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

One Flash – Many Possibilities

Speaker: Rabih Madi (Website) (Social Media)

Live Demonstration   

Beginner, Intermediate   

Don’t like hauling around a mountain of gear? Prefer showing off jaw-dropping images without looking like you’re moving into the venue? This course is for you!
Back for its 3rd year (yes, it’s that popular), I’ll prove just how much magic you can create with one flash and one modifier. We’ll cover how I keep things light, fast, and stress-free while still delivering stunning results—especially on a wedding day when time is as tight as the groom’s tux.

If flash photography feels intimidating, don’t worry—I’ll turn that fear into confidence faster than you can say “first dance.” By the end, you’ll be ready to light up any room… with skill, not just wattage.

Primary Topics: Lighting – Off-Camera (Flash or Constant), Weddings

Ordinary to Extra-Ordinary

Speaker: Rabih Madi (Website) (Social Media)

Live Demonstration   

Beginner   

Have you ever walked into a room so mundane, messy, or cramped that you wondered if the best photo would be of the exit? If so, you’re in the right place. I’ll show you how to turn an ordinary—or downright questionable—space into a stunning backdrop, using nothing more than the environment, a few clever angles, and household items to make your couple look like royalty… even if they’re standing next to a laundry basket.

Primary Topics: Composition

Stuck in a Rut? Let’s Challenge that!

Speaker: Rabih Madi (Website) (Social Media)

Hands-On   

Beginner, Intermediate   

How many great shots can you really get when the clock is giving you the side-eye? In this course, I’m putting myself to the test—10 minutes, 10 photos your clients will actually want to frame (and not just politely “like” on social media). We’ve all been there: the ceremony is running late, the light is fading, and you’ve got about the same time as a coffee break to make magic happen. I’ll walk you through my favourite go-to compositions and throw in a few curveballs—silhouettes, double exposures, motion, foreground tricks, and more—so you can turn panic mode into portfolio gold.

With these tools, I will put you to the challenge! Bring your gear and let’s start shooting!

Primary Topics: Composition, Shootout-Style Styled Shoot, 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!