Shanda Akin

Shanda Akin is a freelance photographer based in Durango, Colorado, whose work is rooted in a deep love for the natural world. After retiring from a 25-year career in the United States Air Force, she turned her lifelong passion for travel and storytelling into a full-time photography business. Her portfolio spans landscapes, fine art, commercial, and real estate work, with images captured across 48 countries and counting. Shanda regularly exhibits her work, teaches workshops, and judges competitions nationwide. In 2023, she published The Beauty of Durango and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Photography from the Academy of Art University.