Meet Shanda
wife, Mother,
veteran,
adventurer,
explorer
…
Photo by Gabe Shakour
LIFE IS ABOUT THE JOURNEY
And what an epic journey it is…
My photography and art are the result of my pursuit to witness a depleting natural globe, bring the surreal to life, and archive remarkable moments in time while sharing my view of the world. I love all landscapes though growing up in Colorado has made me particularly drawn to the mountains. There is no awe inspiring or life-changing story…my love of photography has simply been as much a part of me as my long blonde hair and big feet.
Though my formal education was in human resources and organizational management, my heart always led me to extreme ends of the earth with a camera in hand. My successful 25-year career in the Air Force gave me a barrage of opportunities I never resisted taking advantage of. Retiring from the Air Force has allowed me to fulfill my photographic dream as an artist.
Appearances
I’ve been honored to make several appearances the past few months. Thank you for attending, joining in, reading, and listening along. If you missed any, you may check them out below:
F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast: Episode 388: Empowering Women Photographers Through the Outdoor Photo Alliance
Voyage Denver, Local Stories: Meet Shanda Akin of Durango - VoyageDenver - Denver
On Landscape Magazine, Portrait of a Photographer: https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2023/06/shanda-akin/
Wild Women in Photography Podcast, Episode 3: https://www.wildwomanphotography.com/wild-women-in-photography-podcast/
Interview with Local First on KDUR Radio Station: https://soundcloud.com/local-first/episode-214-shanda-akin
Self-Publishing a Photography Book: https://youtu.be/8QW59eY3U_M
Global Photography, Tips, Travel, and Gear: https://youtu.be/Rqcmrk82D8Q
Current Gear
I do get asked a lot about what I gear I use, however I do not place a high level of importance on gear. This is my current lineup:
Camera
Lenses
Filters
• Breakthrough Photography X2 Neutral Density Filters and Circular Polarizers
Tripod
• RRS Ascend Tripod (reallyrightstuff.com)
Backpack
Proud member of Nature First Photography Alliance.
We aim to preserve these places by building an alliance of responsible photographers and cultivate a community of advocates and partners to help spread the word.
Help conserve the places we love and photograph through wise use, education, outreach, community, and research.
Member of the International Dark-Sky Association
Our plan to slow the growth of light pollution and begin to reverse it.
The International Dark-Sky Association promotes win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting.