Shelley Young

Shelley Young was born and raised in Seattle’s Central District. From an early age, she regarded creativity as an essential force that energized and sustained her spirit. Before turning eighteen, she had copyrighted twelve songs. Because lyrics without music were then considered poetry, she titled the collection “Even Dozen.” In 2009, she participated in a documentary photography project focused on Seattle’s Ethiopian community. Developed through cultural engagement and relationship-building, the project culminated in the “East by Northwest” exhibition at the Northwest African American Museum.  

Between 2018 and 2019, Shelley created a portrait series featuring 80 women from diverse cultural backgrounds. The series challenges narrow definitions of beauty while celebrating individuality, strength, dignity, and cultural identity. Through natural expression and presence, the photographs invite each woman’s distinctive story to emerge. Shelley planned to exhibit the series, but the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted those plans.  

Since 2022, Shelley has been conducting an ongoing photographic study of butterflies in conservatories across the United States. Butterflies move unpredictably, and moments of stillness are brief. Although butterflies are among the most familiar and beloved insects, many people have seen only a few in their lifetimes. Shelley’s photographs offer viewers the chance to bring that sense of wonder home through meaningful, lasting art. Over the years, Shelley has refined her understanding of composition, timing, patience, and awareness. She has developed much of her work privately, cultivating her artistic voice through discipline and intention. Today, her photography and writing reflect a lifetime of creative dedication and mark a deliberate step toward sharing her work with a broader audience.