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
“Just One More Light” – Cinematic Portraits, One Light At A Time
Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)
This class packed the room in 2026, and it’s back!
Throwing light at a subject isn’t enough. If you want portraits with depth, mood, and impact, you’ve got to know how to shape it.
It is now easier than ever to create cinematic portraits that come to life using constant lighting!
In this live demo, I’ll build portraits one light at a time, right in front of you. You’ll watch in real time as each light creates more depth and drama. Layer by layer, from one light to a full setup, you’ll can see exactly how intentional lighting decisions transform a shot.
We’re not playing it safe this year. We’re making intentional choices to create work that command attention!
What to Bring to Class:
– Understanding of basic lighting patterns butterfly, loop, Rembrandt, etc
– An understanding how the position of a light source relative to the subject affects shadows, depth, and mood
– A basic understanding of how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO interact with artificial light
Stop the Spray and Pray: How I Engineered My First 50 Million Views
Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)
The algorithm isn’t a mystery. It’s a machine, and it does exactly what it was built to do. No praying required.
Content creators who hit millions of views aren’t lucky and they aren’t more talented than you. They figured out the inputs the machine actually rewards, and they stopped praying.
In this class I’m going to break down exactly how I crossed the 50-million-view mark on social media as a working boudoir photographer in one year. Real numbers, real frameworks, real workflows.
We’ll cover:
– The real metrics that actually decide whether your reel takes off (it’s NOT follower count)
– How to hijack proven viral formats without copying anyone outright
– Proven hooks that stop the scroll
– The workflow that flipped my account from invisible to unavoidable
If you’re done spraying and praying, let’s engineer it instead.
What to Bring to Class:
Required:
– Active account on at least one short-form video platform (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, etc)
– Basic understanding of how to post and navigate social media platforms
– Familiarity with what a “hook,” “reel,” or “short-form video” is
NOT Required:
– A big following (this class is specifically for accounts that aren’t popping yet)
– Professional camera gear
– Prior video editing experience
While You Were Sleeping: How to Automate Your Business and Your Life with AI
Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)
It’s 2 a.m. A potential client just found you, filled out your form, and by the time you wake up…. they’ve already booked someone else.
And then there’s the list. The one that never gets shorter no matter how early you start or how late you work. Follow up. Send the contract. Check if they signed it. Book the consult. Write the email. Post the content. The to-do list doesn’t care that you also have a full day of shooting and editing.
What if it didn’t have to be this way?
I will walk you through the exact AI automation system I use to run my business and my life around the clock. From the 2 a.m. inquiry to the signed contract to the nurture sequence that preps clients for their shoot, all of it runs automatically. No coding or tech degree needed
You’ll leave with a clear roadmap, the exact tools, and a plan to start automating this week.
What to Bring to Class:
Business prerequisites:
– A basic client inquiry and booking process already in place, even a manual one. We’re automating what you’re already doing, not building from zero.
– At least one active social media account you’re using for your business
Tech prerequisites you should be comfortable with:
– Using web-based software and apps (if you can navigate Instagram and Gmail, you’re fine)
– The basic concept of email marketing
– Basic understanding of Large Language Models (Chat-GPT, Claude, etc)