KMFP at Shutterfest '25

Shoot. Learn. Party.

My First Time at Shutterfest: What I Shot, What I Learned, and What I Skipped (Spoiler: It Was the Party)

Well I’ll tell you—I did shoot and I did learn, but party I did not. As an introvert, these types of events tend to take a lot of my energy to get through, and this one was a doozy. But here's the thing: when you know yourself and your limits, you can pick and choose what works for you and not feel bad about it.

Shutterfest was such a cool experience to attend. It’s held at the St. Louis Union Station every year, and I can totally see why. The location is a mix of grandeur and grit, which honestly makes for an epic backdrop. This was my first time going, and I came in hungry to learn.

And wow—did I learn.

From lighting setups that finally clicked, to watching other photographers work through creative blocks in real time, I soaked up a ton. The classes were packed with solid, actionable info (shoutout to the speakers who didn’t gatekeep), and the hands-on shooting bays were where the real magic happened. I got to push myself creatively, try new things, and leave with a fresh stack of images and ideas.

One of my favorite shoots of the week? An awesome couple who had literally just met right before the shoot. You wouldn't know it from the photos, though—they were on fire. Playing the part like pros, completely in sync, and making our cameras very happy. It was the kind of session where the energy is just right and everything flows.

I also met some incredible people. Yes, even as an introvert. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room to make connections that matter. A few shared laughs, some geeky gear convos, and a “hey, I love your work” moment here and there—it all added up.

Would I go again? Yep.

Would I skip the party again? Probably. And that’s okay.

If you’re thinking about going to Shutterfest and you're not the extroverted, all-day-networking type—know that you can still get a ton out of it. Show up, do your thing, take the class, shoot the shot, take the nap, and skip the stuff that drains you.

Because growth doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes, it just looks like showing up.