Hello, my name is Shane, but my friends and family call me Shaner.
Five years ago, I embarked on a new career as a commercial and residential real estate photographer / videographer. It has become a creative outlet and passion for me, and I believe that is reflected in the quality of my photos and videos. Truth be told, this job has given me my life back.
I was born in Santa Barbara, California and raised in the fabulous Florida Keys. Like most kids growing up in that island paradise, I spent most of my spare time on and in the water: diving, fishing, sailing and barefoot waterskiing.
As a young adult, I moved to Miami and then to Washington, D.C. where I developed and managed various IT projects for
numerous organizations and government agencies including the World Bank, United Nations and the National Association
of Home Builders. I also moonlighted as a bartender at some of D.C.’s most popular foodie and bar establishments, including Jaleo’s and Café Atlantico alongside world famous celebrity chefs, Jose Andres and D.C.'s legendary Wayne Combs. The best part of slinging drinks was meeting my soulmate and best friend, my wife Amy.
Our world came to screeching halt in 2007 when I was diagnosed with spinal cancer and given less than a few months to live. Luckily, however, one of the top neurosurgeons in the world specializing in my particular rare form of cancer (sacral sarcoma / giant cell), was located just 50 miles north in Baltimore, Maryland at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and he agreed to take my case. After a grueling two-day operation and months in the hospital, I was told I had been miraculously cured. Though incredibly grateful, I left the hospital in a wheelchair, expecting very limited mobility for the rest of my life. Although I was eventually able to ditch the wheelchair, walking had remained difficult.
My Back Post Op
Our lives already uprooted, we decided to return to Amy’s hometown of Cleveland so she could partner with her father at Wuliger & Wuliger Law.
Now residing in Hudson, Ohio, I set a goal to find a new career that would not only get me back out of the house as a productive citizen but would also help me increase my mobility and regain some of the independence I had lost to cancer.
In 2016, I purchased a drone. It was meant to be something fun – a hobby to keep me occupied, but it pretty quickly led to my new career as a professional photographer. It was very slow going at first. I only had the leg and foot strength to photograph one house a day (if that), and I made mistakes along the way. Never one to quit, however, I soldiered on, and with the kindness and patience from some of my first customers (including Ted Olsen, Amy Pendergrass, Will Penney and Shane Reid) I learned and honed my craft.
I have since regained enough strength that in the past three years, I’ve been able to photograph over 2000 properties. Many of my homes have been featured in Cleveland.com’s “Home of the Week”; “The Scene”, “Homes of Distinction”, “Currents” and other publications. Although I will always walk a little funny and have to deal with quite a few physical and chronic medical challenges, I give credit to this new career for giving me my life back.
My wife Amy and I have been blessed with three wonderful children, two of whom are grown – Johann and Maya – and one –
Josie – who is still at home (for now). Rounding out our family are two dogs and too many cats!
