Classes

Everyone uses flash nowadays for portraits, but did you know you can use LED lighting equally well? The best part is, you’ll be able to visually see how the light will affect your subject as you change it! LED lights have improved dramatically over the years, and I’d love to show how you can use everything, from bare LED’s to modified LED’s to create the shot you want.

If off camera flash scares you, come to my hands-on LED class! You’ll learn:
-How to use LED lights in any lighting situation
-Use LED lighting to see your shot “live”
-What different modifiers do to your lighting

Since this is hands-on class, you’ll walk away with images that you can use for your portfolio. Please bring your camera, and preferably a long lens, such as a 70-200. You won’t need a trigger since it’s LED lighting! We can all shoot at once!

In this class I will show you how I create my dramatic studio portraits. You will learn some of my favorite light setups, how I use gels to create interesting portraits and some of the diffusers I use the most to create my dramatic portraits.

-Learn some of my favorite light setups
-How to use gels in studio to create dramatic portraits
-How to use V-flats, spot light, and many other light diffusers to create dramatic portraits.

Learn how I use available light, adjust white balance, what lenses I choose and the camera settings I love to use at every wedding to create images that stand out, remain similar and help define my style to ultimately attract my ideal clients.

3 years ago, Jonathan was involved in a tragic motorcycle accident that left him dead on scene. Learn how this pivotal moment in his life has changed his overall outlook both in life, and photography. This motivational lecture will cover how my career started, and what’s been affected by this tragic, yet necessary accident that totally transformed my life. Be prepared to laugh, maybe cry, and learn more about how our lives can change for the better in the grips of tragedy.

In this class you will learn different lightning techniques to create images that will make you stand out from others, you will learn one of the most important parts in photography, composition, I will show you how to compose your Quinceañera in any location in order to create those beautiful wall art portraits that mom and dad won’t hesitate to buy.

This class is about lighting techniques for fine art nude photography. The live demo will feature a photoshoot with both male and female models who will NOT be nude, so please do not attend for a cheap thrill. The class is intended for a mature audience and the slides will include partial and full artistic nudity, both male and female.

If you shoot fitness, boudoir, bodyscapes, fine art portraiture, or even fantasy composites, these lighting and posing techniques are all directly applicable!

During the live demo photoshoot, I will tether my camera to the display so everyone in the class can see the shoot unfold in real-time. You will learn new lighting techniques and you will see first-hand how I guide people through posing regardless of their experience.

You will learn advanced off-camera flash techniques to accomplish specific goals:
– Painterly-style lighting inspired by Classical and Renaissance oil paintings.
– Chiaroscuro (dramatic light and shadow) in the style of a Caravaggio masterpiece.
– Blending soft light with gelled hard light to accomplish a look I call “Gods and Goddesses”, a modern take on dramatic lighting.
– Hard and soft-edged bodyscape lighting to explore the blurred lines between abstract and erotic depictions of the human form.
– Highlighting body scapes with sharp, dramatic silhouettes.

Throughout the live demo, you will observe and learn essential posing techniques:
– Contrapposto as a starting point, especially useful for inexperienced subjects.
– Using my shoot-review-refine process to build confidence and improve posing.
– How eye contact (or not) impacts the mood of a picture.
– Guiding the subject into tense and compressed versus delicate and soft body language to convey competing emotions.
– What the hell should they do with their hands?

Hybrid with hands on so you will shoot. Just maybe a more detailed purposeful demo to start the session. Let’s get down and dirty with Studio Lighting. One light setup is the thing but the serious Light Chefs are made in the studio. Let’s walk through three studio lights set ups. A one light , a two light, and a three light station all set up and ready to rip. 30 minute demo on the whys and the what’s I’m looking for. Shoot with purpose and get some cool fashionable imagery with all three setups. Even be a light stand so you can see the purpose and direction of a light.

In a reprise of their popular, first-time class at Shutterfest 2022, the Blumes are back to dig into relationship dynamics at work: After 14 years working together as a full-time photographer duo, the Blumes have learned a thing or two about making it all work — from misadventures in miscommunication, to defining unique roles within the studio, to balancing life in order to homeschool and travel the world with three young kids. Experiencing heartaches and triumphs along the way, the Blumes are no strangers to big challenges. But they believe their greatest successes are a result of sacrifice! Join them for an open-book look into the real life of one photographer couple.

It’s been said that an image is worth a thousand words. For a video, multiply that by another thousand. Short form video continues to rule the marketing world. This class is for photographers that don’t necessarily want to be a videographer, but DO want to include short form video in their toolbox. I will demonstrate how I use short form video with my Senior Portrait clients, but the information is easily adaptable to any genre of photography.

Walk away skills:
• How to create a simple story line.
• 5 essential shots to capture.
• How to switch between stills and video efficiently and creatively.
• Ways to use short form video in marketing and in sales.
• Overview of editing final short form video using simple (aka free) software.

This is a demo class with BONUS hands-on practice. We aren’t striving for perfection in this class, but we will run drills so you can recreate the shots on your own.

Gear suggested: #1 – Camera with video capability. Bring your favorite camera & lens you use for portraits. #2 – Basic knowledge of how to access your video functions on your camera. Please read your manual or find a youtube video so you are prepared to record. #3 – Tripod or monopod (video trip/monood recommended, but standard tripod will work).

Extra Credit: If you register for this class, sign up for the FB group so you can come to class properly prepared to absorb a massive amount of MacGyverized Tips! Please message me with any questions. I want you to have a successful learning experience, and I’m here to help!

Newborns don’t always sleep, and that’s okay! We’ll demonstrate how to get those adorable awake photos and timeless detail shots to get baby worn out before sleepy poses.

Did you know that half of the attendees at every photography conference are aspiring to be a full time pro? If that sounds like you, this is the class you want. What does it take to cut the cord from your day job and become a full time professional? Here’s what you’ll learn:

– The big mistakes you want to avoid when going full time
– Making a plan, setting goals, and turning a profit
– Creating a message, finding your audience, and filling your calendar
– Marketing for photographers, how to get the right clients without getting overwhelmed
– Studio or no studio? Breaking down the numbers
– Managing fear and taking calculated risks

For more than 15 years, Gary Hughes has been working as a full time photographer and has managed to help countless others do the same. No sales pitch, no bullshit, just real talk on the business of photography and what it takes to succeed.

I’ll walk you though some quick tips and pointers for getting started with men’s boudoir from marketing to men, establishing your brand voice, and of course, posing and directing men. Then, there will be an opportunity for everyone to work with male models and walk away with images you can use to start or add to your men’s boudoir portfolio as you are guided through directing, posing, and getting images your clients will love!

Over half of our maternity clients coming in are having sessions with their Significant Other. It’s not always just the about soon-to-be mom. This is often an overlooked subject many photographers struggle with. How to break the mold on posing your maternity clients with their significant other, creating unique and powerful images they both are proud to be in. How we mix it up to provide not just variety for our clients but dynamic images of both mom and her partner.

What you will learn

• How starting with your pre-session consult well in advance will help prepare for their significant others wardrobe too
• Their level of attire should match the couture looks we are offering mom. No more just shorts and a t-shirt
• How to pose couples to provide variety with more than having their spouse holding moms belly
• Dynamic and unique posing so they both match the high level portraiture we want to provide
• No more struggling to pose maternity couples together. Watch our quick and efficient posing workflow to get the most diversity in our images, and proving art they are both proud to be in

Learn how to confidently pose a newborn with the whole family. We’ll demonstrate a couple of different ways to pose a newborn with Mom, Dad and siblings.

A professional branding session will bring a consistent visual message to your client’s business. Creating a customized branding experience is key to helping your clients have endless content creation for their website and social media platforms. This class will help you do a deep dive into your client’s needs by starting with the end in mind.

This class will cover:
1. The power of a client questionnaire/consult to help them write their story and discover how they want to present themselves online.
2. The importance of educating your clients on the power of a personal brand. Teach them how to effectively use their images to connect with their audience, position them as the go-to professional, and peel back the curtain on their business.
3. Developing a shot list to maximize sales.
4. Working with clients over 40 to educate them about online marketing and how to maximize their new imagery.

Using Photoshop Actions to eliminate repetitive work and reduce your retouching time is key to creating a proficient and speedy retouching workflow. Most people don’t realize how much automation is actually possible with Photoshop. Actions easily save you time and eliminate inefficient repetitive work. In this class, Kristina will teach you how to supercharge your productivity by incorporating Actions into your workflow.

In this class, we show how a single studio strobe can be used to create a large variety of different looks, fast. The goal is to work quickly so each client reaches their maximum potential of sellable images as quickly as possible by changing some of our variables as we shoot. As we work with our model, you will be able to watch the resulting images on the projected screen to build and expand your client workflow.

Learn how to manipulate one light and a few modifiers for numerous looks
Explore lighting positions and adjust the mood for unique looks that stand out from the natural light crowd
Approachable to those just learning to light as well as those looking to expand their skills to increase revenue
Learn techniques to increase your total number of sellable images per client session

Peter Hurley created his triangle of continuous light in 2004 and it’s been the cornerstone of his work ever since. Basing his headshot business off this lighting model has proven to be a huge winner not only for him but for photographers utilizing it globally. Come watch Peter setup and tweak this specific lighting for each subject and get in on the action by shooting the triangle yourself.

Is it possible to create incredible images when the bride is super late? when the DJ fills the dance floor with smoke? When the wedding planner on your heels because it’s taking too long? Posing is for beginners, LOL. I want to see those incredible shots you take in chaotic situations!

Participants will learn my go to methods for posing and lighting for a personal brand photoshoot. We will discuss the importance of understanding your client so you can deliver the appropriate photos they need for marketing. We will discuss headshots, call to action shots, and how to scout locations and choosing the appropriate props. This class will incorporate lighting that can be used in the studio and on location along with natural lighting. Students should bring a camera trigger if they are interested in practicing OCF.

Retouching isn’t just something we do on the computer anymore. As professional photographers with to-do lists a mile long, we need to live, breathe and eat productivity. Thankfully, our mobile devises are becoming increasingly powerful and we’re able to create astonishing edits all from the palm of our hands! Take advantage of Lightroom’s advanced masking capabilities while you’re waiting for that doctors appointment or riding public transport. Unchain yourself from your desk, and start learning how to create profound edits while you’re out and about using Adobe Lightroom on your mobile devises!

So many companies are switching to content strategies based on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. If you are going to be competitive as a product photographer, you MUST be able to create content that innovates and excites. I will show several of my favorite techniques for how to capture thrilling and exciting imagery that will not only keep your clients coming back, but they’ll send their friends your way too!

This wildly successful light projection class from Shutterfest 2022 is back, better than ever before! Like before, we’ll provide two shooting bays with plenty of time for every attendee to capture unique images using digital projectors, colorful LED tube lights, and a range of props. When you arrive, a scannable QR code will bring up a web page with all the recommended camera settings as well as model contact information, ensuring a smooth start for everyone.

There will be two shooting bays, one with a black background and a second with a white background, which is all new for 2023.

Every attendee can choose from a HUGE array of images to project along with an infinite number of dynamic patterns like lines, fractals, geometric shapes, words, and more. My software will be improved with presets, allowing each attendee to choose their custom look faster than ever before.

For the first time ever, I will release portions of my custom light projection software as a web app that runs on Windows, Mac, and even iPads.

Attendees should bring their favorite camera and lens: 35mm, 50mm, 24-70mm are all excellent choices. f2.8 is ideal, f4 is good too.

Peter loves playing with shadows on his subjects and found what most consider Rembrandt lighting to be fantastic for facial close ups. The addition of a rim light as a 3rd source kicks it up yet another notch! Come shoot Peter’s rendition of his key, fill, kick setup and play with the ratios of light to create some incredible close up portraits for your portfolio.

I don’t know about you but pretty much every single time my brides step outside for bridal portraits during bride prep, the sun is in a less than ideal position in the sky. It’s just the nature of the beast here in New York. But that doesn’t mean we have to sit and cry about it. Learn how to push through those moments and still create stunning portraits. Diffusion and Off-Camera Flash will get you to the promise land. Don’t leave her prep location with nothing but excuses, leave with beautiful images and all of her confidence in your abilities.

This is going to be hands-on so right after an intro and brief lesson, you WILL BE shooting. Come prepared with your favorite camera/lens combo for bridal portraits. I will supply the diffusers and lighting. I am a Flashpoint Creator so Flashpoint and Godox triggers will work with the lights that I will have available. I will also have a few triggers to pass around as well (Sony, Nikon, Canon) for those who do not have one.

*** As we can’t control the weather, in the event that we end up with either complete overcast or rain, we will still cover the theory of the course and discuss ways to overcome difficult mid-day light during the beginning but will then shift our focus to posing and composition while photographing the bride.

Bridal shows can be expensive and intimidating! I’ll bring my booth set up and let you have an interactive experience how I run it, what I say, and the follow up to get the most bang for your buck at bridal shows.

When I first started in the wedding industry, I had nothing to show potential clients – no images, no product. Styled shoots are a GREAT way to get started and build your portfolio! The benefits are endless and in this class I will show you how I come up with concepts, get other vendors to work with me, plan and execute the shoot, and get published.

EVERYONE is a CELEBRITY!!!

Most photographers underestimate their clients. The question is why?

Photographing for many years you always here I’m not that photogenic, I’m awkward in front of the camera, I don’t like my smile, I don’t like the way that I look, and the most favorite of all time is I need to lose weight. I completely disagree with every single one of these statements. I think everyone is photogenic and I think everyone belongs in front of the camera. My goal for this class is to show you how to bring out the best in your client without overthinking it.

Let’s really think about this and break this down. Your clients feel this way because they’ve had a photography experience before you. Regardless if it was a family portrait, senior portraits, headshots, or anything. You have the opportunity to change their mindset and gain a client for life.

During this class, we are going to break down the walls and the phobias that your clients may have while at the same time allowing them to enjoy themselves and create some amazing images.

We will bring a SEXY – ENERGETIC – HOLLYWOOD VIBE to this scene.
We will use various lighting styles from edgy to soft.

My goal is for you to see your client as more than an average face but one that deserves notice and attention. Show them how you see them and they will in return bring the whole neighborhood back to you.

This is a hands-on class so bring your gear.

Lighting your model is a lot more than just pointing, praying & cheering when you get a decent exposure. What if we wanted to get more dimension? or maybe flatten it all out for an aesthetic? Highlight midtone and yes shadows are powerful tools we have at our fingertips as photographers. We can control and use light to shape our subject to bring out, emphasize, or even hide features as well as create an over all perception of them. You will be surprised how elevated your shots become when you start refining all those subtle details in light causing them to all to add up to a final image.

After 11 years as a professional portrait photographer, Sony Artisan Miguel Quiles has learned a lot of tips and tricks that help him consistently create great images that sell. In this lecture, Miguel will open his playbook to show you all of the things he’s learned that you rarely if ever hear about that lead to true results!