Speakers

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

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Shutterfest 2027 Speaker Lineup

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Kiati Plooksawasdi

Specialty: Boudoir, Dance Photography, Sportraiture, Creative Lighting and Posing

Kiati Plooksawasdi is an Award-Winning Boudoir, Portrait, and Dance Photographer and Educator based in Ellicott City, MD. Kiati has over 16 years of experience in the photography industry and enjoys teaching and mentoring in both aspects of photography and the business behind photography when he is not behind the lens. With the knowledge of utilizing both natural and artificial light in his work, he leverages his ability to shape light to contour his subjects to create drama and depth within his images.

Kiati has 20 years in the corporate world developing business strategies for Fortune 150 companies, Kiati has helped launch and mentor several small businesses and now brings that experience in helping photographers develop their business strategies. In addition to the business side, Kiati also mentors photographers on how to develop their own style by showing how he leverages posing, lighting and editing to create his art.

Follow Kiati Plooksawasdi:

Website | Social Media

Kiati Plooksawasdi’s Classes:

Shadow & Flow: The Art of Storytelling Through Dance and Light

Hands-On   

Intermediate   

Class Description:

Dance photography is more than freezing movement — it’s about capturing emotion, energy, tension, elegance, and storytelling in a single frame. In this immersive hands-on class, photographers of all skill levels will learn how to transform dancers into cinematic works of art using intentional lighting, movement, and composition. Whether you’re new to off-camera flash or looking to push your creativity further, this class will help you see light differently and use it with purpose.

Throughout the class, we’ll break down how to shape, sculpt, and direct light to enhance motion and emotion while creating powerful visual narratives. Attendees will learn how to use lighting not only to illuminate a subject, but to create atmosphere, depth, drama, and storytelling that elevates dance photography beyond simple action shots. From bold shadows and directional light to color gels, silhouettes, freeze motion techniques, and layered lighting setups, you’ll discover how creative lighting can completely transform the mood and impact of an image.

This class will include live demonstrations and guided shooting opportunities with dancers, allowing attendees to immediately apply what they learn in real time. We’ll cover techniques for photographing fluid movement, timing motion with light, posing and directing dancers for stronger storytelling, and creating dynamic compositions that feel alive and emotionally connected.

What to Bring to Class:

Gear Required: Camera, Favorite Lens (flash triggers will be provided)
Suggested gear but not required: Tripod, remote trigger for camera
Prerequisite: basic understanding of off-camera flash and desire to learn how to create epic images

Primary Topics: Dance Photography, Lighting – Creative and Special Effects
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April 22-25 2024 | St. Louis MO.
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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!