Join us for the gallery opening of "Complicated Beauty: Portraits of Ghana"!
Sept. 27 | 1–2 p.m. | The Union, Taylor Down Under

For photojournalist Landon Shackelford, Ghana is far more than the stereotypical image of poverty. During his four-week study abroad as a sophomore SMAD and International Affairs major, he built trusting relationships with locals despite having little in common. He discovered a country of complex beauty, where the resilience and joy of its people shine through even in challenging circumstances.  

Welcome to "Complicated Beauty: Portraits of Ghana" a collection of photos capturing the beauty, struggles and everyday life of the people of Ghana. 

Landon views photography as the "most truthful artform" because it focuses on the subject, not the artist—especially in portraiture, which features prominently in his collection. He believes photojournalism is the “best form of storytelling” because it conveys emotion more powerfully than other art forms. For him, the most compelling subjects were the children he met. Far from being mere strangers, Landon got to know their names, interests and stories. His photos document the honesty of childhood, whether capturing a football game played with a water bottle or the mix of expressions on their faces. 

Photography helps Landon make sense of the world. His interest in human stories and his International Affairs major give him the context to understand the lives he documents, while his SMAD journalism concentration develops his creative skills. For Landon, “everything comes down to honest visuals” and he has always been drawn to photos that tell a story. 

One of his favorite photos is a portrait of a boy named Jacob, likely an orphan. After posing with a sad expression, Jacob smirked at Landon, showing the depth of their connection. Landon emphasizes that his relationships with his subjects went beyond brief encounters—he built trust and captured meaningful moments during his time in Ghana. This experience helped him grow as a photographer and journalist and taught him how to connect with people from different backgrounds. 

Landon hopes this collection will inspire curiosity and empathy, encouraging people to see joy in foreign places rather than fear. He believes the world is vast and that helping each other requires a sense of curiosity and understanding. 

View the full collection here