/bio
Tony Filson
/biography KissMyKite
Welcome to KissMyKite.com
CEO & FOUNDER
Since 1985, I've had the honor of founding and leading as Chairman, one of the most successful global media management consulting and executive search firms in the industry. Headquartered in New York, California and Florida, we serve media and entertainment conglomerates, TV networks, sports entities, music publishers, record labels, the fashion industry, advertising agencies, technology leaders, the Fortune 50-500, and U.S. Government interests globally. Examples at every level. From 2023 as the President of The Media Group and Chairman emeritus of the Filcro Companies, I've enjoyed "key assignments" that offer four decades of experience to the media industry.
Through the years I have helped build some of the most successful and profitable media entities in the TV, entertainment, telecommunications, and media technology industries. Our firm also managed production personnel and BO&E for The New York Yankees, Knicks Basketball, NY Rangers Hockey, Liberty Basketball and live events from Radio City Music Hall. Sports was not our primary business, but we always made the trains run on time. "We get it"
PAY IT FORWARD - KissMyKite
In 2013 my wife and I founded KissMyKite to support philanthropic efforts for children's sports initiatives.
The fashion industry has been a tremendous supporter of KissMyKite over the years and we have participated at NYFW, STYLE, Miami Swim Week, Art Hearts Fashion, Miami Tennis, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Art Basel Miami. The ESPY Awards and with numerous Fashion Magazines providing feature, front cover and editorial media of Miami Swim Week. At fixed venues or exotic locations, we combine fashion, sports, art, and music to produce beautiful media that supports a great cause, "the enhancement of academic performance, through mentored sports programs for children".
HOW WE HELP
KissMyKite donates and directs 100% of all proceeds to Children's Sports initiatives. We accept no money and arrange for direct contributions. For many years, my wife and I have matched funds and during COVID there was a noted hiatus but we endured. We continue to support deserving children in Summer sports clinics and camps each year. Our efforts are for children who normally, cannot attend.
We also helped fund the Tony & Helene Filson Baseball Camp in Aruba where KissMyKite subsidized tuition. This effort was helped greatly by FX Sports Aruba and their CEO Wim Eelens who held auctions during Aruba Hi-Winds and donated merchandise generously in conjunction with Fashion Designer Olga Papkovitch and her publishing company. Thank you to ESPN, The ESPY Awards, BRAUN and Wilson Sports.
PHOTOGRAPHY ROOTS
Early in life, I had the honor of studying and apprenticing with the famed portrait and performing arts photographer Joseph Umberto Torchia, everyone knew him as "Bert". Bert Torchia. From the Rolling Stones to every actor or model who wanted stunning portraits, they all found their way to Bert's studio. As I look at my work today, I feel there is a lot of Bert in everything I do. Now noted for my Sports Illustrated Swimsuit work, I feel it reflects my roots in portraiture.
So many of the fashion models I photograph are also athletes, some professionals, Olympic Athletes, and also noted amateurs. My work with SI Swimsuit is rewarding as growing up I always admired the high standards of Sports Illustrated.
I'm proud to say I'm now noted as one the top Miami Swimsuit Photographers.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE and FAQ's
Q: Who do we contact to learn more?
A: Tony Filson by email and we'll talk- Click Here
Q: Can we donate garments for photoshoots?
A: Yes. And, you'll get beautiful photos back. :) - Your garments, even if not perfect, will also be auctioned off and 100% goes to the Camp(s). This is a donation by you to a KissMyKite sponsored sports camp. It's a WIN-WIN.
Q: Who pays for HMU and Styling
A: We do for remote tropical locations. At Miami Swim Week, Art Basel Miami, Miami Art Week, and Miami Fashion Week you have some of the best in the industry. We love Art Hearts Fashion and if they produce your show, we'll be there on the riser or BTS. Example
Q: What does it cost to hire you?
A: A donation to a summer camp for children. No donation is too small or too big. Use your heart and your head. If you're a new designer... We will help you! xoxo
Q: Who do we donate to?
A: The Summer Camp(s). We accept no payment. But you can promote us and say thank you. Based on the Summer Camp, we could even match your donation.
Q: Is my donation tax deductible?
A: It's based on the Summer Camp. Your media is also a business expense as are the garments. Double win! Examples
Q: Who arranges the model(s) and possible coordination with an event?
A: We do or you can. As of 2024, we prefer Florida or an ABC Island location. Happy both ways. But we hope you'll be with Art Hearts Fashion, they will take care of everything and their CEO Erik Rosete has high standards. For remote locations, we have some beautiful models and athletes if you want a more tropical setting. Forests, Waterfalls, Beaches etc.
Q: Can you help us get press coverage?
A: Yes. We work with several Fashion Magazines and Global Fashion News organizations. They like our media for features, editorials covers.
Q: Where can we see some of your work?
A: Miami Swim Week, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, NYFW, Location BTS, Show BTS. WFMN.
Q: Do you photograph kitesurfers?
A: Yes. Models and athletes on and off the water. We've even shot Olympic athletes on and off the field. Example
Q: Is KissMyKite on Instagram?
A: Yes. https://www.instagram.com/kissmykite/
Q: What's the best way to view KissMyKite at KissMyKite.com?
A: On a PC or MAC. Our photos are for industry professionals so the higher resolutions are for desktops.
KissMyKite is a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
Helene & Tony Filson at Aruba Hi-Winds with FXSports CEO Wim Eelens who is the major organizer of Aruba Hi-Winds.
Sports equipment donated by FxSports, courtesy of Mr. Eelens was auctioned to raise funds for a KissMyKite initiative to send deserving children to the Aruba Sports Unie Summer Camp. Mr. & Mrs. Filson matched the funds raised and also produced media to complement the competitions at Aruba Hi-Winds
The prior year the Helene & Tony Filson Baseball Camp was funded and came to fruition the following summer.
Tony Filson - The Photography BIO
Tony Filson – Photographer & Features Fashion Editor
Tony Filson is an accomplished American photographer whose striking visual storytelling spans fashion, sports, editorial, and fine art. Over decades, Filson has earned recognition across industries—from the adrenaline of extreme sports to the runways of New York and Miami by creating photographs that fuse technical mastery with a keen cultural sensibility. Filson is humble but he is considered one of the top Miami Swim Week photographers and Art Basel Miami portrait photographers for a long list of celebrities, fashion models and designers.
Early Years & Apprenticeships
Filson’s professional journey began remarkably early. As a teenager, he apprenticed with the renowned portrait photographer Bert Torchia, a celebrated figure in Hollywood and New York circles known for creating evocative headshots and portfolios for prominent television and film actors. Under Torchia’s guidance, Filson honed both classical lighting techniques and the nuanced rapport required to capture personality-driven portraiture. This formative experience laid the groundwork for Filson’s enduring commitment to both artistry and craft.
Sports Photography and Action Culture
In his early career, Filson became known for his dynamic sports photography, carving out a unique niche shooting kitesurfing, beach tennis, and Olympic athletes. His work often appeared in tie-in campaigns for sportswear and lifestyle brands eager to blend athletic performance with fashion sensibility.
Aruba Hi-Winds, the prestigious windsurfing and kiteboarding competition, and BTA Beach Tennis Aruba were among the events where Filson’s lens captured the synergy of sport, beauty, and environment. His images from these events are widely circulated across European and American sports and lifestyle publications. Notably, Filson’s athletic photography contributed to the aspirational branding of sports apparel and accessories in both editorial and commercial contexts.
Breakthrough in New York Fashion Scene
Filson’s entry into high fashion accelerated when he was commissioned to photograph Betsey Johnson’s iconic “Prenup” runway show at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week (NYFW), staged at Lincoln Center. These photographs, capturing Johnson’s theatrical exuberance and punk-feminine aesthetic, became widely shared and reprinted. This body of work not only cemented his reputation among designers and editors but also marked his signature approach: blending the spectacle of runway performance with intimate behind-the-scenes storytelling.
New York Fashion Week and Designer Collaborations
Building on the momentum of his Betsey Johnson success, Filson went on to photograph leading designers and emerging talents alike, including:
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Malan Breton, whose refined tailoring and cinematic presentations Filson documented in both runway and editorial formats.
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Raul Peñaranda, known for sophisticated eveningwear.
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Olga Papkovitch, founder of PopImpressKA, with whom Filson developed an especially prolific creative partnership.
He became a fixture at NYFW, STYLE Fashion Week, and Art Hearts Fashion, where his imagery consistently graced editorials, promotional campaigns, and magazine covers.
PopImpressKA Journal & Haute Couture Editorials
Filson’s collaboration with Olga Papkovitch deepened when she appointed him In-House Photographer for her acclaimed high-gloss magazine PopImpressKA Journal. His contributions included:
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Exclusive NYFW runway coverage.
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High-fashion editorial shoots on location in Aruba.
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Iconic haute couture sessions staged at The Russian Consulate in NYC, several of which landed prominent front covers and feature spreads.
These sessions often juxtaposed aristocratic settings with contemporary couture, showcasing Filson’s ability to blend narrative portraiture with fashion sensibility.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
Parallel to his runway and editorial career, Filson worked extensively to capture the 60th Edition Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models, photographing a celebrated roster of models including:
Ellie Thumann, Brooks Nader, Alix Earle, Katie Austin, Jena Sims, Xandra Pohl, Camille Kostek, Jilly Anais, Lele Pons, Christen Harper, Penny Lane, and Abbie Herbert.
His location shoots in Miami yielded multiple front and back covers, capturing both the allure and athleticism of the Swimsuit brand. These images demonstrated his fluency in both fashion and commercial photography, contributing to the cross-over appeal that defines SI Swimsuit’s visual identity.
Miami Swim Week, Art Basel Miami & Art Hearts Fashion
Over the years, Filson has built an extensive archive of Miami Swim Week and Art Basel Miami photography, particularly through his work with Art Hearts Fashion. His images feature:
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Internationally acclaimed designers such as Giannina Azar, known for dazzling embellishments and couture swimwear. This is one of his favorite designers to work with
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Avant-garde talents like Natalia Fedner, celebrated for metal knit designs.
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Dozens of emerging designers and top models.
His Miami Swim Week portfolio—available at www.kissmykite.com/miami-swim-week serves as a vivid chronicle of swimwear’s evolution into a global luxury category.
Recent Editorial Leadership
In 2025, Filson’s influence in fashion media took a new turn with his appointment as Features & Fashion Editor and In-House Photographer for World Fashion Media News (WFMN). Listed on the magazine’s masthead across US, LATAM, EU, Asia, and MENA editions, Filson brings a global perspective to WFMN’s coverage of luxury fashion and culture. His role includes:
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Producing editorial features and cover shoots.
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Shaping visual strategy across regions.
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Mentoring emerging photographers and stylists.
For more, see the official profile: www.worldfashionmedianewsmagazine.com/tony-filson—house-photographer.html
Creative Philosophy and Legacy
Throughout his career, Tony Filson has articulated a philosophy rooted in authenticity and empathy. As he has noted in interviews, “The best photographs don’t just record beauty—they reveal a truth about the person or moment you could never invent.”
This conviction has earned him respect not only from clients and editors but also from the designers, models and athletes whose stories he helps tell.
Today, Filson continues to expand his body of work, with forthcoming projects in runway, editorial, and fine art photography. His images are bold, human, and cinematic and remain a testament to decades of dedication behind the camera. When asked what he loved most, he said "Portraits". I can sit for hours immersed in a subject and leave with an intimate statement.
RECENT WORKS & FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHS RECOGNIZED BY THE INDUSTRY
Betsey Johnson Runway Models at Lincoln Center
New York Fashion Week / 2014
Models in flamboyant Betsey Johnson designs (e.g., colorful lingerie-inspired looks)
Captures Johnson's signature high-energy, playful aesthetic; featured in multiple galleries and blogs as a tribute to her 40+ year career. High-engagement on photography forums like DPReview.
DPReview Gallery, Betsey Johnson Models Blog
Ellie Thumann for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
Miami Swim Week / Recent (2025)
Model Ellie Thumann in beachside swimwear poses
Iconic SI Swimsuit collaboration; emphasizes empowerment and Miami's vibrant energy. Widely pinned on Pinterest for its editorial polish.
Lele Pons in Candy-Striped Red Bikini
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit at Miami Swim Week / 2024
Influencer/model Lele Pons in bold red-and-yellow swimwear
Blends pop culture with fashion; described as "electrifying" in event recaps. High social shares for its confident, alluring vibe.
Additional Designers and Brands in Tony Filson's catalog on display at KissMyKite.
• Abyss Byabby
• Alma Arena
• Amor Mia
• Asherah
• Bad Pink
• Bareminimale
• Belle D’Amour
• Berry Beachy
• Betsey Johnson
• Body Glove Girl
• Caroline Derpienski
• David Tupaz
• Following Dory
• Frankies Bikinis
• Giannina Azar
• Gooseberry
• Haus of PinkLemonAid
• Honee Persona
• KNIX
• Lain Snow
• Laurel DeWitt
• Lila Nikole
• Love For UpCycling
• Luxe Isle
• Lybethras
• Mar De Lua
• Marqueza
• Meriem Belkhayat
• Michael Costello
• Milan Breton
• Mola Mola
• Mr. Triple X
• NAAVA
• Natalia Fedner
• Norma Kamali
• Oseree
• OYE
• Paula Callejas
• PopImpressKA
• PQ Swim
• Praia
• Puntamar
• Raul Penaranda
• Reina Olga
• Sommer Swim
• Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Collection
• Sugar Puss
NOTE: All of Filson's work goes to charity, 100%. The only way to hire Filson is through a verified donation to an accredited charity that supports Summer Camps for deserving children. Filson and his wife Helene, often match contributions. Filson is the former Chairman of the Filcro Companies. KissMyKite.
"Always give credit to everyone you work with. Everything is a team effort by dedicated creatives." Tony Filson
