Photography is more than just a career for Shane Baker—it’s an extension of who he is. From traveling the country shooting creative portraits to architecture photography and underwater portraiture, Baker shares his work on his Instagram @shanebakerstudios.
Starting out as a painter, he picked up a camera for the first time in 2012. “When I started I wasn’t very good but I enjoyed it,” Baker said. “The feedback I received inspired me to keep going and a year and a half later I won Phoenix Photographer of the Year.”
By the end of 2015 he took on photography full time.
“My passion for photography isn’t for the medium, but for artistic expression. Photography became a tool to express the same ideas I had as a painter, just in a different medium,” Baker said. “I am pulled towards the act of creating. It feels fundamental to who and what I am.”
Finding his creative niche
Baker’s work is divided into two distinct realms: one focuses on photographing people, while the other highlights architectural spaces. His main social media account, @shanebakerstudios, showcases his portraiture, including his highly recognized underwater photography.
Over the years, his creative philosophy has led him to push artistic boundaries, exploring what makes an image resonate with its audience. Baker recalls a defining moment in his artistic journey when he encountered the work of artist William Kentridge at the Broad Museum in Los Angeles.
“I spent hours absorbing his work. It spoke to me in a way that no other artist’s work had. This was no surface level art,” Baker said. “When you are confronted with depth you will either swim into it or flee for the shallow end… You might not be able to see the bottom, but something inside you knows you’re in deep water when you experience it. William was a deep water artist and I took a deep breath and dove.
“It made me question—what makes one an artist versus an ARTIST? Can it be taught? Can you start as an artist and transform into an ARTIST? If so, how?”
These questions continue to shape his creative exploration, driving him to dig deeper into his own work and its impact.
A vision that resonates
Through social media, Baker shares his passion with the world, hoping to evoke the same sense of wonder and inspiration that he feels when viewing great art.
“Think of your favorite artist. Now think of the feeling you get whenever you see a work of art by them,” Baker said. “My favorite thing is creating that feeling in others who enjoy my work. I hope that my audience gets even a small version of that same feeling when they view my work.”
Baker’s ability to connect with people through his photography has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
“There have been moments when I’ll receive a message from someone telling me why my recent post meant so much to them,” Baker said. “It’s a small, intimate look into the life of someone else, and that’s incredibly rewarding. We all want to have a positive impact on those around us, but it’s not always evident that we’re doing that. Sharing my work gives me that opportunity.”
Future aspirations
His short-term goal is to publish his first coffee table book, featuring his underwater portraiture.
Long-term, he has his sights set on gallery exhibitions and an ambitious dream: “My ‘shoot for the stars’ goal is to have a studio with a pool inside of it.”
Whether capturing an architectural masterpiece, an underwater portrait, or a quiet moment frozen in time, Baker approaches his work with an intensity and passion that continues to captivate audiences.
“We have evidence of cave art that’s over 40,000 years old. It’s possible that art has been a part of humanity since we first began as a species,” Baker said. “I do not understand how every part of my body functions together to keep my body alive. But, in the same way, creating functions to keep the non-visible parts of me alive.”
Follow Shane Baker's artistic journey online by following @shanebakerstudios on Instagram. For more information, visit shanebakerstudios.com.
