In the Studio: Shanna Allyn

Shanna Allyn's photos are sometimes strange, but always beautiful.

Shanna Allyn always wanted to be an artist. Now she is.

Image credit: Kelsey Johnston

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Shanna Allyn has a way of bringing you into her world of strangeness all while having a chuckle with her photography that speaks for itself.

Her "Strange Beautiful" series is an ongoing series full of dynamic portraits that can be viewed through the month of September at Caffetto Coffe Shop in Uptown.

Allyn recently spoke with us about her work.

PHOTOS: In the Studio with Shanna Allyn.

METRO: Where are you from?

Shanna Allyn: Ellsworth, Wisconsin

M: How would you describe your work?

SA: Raw, funny, dead pan, sarcastic, dreamlike, and strange and beautiful.

M: Tell me about the locations and sets you have in your photographs, where do you find these places?

SA: The first series of “Strange Beautiful” was in this haunted house in my hometown. For the second series I found this spot by a pond which was also in my hometown. The third and fourth series I shot in the last two apartments I’ve lived in, in Minneapolis.

M: What do you look for in choosing a model or subject matter?

SA: I look for people who I find interesting and mysterious. Or I’ll look for a sort of awkwardness too. Also inner beauty and good energy.

M: How do you land on the specific ideas for your photographs in the Strange Beautiful series?

SA: I am inspired by my own life journey. I’m inspired by nature, natural beauty, bold colors, and textures in everyday life. People and their interactions are an interesting source of inspiration as well.

M: How was it working for The Wendy Williams Show?

SA: I actually met many lifelong friends working at the Wendy Williams Show. It was really fun. I had a great working relationship with my boss and everyday was different.

M: What is the best part about Minneapolis?

SA: I love the lakes and all the nature in the city and that it’s so bike friendly.

M: What was your dream career when you were young?

SA: I always wanted to be the lead singer of a band and I always wanted to be an artist.

Editor's note: Kelsey Johnston started her In the Studio project, a behind-the-scenes look at local artists' studios, in September 2010. New articles appear every other Monday.