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

9-5 Job → Shoot → Thrive: Building a Premium Photography Brand While Employed

Speaker: Barkha Agarwal (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Intermediate, Advanced   

Photography is your passion – but that paycheck still comes from your 9-5. That’s not a weakness; it’s your leverage point. This session is for photographers who want real profit and sustainable growth right now – without quitting their job, burning out, or compromising their artistic vision.

Forget the “quit your job tomorrow” fantasy. This is about proven systems, practical templates, and a clear 90-day roadmap that actually works.

Seven years ago, I was exactly where you are – juggling a full-time job while moonlighting as a photographer for over a year. I made every mistake in the book because no one told me there was a better way. Now I’m sharing the exact blueprint that transformed my side hustle into a thriving premium brand.

What you’ll walk away with:
– Time-blocking mastery: A proven weekly schedule framework that protects your energy while maximizing creative output
– 90-day profit acceleration plan: Step-by-step roadmap to double your photography revenue without sacrificing your day job stability
– Automation essentials: Streamlined systems for inquiry-to-delivery that run seamlessly while you’re in meetings or commuting

This session will tackle the real challenges head-on and give you tools that start working immediately. No fluff, no theory – just battle-tested strategies from someone who’s been in your shoes.

If you’re here reading this, you’re not ordinary. You’re ready to rise up and build something extraordinary – one strategic plan, one focused week, one decisive win at a time.

Primary Topics: Business

Elevated Maternity: Luxury Portraits That Sell Themselves

Speaker: Barkha Agarwal (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Intermediate, Advanced   

What makes a maternity portrait instantly feel “luxury”? It’s not the backdrop or the dress – it’s the energy. That unmistakable presence that makes you stop scrolling and think, “I need to work with this photographer.”

I’ve spent years studying what separates premium maternity work from the rest. It comes down to intentional choices: how you sculpt light, direct movement, and create that editorial confidence clients crave but can’t quite name.

This isn’t about expensive gear or copying trends. This is about intentional luxury,every choice, every light ray, every micro-direction serving a purpose. When your maternity portraits radiate premium energy, clients stop questioning your price and start asking when they can book.

In this hands-on workshop, I’ll walk you through two complete luxury maternity setups, fully built and ready when you arrive. You’re not just watching; you’re shooting alongside me, taking home portfolio-ready images that immediately elevate your brand.

– We’ll break down the exact components that separate “nice” from “iconic”:
– Luxury mindset shift that transforms how you approach every session
– Two signature lighting systems: soft sculpt for ethereal elegance, dramatic edge for editorial power
– Micro-direction workflow: hands, chin, breath, shoulders creating presence, not poses
– Styling and fabric techniques that elongate, refine, and add cinematic movement
– Every technique is repeatable and scalable. No massive budgets required. Just intentional choices that transform how clients see themselves and value your artistry.

What to bring: Your camera and wireless triggers (if available). Everything else is provided.

Because luxury isn’t just about light or wardrobe. It’s giving dignity, grace, and strength a visual language. When clients see themselves with that presence, everything changes: their confidence, their connection to the image, and their trust in you as the artist.

Primary Topics: Maternity

Wilderness Editorials: Hi Fashion Maternity On Location

Speaker: Barkha Agarwal (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Intermediate, Advanced   

There’s something magical about capturing a woman expecting – she has life within her, she’s a free spirit, and what if you could bottle that untamed essence in the wilderness forever?

This workshop is for maternity photographers AND fashion photographers who want to master editorial techniques in natural settings. Whether you shoot expecting mothers or high-fashion models, these skills will transform how you work with natural light and location.

For years, I avoided natural light. I was a studio Girl, controlled lighting, predictable results. Give me 7 strobes and I was cool to work with them. But when I finally learned to embrace natural light and blend it with strobes, my work didn’t just improve – it transformed. It stopped screaming for attention and started commanding respect. It became the kind of work that makes people stop scrolling.

Here’s the truth about location work: The moment you shift your angle and perspective, your entire image transforms. Working somewhere that’s not architecturally stunning? No problem. I’ll show you how to create portfolio pieces that feel cinematic and timeless.

What you’ll master:
– Location scouting secrets: finding shape, lines, and natural “”architecture”” anywhere
– Light mastery: backlight control, negative fill, scrims, reflectors, and golden hour magic
– Perspective power: low/high angles, elongation, creating balance with environment
– Movement and flow: fabric choreography and dynamic prompts that capture freedom
Two to three complete editorial setups—hero wide shots, mid-length with flow, and intimate sculpted portraits. You’ll cycle through directing techniques and experiment with angles that transform ordinary locations into editorial gold.

What to bring: Your camera and triggers. Everything else is handled.

Get ready to capture that wild, free spirit, whether it’s an expecting mother or your next fashion editorial.

Primary Topics: Lighting – Natural, Maternity

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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!