Shayleen has been around animals all her life. She grew up on her grandparent’s farm and became an accomplished equestrian at an early age. Her love for animals inspired her to pursue the dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian, but life had other career plans for her.

Photography has always been a hobby of Shayleen’s, but she never considered it a career option until she was diagnosed with cancer. After being forced into retirement by her doctors, she enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University as a double bachelor major in digital photography and creative writing-nonfiction. Currently she is utilizing every opportunity to photograph at every zoo, wildlife sanctuary, and nature preserve that she can, as well as scheduling photography expeditions with Natural Habitat Adventures. She gladly will accept critiques, advice, reviews, and internship opportunities from her peers in conservation photography.