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
Creative Portraits Using An Optical Spot
Speaker: 
Eli Infante (Website) (Social Media)
Want to take your studio portraits from predictable to creative? This hands-on class dives deep into one of my favorite tools: the optical spotlight.
Whether you’re shooting editorial fashion, beauty, or client sessions, I’ll show you how to harness gobos and lenses to craft stylized lighting.
What you’ll learn:
– How an optical spot works
– Using gobos and blades to sculpt light and shadows
– Combining hard edges with soft light for unique contrast
– Posing and composition tips to amplify the effect
You’ll walk away with bold portraits for your portfolio and the confidence to experiment with light.
Master Harsh Sunlight: Outdoor Portraits with Flash Like a Pro
Speaker: Eli Infante (Website) (Social Media)
Struggling with midday sun or unpredictable outdoor lighting? This lecture will break down exactly how to take control of your environment using strobes, modifiers, and exposure strategies, no shade hunting required.
Whether you’re shooting seniors, editorials, or personal brand clients, you’ll learn how to approach outdoor lighting with intention and confidence.
In this session, I’ll walk you through:
– How to balance flash with ambient light for natural or dramatic looks
– When to use high-speed sync vs. ND filters (and why it matters)
– Modifier choices for full sun and how to shape directional light
– Real-world setups and case studies from my on-location shoots
– Creative techniques for working fast and staying inspired outdoors
You’ll leave with a toolkit of lighting setups and troubleshooting tips you can apply immediately, regardless of location, weather, or time of day.
More Looks, Less Effort: Speed Up Your Portrait Workflow with Westcott’s Creative Mask Feature
Speaker: Eli Infante (Website) (Social Media)
Need to deliver variety in less time? This class is your shortcut to faster, smarter studio sessions using Westcott’s Creative Mask feature. Perfect for fast-paced environments like sports, volume sessions, headshots, and editorial portraits, Creative Mask lets you create up to six distinct lighting combinations without ever touching your setup.
I’ll break down how to build a single lighting setup that can simulate multiple looks with the push of a button, including:
– How Creative Mask works in practice (and what gear is needed)
– Ideal setups for team sports, seniors, headshots, and fashion looks
– How to create three to six unique lighting combos in a single session
– How this workflow saves time in tethering, client selection, and editing
You’ll walk away with a streamlined approach to delivering more value, more variety, and more profit without more time on set. Whether you’re scaling volume work or adding efficiency to creative portraits, this technique will transform your workflow.