Education:

Current: Academy of Art University, Master of Arts in Photography (anticipated grad date: Dec 2025)

2021, Bachelor’s degree, Organizational Management (with honors), University of Arizona

2018, Professional Manager Certification, Air University

2017, Associate’s degree, Human Resources, Community College of the Air Force

2012, Associate’s degree, Information Management Community College of the Air Force

2010, Associate’s degree, Criminal Justice, Community College of the Air Force

2008, Professional Sales Skills certification

Professional Experience:

Co-Founded Horizons Photography LLC, 2025

Co-Founded Outdoor Photo Alliance LLC, 2024

Published “Beauty of Durango” photography book (2023)

Leads photography workshops

Real Estate photography for Wells Group and Sotheby’s

Founded Shanda Akin Studio LLC, 2021

Exhibitions:

2025, Among the Aspens, Four Leaves Winery, Durango, CO (solo)

2024, Scenic Treasures – Natures Beauty from Colorado and Beyond, Wright Opera House, Ouray, Colorado, (duo)

2024, Beauty of Durango, Four Leaves Winery, Durango, CO (solo)

2024, Beauty of Durango, Durango City Library, Durango, CO (solo)

2023, Beauty of Durango, Create Art and Tea Gallery, Durango, Colorado (solo)

2022, In Focus Women Exhibition, Prince Art Gallery, Sidney Australia (selected-group)

Press:

Guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast, Episode 427, Creating Connections at the Horizons Photography Conference

Guest on the podcast Pixels: Exploring the Heart and Art of Photography What Makes Someone a Photographer?

Guest on the Landscape Photography World Podcast, Episode 179, Empowering Outdoor Photographers

Guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast: Episode 388: Empowering Women Photographers Through the Outdoor Photo Alliance

Featured in On Landscape Magazine, Portrait of a Photographer: A Photography Journey inspired by 25 years of service

Guest appearance on Wild Women in Photography Podcast, Episode 3: Finding Peace and Rejuvenation in Nature.

Presenter at the Sioux Falls Photography Club, The Power of Projects

Presenter at the Happiness Hour Podcast, Self-Publishing a Photography Book

Presenter at the Durango Photography Club, Focus Stacking in White Sands National Park

Presenter at the Happiness Hour podcast, Global Photography, Tips, Travel, and Gear

Featured in the Voyage Denver, Local Stories: Meet Shanda Akin of Durango

Images Anomalous and Ice Foundry selected for Magic in the Wilderness curated photography book (2023)

Image Galactic Totem selected for In Focus Women (2022) curated fine art book