SHANLEYSTUDIO
DALLAS, Dallas
DALLAS, Dallas
I am a Texas-based adventure travel photographer focused on storytelling in remote corners of the world. I work with outdoor brands, NGOs, and conservation groups worldwide. I photograph real estate and aerial assignments when I am not on the road.
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What’s the secret to taking a great photograph?
Light, phenomenal light. You have to be willing to wake up uncomfortably early to get beautiful, diagonal warm light.
Composition and using something visually interesting to bring your eye to the subject. Leading lines, a foreground element, shapes (for aerial images) are all key to making a creative image.
The less "sexy" answer, planning. Lots of research goes into executing a creative vision. You want to speak to your clients and understand their goals. Research includes location scouting, looking at the weather, knowing when and where the light will be, and knowing what shots you want to achieve. When you understand your shot list you can plan your equipment properly and be prepared for all scenarios. Things happen and you want to be able to pivot and adjust to a plan B should you need to.
What questions might you ask a client when starting a new project?
1. What do you want to achieve with these photographs?
2. Where will they live?
3. If these are product images, what is the size of your product?
4. How many images do you need?
5. What is your timeline? Is there a specific shoot date?
What do you love most about your job?
Everyone loves to travel, but for me the best part of my job is the incredible people I meet along the way. From logistics teams who help me navigate the local area and translate for me to the kids in the streets that walk up to me and point at my freckles, I love meeting all of their smiling faces. After the people, I'd say I love and am inspired by the "remoteness" of my work. I work in areas that are still untouched, places that truly feed the idea of exploration. Discovery is a hard thing to come by in our day of instant news and social media - it feels like everyone has been everywhere, but my goal is to find people and their stories in untouched places.
What inspired you to start your own business?
My parents were independent contractors and owned their own businesses. They always told me to be true to myself and to follow what matters most to me because even when it gets tough I would still love and stand by what I do. They were right - starting your own business is challenging (and expensive!), but I wouldn't change it for the world. I love to connect with people and places and I'm good at it. It feels less and less like work and more and more like a life well-lived.
Why should our clients choose you?
I was a producer in New York City and Creative Services Manager. I understand branding and all parts of production. I can relate to your creative needs and understand how to properly set and meet your timelines. Not only am I an experienced photographer, but my background in production will ensure that your whole project goes smoothly. I am an effective communicator and lots of fun! I don't think I've ever met a wall I couldn't talk to. And I believe in phone calls, actual conversations about you, what your needs are and see how, together, we can achieve your creative goals.
landscape photography
travel and outdoor lifestyle photography
storytelling and narrative development
conservation photography
Post Processing
documentary photography
Humanitarian Photography
