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

See Yourself Through Their Search: The L•E•N•S Framework for Photographers

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner, Intermediate   

“Before a client ever reaches out, they’re searching. And what they find (or don’t find) determines whether they book you or someone else.

In this session, Myrna introduces the L•E•N•S Framework, her signature approach to building a digital presence that actually converts. L•E•N•S isn’t just an SEO strategy, it’s a way of seeing your business through the eyes of the people searching for exactly what you offer.

You’ll learn how to strengthen your:
L — Local presence (showing up where your clients are searching)
E — Experience signals (what your site communicates before anyone reads a word)
N — Narrative (the story that earns trust and drives decisions)
S — Signals of trust (reviews, authority, consistency — the proof that seals the booking)

You’ll leave with a clear picture of where you stand and a practical roadmap for showing up stronger in search whether that’s Google, AI-powered results, or the next platform your clients are already using.”

What to Bring to Class:

Primary Topics: Business, Marketing, SEO

Seen But Not Chosen: What’s Really Stopping Clients From Booking You

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner, Intermediate   

“Getting found is only half the equation. The other half is trust. And trust is built long before anyone hits send on an inquiry.

In today’s market, clients are making booking decisions based on trust, clarity, and connection, and your website is where that decision gets made. This session unpacks the hidden gap between being visible and actually converting that visibility into bookings.

You’ll learn:

– Why beautiful work doesn’t automatically translate to booked clients
– The trust signals most photographers overlook on their websites and everywhere clients are watching before they inquire
– How your messaging, structure, and digital experience impact conversion
– What today’s clients are really looking for before they reach out
– Practical, specific changes you can make immediately

If you’ve ever wondered why people visit your site but don’t inquire, this session will completely reframe how you think about your marketing, and give you a clear path forward.”

What to Bring to Class:

Primary Topics: Business, Client Communication, SEO

Shoot Once, Market Forever: How to Turn Every Session Into a Content Machine

Speaker: (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced   

“You’re already creating more content than you realize. You just haven’t learned to maximize it yet.
This session is for photographers who are tired of starting from scratch every time they sit down to market their business. You’ll learn how to turn a single shoot, wedding, or session into a full content ecosystem that supports your SEO, blogging, social media, and AI discoverability… all without burning out.

You’ll walk away knowing how to:
– Extract multiple content assets from a single experience
– Use AI strategically to speed up your process (without sounding like everyone else)
– Turn your galleries into searchable, trust-building content
– Build a simple content workflow you’ll actually stick to
– Connect your content back to inquiries and bookings

This isn’t about posting more. It’s about creating smarter — so your content keeps working long after you’ve moved on to the next shoot.”

What to Bring to Class:

Primary Topics: AI – Business, Marketing, Social Media

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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!