Private Mentorship · St. Louis Studio
The Concierge Masterclass
Private, single-day photography mentorship built from nearly 30 years of teaching and studio experience. No group classes, no shared attention — just you, working through real problems in real conditions.
Book a Session Ask a QuestionChoose Your Track
| Track 1: The Foundation | Track 2: Studio & The Model | Track 3: The Complete Studio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners ready to leave Auto mode | Photographers ready for studio light & real clients | Photographers who can shoot, but haven’t run a full wedding or portrait business |
| Format | Outdoor/urban shoot + laptop review | In-studio shoot with a hired professional model | Working session — Wedding Day Mastery or Portrait Studio Operations |
| Length | 6 hours | 6 hours | 6 hours |
| Investment | $950 | $1,450 | $1,450 |
Track 1
The Foundation — Outdoor & Urban Light Mastery
Who it’s for: The hobbyist who owns a capable camera but is still shooting on Auto — or shooting on Manual by guesswork.
A private, full-day session through St. Louis locations chosen for varied, challenging light — including full midday sun most beginner courses avoid. The day closes with a laptop-side review of that day’s real images.
- Vision audit of your existing work
- A repeatable exposure decision sequence
- Shooting confidently in hard light, on purpose
- Reading the city itself as a lighting kit
- Same-day laptop review of your images
$950
Book Track 1Track 2
The Studio & The Model — Controlled Light Mastery
Who it’s for: Photographers who understand camera basics but have never worked in a real studio, or freeze up directing a subject.
A full day inside a fully equipped studio with a hired professional model — full, private access all day, not shared workshop time.
- Reading and shaping natural window light first
- Hands-on flags, reflectors, and modifiers
- Trigger and sync fundamentals
- Directing a live model — exact language, not vague cues
- Capturing BTS content alongside stills
$1,450
Book Track 2
Track 3
The Complete Studio — Running a Wedding or Portrait Business
Who it’s for: Photographers who can shoot well but have never run a full business start to finish — booking, planning, executing, delivering, and getting paid consistently.
A private, full-day working session built around your actual business. Choose your focus going in: Wedding Day Mastery or Portrait Studio Operations.
Wedding Day Mastery includes:
- Client communication & booking, from inquiry to signed contract
- Building a realistic day-of timeline, shot list, and formals plan
- Gear and backup planning for low light, weather, and tight schedules
- Pricing packages that stay profitable, not just competitive
- Delivery workflow and managing client expectations on turnaround
Portrait Studio Operations includes:
- Designing an efficient session flow, start to finish
- Client communication and expectation-setting before the session
- Tiered pricing and add-ons that protect your margin
- Scheduling, turnaround promises, and avoiding scope creep
- Systems that turn one-time clients into repeat business
$1,450
Book Track 3Bundle & Save
Any Two Tracks
$2,450
Save up to $450 off individual pricing
All Three Tracks
$3,150
Save $700 off individual pricing
Can run as a consecutive 3-day block, or spread across 3 weeks so there’s time to apply what you’ve learned between sessions.
Common Questions
Do I need experience before booking Track 1?
No — it’s built for true beginners. If you’ve never left Auto mode, this is the starting point.
Can I book just one track, or out of order?
Yes. Each track stands alone. Most students start with the track that matches their current sticking point.
What if the weather doesn’t cooperate for Track 1?
Sessions can be rescheduled for weather; the studio-based portion of the day isn’t weather-dependent.
How do I choose between Wedding Day Mastery and Portrait Studio Operations in Track 3?
Pick whichever matches the business you’re building. Let us know your choice when you book so the session is planned around your specific focus.
Where do sessions take place?
Shari Photography studio at 5205 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116. Track 1 begins here before moving to nearby locations.
Ready to Book Your Private Session?
One student per session. Strictly private, hands-on, and built around where you are right now.
Book Your MasterclassOr call / text: 314-221-2166