Canon adds four visual artists as “Explorers of Light”

GaryPageau ,
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Canon U.S.A., Inc. announced four visual artists across photography and moving images will join its Explorers of Light program. The new cohort builds on the program’s three-decade legacy of bringing together elite artists to inspire, teach, and collaborate, all in service of uplifting the craft of professional image creation. Canon welcomes Dixie Dixon, Lindsey Conklin, Steve Sanders, and Bryan Gentry as the newest members.
“For over three decades, the Explorers of Light program has stood as a beacon for technical excellence and artistic bravery,” said Kiyoshi Oka, executive vice president and general manager, Marketing Strategy Unit, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “By welcoming Dixie, Lindsey, Steve, and Bryan into this prestigious circle, we aren’t just adding names to a roster—we are integrating four master storytellers who embody the future of visual art. Their collective expertise ensures that Canon’s legacy of inspiring the next generation of creators remains as vibrant and influential as ever.”

Throughout the year, the Explorers of Light share their photographic passions and technical expertise with eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts in a variety of personal appearances, seminars, and gallery showings.

Dixie Dixon: Fashion/ Photography & Cinematography

Dixon is an internationally renowned fashion, lifestyle, and commercial advertising photographer and film director based out of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Over the past decade, she has brought creative visions to life for brands such as Disney, Virgin, Elle, and Marriott, as well as advertising agencies, fashion and commercial clients and celebrities including Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Ireland, and Micah Parsons.

In addition to creating award-winning campaigns and productions as head of a full-service production company, Dixon has been a sought-after photographic educator for more than 10 years and authored the book Secrets of Fashion and Lifestyle Photography, a guide for breaking into the industry.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon EOS R5 Mark II, EOS R1, EOS C80, RF24mm F1.4 L VCM, RF50mm F1.2 L USM, RF85mm F1.2 L USM, RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM, RF10-20mm F4 L IS STM, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM, and RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM

Lindsey Conklin: Wedding/ Cinematography

With more than two decades of experience, Conklin is a wedding filmmaker renowned for crafting cinematic, emotionally grounded stories with an emphasis on intention, authenticity and timeless visual language.

As co-founder of Le Rêve Films, Conklin has worked across more than 20 U.S. states, more than 10 countries and five continents, documenting celebrations at the highest level of the wedding and events industry. Her work has been commissioned by celebrity clients, professional athletes, and discerning families worldwide—including filming a wedding at the White House.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon EOS C400, EOS C80, EOS C50, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, and RF50mm F1.4 L VCM

Steve Sanders: Sports/ Photography

Sanders is a seasoned professional photographer whose career spans a wide range of disciplines, including weddings, portraits, sports, events, commercial advertising, architecture, and food photography. This diverse foundation led him to his current role as director of photography for the Kansas City Chiefs football club. He has photographed the Chiefs for more than 30 years, including three SuperBowl Championships and two AFC championships, milestones that underscore both his access and artistry. As a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art, Sanders has long been committed to mentoring aspiring photographers.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon EOS R1, RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM, RF100-300mm F2.8 L IS USM, RF24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, RF28-70mm F2 L USM, and RF20mm F1.4 L VCM

Bryan Gentry: Cinematography

Gentry is an award-nominated Director of Photography based in Newark, New Jersey, whose visual storytelling spans feature films, documentaries, commercials, music videos, and television. Since making his debut as DP on Discovery ID “The Perfect Murder” in 2013, Gentry has built a career defined by cinematic precision and emotional depth. Known for his keen eye for lighting and composition, Gentry brings a bold, immersive style to every project. His recent work includes the Emmy-nominated documentary series “Stax: Soulsville, USA”, and the acclaimed feature documentary “Luther: Never Too Much”, for which he earned a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography.

  • Top Gear Picks: Canon EOS C400, EOS C50, Canon Sumire Prime Lenses, Flex Zoom CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F, Flex Zoom CN-E45-135mm T2.4 L F, Flex Zoom CN-E14-35MM T1.7 L S, and Flex Zoom CN-E31.5-95MM T1.7 L S

Written by 

Gary Pageau is principal of InfoCircle LLC, continuing his marketing communications career. InfoCircle LLC is a marketing and communications consulting firm, specializing in business-to-business markets. For nearly 25 years, he was with PMA International, serving most recently as Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives. His primary responsibilities included overseeing the Association’s editorial department, marketing research unit, education and corporate relations department.