Shaylin was born in Canada and raised in Texas. She spent her childhood as a gymnast at WOGA. Her Olympic ceremony choreographer and coach from Russia, introduced her to the dance scene. She then became a professional dancer on TV, film, and tours.
Shaylin studied at The Art Institute of Dallas for Photography of Applied Science. She inspired the school to begin its photography program and attended with scholarships. Her work has been aired on Canadian news, published on various websites, and more.
Shaylin thrives in a nomadic lifestyle. She has also lived in places such as Atlanta, Australia, China, and Los Angeles several different times. Fun fact: Shay was once on a flight to New York, but got off in Hawaii for a layover and lived in Honolulu for a Summer! You can still find her dancing, capturing, and traveling. Alongside of styling, designing, and producing.
“You do some amazing photography, and probably have more raw talent than anyone around you. Some of your shots are jewels. You always have a different perspective and your unique solutions are “out of the box.” That’s the single most important quality an artist can have, in my opinion. You never chase after a style or a trend–you think independently. You’re also not afraid to push the limits. You OWN your photographic thinking. I believe you are a very strong individual and it shows in your work. You are also very intelligent. I believe that you are truly gifted, and that you can do anything you set your mind to do. You’ve got what it takes. You are a natural.”
– Professor Victoria Clary
“Hey Shaylin, Gave you an A! Great work, great concepts. I haven’t written advice to anyone else in this class. You’ve got a tremendous amount of talent and a great eye. You’re equally facile in both still life and people, which is rare. I hope you’ll attempt doing this for a living. Right now, you should take advantage of the crowd you’re running with and document the hell out of it. These are the great memories of life and they rarely come around twice! Push yourself… push your ideas to the limit… and know when to get out!”
– Professor Jeff Baker