ShutterFest Speaker Applications
Teach what you know.
Inspire who you meet.
We’re building a lineup of educators who show up prepared, teach with focus, and leave attendees with practical takeaways. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.
How speaker slots work this year
We’re launching with 50 confirmed speakers. As event registration grows and attendance numbers support it, we’ll expand the roster and additional speaker invitations will go out in waves. Our venue has real capacity limits, and we’re committed to only scheduling classes we can fill. A class with 5 attendees isn’t a good experience for anyone.
Initial Roster
Core speakers confirmed at launch. More added as attendance grows.
Hands-on Cap
Attendees in hands-on classes. Live demo & lecture limits determined by space constraints.
What we're looking for this year
Genre Specialists
Seniors, weddings, newborns, pets, boudoir, commercial, volume, real estate, quinceañera, etc.
Business & Marketing
Beginner-first content: earning your first dollars, pricing, client communication, etc. Finding clients through multiple channels
Post-Production
Live Lightroom or Photoshop culling, editing, compositing, and retouching. Practical editing tips for all levels
Posing & Directing
Verbal direction, building comfort with subjects, and posing across all genres and body types
Advanced Lectures
Classes for seasoned photographers who want to move beyond the basics of “how” and into the “why”
Video & Reels
Content creation for photographers. Practical & actionable tips from people doing the work, not just theory.
Requirements
- Active, current website showing real, recent work. Applications without one won't be reviewed.
- A structured class outline. Your description must match what you actually teach.
- Speaker notes or slides (if applicable) provided to attendees staying at the host hotels. This is a beloved part of ShutterFest.
- Microphone use required in open or large spaces. Every attendee deserves to hear you clearly.
- Hands-on class structure: self-policing doesn't work in hands-on classes. We want to see a clear plan for instruction, gear, multiple shooting groups and managing triggers for multiple brands.
- No outside coaching promotion during class time. Class time is for teaching, not for selling your coaching programs.
If accepted, you'll also submit:
First time speakers
We love introducing the ShutterFest audience to new speakers and fresh faces. A group of first time speakers to ShutterFest will be accepted with one topic only as part of a trial program to help give new speakers a platform. First time speakers will not be paid.
Ready to apply?
Applications are open May 13 – May 22, 2026.
Applications take about 15 minutes. Have your website, a short bio, and a rough class concept ready before you start. You won’t be able to save and return.
Questions? Click here to contact us before applying.
Speaker submissions for ShutterFest are now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied! The team is reviewing applications and will be in touch soon.