Lou Vest is a graduate of the US Naval Academy who worked as a ship pilot in Houston for many years. His goal is to challenge people's perception of the ship channel and bring it into the cultural and artistic awareness of the city. The port is a dramatic and colorful spectacle and his photos are a testament to it. His work is held in the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. He has exhibited in numerous venues and was featured accompanying performances of the Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera. Vest was selected by the Houston Press as one of the top 100 Creatives in Houston in 2013.