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

Brain Fog to Booked: ADHD Strategies That Stick

Speaker: Kristina McCaleb (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner   

Do you feel like your brain doesn’t work like everyone else’s? Does it feel like others are able to focus and you are going in a million directions? Yep, me too! But honestly, that might be your biggest advantage. This class is for photographers who feel pulled in a million directions, struggle with structure, or just want a business that doesn’t feel like a mental load all the time. I have accepted the fact that I have ADHD and have studied (and tried out) many systems to manage time, organize client flows, and build habits that stick (without relying on remembering to do it). This class will introduce you to simple, repeatable steps for booking, prep, and delivery with flexible time management tools without strict schedules. And you’ll leave with an action plan that helps you work with your brain (not against it) and actually enjoy the business you’re building.

Primary Topics: Business, Mindset & Motivation

From Booked to Balanced: Take the Next Steps to Scaling Your Business with Intention

Speaker: Kristina McCaleb (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Intermediate, Advanced   

You’ve got the basics down, clients are booking, you’ve got some systems in place, but let’s be honest, your business still feels like chaos. This class is for someone who’s ready to grow without completely burning out. We’ll walk through different ways to scale such as streamlining your workflow, building in breathing room, and finally outsourcing the stuff you aren’t doing anyway. We’ll also talk about how to plan your income and protect your energy so things feel more steady and less like a panic. This isn’t about becoming perfectly organized—it’s about being organized enough to grow with confidence and still breathe.

Primary Topics: Business

Plate It, Shoot It, Edit It: A Food Photography Throwdown

Speaker: Kristina McCaleb (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Intermediate, Advanced   

Back by popular demand: with a twist (shaken not stirred). This isn’t just about styling and shooting; now you’ll battle it out through the full creative process. You will split into teams and will compete to style, photograph, and then edit their food images on the spot. You’ll bring what you already know about quick lighting setups, natural prop styling, and how to turn a good shot into a mouthwatering masterpiece through Lightroom and Photoshop. We’ll compare SOOCs and final edits. And there will be a winning team!

Primary Topics: Commercial – Food and Products, Shootout-Style Styled Shoot

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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!