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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 register for a class?
You will be able to select classes IN THE SHUTTERFEST APP two weeks before the event (first come, first serve). READ THE FAQ and/or monitor the private Facebook group for more details.

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Specialty: Client experience, efficiency/automated systems/efficiency, shoot production.

Spec Work – show the work you want to shoot!

Speaker: Dauss Miller (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Intermediate, Advanced   

Understanding and Navigating Spec Work as a photographer and producer.
In this comprehensive lecture on speculative work, often referred to as “”spec work,”” photographers will gain a deep understanding of what spec work entails, its implications in the creative industry, and how to navigate it effectively. Spec work is a common yet controversial practice where creative professionals provide work for potential clients without guaranteed payment. This lecture aims to demystify the practice and provide practical insights for photographers breaking into a new genre or upleveling a current one.
What Attendees Can Expect to Learn:
Learn to leverage creative projects and visions for future work. Explore different forms of spec work, such as unpaid internships, contest entries, free trials, pitches, publications, etc.
Analyze the potential benefits of engaging in spec work, such as portfolio building, gaining exposure, and securing future paid opportunities.
Discuss the drawbacks, including the risk of exploitation, lack of financial security, and impact on industry standards.
Ethical Considerations:
Delve into the ethical debates surrounding spec work.
Learn about industry guidelines and the stance of professional organizations like the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the Graphic Artists Guild on spec work.
Discuss lessons learned and best practices for managing spec work scenarios.
Building a Sustainable Career:
Gain insights into building a sustainable and successful career.
Understand the importance of developing a strong portfolio, networking, and continuous professional development.
Who Should Attend:
This lecture is ideal for aspiring and experienced photographers who want to make informed decisions about engaging in spec work and understand its place in their career strategy. I offer this as leverage to gain access to new and bigger booking opportunities.
By the end of the lecture, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of spec work, make informed choices, and advocate for top rates in for future projects.

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April 22-25 2024 | St. Louis MO.
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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!