Creatives Happy Hour at Land-Grant! + Q&A with local creatives

We’re kicking off our Happy Hour Creatives Q+A series with a vibrant evening of drinks, networking, and real talk about the freelance and creative side hustle life, at Land Grant Brewing Company!

This event brings together a panel of local creatives who’ve built thriving freelance careers and creative businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your hustle, this is a space to connect, learn, and be inspired.

This isn’t just another happy hour. It’s a chance to plug into Columbus’s creative community, hear the truth about building freelance careers, and ask the questions most events dodge. Get inspired, meet collaborators, and walk away with insights that help you capture sharper, build smarter, and hustle stronger. Midwest Photo is here to connect the dots — between creativity, community, and execution.

All tickets include access to the networking area and the moderated Q+A panel, plus one free drink ticket to enjoy during the event!

Read about our local creative panelists below!

Expect a casual, welcoming atmosphere with audience-submitted questions, creative insights, and plenty of opportunities to mingle with fellow creatives. Come for the drinks and conversation, stay for the community!

Meet Our Panelists:

Gina Lovelace | Owner of Bear Creative, Wedding and portrait Photographer, and Owner of Sycamore Studio.

Hey, I’m Gina Lovelace, a wedding and portrait photographer and videographer. I run Bear Creative with my husband, Daniel, and I’ve been behind the camera for about 12 years now. I first picked it up when I was planning my own wedding, so capturing love stories just stuck with me. I am also the owner and studio manager at The Sycamore Studio, a photo, video, production, and podcast studio in Plain City. This was a space created by creatives for creatives, so I truly love this space. You’ll often find me here with our son Indy, whom we call our studio babe. Can’t wait to connect and swap stories with other folks who love the creative world as much as I do!

Monty Soungpradith | Photographer, Currator of Smiles, Owner of Open Image Studio.

Monty is an award-winning photographer based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in weddings, portraits, and lifestyle photography. He is a member of leading professional organizations, including PPA, WPJA, WPPI, and the Lifestyle Photographers Association. Monty has earned numerous accolades, such as the Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award, The Knot Best of Weddings, and WPJA’s Spotlight Award. Recognized among the Top 100 Lifestyle Photographers Worldwide and the Top 10 Fashion Photographers in Columbus, his work has been featured in major publications like The Knot Ohio Magazine, Columbus Monthly, and Style Me Pretty. Beyond photography, Monty actively volunteers for charities including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, NC4K, and Flashes of Hope.

Andrea Ciardelli | Owner of Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar based in Columbus, Ohio

I’m Andrea Ciardelli, owner of Typsy Gypsy Traveling Bar based in Columbus, Ohio. This bar company was built on the love for cocktails, bartending, hospitality, and gatherings. Typsy Gypsy Bar Cart was voted Best Mobile Bar in Columbus in 2023 AND 2024; we aren’t just your typical bartenders. We have 20 years in the hospitality industry and go above and beyond to provide you and your guests with an experience, not just pour their drinks. From creatively crafted cocktails to guest hospitality, we know how to host an elevated bar experience.

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