ABOUT SHANAN ELIZABETH
Welcome, I'm Shanan. I am a digital illustrator, natural light special occasions photographer/videographer, and film producer based in the Denver Metro Area. I love the outdoors, anything from hiking to paddle-boarding to dirt-biking. I am naturally curious and have an urge to explore (fun fact: I have been to 21 States and 11 countries, so far).
MY STORY
I was a kid that loved math and science; for a long time, I thought I was going to be an engineer. But, it seemed like a career path lacking creativity. When it came to the day-to-day, as much as I loved solving problems and reading numbers, I realized I enjoyed traveling, taking photos, and art much more. Everyday was something new. Everyday was joyful. Art never really felt like work.
I grew up in a small mountain town outside of Denver. When I was just a kid, my dad gave me his old 35mm film camera, and in high school, I spent several years in the dark room learning to master lighting and develop photos. While at Evergreen Senior High School, I gained recognition at the 43rd and 44th Annual Jefferson County Art Show for digital photography. In 2017, I was recognized as the featured photographer in the May edition of Colorado Serenity Magazine. In May of 2019, I was recognized for a second time in the same magazine. During my senior year, I wanted to challenge myself further. I wanted to step aside from photography and focus on motion picture - and it was surprisingly different. I mentored filmmaker, Jonathan Ramsey, learning extensive information regarding the film industry.
In December 2019, I graduated with distinction from University of Colorado in Boulder with a degree in Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts, and a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. Throughout college and in the immediate years after, I assisted on numerous short films, captured weddings for Heirloomsnaps, prop styled alongside Natalie Warady Designs for interior design/architecture editorial projects, and began to grow my own freelance business. I am currently working full-time as a product photographer, videographer, and illustrator for M.C. Squares, a start-up in Denver. The great thing about working for M.C. Squares is the continuous support; they encourage me to grow my own business and accept freelance gigs. If you are interested in photography, videography, or illustration services, please do not hesitate to reach out for a quote.