OUR TEAM
Who are the Wild Boyz?
Matt Hamas
Founder and Photographer
My name is Matt Hamas. I enjoy shooting photographs on land and underwater. Thank you for visiting our website, where you can explore hundreds of nature articles and photos. All the photos on our website are free to download for your personal use. Consider making prints with one of our printing partners. Share the beauty of nature, and promote sustainable interactions with the wild!
Ben Ivers
Founder and Photographer
Ben Ivers here. I have always preferred being in nature exploring over anything else. I started shooting photographs of nature in college. I find that it's a great way to share my passion with other people. I hope you enjoy the imagery that Matt and I will be bringing to you.
Ava Brancato
Marketing Intern, Spring 2024
Hi! My name is Ava Brancato, and I am the Social Media and Marketing intern for Wild Boyz Photography this spring. In my free time, I enjoy being creative, listening to music, and working out. I love both nature and photography, which is what led me to Wild Boyz Photography. I am looking forward to working with an great team and creating content to promote some amazing photography!
Caroline Gonzalez
Marketing Intern, Summer & Fall 2023
Hi! My name is Caroline Gonzalez, and I am the Social Media and Marketing intern for Wild Boyz Photography this upcoming summer. I enjoy exploring local forest preserves with my dog, listening to podcasts, and traveling in my free time. I am passionate about both nature and photography, so I could not be more excited for this opportunity! I’m looking forward to working with a non-profit and helping to promote the Wild Boyz Photography mission this summer.
Ruthie Salita
Former Marketing Intern, Spring 2023
Hi! My name is Ruthie Salita, I am a senior at DePaul University and I am excited to be the Spring Social Media and Marketing Intern for Wild Boyz Photography. I am looking forward to helping promote Wild Boyz Photography and help bring more of nature to everyone. I am so excited to be on this team and I can't wait to see where this spring takes us.
Justin Meline
Former Marketing Intern, Fall 2022
My name is Justin Meline, I am a Senior at Loyola University Chicago, and I will be the Marketing Intern for Wild Boyz Photography this Fall. I really connect to Wild Boyz's mission and am passionate about nature and photography myself, making this position the perfect fit. I look forward to learning many new skills, working with a great team, and helping Wild Boyz grow!
Sam Hout
Former Marketing Intern, Spring 2022
My name is Sam Hout, and I am the Marketing Intern for Wild Boyz Photography this Spring! I love to spend my free time rock climbing, playing sports, and exploring the outdoors. Nature has always been a passion of mine, so I am excited to promote and share some Wild Boyz Photography! I’m looking forward to this learning experience and building awareness for our unique planet.
Morgan Henderson
Former Marketing Intern, Fall 2021
Hi, my name is Morgan Henderson, and I am the marketing intern for Wild Boyz Photography this fall! I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of an organization that promotes the beauty of nature education. I enjoy being outdoors and learning new things, so Wild Boyz is a perfect match. I can't wait to expand my knowledge of marketing and nature education as a whole.
Emerson Stefan
Former Marketing Intern, Summer 2021
Hi! My name is Emerson Stefan, and I am the SocialMedia and Marketing Intern for Wild Boyz Photography this summer! I have always had a love for nature and animals, so Wild Boyz really stuck out to me. I am beyond excited to be a part of this team and cannot wait to see where this summer takes us!
Madison Thomas
Former Marketing Intern, Spring 2021
Hi, my name is Madison Thomas, and I am the marketing intern for Wild Boyz Photography this spring. I am very excited to be a part of this organization because of my deep appreciation for the environment and for bringing awareness to what is happening to the world around us. I can't wait to help tell WBP story and connect you to the undeniable uniqueness nature has to offer.
Tommy Maren
Former Marketing Intern, Fall 2020
Hi, my name is Tommy Maren. I am a senior at Butler University. I share the same passion for nature that helped Matt and Ben to found Wild Boyz Photography. I will be assisting the team from a marketing and communications perspective. As a passionate storyteller, I'm excited to highlight the featured nonprofits of the month and to give a new angle to the organization's nature education!
Jillian Nicole Ivers
Board Member
Hello! My name is Jill Ivers. I operate as the Secretary on Wild Boyz Photography’s board. I’ve been involved with Wild Boyz Photography from its initiation. When Ben and Matt were discussing how they were going to partner with different nature-based nonprofits each month, I knew that I would be behind their mission 100%. In my day-to-day I work as the Senior Manager, Global Research for the Vascular division at Cook Medical. I most enjoy experiencing nature through hiking.
Dante Pensa
Board Member
Hey everyone! My name is Dante Pensa. I’m the Treasurer for Wild Boyz Photography. I first met Matt and Ben while taking classes at Indiana University’s underwater science department. Our adventures took us across the seas researching pirate ship wrecks in the Dominican Republic to restoring corals in the Florida Keys. As the owner of Dodici Pizza and Wine and member of many nonprofits, my ultimate goal is to leave this world in better shape than I found it.
Max Ellis
Board Member
My name is Max Ellis. I serve as the President on the Wild Boyz Photography Board of Directors. Matt, Ben, and I met while playing Ultimate frisbee at Indiana University. I’ve always been a nature lover. Today I enjoy experiencing nature through travel. I graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. I now work as an investor and entrepreneur.
More about Matt
My favorite ways to experience nature are through scuba diving, solo-hiking, and kayaking. I live in the small but beautiful state of New Hampshire. I travel often, and recognize the privilege of being able to do so. I enjoy sharing this perspective and the photography that goes along with it. The most exciting place I’ve been to lately has been Big Bend National Park in Texas.
More about Ben
When I'm not out taking photos, you'll find me rock climbing, scuba diving, kayaking, or out running with my pup, Landon Bear. I'm married to the love of my life, Jill. We've known each other since second grade! You can also find me doing any sort of woodworking: turning on a lathe, whittling, carving, or making furniture. The next place on my bucket list that I want to visit is Glacier National Park.