Shields counts Carvaggio’s photographic paintings of the 16 th century as inspiration in relaying the clarity behind subconscious image making as well as the artist’s ability to leave rules and guidelines predisposed to the century behind while making his art. Shields seeks for his photographs to capture a world of unique and modernAmerican life, while simultaneously expanding on the fictional nature of the classic.

Shields has utilized his hyperrealism and cinematographic style to shoot the likes ofHollywood’s biggest celebrities, such as Lindsay Lohan and Emma Roberts. His unique background of shooting skate videos and music videos has helped create his own niche in the fashion and art world, which saw him display his talent in published books, “The Dirty Side of Glamour” in 2011 and “Provocateur” in 2016.