve wanted on the Thrive stage for years. We’ve known each other forever in this industry, and I’ve had a front-row seat to her evolution into niching in luxury, multi-day destination celebrations. And, crucially, she’s done it all while staying loyal to her first love: film.

When the rest of the industry rushed head-first into digital, Joanna held her ground. That conviction now defines her work – bold, uncompromising and utterly distinctive. She knows exactly who she is and who she serves, and that confidence has built a brand that stands in its own lane.

So why did she say yes this year? Because 2025 has been a career high – including that Charli xcx wedding in Sicily. I asked if it was wild. She didn’t hesitate: “Wild, beyond wild, beyond wild.”

Bringing Joanna to Thrive means learning from someone who has forged her own path, trusted her craft, and climbed right to the top by doing things her way. That’s the kind of energy I want in the room.

Her Day Two gothic bridal editorial will be all about enhancing your portfolio with art-driven, high-impact imagery – seen through the lens of someone who has built an iconic brand by doing things her way.