SEP 21-23, 2025 | ST. LOUIS, MO
Schedule
12:00pm-6:00pm
Registration + VIP Swag Bag Pickup
Located at the Depot Registration Office
6:00pm-9:00pm
Opening Presentation by Sal and Alissa Cincotta
Cash Bar, DJ, VIP Portfolio Reviews for VIP Ticket Holders
9:30am
Kickoff with Sal and Alissa Cincotta
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Post-Production
Editing Beauty Portraits
Aaron Nace
Learn how to edit beauty portraits like a pro with Aaron Nace of Phlearn in this must-attend post-production class at The Portrait Edit. Perfect for portrait photographers who want to take their Photoshop skills to the next level, this session dives into high-end beauty retouching, creative color grading, and the latest AI tools inside Adobe Photoshop. Aaron will walk you through a step-by-step workflow—from skin retouching and frequency separation to enhancing color and using AI to save time without sacrificing quality. If you shoot beauty, fashion, or fine art portraits, this class will help you create polished, high-end edits that stand out in today’s competitive photography market.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Lighting/Posing
Light by Light: Building the Perfect Portrait
Ray Alvarez
In Light by Light: Building the Perfect Portrait Setup, photographer Ray Alvarez breaks down how to create stunning, dimensional portraits by starting simple and building up. This hands-on lighting and posing class will guide you through the process of working with one light, then gradually adding more to sculpt your subject with intention and control. Whether you’re shooting fashion, beauty, or editorial portraits, Ray will show you how to read the light, shape the scene, and pose your subject for maximum impact—so you can walk away with images that feel dynamic, polished, and portfolio-ready.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Creative
Creative Portraits on a Budget
Irene Rudnyk
In Creative Portraits on a Budget, Irene Rudnyk will show you how to craft unique, impactful portraits using minimal resources and maximum creativity. This class focuses on working with continuous lights and strobes to build beautiful, dynamic setups—without needing a huge production or massive budget. Irene will walk you through her approach to styling, set design, and posing, proving that thoughtful choices and creative vision are more powerful than expensive gear. Perfect for photographers who want to elevate their portrait work in studio environments while keeping things simple, smart, and impactful.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Business
Off the Grid:
Marketing Your Photography Business Without Social Media
Marketing Your Photography Business Without Social Media
Elena S. Blair
In Off the Grid: Marketing Your Photography Business Without Social Media, Elena Blair shares how she built a thriving photography brand without relying on likes, follows, or endless content creation. This class is for photographers who are burned out on the algorithm and ready to explore smarter, more sustainable ways to attract clients. Elena will walk you through her proven strategies for building word-of-mouth referrals, creating an elevated client experience, and leveraging community-based marketing to grow a loyal, high-converting audience—no hashtags required. If you’re ready to unplug and still get booked, this class is your roadmap.
11:30am-1:00pm
Lunch (food trucks) + Vendor Time + Shooting Bays
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Post-Production
Telling Stories in Color: Creative Editing for Depth, Mood & Consistency
Meg Loeks
Known for her rich tones, painterly light, and emotive storytelling, Meg Loeks brings her signature post-production style to this deep-dive editing class designed for photographers who want to create work that feels cohesive, compelling, and unmistakably them. From challenging lighting scenarios to multi-image composites, Meg will walk you through the tools and techniques she uses to enhance mood, shape color, and create depth in every frame. You’ll learn how to maintain visual consistency across diverse shooting environments while developing an editing approach that amplifies your unique artistic voice. Whether you’re refining your style or rediscovering it, this class is your creative reset.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Lighting/Posing
Photographing The Female Form
Yuliya Panchenko
In Photographing The Female Form, Yuliya Panchenko will take you behind the scenes of her signature approach to capturing women with strength, elegance, and intention. In this live demonstration class, Yuliya will work with a model to show her go-to lighting and posing techniques—then take it a step further by bringing someone from the audience to demonstrate how to adapt those same techniques to real clients of all shapes and sizes. Whether you photograph boudoir, fine art, or fashion-inspired portraits, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how to create empowering, flattering images that celebrate the female form.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Creative
Vogue-Ready: Strategic & Creative Fashion Editorials
Enrique Vega
In Vogue-Ready: Strategic & Creative Fashion Editorials, Enrique Vega shares his complete creative process for crafting images that are bold, intentional, and truly publication-ready. This class dives deep, going far beyond just technical skills. It's about mastering the strategy, styling, and storytelling that make editorial work genuinely stand out. Enrique will guide you through his method for developing compelling concepts, effectively collaborating with a team, and approaching every shoot with a sharp commercial and editorial mindset. You'll gain invaluable insight into what magazines are really looking for, learning how to elevate your work to meet – and exceed – that high standard. The class culminates in a live demonstration where Enrique will use a clean, impactful lighting setup to show how strong direction and clear vision can transform even a simple setup into striking, editorial imagery.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Business
Beauty Is The New Boudoir: Photographing Women Over 50
Alissa Cincotta
In Beauty Is The New Boudoir: Photographing Women Over 50, Alissa Cincotta shares how she and husband, Sal Cincotta, built a thriving portrait brand by shifting the focus from traditional boudoir to luxury beauty—and why women over 50 have become one of the most fulfilling additions to their studio’s offerings. This class dives into how to confidently communicate the process to clients who often feel overlooked, build trust through styling and guidance, and deliver an experience that’s empowering, elegant, and unforgettable. Alissa will also lead a live demonstration of her three signature beauty styles, walking you through the lighting, posing, and wardrobe direction that help her clients look and feel their absolute best. If you’re ready to serve a powerful, profitable niche with intention and artistry, this class is for you.
2:30pm-5:00pm
Shooting Bays & Vendor Time
5:00pm-7:00pm
Dinner (food trucks)
5:30pm-6:30pm
VIP Panel Discussion (Open Q&A with select Speakers)
8:00pm-11:00pm
The Muse Ball
9:30am
Kickoff with Sal and Alissa Cincotta
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Post-Production
Using AI to Streamline Your Post-Production
Sal Cincotta
Tired of spending hours behind the computer? In Using AI to Streamline Your Post-Production, Sal Cincotta shares how he’s using AI retouching to dramatically cut down editing time without sacrificing quality. This class is all about working smarter—Sal will walk you through his portrait editing workflow, show how to batch retouch with AI tools, and explain how to maintain a signature look while automating the heavy lifting. Whether you’re editing weddings, seniors, or headshots, you’ll learn how to speed up your turnaround time, stay consistent, and get back to doing what you love: shooting.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Lighting/Posing
Photographing Men
John Gress
In Photographing Men, John Gress will walk you through multiple lighting and posing setups designed specifically to flatter and highlight masculine features. From dramatic, editorial looks to clean and classic headshots, this live demonstration class will showcase how to approach different styles with intention and control. John will break down his lighting choices, posing direction, and how to create confident, impactful portraits that resonate—whether you’re working with models, professionals, or everyday clients. Perfect for photographers looking to expand their skills and shoot male subjects with purpose and polish.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Creative
Portraits with Purpose: Editorial Styling for Real People
Jai Mayhew
In Portraits with Purpose: Editorial Styling for Real People, Jai Mayhew shares how she blends high-fashion aesthetics with personal branding to create portraits that are both visually striking and deeply intentional. This class is all about taking real clients—entrepreneurs, creatives, professionals—and styling them in a way that feels elevated, authentic, and aligned with their brand. Jai will walk you through her process for developing a tailored concept, directing wardrobe and styling choices, and posing with purpose to create boutique-level branding sessions that feel like a magazine spread. Perfect for photographers who want to offer more than just headshots—this is branding with soul and style.
10:00am-11:30am
Breakout Sessions
Business
How to Shoot an Album That Actually Sells
Felicia Reed
In How to Shoot an Album That Actually Sells, Felicia Reed breaks down the art of creating albums your clients can’t say no to—and the strategy behind selling them at premium prices. In this live demonstration class, Felicia will show you how to shoot with an album in mind from the very first frame, guiding you through posing, flow, and variety to create a cohesive, emotionally compelling story. Beyond the shoot, she’ll teach you how to attract high-paying clients and confidently present high-ticket album sales without feeling pushy. If you’re ready to level up your client experience and boost your revenue, this class is a must.
11:30am-1:00pm
Lunch (food trucks) + Vendor Time + Shooting Bays
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Post-Production
Mastering Fine Art Retouching: Tone, Texture, and Depth
Ric Lewis
Step into the world of fine art portraiture with Ric Lewis in Mastering Fine Art Retouching: Tone, Texture, and Depth in Portraits. This class is perfect for photographers who want to create painterly portraits with rich detail and dimension. Start by photographing your subjects in the styled shooting bays, then bring your images to Ric’s class ready to edit. He’ll walk you through how to build depth through tonal control, enhance texture without over-editing, and craft a mood that feels timeless. You’ll leave with a refined editing process and a finished image that feels more like art than just a portrait.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Lighting/Posing
Bringing Creative Concepts to Life
Niah Rose
In Bringing Creative Concepts to Life, photographer Niah Rose shares her process for transforming bold ideas into powerful, scroll-stopping portraits. From initial concepts and set design to styling, lighting, and posing—this class is all about executing a vision from start to finish. Niah will walk you through how she plans her shoots, collaborates with a team, and brings personality and storytelling into every frame. Whether you’re shooting for your portfolio, a client, or just for fun, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to take your creative concepts from imagination to reality.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Creative
Set Design for Luxury Portraits
Esther Kay
In Set Design for Luxury Portraits, Esther Kay reveals how thoughtful styling and intentional set design can transform your portraits into elevated, high-end works of art. This class is all about creating visual impact—from selecting props and backdrops to layering textures, color, and composition for a luxe, editorial feel. Esther will walk you through her creative process, share behind-the-scenes tips for sourcing and styling, and show how to bring a vision to life on any budget. Whether you’re shooting in-studio or on location, you’ll learn how to design sets that wow your clients and elevate your brand.
1:00pm-2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Business
2025: The Wild West of Marketing
Angelica Pompy
In 2025: The Wild West of Marketing, Angelica Pompy tackles the ever-changing landscape of marketing for photographers—and why what worked even a year ago might already be outdated. This class dives into how to stand out in a saturated, fast-moving digital world, build a brand that actually connects, and attract the clients you want (not just the ones who happen to find you). Angelica will break down what’s working right now in 2025, what to leave behind, and how to craft a marketing strategy that’s bold, intentional, and built for the future.
2:30pm-5:00pm
Shooting Bays & Vendor Time
5:00pm-6:00pm
Closing Keynote by Sal Cincotta
*Vendors can start tearing down at 6:00pm
Register for The Portrait Edit
We’ve designed The Portrait Edit to be intimate and intentional — with limited spots and a focus on meaningful, creative growth. Whether you’re here for hands-on education, portfolio-worthy shoots, or simply the space to reconnect with your craft, your ticket gives you access to an unforgettable experience.
With only 200 general admission tickets available and just 50 VIP spots, this is a carefully curated environment — not a crowded convention.
Ready to create something meaningful? Your journey starts here.
With only 200 general admission tickets available and just 50 VIP spots, this is a carefully curated environment — not a crowded convention.
Ready to create something meaningful? Your journey starts here.
VIP TICKETS
$999
$899
LIMITED TO 50 ATTENDEES
- Access to all classes Sep 22-23
- Access to conference trade show
- Access to stylized shooting bays during conference hours
- Early Access to Styled Shooting Bays
Get exclusive 1-hour early access to the shooting bays. Beat the crowds and shoot with models in beautifully lit, undisturbed setups.
- VIP-Only Q&A with Select Speakers
Private Q&A session with select speakers. Ask the real questions you wouldn’t in a large group. Think real talk, real insight, real access.
- VIP Portfolio Review Lounge
One-on-one or small group portfolio reviews with hand-selected speakers. Constructive, real-world feedback in a private space.
- VIP Swag Bag
Includes high-end swag, printed resources, product samples, and creative tools not available to GA ticket holders.
- Priority Seating in All Classrooms
Front-row reserved seating in all speaker sessions and general presentations.
GENERAL ADMISSION
$799
$599
LIMITED TO 200 ATTENDEES
- Access to all classes Sep 22-23
- Access to conference trade show
- Access to stylized shooting bays during conference hours
© Salvatore Cincotta | Behind the Shutter
Contact Us: support@behindtheshutter.com