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
Sharon Marie Wright
Specialty: Commercial Lifestyle
Sharon Marie Wright is a Commercial Lifestyle photographer with a passion for imagery that tells a real story. She’s worked with brands like Mastercard, Fanatics, and Wyndham Resorts, and has built an equally impressive career as a Unit Stills photographer on productions for TLC, AMC’s ALLBLK, and TVOne. Her work has been featured in national magazines and advertisements nationwide, and she’s proud to have earned two Communicator Awards along the way.
Follow Sharon Marie Wright:
Sharon Marie Wright’s Classes:
Beyond the Pose: Directing Lifestyle Content That Feels Real
Class Description:
Clients and companies want content that feels organic and invites the viewer to imagine themselves in the moment. That’s lifestyle photography. It’s a craft built on knowing how to direct people into authentic engaging moments rather than stiff manufactured poses. (AND BONUS – The same directing skills that make great lifestyle images also make great video content too. As more clients ask for both, THIS IS THE SKILLSET THAT SETS YOU APART.)
In this live demonstration, we’ll breakdown what lifestyle photography actually is and why directing – not posing – is the skill that changes everything!
While this class will mainly be a demonstration, you are welcome to capture whatever you’d like as long as it’s not disruptive to the class. Also, this is planned for outdoors (weather permitting) please dress accordingly.
What to Bring to Class:
While this class will be mainly a demonstration, attendees are welcome to capture content as long as it’s not disruptive to the class.
General knowledge of how to use a camera.
Prompt, Don’t Pose: Lifestyle Direction for Stills & Video
Class Description:
Lifestyle photography isn’t about perfect poses, it’s about prompting and directing your clients into an action that feels relatable and organic. (It is also the same skill you need to create great video content!) In this hands-on workshop, you’ll work directly with models in curated real-life scenes, learning to direct with intention, find the moment, and tell a story through your images. Perfect for photographers at any level ready to add authentic lifestyle work to their portfolio. Video is encouraged as well!
SKILLS: Good general knowledge of camera and ability to adapt to various lighting scenarios.
LENS: 28-70mm would be perfect
FLASH: none. We will use constant lighting
Video is encouraged as well.
What to Bring to Class:
SKILLS: Good general knowledge of camera and ability to adapt to various lighting scenarios.
LENS: 28-70mm would be perfect
FLASH: No flash. I would do constant light
Class Description:
If you are ready to go to the next level in your corporate/commercial work – THIS is the class for you! We will discuss what Commercial Lifestyle photography is, how it differs from basic branding, and how the corporate world is taking massive notice and becoming a huge income opportunity for all of us. I’ll walk you through client decks, shot lists, and more. We will discuss flat rate shoots as well as licensing and day rates for the larger corporate shoots. I’ll show you how to promote and network yourself to marketing and production agencies (your gateway to the bigger clients). I’ll give you the ins and outs of working in tandem alongside a video crew, and the importance of being able to adapt to every scenario and lighting challenge on the fly. You’ll know how to confidently walk onto a set with a production team and look like you belong there.
If you are looking to move beyond simple branding sessions, this is the class for you!
What to Bring to Class:
This is a more advanced commercial class for those who have been working for a while and are ready to go to the next level with their corporate/commercial work.
There is no gear needed.