Shutterfest stands out as my favorite photography conference to attend each year! As I write this, I am wrapping up day three of the affair. I always look forward to the various workshops, lectures, and unique experiences available throughout this fun-filled event like no other.
I’d like to take a moment to recap some of the main highlights of the event. The event included many wonderful learning opportunities led by some of the biggest names in the industry. The workshops covered a diverse range of topics, including wedding portraits, posing, color gels, lighting, boudoir photography, and much more.
Shutterfest 2023 really put the fun back into conferences! It was designed to provide a focused, unique, networking (F.U.N.) event for photographers and other industry professionals. Here’s a closer look at each element.
Focused: Workshops and Lectures for Mastering Your Craft
One of the main reasons I anticipate Shutterfest each year is the wide variety of workshops and lectures available. I can really concentrate on the skills I need now. The focused approach to learning guarantees that I always leave Shutterfest learning something new.
The lineup of learning opportunities covered every photography genre and included advice from top industry speakers. Some of the biggest names to attend include, but were not limited to, Gary Box, Ray Alvarez, Miguel Quiles, Ralph Nogal, Michael Anthony, Ning Wong, Peter Hurley, Tanya Smith, Scott Detweiler, and the host of the festival, Sal Cincotta.
Shutterfest attracted dozens of respected photographers and professionals who shared knowledge and experience. It’s a perfect chance for photographers of all levels to learn from some of the top people in the photography industry.
The event was full of hands-on learning opportunities. Workshops included the chance to experiment with new equipment. Some lectures and workshops even included live demonstrations.
The carefully curated selection of classes and lectures provided the opportunity to hone our craft. Over three days, photographers of all experience levels got to pick up new skills and techniques.
Unique: How Shutterfest Breaks the Mold
Along with demonstrations and hands-on classes, Shutterfest included two programs with on-site models. This is what really sets the event apart! The Rent-a-Human (RAH) program and the unofficial After-Hours programs both offered the chance to photograph live models and put what we just learned into practice. The models come with wardrobe, hair, and makeup! If you are up for it, after-hours shoots can go on until 3 o’clock in the morning!
The combination of live photo shoots, expert speakers, and various creative experiences set it apart from other photography conferences that I’ve attended.
The RAH program allows photographers to shoot professional models and build their portfolios. It was completely free to use and involved working in groups of two to five photographers. Shutterfest also had over 250 models on site. It was a massive portfolio-building opportunity.
The After-Hours shoots were provided to let photographers think outside the box and experiment with shooting at different times of the day, evening, and late hours of the night. Many of the models were available for these after-hours shoots.
These programs were another example of how Shutterfest aims to inspire photographers. The organizers of the event want us to get outside of our comfort zone and start creating original work that stands apart from everything else out there.
Networking: Connect and Collaborate With Other Professionals
Shutterfest includes a strong emphasis on networking. The event included numerous networking opportunities, including parties. However, one of the best parts was the chance to team up with other photographers to shoot models. We also got to meet vendors to learn about new equipment and techniques.
Photography is often a relatively solitary profession, even when shooting models and other subjects. It’s fun to connect with other photographers and talk shop. Discussing our tools of the trade and sharing our approaches to photography was inspiring.
The entire three-day event had a collaborative feel. Everyone freely shared advice and their work, providing the chance to expose ourselves to new ideas and photography concepts. I believe I made quite a few professional connections and, hopefully, several lifelong relationships.
Conclusion
Shutterfest 2023 was another fantastic experience and more than just another photography event. It was the chance for a community to come together and celebrate the fun-damentals of photography. I loved every minute, from the focused lectures and workshops to unique experiences and networking opportunities.
Attending Shutterfest is a great way for photographers to take their careers to the next level. You can connect with others and learn from experts.
Whether you’ve visited Shutterfest before, I highly recommend adding Shutterfest 2024 to your calendar next year. It’s sure to be another outstanding opportunity for photographers to share their work and meet like-minded individuals. As a maternity photographer, I have certainly learned a lot that I will take back to my business.
So, what are your thoughts on Shutterfest? Did you make it to Shutterfest 2023 or any of the past festivals? What is your favorite conference and why? Don’t forget to plan for Shutterfest 2024 as well, as they have an early bird special.
I’d love to hear what you think about Shutterfest. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comment section below.
Fantastic article Dwayne! ShutterFest is without a doubt a must attend event. The collaborative environment is perfect for photographers of all levels. The access to knowledge and the ability to grow no matter how long you have been a photographer is second to none! It truly is an amazing community of people from all backgrounds that are all focused on one thing….The thing we all love… Photography! All of the other noise and things that may separate society doesn’t live at ShutterFest or in the community it has spawned over the last decade.
Shutterfest feels like a second home to me that only happens once a year, its an amazing and wonderful experience. I cannot wait for SF 2024!
My daughter Jewels Gray was one of the presenters at SF. She is always energized by the event to come up with a theme shoot for the attendees every year. The atmosphere there is amazing.
I kinda stopped reading when Miguel Quiles was mentioned as one of the biggest names. A mediocre influencer with little talent, just many followers..for whatever reason. Just sad.
I might just have to attend the next ShutterFest.