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

Corporate Photography & Videography 101: From Pitch to Delivery

Speaker: Ning Wong (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner, Intermediate   

Picture this: you’re meeting with a new potential corporate client, you’ve pitched your pitch, and now you slide your proposal across the table. The client flips through it, nods, and finally looks up. “When can you start?” That moment doesn’t happen by luck. It happens because you know how to pitch, how to listen, and how to deliver. This class will show you how to get there.

Corporate work isn’t just about sharp photos or slick videos. It’s about knowing how businesses think, solving their problems, and showing them that you can bring real value. In this class you’ll walk through the entire journey, from the first consultation with a client to delivering work that makes them want to hire you again.

You’ll see how to write proposals that actually stand out, bid with confidence, and pick up on what clients are really asking for. You’ll learn how to shape a portfolio that speaks their language and how to use marketing that keeps you on top of mind. Then we’ll get into project management: consultations that uncover what really matters, timelines that keep everyone on track, and communication that leaves clients impressed with how easy you made the process.

We’ll also talk about money. You’ll learn simple pricing strategies, negotiation tactics that keep you in control, and invoicing habits that keep the cash flowing. By the end, you’ll know how to step into that boardroom, own the meeting, and walk out with the job!

Primary Topics: Commercial – Branding and Lifestyle, Commercial – Food and Products

Ditch the Flash: LEDs Will Change Your Portrait Game

Speaker: Ning Wong (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Beginner, Intermediate   

The light hits your subject’s face. You make a small change, and instantly their look goes from flat to dynamic. You don’t need to guess or wait to check your screen later – you see it happen right in front of you. That’s what working with LEDs gives you.

Flash has always been the standard, but it slows you down. LEDs give you freedom. In this hands-on class, you’ll see how continuous light lets you create portraits that feel alive. Together we’ll experiment with bare LEDs and modifiers, building everything from clean, natural setups to dramatic, high-impact looks.

You’ll be shooting the entire time, and since we’re using LEDs, we won’t need to wait for triggers or flashes to recharge. We’ll go through different setups, and work in small groups to shoot our models.

By the time we wrap, you won’t just understand LEDs – you’ll know how to use them with confidence. You’ll walk away with some great portfolio pieces and a new way of thinking about light!

Primary Topics: Lighting – Off-Camera (Flash or Constant), Shootout-Style Styled Shoot

From Photos to Films: Getting Started with Video!

Speaker: Ning Wong (Website) (Social Media)

Lecture   

Beginner   

The bride’s voice shakes as she whispers her vows. A father clears his throat before raising a glass. A CEO steps into the spotlight, the crowd waiting for his words. A photo captures the look. A film captures the moment.

This class is about helping you learn the secrets of getting started with video. You’ll learn how to expand your work to include video, whether you’re documenting weddings or telling stories for brands. We’ll start with the tools – cameras, lenses, and audio setups that give you great results without weighing you down. Then we’ll move into the techniques: camera moves that add depth, lighting that creates mood, and audio that catches every voice and every detail.

At the center of it all is storytelling. You’ll learn how to turn the flow of a wedding day or the heart of a company into a narrative that resonates. We’ll also show you how to organize your footage so you’re ready for editing. Since this is an intro class, we won’t go into editing, but you’ll see a little behind the scenes on how to get your feet wet with editing.

Finally, we’ll talk about how to package and sell your new skills. You’ll see how to build a portfolio that shows your video work, how to market hybrid photo-video services, and how to prove your value to both couples and corporate teams. By the end, you’ll know how to move past stills and start creating films that feel powerful, memorable, and worth paying for.

Primary Topics: Video – YouTube, Long Form, or Horizontal Video

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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!