Classes

Union Station provides the perfect backdrop for hands-on learning and spacious classrooms for lecture and live demo classes.
With over 100 classes, there’s something here for everyone!

How do I pick my classes?
You will be able to register for classes 
IN THE SHUTTERFEST APP two weeks before the event (first come, first serve). The app is released about a month before ShutterFest. READ THE FAQ and/or monitor the private Facebook group for more details.

SF26 Class Lineup

Class Search Form

Mastering the Male Portrait: Preparation, Posing, and Connection

Speaker: Anthony Romano (Website) (Social Media)

Live Demonstration   

Intermediate   

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Working with male clients can be both rewarding and challenging — whether they’re corporate executives, creative entrepreneurs, professional models, or “regular guys” stepping in front of the camera for the first time. In this 90-minute live demonstration, I’ll walk you through my proven approach to creating timeless, confident, and authentic images that make men look and feel their best.

WHAT WE WILL COVER:
– Pre-shoot preparation: consultation strategies, wardrobe guidance, and setting client expectations.
– Posing for authenticity: reading body language, adjusting posture for confidence, and avoiding the “over-posed” look.
– Adapting to personality types: directing extroverts vs. introverts, corporate vs. creative energy.
– Lighting and composition for male features: shaping light to convey strength, relatability, or sophistication.
– Keeping the session collaborative: how to make your client feel like a creative partner, not just a subject.
Expect real-world posing scenarios, live adjustments, and discussion on how to build trust quickly so clients leave the shoot feeling empowered … and come back for more!

WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD BRING
– Notebook for posing tips, client communication strategies, and lighting setups
– Camera and lens (optional; this is primarily a demo, but attendees may want to shoot during brief audience participation moments)
– Curiosity and willingness to rethink traditional posing

KEY TAKEAWAYS
– How to prepare male clients for a shoot so they arrive confident and ready
– Practical posing adjustments that instantly improve posture and presence
– Communication techniques that create trust and keep sessions collaborative
– Lighting approaches that complement masculine features without over-stylizing
– Ways to adapt your style for different industries; from corporate to fashion to lifestyle

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This class is for photographers who:
– Struggle to make male clients look natural and confident on camera
– Want to move beyond standard “hands in pockets” poses
– Work with entrepreneurs, small business owners, models, or editorial clients
– Want to add authenticity, versatility, and polish to their men’s portrait work

PREREQUISITIES
A working knowledge of manual camera settings and basic lighting is recommended. This class is not a camera fundamentals course.

COURSE LEVEL
Intermediate to Advanced: Designed for photographers who already understand camera basics and lighting but want to refine their skills in working specifically with male subjects.

CATEGORY
Live Demonstration: I’ll work with a male model on site to demonstrate preparation, posing techniques, and directing men with different personalities and goals. Attendees will see the process from pre-shoot strategy to live posing adjustments.

Primary Topics: Portraits – Fine Art, Portraits – Men, Posing

Click here to reset

There's still time to get

Early Bird Tickets

April 22-25 2024 | St. Louis MO.

SKILL LEVELS

Beginner: Just starting out or relatively new to a given subject matter. Basics will be covered and the course will move at a slower pace. The instructor will spend a little more time trying to explain concepts to ensure everyone is following. On a scale of 1-10 consider this level a 1-3 on the given topic.

Intermediate: Has a grasp of some basic concepts. This course level will move at a faster pace and assume you have basic knowledge covered on the given subject matter. On a scale of 1-10 consider this level a 4-6 on the given topic.

Advanced: You have working knowledge of the given subject matter, but are looking for more fine-tuning and some advanced topics to take your work to that next level. DO NOT expect instructors to explain basic concepts in this course. On a scale of 1-10 consider this level a 7-10 on the given topic.

Class Types

Hands-On

These are shooting courses. You will be shooting and working. Bring your camera, gear, or whatever you need for the course and to create create images. Expect to have some level of shooting.

Live Demonstration

These are instructor-led courses where you will see a live demonstration of what the instructor is teaching. You can still bring your camera to these courses and you can photograph, but the goal of the course is NOT for you to shoot or to ensure you get a shot. The goal is for you to see how and why the instructor does what he/she does in order to get the final result.

Lecture

These are non-shooting courses. Typically classroom-based, bring your laptop and notepad and focus on learning!