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

10 Minute Bridal Party Portraits

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Beginner, Intermediate   

Bridal parties don’t have to be the chaos of the wedding day. In this hands-on class, Michelle teaches you how to capture stunning, editorial-level bridal party portraits in just 10 minutes flat. You’ll learn quick transitional poses that flow naturally from one setup to the next, the exact gear that makes the difference, and the verbal cues that command attention and keep 8+ people moving without losing energy. Walk away with a repeatable system that impresses your clients, wins over wedding planners, and gets you back on schedule every single time.

What to Bring to Class:

“Required Gear:

Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR)
A wide to mid-range zoom (24-70mm or 28-105mm recommended)
Extra battery and memory card

Prerequisites:

None. Michelle will walk you through the posing fundamentals from the ground up, so whether you’ve never posed a bridal party or you’re looking to speed up your current workflow, you’ll leave with everything you need.”

Primary Topics: Weddings

How to Capture 48 Couple Portraits in 8 Minutes

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Live Demonstration   

Beginner, Intermediate   

Michelle pulls back the curtain on the exact system she uses to deliver 48 stunning couple portraits in just 8 minutes on a wedding day. You’ll learn the 5 power poses that anchor every set, how to direct variations without thinking, the communication cues that keep couples moving, and the mindset shift that separates photographers who panic from photographers who produce. If you’ve ever felt rushed during couple portraits, this will change how you shoot weddings forever.

What to Bring to Class:

“Required Gear:

None. This is a live tethered demo. Just bring yourself, something to take notes with, and be ready to watch Michelle work in real time.

Prerequisites:

None. Whether you’re shooting your first wedding or your hundredth, you’ll walk away with a system you can use immediately.”

Primary Topics: Engagements, Posing, Weddings

Sail Thru the Ceremony: Shoot a Full Mock Wedding Ceremony Live

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Beginner   

“Step into a fully staged mock wedding ceremony and shoot it like the real thing. From the processional to the dip kiss recessional, you’ll capture every key moment of the ceremony in real time, with Michelle Harris guiding you through exactly where to stand, what to shoot, and when to move.

The ceremony is the one part of the wedding day you cannot redo, and most photographers learn it by trial and error on someone’s actual wedding. Not here. In this hands-on class, you’ll work through the entire ceremony flow in a controlled environment so you can build muscle memory before your next booking.
You’ll learn:

Where to position yourself for every key moment, from entrances to the kiss
Which lenses to use and when to switch
How to handle backlit aisles, dim chapels, and harsh outdoor light
How to divide responsibilities between you and a second shooter so nothing gets missed
The angles and details that turn a standard ceremony gallery into a luxury one
How to anticipate moments before they happen so you never miss the shot

Walk in nervous about ceremonies. Walk out with a system you’ll use on every wedding for the rest of your career.”

What to Bring to Class:

Required Gear:

Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR)
A versatile zoom lens (24-70mm, 28-105mm or equivalent)
A telephoto lens (70-200mm strongly recommended – but not required for ceremony coverage)
Extra battery and memory card
All black attire (you may be acting as a guest during portions of the class)

Prerequisites:

None. Come knowing nothing about shooting ceremonies and walk out with a complete system you can use on every wedding for the rest of your career.”

Primary Topics: Weddings

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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!