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
Esther Kay
Specialty: Maternity- In Studio Portrait
Esther Kay is a luxury fine-art maternity and portrait photographer, educator, and speaker based in the Bay Area, California. Known for her signature use of light, posing, and high-end set design, Esther has built a recognizable style that blends softness, strength, and emotion into every image she creates.
As the founder of Esther Kay Studio, she specializes in creating elevated, white-glove portrait experiences focused on maternity, motherhood, and editorial-inspired portraiture. Her work and teaching focus heavily on helping photographers create luxury imagery through intentional lighting, thoughtful styling, creative set design, and strong client connection.
Esther is also an industry educator and speaker who has taught at major photography conferences and events including WPPI, ShutterFest, Texas School, and Bokeh Academy. Through her classes, live demos, and online education, she is passionate about helping photographers refine both their artistry and brand presence while creating work that stands out in a saturated industry.
With a strong belief that education and growth never stop, Esther continues to inspire photographers through her storytelling, creative vision, and dedication to elevating the client experience both in front of and behind the camera.
Follow Esther Kay:
Esther Kay’s Classes:
Class Description:
Group portraits should feel connected, intentional, and visually dynamic — not stiff or repetitive. In this class, Esther Kay teaches photographers how to confidently pose couples, families, and groups in a way that feels elevated, natural, and luxury-driven. Students will learn how to create flow, depth, balance, and authentic interaction while avoiding common posing mistakes that can make group portraits feel flat or awkward.
Through live demonstrations and practical techniques, Esther breaks down how to direct multiple people with confidence while creating imagery that feels editorial, emotional, and polished. From subtle hand placement and body angles to layering and movement, this class focuses on transforming traditional group posing into refined storytelling portraits clients will connect with and remember.
What to Bring to Class:
N/A
Fundamental of Posing: The Art of Posing the Female Body With Intention
Class Description:
Posing is more than placing hands and directing movement — it is about sculpting the body with purpose, confidence, and emotion. In this class, Esther Kay teaches photographers how to flatter and guide women of all body types through intentional posing techniques designed to create elegant, powerful, and emotionally connected portraits.
Students will learn how to use angles, posture, light, movement, and body awareness to create imagery that feels soft yet strong, natural yet refined. From maternity and motherhood to beauty and portrait sessions, Esther will demonstrate how small posing adjustments can dramatically transform the final image while helping clients feel confident and beautiful in front of the camera.
What to Bring to Class:
n/a
Class Description:
You do not need a massive studio or elaborate setup to create luxury imagery. In this class, Esther Kay teaches photographers how to transform small spaces into visually impactful, high-end sets using intentional styling, layering, lighting, and creative design techniques.
Students will learn how to maximize limited shooting spaces while still producing portraits that feel editorial, polished, and full of depth. From paper backdrops and fabrics to frames, textures, and strategic light placement, Esther demonstrates how simple elements can completely elevate a scene when used with intention. This class is designed to help photographers create luxury-looking imagery with confidence no matter the size of their studio or shooting space.
What to Bring to Class:
n/a