Shauna Intelisano

Telling stories of ordinary people with stunning natural light portraits.

"My love and curiosity for the story behind the person and the place led me to a career in photojournalism.  In a time when images are becoming contrived and computer generated, I continue to capture life as it unfolds."
-Shauna Intelisano  

I am thrilled to introduce Shauna Intelisano a photographer that I met working in downtown Denver.  She has a way of just capturing beauty within the moments that would have normally been overlooked.   An artist that Portland, OR is lucky to have access to.  One of my most memorable experiences with Shauna as a photographer is when she photographed my wedding.  Shauna captured beautiful photos and helped preserve memories that will stay with me throughout my life.

Tell me about your photography background?

I received my degree in photojournalism and journalism at the University of Georgia Athens in the Grady College of Journalism.  While studying I traveled to Honduras and documented a peace corp worker (on film), worked at the school newspaper (The Red & Black) and for Sports Communications.  My passion was/is story telling.  From there I went to Chattanooga Times Free Press for a 6 month paid internship. Next I did a 4 month paid internship at the Killeen Daily Herald covering the Fort Hood community.  Texas was hard for me and I was low on money and steam so I went to Breckenridge to spend some time with my father.  During many bike rides he talked me into giving Denver and freelance a try. I followed his advice and started my freelance career in Denver.  There I started out in the editorial world working for 5280 Magazine, Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News.  Then the economy slipped into a recession and I lost my foot-hold in the editorial world and started working with The Aveda Institute of Denver, learning the world of fashion photography.  I cultivated many clients in Denver and was paying the bills with my photography work but I felt lost in my work. So I've recently moved to Portland, OR in hopes of recreating myself and rediscovering my love and roots in photography, story telling.  I hope to work for magazines and small business here telling stories again.  I also hope to land an agent in the next few years so I don't have to cultivate all the work myself.  I feel like I just want more good opportunities all of which I don't have to create myself.

Let's talk about love and your self-published book.

In 2008 I traveled to Cuba with a writer and we worked on a story about the change in leadership (after 50 years of Fidel). There I met my now husband and so I traveled back and forth for 3 years. I tried to work in Cuba but I was mainly there for love.   To raise money for my husbands transition to the U.S. I self-published a book of my work in Cuba titled "Dulce Tormento". It was a real labor of love. There are a few stories in there I wrote. I spent over 100 hours editing text and layout.  It can be viewed at this link to Dulce Tormento.

What kind of subjects do you shoot and what inspires you as a photographer?

People. Everyday people.  Not models or celebrities.  Just everyday unsung heroes.   Natural light, emotion, telling stories with images, capturing the beauty in the world .  Peoples vulnerability and strength.

Who is your biggest inspiration? 

So many it is hard to say. Inspirations are always changing as well. Todd Heisler (former Rocky Mountain News and now NYTimes), April Saul (Philadelphia Inquirer), Gabriela Herman (freelance), Nicolle Clemetson (Freelance), Rezza (Nat Geo), Mary Ellen Mark (freelance), David Walter Banks (freelance & represented)

"It is not the destination, it's the journey." -Shauna Intelisano

Shauna is inspiration to me because of her drive and ability to capture beauty within the moment.   Her determination to be a great photographer and complete her book after she found the love of her life in Cuba.  It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be a photojournalist, standing by your vision and Shauna does just that.  She believes in her ability to be one of the great photographers and she proves that within her book which you can check out and purchase it here Dulce Tormento.  Please take a look!

"Anybody can click a shutter or manipulate an image, but I believe the difference between a good photographer and a great photographer is ideas and approach.  I strive to be one of the greats." -Shauna Intelisano

Each artist that I introduce I would like to inspire just one person.

The first and last quote on this blog were taken from the denverarts.org event post here.

Shauna's Website