Classes

In this engaging 90-minute session, Belinda will unlock the secrets behind creating artful imagery of our beloved furry friends while maximizing client sales through expert posing techniques.
Participants will delve into Belinda’s go-to poses, learning how to capture the essence of each pet’s personality and create extraordinary works of art that convert to sales every time.

Forget the hassle of chasing tail or coaxing a purr out of your feline models—Belinda’s got you covered with her tried-and-true posing guide. Whether it’s the classic head tilt, the regal paw lift, or the elusive over-the-shoulder glance, Belinda will teach you how to orchestrate each pose flawlessly, ensuring that every click of the shutter translates into delighted clients and money in your pocket.

Additionally, Belinda will guide attendees through transforming their pet portraits into captivating wall art arrangements and storyboards that practically sell themselves. Learn how to curate collections that tell a compelling narrative, drawing clients not only to individual images but also inspiring them to invest in larger, cohesive pieces for their homes.

With Belinda’s expert guidance, discover the secrets to creating gallery-worthy displays that showcase your pet photography as stunning works of art. Clients will be eager to adorn their walls with their own personalised artwork that celebrate the boundless joy and love shared between them and their furry companions.

Whether you’re a seasoned pet photographer looking to up your game or just starting out in the studio, “Posing Pets for Profit” is the ultimate masterclass to help increase your average spend per client. Join Belinda to learn how to turn your clients’ best friends into works of art that excite, delight and convert.

Equipment required: Notepad and pen

Are you a rigid poser or a carefree prompter? Why not both?! Get ready to stay on your toes in this Hands-On class as I show you how to seamlessly transition between traditional posing and prompts that will leave your families smiling even after the camera is back in the bag. We will be working with 1-2 model families so there will be plenty of 1:1 time to get images to build your portfolio.

Per last year’s feedback, I will also make sure to share camera settings as we work through setups together.

*24-70/28-70mm lens is optimal for this class, but feel free to bring prime lenses if you’re down to move around!

Ok, so you’re at the shoot and you’re stuck. You panic! All eyes on you and now you feel like you’re fumbling with your lights while your client is staring at you? STOP. Lighting is easy and I’ll walk you through the basics of lighting. If you’re a natural light shooter or know nothing about off camera flash, and you’ve come to ShutterFest to learn, this is your live guide to lighting. Step by step, stress free, and confidence first. You’ll learn how to build your lighting brain and know what to reach for before the panic sets in. Perfect for newer photographers or natural light shooters ready to take control. Bring your camera, I’ll provide the lights and remote transmitters.

What to Expect:
* A full breakdown of settings, positioning, and modifier choices
* Recommendations on different lighting units for different scenarios
* How to start with ambient and add in Flash
* Live demos with before/after lighting changes so you see the difference
* Hands-on time to shoot and tweak setups
* A chill, encouraging vibe that makes flash finally click

Is the thought of creating a Reel too overwhelming, too complicated, or just too time-consuming? Let’s banish that fear once and for all! This demo will show you how to take and organize your content for easy editing, navigate Instagram’s features, find trending audio, put together a Reel, and more. I’ll walk you through my entire process from start to finish. If you want to follow along and post your own Reel by the end of class (highly recommended), here is what you will need to bring:

-Your cell phone with Instagram installed and logged in
-10 or more of your favorite vertical images downloaded to your phone
-Optional: a vertical image of you or a short, vertical video clip of you doing something (BTS of a shoot, with your favorite snack/drink, waving, etc. Sky is the limit!)

You’ll walk away feeling confident and ready to build this workflow into your business and social media presence!
*This class is ideal for those who want to practice creating Reels and getting familiar with Instagram. This class will not cover strategy or other types of posts.

In this heartfelt and inspiring course, I share how photographing Quinceañeras, one of the most vibrant and emotional celebrations in Latin culture — not only transformed my photography, but also shaped my purpose, business, and personal life.

In this course I will take you behind the scenes of my journey — the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons learned along the way. You’ll hear how I went from chasing perfect poses to capturing real emotion, from technical stress to creative flow, and from just taking photos to becoming part of a family’s story.

More than just a talk, this course offers real strategies and insights for photographers who want to dive into cultural events with intention, respect, and impact.

You will learn how to connect more deeply with your clients, tell powerful visual stories, and grow a photography business rooted in trust and culture.

Quinceañeras pushed me to improve my technical skills under pressure, adapt to real-time moments, and truly understand the importance of capturing emotion. Along the way, you’ll discover that these events are more than portraits and parties, they’re milestones filled with tradition, pride, and unforgettable memories.

This course is not just about photographing Quinceañeras — it’s about how one genre of photography can shift your perspective, elevate your creativity, and build lasting relationships through your work.

Dive into creative light manipulation using color gels & prisms. Amber – sometimes called “the Queen of Color” – will demonstrate how to layer colored light, project prisms, and control mood through light and color. Then we’ll switch to hands-on practice using props, gels, and prisms to transform ordinary portraits into vibrant, cinematic magic. Perfect for photographers ready to explore bold visual storytelling in immersive classroom settings and learn how color interacts with environment and skin-tones. Bring your camera gear, triggers, gels and lights ( we will also have stations set for you) so that you can get hands on into creating with all the colors of the rainbow!

What if I told you that you don’t need to spend hours on your computer to achieve beautiful, fine art style edits? What if I told you it was possible to quickly produce creatively edited sets for your clients or magazine publications? In this class we’re going to cover quick methods for retouching that can let you achieve artistic edits without investing a ton of time. We’ll be covering current AI tools to speed up your workflow. We’ll also cover quick methods to give your photos a fine art look, without the time normally required for a fine-art edit. We’ll also be discussing ways to fix common problems in post so if something didn’t go exactly to plan at your shoot, you’re not dead in the water. The goal for the class is to give you the tools you need to start producing beautiful edits and cohesive photo sets without having to spend a ton of time on your computer.

If you’re still just snapping wide shots of empty rooms, you’re leaving money and creative impact on the table. This session is your blueprint for transforming real estate media into a powerful, revenue generating service that clients can’t live without. Learn how to blend stills, drone, video, and virtual tours into story driven content that sells homes and builds your brand. I’ll break down practical techniques to stand out in a crowded market, deliver high-value visuals, and turn onetime shoots into loyal, repeat clients. Whether you’re looking to grow your income, increase demand, or finally get noticed by the agents who matter this class is where it starts.

Perfect families don’t exist, and if you’ve been photographing long enough, you know that half the job is managing people before you even start the session. This class is all about showing you how I handle chaos in real time. We’ll work with a family model group and run through scenarios that every photographer dreads: the toddler who won’t sit still, the parent who won’t stop micromanaging, the teenager who clearly doesn’t want to be there, the dad that is on his phone, and the grandparents who think they’re in charge.

You’ll see me demonstrate the exact strategies I use to take control of the session without getting frustrated, redirect negative energy, and create shots that look relaxed and intentional even when the experience isn’t. The emphasis is on clear communication (both before and during the session), efficient posing, and subtle directing that brings the focus back to connection instead of conflict.

Expect to walk away with a repeatable approach for turning stressful family sessions into galleries that look effortless and natural. You’ll also pick up phrases, prompts, and redirection techniques you can use immediately at your own shoots. I promise that you’ll come away with not only new approaches, but also some tangible content, follow-up activities, and additional resources.

What to Bring:
• Notebook or tablet for jotting down prompts and workflow tips
• No camera gear required (this is a demo class)

Feeling creatively stuck or disconnected from your work? This class is your reset. You’ll learn how to shift from shooting reactively to designing with intention, resulting in sessions that feel more personal, consistent, and impactful.

By the end of this class, attendees will be able to:
-Identify and refine your unique visual and emotional style
-Perform a portfolio audit to uncover what’s working and what’s not
-Filter out trend driven noise and stop relying on Pinterest for inspiration
-Create mood boards that reflect your artistic voice and guide your sessions
-Build sessions with cohesive tone, styling, and story
-Communicate your vision clearly with clients

Whether you’re in a creative rut, rebuilding your brand, or ready to elevate your session planning, this class will help you reconnect with your why and shoot with soul again.

Back by popular demand is “Retouching For Fine Art”.

So many of you asked me to bring this back for 2026. For those of you that missed it the first time, come learn all my tips and tricks that I use when retouching fantasy, ethereal, and fine art images. No gate keeping here! I can’t wait to see you there.

If you have a laptop, Photoshop, and there’s a power outlet available, feel free to bring it and follow along with me.

Build your wedding portfolio with this styled shoot! Along with my team of amazing vendors, we’ll put together a full wedding styled shoot for you to photograph- complete with all the details, a couple of models, etc. I’ll share how I came up with the concept, get vendors to work with me, and how to shoot for publication and the vendors who helped. Every year is a different theme and they are always spectacular!

This shoot will give you portfolio images for your website, studio, and wedding show booth, and we’ll create some content you can use on your social media channels!

When I first stared to the wedding industry, I had nothing to show potential clients – no images – no product. Styled shoos are a GREAT way to get going and the benefits are endless. They are a lot of work, but worth it!

When I first started in the wedding industry, I had nothing to show potential clients – no images – no product – and no one knew who I was. Styled shoots are a GREAT was to get going and the benefits are endless. I will go over how I come up with concepts & brainstorm ideas, some challenges I have faced & how I overcame them, how I get vendors to work with me, how to get and stay organized, and how to get those images published! Building relationships, building your portfolio, and practicing is kay with shooting weddings, and styled shoots are a great way to get started!

Wedding shows are a great way – if not the best way – to connect with potential clients. They can be a lot of work, and a big investment, so making sure you maximize your experience is the only way to crush your conversion rate and get the best ROI. We’ll go over how to brand and design your booth, warm leads, how to work the show, come up with a great show special, follow up with leads after the show, and so much more! Whether you’re a veteran exhibitor or just thinking about doing them, this class is for you.

We all need more content to post on social media! As teens, scroll through their Instagram feeds at lightning speeds, we also need content that will get them to pause from scrolling, admire, and interact with our content. In this hands-on class, we want to get you as much scroll-stopping Senior Content we can possibly squeeze into 2 hours.

We are going to take a few moments to discuss our tactics and past successes and failures for creating viral senior related social media content.

Then, we will have six full backdrop sets (3 Guys and 3 girls) with different lighting styles to not only get you content to share and boost your senior inquires as soon as you get home, but hopefully also help you find a style that you can then recreate with your own clients and influencer teams to build even MORE buzz for your studio over and over again!

Learn how to sculpt light into bodyscapes your clients will want to showcase on their walls, using LED light sticks, purposeful posing, and intentional shadows.

This hands-on class covers one-light and two-light setups that are easy to replicate in small spaces and designed to highlight form, strength, and shape, whether your subject is in lingerie, fitness wear, or nude.

(Note: there will be no nude models in class. You’ll just have to use your imagination. We promise it’s good practice.)

You’ll learn how to pose both male and female bodies for sculptural impact and leave with a repeatable system you can use to create fine art wall portraits your clients will be proud to display.

Bring your camera, and we recommend a standard zoom lens for flexibility.

As we all know, the photography industry is rapidly changing as technology becomes better and more affordable. Everyone is a photographer these days and good pictures can be captured on cell phones and edited by AI. People do not NEED to go to a photographer for their portraits anymore. It has become a luxury.

As such, we need to treat it like a luxury. How can we do that if we are selling the very thing that they can do? The answer is to ditch the idea that we are photographers selling pictures and embrace the luxury experience market. We are now needing to curate experiences for our clients and not just simply take their pictures. People are willing to pay for experiences. We see this all over. Theme Parks, Concerts/Festivals, Athletic Events and so on all create experiences for their clients to invest in. We need to do the same in our studios. The client then purchases the result of their experience with us.

In this class, we will talk about creating experiences for our clients and different things that we can do to help boost the client experience which results in higher sales.

SEO isn’t dead, it’s just evolving. And if you want your business to stay visible in a world of AI-generated answers and smart search results, it’s time to level up.
Back by popular demand, Myrna is going to share what it takes to stay visible in AI-driven search results, how to align your content with SEO and LLMs, and how to future-proof your photography business for whatever Google throws your way next.

No epic skyline? No problem. This class is all about transforming “meh” locations—alleys, parking lots, loading docks—into polished senior portraits using only natural light. We’ll cover fast scouting, angles that cheat the background, compression for cleanup, color pops, reflections, and texture to build depth. You’ll learn when to use the sun for backlight, when to use the sade, how to use a simple reflector or negative fill to shape a jawline, and how to direct confident poses so your senior looks like a star.

This presentation is a deep dive into the power and versatility of a single light source, proving that world-class results don’t require an elaborate setup. Join me for an exclusive live demonstration where I’ll reveal how I’ve used just one strobe to shoot several Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar covers and editorials. This is your time to learn to do more with less.

What You Will Learn:
* Principles of Single-Strobe Lighting: Witness a live demonstration with a professional model as I challenge the idea that more gear equals better photos.
* Techniques for High-Fashion Lighting: Learn my proven techniques for manipulating a single light to create a glossy, dramatic, and high-fashion feel—perfect for fashion and beauty editorials.
* Light Shaping and Control: Master the fundamental principles of light shaping, placement, and control, and see how a single light can be used to tell a multitude of visual stories.

This is a masterclass in creativity and efficiency, demonstrating that your vision and technical skill are the most important tools you own. You will leave with a mastery of fundamental lighting principles and the confidence to create striking, professional images with minimal gear.

What to Bring:
Attendees are encouraged to bring a notebook and a pen to take notes. This is a lecture and demonstration-based class, so no photography equipment is required.

Learn to light and pose for your branding and lifestyle clients, especially on location. In my class, I’ll walk you through how I shoot lifestyle and branding portraits using off camera flash. How I pose my clients to bring out the best and make them stand out. No fluff, no gimmicks, just practical lighting and posing that work under pressure. I’ll demo a few Business friendly poses, explain the thought process behind the light, break down why I place the light where I do and then we’ll all shoot it together. Bring your camera, I’ll provide the lights and remote transmitters.

What to Expect:
* How I build a simple lighting setup quickly and efficiently for branding portraits
* How I direct non-models to look confident and natural
* Hands-on time to shoot using my lighting setups
* Recommendations on lighting for Branding portraits
* Real talk Q&A

To shoot like a fashion photographer, you need both vision and technique. In this hands-on class, we’ll dive into the art of creating images that feel intentional, stylish, and editorial, while also breaking down the tools and setups that make it possible. You’ll learn how to shape light for a polished look. Choose angles and lenses that elevate your subject, and direct models with confidence to bring out authentic, powerful poses. We’ll also explore how wardrobe, location, and story come together to build images that feel campaign-ready. Whether your focus is fashion, branding, seniors, or weddings, this class will show you how to apply the mindset and methods of fashion photography to take your work to the next level.

This hands-on workshop is built for new photographers who want to break into the world of personal branding — and walk away with powerful images that slay! In this class, we’ll focus on photographing “doctors,” “lawyers,” and other professionals in poses and easy-to-replicate setups that reflect who they are and what they do with confidence, authenticity, and style.

These mini-branding environments will be ready for you to step in, shoot, and build a portfolio you’re proud to show off. We’ll start by covering the essentials: gear, location/backdrop choices, and simple lighting setups that are beginner-friendly but pack a punch. Then… we shoot!

This class is made for newbies — no fancy gear required. Just bring your camera, your curiosity, and get ready to capture branding images that look polished, professional, and totally portfolio-worthy!

Wall Art sales are a major driver of profit in any studio. How can we sell more wall art in our studios? We have to shoot images for it. While certainly pretty, no one wants a giant face on the wall staring at back at them with eyes that follow them around the house. Those images are great for smaller prints like 8x10s, but not for walls. If you want to sell more wall art to your clients, you have to shoot images that are perfect as wall art.

In this class, Curtiss will walk you through how he shoots images for wall art. He will show you lighting techniques that help him create these amazing images. He will show you different posing techniques that allow you to sell multiple pieces of wall art to a single client. No one wants to buy the same pose over and over. He will show you ways to make wall art sets. He will also show you ways to make unique “wide” images using a “normal” lens.

This is hands on, so you will be shooting and working with the models. Bring your cameras and a wide lens, somewhere in the 15mm to 35mm range (also a lens in the 85mm range or higher for the “wide” technique), and be ready to create images that your clients will want in their home on their walls.

Does the thought of showing up on social media make you cringe, or worse, keep you from posting at all? You’re not alone. This beginner-friendly workshop is designed specifically for photographers who want to start building their online presence with confidence (without spending hours glued to your phone).

In this class, you’ll learn simple strategies to create authentic, engaging content that actually connects with your audience. We’ll cover what to post, how often, and how to use photos, Reels, and Stories without overthinking it. You’ll walk away with a simple content plan, posting workflow, and the confidence to finally put yourself, and those gorgeous images, out there!

Stop hiding behind the camera and start building the social presence your photography business deserves.
*This class is ideal for anyone who has not started or does not post consistently on social media because they’re unsure how to make the most of it.

Who is ready to make money? Without feeling like a pushy salesperson? I’ll show you how to start introducing in-person sales (IPS) into your workflow. Whether you’re hopping on Zoom, meeting at your dining table, or reserving a quiet corner at the local library. We’ll cover simple programs for seamless customer handling, ways to educate your client on your services and the do’s/don’ts that keep it professional and painless. You’ll walk away with scripts, a basic IPS checklist, and confidence. It’s never to late to start building your dream career and a steady income as you move toward a truly successful business.

Do you offer newborn and milestone sessions? Well, what comes next? The big O-N-E! Let’s celebrate that baby’s first birthday! This live demo takes you inside a real cake smash session! From sweet 12-month portraits to the frosting-filled finale! Learn how to keep baby engaged, roll with the unpredictable, and capture every giggle, grin, and embrace the mess. With 14 years of experience, I have a pocket full of my tried-and-true tips for styling your set, what props work best, and lighting so your photos stand out from the crowd. With laughter, sugar, and a little chaos, you’ll leave ready to book cake smashes with confidence (and maybe a craving for a delicious cake!). Refreshments are a must in this class!

Step into the world of bold, cinematic boudoir and glamour photography where shadows, color, and confidence collide. In this intermediate-to-advanced, hands-on class, you’ll learn how to shape dramatic light, avoid unflattering angles, and create powerful, mood-driven imagery worthy of the term “bombshell.”

We’ll explore how to use hard shadows, bold color, and constant lighting to craft striking portraits that mix glamour, boudoir, and fashion-forward style. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into the decision-making process behind modifier choices and gel applications—so you not only capture stunning images but also understand why the lighting works.

What you’ll learn:
How to avoid unflattering light and shooting angles
Creating drama with hard shadows and bold colors
Using constant lighting for both consistency and mood
Modifier and gel choices for building atmosphere
How to capture glamour/boudoir models with confidence
Class format: This session will be hands-on, giving you the chance to capture glamour and boudoir imagery for your own portfolio while practicing techniques live with models.

What to bring:
Camera body
Fast zooms & mid-range zooms

Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced — attendees must have a strong grasp of the exposure triangle, lens choice, and lighting fundamentals, and be able to make in-camera adjustments and setting changes quickly on the fly.

Expect to walk away with not only striking portfolio-ready content, but also a deeper understanding of the creative lighting decisions that make bombshell glamour photography stand out.

After 15 years of boudoir work with real people, I have developed a set of poses that work for EVERYONE, learn quickly how this workflow can give you 15 -25 shots for every person who walks through the door and empower them to feel great, look great and buy images.

If you’ve ever said “I’m a natural light photographer” but secretly meant “I’m terrified of strobes,” welcome to the club—we’ve all been there.

This hands-on, no-fluff crash course will help you:
• Understand how to use the gear from lights to modifiers
• Nail your camera settings without spiraling into tech panic
• Build one-light and two-light setups that look chef’s kiss amazing
• Place your lights so your client looks radiant—not like they’re being interrogated
• Troubleshoot like a boss when things go sideways (because they will—and that’s okay)

You’ll rotate through real setups, shoot with real models, and walk away with real images you can actually use.

Come ready to mess up. Come ready to learn. Leave ready to light like you mean it.