meet the team
Chris Kingsley
Born in Austin, TX, and raised in Houston, Chris developed a passion for cinematography at an early age. As a teenager, he and his friends would spend hours shooting movies with a VHS recorder, laying the foundation for his future career in filmmaking.
This passion led him to study persue a career starting with studying at Stephen F. Austin State University, gaining a bachelors degree in Cinematography.
Chris finds joy in all aspects of a production all the way from lights to camera and on to action. And he excels at all. But, his favorite part is lighting. This skill is central to his work and the namesake of his company, Illuminate Filmworks.
When he's not immersed in video production and post-production, you find Chris practicing drums or spending time by the smoker perfecting his famous BBQ ribs. These hobbies reflect his dedication to both his personal and professional life, balancing creativity and craftsmanship in all he does.
mari forssell
Meet Mari Forssell, originally from Helsinki, Finland, she now calls Rockwall, TX home. At Illuminate Filmworks, Mari shines as the customer service lead, set supervisor, and assistant of everything. She's got a flair for interior design, landscaping, and photography, which she channels as the lead photographer at Design Balance Photography, specializing in real estate visuals and post-production magic.
Before her photography career, Mari was a dog trainer. She also runs her own business, Moose + Pine, creating custom bags and wallets (check them out at MooseAndPine.com). In her free time, you'll find Mari at a yoga class, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or enjoying life with her partner Chris and their two adorable dogs, Margot and Stevie.
