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
Josh and Jen Thompson
Specialty: AI Marketing, Social Media, Videography
Josh and Jen help creatives and business owners stop guessing online and start building brands people actually notice. Through social media strategy, AI marketing, and video, they turn scattered ideas into content that feels real, looks polished, and connects with the right audience. They created an online community that teaches creatives and business owners how to use AI as a tool, not fear it as a replacement. Their approach is practical, creative, and built for people who want to work smarter without losing their own voice. From content planning to video storytelling, Josh and Jen help the next wave of creators show up with more confidence, clarity, and momentum.
Follow Josh and Jen Thompson:
Josh and Jen Thompson’s Classes:
Class Description:
Want to shoot promo videos that feel sharp, clean, and worth watching?
This class is built for creatives who want to move fast, think smarter, and stop settling for boring footage. We’ll walk through Sal’s shot list, cover the rules you need to know, and break down real examples so you can see what hits, what misses, and how to make your shots stronger.
You’ll get a full “What’s in Our Bag” walkthrough too. We’ll show you the cameras, lenses, lights, audio gear, stabilizers, and small tools we use on every shoot. Then we’ll share tips and tricks that help you shoot cleaner, work faster, and make better choices in the moment.
Then it’s time to get to work. You’ll team up, take on real assignments, and film throughout the conference in live Shutterfest situations.
No lazy shots. No wasted frames. Just real practice, real feedback, and video skills you can use long after the conference ends.
Bring gear that shoots in 4K so you can capture your best work in top quality.
What to Bring to Class:
This class is best for creatives who already know the basics of using their camera and are ready to practice in a fast paced, real world setting.
A camera that can shoot in 4K
A basic understanding of camera settings like frame rate, shutter speed, ISO, aperture, and white balance
At least one lens they feel comfortable using
Enough memory cards and batteries for active shooting
Comfort with filming handheld, on a monopod, or with a stabilizer
A willingness to work with a team, take direction, and shoot during live conference moments
You do not need to be a professional videographer. You just need to know your gear well enough to keep up, stay creative, and be ready to shoot when the moment happens.
Class Description:
Tired of opening a Large Language Model like ChatGPT, asking for post ideas, and getting bland content that sounds nothing like you?
This course is built for business owners and creatives who want better results without staring at a blank screen. We’ll help you set up a Large Language Model so it understands your voice, your style, your offers, and the way you actually talk.
Then we’ll walk you through our Brand Strategy Guide. This is where things start to click. You’ll uncover what makes your business different, who your ideal clients are, what they care about, and how to speak to them in a way that gets attention.
After that, we’ll take your guide and turn it into a full 30-day social media calendar. You’ll learn how to create Reel ideas, carousel posts, and text posts with three daily options, so you always have something strong to share.
No more random prompts. No more flat captions. Just a clear system that helps AI write like you and gives your content a real direction.
What to Bring to Class:
This class is best for business owners, creatives, photographers, videographers, marketers, and service providers who want to use AI with more purpose and less guessing.
Students should have:
A basic understanding of their business, offer, or creative service
Access to a Large Language Model like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or another AI writing tool
A laptop or tablet so they can build along during class
A clear idea of who they serve, even if it still feels messy
At least one social media platform they want to create content for
A willingness to answer questions about their brand, voice, clients, and goals
Basic comfort with typing prompts and copying responses into a document
You do not need to be an AI expert. You do not need a finished brand strategy. You just need to show up ready to think through your business, clean up your message, and build a content system that actually sounds like you.
Class Description:
Tired of hearing about every new AI tool and still not knowing where to start?
This course is built for business owners and creatives who want better content without getting buried in software overwhelm. We’ll walk you through the tools we use to create Reels, images, carousels, audio, and text-based posts for real businesses.
You’ll see how each tool fits into a simple content workflow, from idea to finished post. We’ll show you where to start, what to skip, and how to use these tools without making your content feel fake, stiff, or copied from everyone else.
This is not about chasing every shiny new app. It’s about building a clear system you can use again and again. You’ll learn how to turn one idea into multiple posts, create stronger visuals, write better captions, and add sound that makes your content feel polished.
No more guessing. No more tool overload. Just a practical starting point and a content system you can actually use for your business.
What to Bring to Class:
This class is best for business owners, creatives, photographers, videographers, marketers, and service providers who want to create better content without drowning in tools.
Students should have:
A business, brand, or creative service they want to create content for
Access to a laptop or tablet so they can follow along
Basic comfort using online tools, apps, or websites
At least one social media platform they want to post on
A few content ideas, offers, services, or client stories they can work from
Willingness to try AI tools for Reels, images, carousels, audio, and text posts
Basic understanding of their audience, even if it still feels unclear
No advanced tech skills are needed. You do not need to know every AI tool out there. That is the whole point of the class.