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
Katie Swatek
Specialty: Seniors, Business, Off Camera Flash, Client Care, Client Experience, Dynamic Light
Katie Swatek is a nationally published senior and sports photographer based in small-town South Dakota, where she’s built a high-end, experience-driven photography business in a town with more cows than stoplights.
Known for her bold lighting, dramatic athlete imagery, and ability to create dynamic portraits in almost any environment, Katie specializes in helping photographers simplify off-camera flash and create images with intention instead of intimidation. From single-light outdoor setups to multi-light gym portraits, her teaching style focuses on practical techniques photographers can immediately apply to their own work and businesses.
Beyond the camera, Katie is equally passionate about the client experience and building a business that feels both profitable and personal. Her classes blend real-world education, honest conversation, live demonstrations, and a little bit of chaos-fueled humor that keeps photographers engaged long after the conference ends.
When she’s not photographing seniors or teaching across the country, she’s usually juggling life as a mom of three, drinking something caffeinated, or convincing herself she definitely has room for another plant.
Follow Katie Swatek:
Katie Swatek’s Classes:
Class Description:
You do not need a giant city, a massive following, or luxury zip code clients to build a profitable photography business.
Katie Swatek built a nationally recognized senior photography brand in a tiny South Dakota town where most of her clients drive over an hour for their sessions. In this class, she breaks down the systems, communication strategies, client experience, and marketing decisions that helped transform her business from “just another photographer” into a brand clients actively seek out.
This class covers:
Creating an experience clients talk about
Building trust before clients ever book
Standing out without competing on price
Marketing that actually sounds like you
How communication drives sales
Why your client experience matters more than trends
Creating demand in a small market
If you’ve ever felt limited by your location, saturated market, or self-doubt, this class will challenge the way you think about building a photography business.
What to Bring to Class:
Students should bring something to write notes on. Questions are welcome as we go or find me through the conference to talk more.
Class Description:
Most photographers think dramatic sports portraits require massive productions, giant studios, or perfect locations. They don’t.
In this live demonstration class, Katie Swatek breaks down how she creates bold, dynamic athlete portraits in ordinary locations like gyms, hallways, fields, parking lots, and weight rooms using simple lighting setups and intentional direction.
You’ll learn:
How to confidently light athletes indoors and outdoors
Single-light to multi-light setups
Creating drama without overcomplicating your gear
How to shape light for stronger athletic portraits
Using gels and modifiers intentionally
Creating variety quickly during sessions
How to work in ugly or cluttered environments
Posing athletes naturally and powerfully
This class is designed to simplify off-camera flash while helping photographers create sports imagery that feels cinematic, intentional, and high impact.
What to Bring to Class:
Something to take notes on- questions welcome.
Class Description:
Transforming Everyday Locations with Intentional Light
Not every photographer has access to epic locations, perfect weather, or a studio filled with controlled light.
In this live demonstration class, Katie Swatek teaches photographers how to walk into almost any environment and create dynamic, intentional imagery by learning how to work with light instead of against it.
This class is not just about off-camera flash. It’s about understanding how to choose the right light for the space in front of you — whether that means using natural light, constant light, off-camera flash, or blending multiple sources together to create something powerful and believable.
Attendees will learn:
How to evaluate a location quickly and intentionally
Choosing the right type of light for the scene
Transforming flat or cluttered spaces into strong images
Using available light creatively before adding gear
When to enhance light versus completely create it
Blending created light naturally into existing environments
Creating depth, drama, and variety in ordinary spaces
How small shifts in angle, light, and perspective completely change an image
This class focuses on practical decision-making, creative problem solving, and learning how to create compelling imagery almost anywhere — without relying on perfect locations or overly complicated setups.
What to Bring to Class:
A camera and Godox trigger – I do have some triggers on hand but they are strictly canon. I don’t have anything for Nikon or Sony.