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.

ShutterFest 2027 Classes

Class Search Form

GELS GONE WILD: Color Theory for Rule Breakers

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Live Demonstration   

Advanced   

Some of the strongest images are the ones that break rules intentionally. But you cannot rebel against what you do not know. In this class, we’re balancing what we know with what we want and painting it all in screaming color!

This advanced live demonstration class explores how photographers can use bold color theory and cinematic gel lighting to create portraits that feel emotionally charged, visually unforgettable, and artistically distinct.

Together, we’ll explore:

-controlled color clash

-layered gel techniques

-creating depth and atmosphere with saturated light

-building portfolio worthy imagery through intentional visual tension

Attendees will watch scenes built and modified in real time using gels, modifiers, wardrobe, backgrounds, and lighting ratios to demonstrate how color choices dramatically impact mood, story, and visual power.

This class is designed for photographers who are tired of safe work and want to develop stronger artistic instincts, more confidence with stylized lighting, and a more recognizable visual voice.

What to Bring to Class:

Foundational knowledge of off camera flash, basic lighting concepts, and editing basics are going to be crucial in understanding the material of this class.

Primary Topics: Lighting – Creative and Special Effects

ROLL FOR PHOTOSHOOT: The Two Hour Challenge

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Intermediate   

You don’t need perfect conditions to create strong images. You need the ability to think on your feet.

In this interactive, high energy class, we’re throwing perfection out the window and embracing controlled chaos. Using a dice based system inspired by tabletop games, we’ll randomly generate elements of a photoshoot. With a small group, you will randomize your lighting, posing, constraints, and creative challenges and build a shoot in real time.

Think we’re done there? THINK AGAIN. You’ll be editing in class, walking away with a finished piece of art and a great story to tell.

Luck of the draw? No way. This class is  about learning how to adapt, problem-solve, and direct with confidence when things don’t go according to plan (because they won’t).

Attendees will learn how to:

-Break out of creative ruts using structured constraints

-Make fast, confident decisions during a shoot

-Direct art without overthinking every detail

-Turn “limitations” into stronger, more dynamic images

Embrace the chaos, take the challenge… if you dare!

What to Bring to Class:

Bring your camera and lenses. PLEASE BRING YOUR EDITING MATERIALS. YOU WILL BE EDITING IN CLASS.

If you have off camera flash and want to use it, bring it and the dice will decide if you are allowed.

Primary Topics: Mindset & Motivation, Shootout-Style Styled Shoot

THE OVERWHELM FREE PRODUCT LINE: What to Sell, What To Skip, How to Start

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner   

You want to sell prints, albums, and wall art… but every time you try to build a product line, it turns into a confusing, overpriced, overwhelming mess. Is it truly easier to leave money on the table and shoot and burn yourself into the ground?

Designed for photographers who are new to in person sales or physical products, this session breaks down exactly how to create a simple, profitable product line without needing 20 options, complicated pricing formulas, or a luxury studio setup.

We’ll focus on what actually works, what’s worth your time, and what you can confidently leave out.

You’ll learn how to:

-Choose a small, effective set of products your clients will actually buy

-Price your work in a way that makes sense

-Introduce products to clients without feeling pushy

-Build a foundation you can grow over time

If you’ve been stuck in “digital only” because the product side feels overwhelming, this class will give you a clear, realistic path forward.

What to Bring to Class:

N/A

Primary Topics: Client Communication, Pricing, Sales

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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!