Speakers

This year’s lineup of over 60 speakers, returning vets and newbies alike, are here to deliver an incredible experience for all ShutterFesters! 

Shutterfest 2027 Speaker Lineup

Elle Sanders

Specialty: Boudoir, branding, seniors, shooting to sell

I’m a full-time photographer and educator on a mission to help creatives build profitable, sustainable businesses without sacrificing their soul and HOURS in sessions. Since 2014, I’ve worked behind the lens, and in 2020, I launched a full-time IPS studio that has grossed over $750,000 annually for five consecutive years.

Italy is my love language, travel fuels my soul, and I’m a proud wife and mom of three. In the classroom, I bring the same authenticity and clarity to education that I bring to my business: actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and the courage to do things differently.

Follow Elle Sanders:

Website | Social Media

Elle Sanders’s Classes:

Stop Taking So Many Damn Photos

Live Demonstration   

Beginner, Intermediate   

Class Description:

The 1-2-3 Coaching Method + 5x5x5 System to Create Intentional Galleries That Sell—On Every Body

Stop overshooting and start creating galleries with intention. This classroom-style demo teaches photographers how to create emotionally driven, high-converting galleries using two repeatable systems: the 1-2-3 Coaching Method (Action–Body Part–Movement) for verbally directing clients with clarity and confidence, and the 5x5x5 System for turning 5 foundational poses into 25+ sellable image variations per outfit.

Attendees will learn how to structure a full client session using intentional pose flow instead of random shooting patterns by combining standing, sitting, and floor posing throughout each outfit change. The class will cover how to create variation through framing, camera angle, directional shifts, crop changes, and emotional connection while posing a variety of body types including standard, plus-size, 40+, and couples (depending on model availability).

This class is designed as both a live demonstration and immediate practical application experience. During the instructional portion, attendees will watch the systems executed in real time while learning how to:

verbally coach clients without physical manipulation
transition smoothly between pose categories
create emotional attachment through image variation
avoid overshooting while still delivering full galleries
structure sessions for stronger IPS sales outcomes

Following the live demo, attendees can go directly to RAH model bays where they will apply the systems themselves using provided pose flow maps and visual handouts. Students will practice creating intentional session flow, completing all 5 required image variations per pose, and learning how to build full galleries in under 60 minutes that are designed to support $5K+ IPS orders.

By the end of the class, attendees will leave with:

a repeatable posing and coaching framework
a structured session flow system
a workflow designed to increase client image selections and overall sales

What to Bring to Class:

This workshop is designed for photographers of all experience levels who want to improve posing direction, client communication, gallery flow, and IPS-focused shooting strategies. While beginner-friendly, attendees should have a basic understanding of camera operation and be comfortable shooting in manual or semi-manual modes so they can focus fully on coaching, flow, and image creation during the hands-on portion.

Students are strongly encouraged to bring:

A camera with a portrait lens preferred
Extra batteries and memory cards
A notebook or note-taking device
A phone, audio recorder, or recording device to record verbal coaching prompts and live demonstrations for later practice and repetition

Attendees will receive:

A printed 5x5x5 Session Flow & Pose Map handout
A 1-2-3 Coaching Prompt guide with verbal cue examples
Structured posing flow examples designed for immediate application in the hands-on model bays (RAH)

The goal of this class is not just inspiration but practical repetition and implementation. Students should be prepared to actively coach, shoot, transition poses, and apply the systems in real time right after class at RAH.

Primary Topics: Client Communication, Posing, Sales
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!