Shawn Barney - Photographer

I started my photography journey at the turn of the 21st Century (or early 2000’s to some people!) as a hobby during the pursuit of my first degree in college. My focus was primarily on sports, commercial, and of course, pets! When the economy turned sour around 2001 and was most likely going to be laid off from work, I ended back in school earning a 2nd degree…this time in photography (which is a rarity these days to have a degree in photography!).

After completion of school, I opened up a retail store and photo studio in Indianapolis called “Wipe Your Pawz!”. This is a full-service pet supply store, self-serve pet wash, and of course a phototraphy studio! This is where I cut my teeth on a variety of pets, people, shooting styles, lighting, outdoor photography, and more. But alas, the economy soured again, and ended up closing up shop at the end of 2009.

Despite that setback, my love for photography and pets never wavered. My focus temporarily to sports, since covering action and events didn’t require a permanent studio space. Over time, I moved through several smaller studio spaces until I finally landed in the dream studio space I have today!

While sports have been my main focus over the years, I always kept a passion for pets on the side, enjoying life with. my own tree rescue pups (5 total over the years). I still dabbled in occasional pet portraits, working with K9 officers, and other small events. However, the idea of In Paws We Trust had been quietly put in motion since 2005, and I purchased the domain in 2009…quietly waiting for the perfect time to move ahead. But life goes, job, family and work keeps you very busy and ideas get put aside.

Then things changed…

I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or CLL, a common type of blood cancer. Suddenly, it made sense why I had been feeling so tired and just felt a bit “off” for about a year, which I thought was a result of some knee surgery I had the year prior. The good news, there are great treatments available today, and the long-term outlook is very promising. However, there is still a fight. The treatments are advanced, but they are incredibly hard on the body and can be mentally taxing. In fact, the first two treatment options ended up sending me to the ER, nearly turned fatal. After many months and working with the doctor, we are finally on track with treatments…though there is still along road ahead.

Going through all of this, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on life, what I was doing, and where I wanted to go. While resting, I realized that my pups where always around, being there for me. It hit me that this connection is exactly what I was missing…it was the hole in my life that I needed to fill again. And honestly, it fits perfect! With doing primarily sports, those events and photos sessions occur in the late afternoon/evening and some weekends. That is plenty of time to dedicate those other parts of the days with dogs, cats and all our furry and non-furry friends!

So that’s why I bought this this site in 2009! To show my work over the years, and to work again with the community of rescues, vets, service animals, police K9 and pet owners.

I’m so glad you stopped by, and look forward to working with you!

Shawn Barney