Jon Shapley spent 10 years as a visual journalist for the Houston Chronicle before joining the video team at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He specializes in photojournalism, video storytelling, long-form narratives and visual editing. He was part of a team that revealed extensive sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches, and his video work was recognized by the National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism competition. Jon spent months with transgender jail inmates documenting their work in a re-entry program, embedded in a
high school for a year to profile a principal as she fought for her students and followed a man’s experience reintegrating into society after almost 40 years in prison. Jon covered Hurricane Harvey as part of the Chronicle team that was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news. He is available for assignments and loves to travel.

Professional Experience:
2025 - Present – MD Anderson Cancer Center – Senior videographer/editor
2015 - 2025 – Houston Chronicle – Staff photographer and staff videographer
2014 - 2015 – University of Houston – Photographer/videographer II
2012 - 2014 – Austin Monthly, San Antonio Magazine, Austin Home – Staff photographer
2012 - 2013 – KUT/KUTX (Austin NPR affiliate) – Multimedia intern

Awards:
2025 – Top 10 Action Photo, Division A – Associated Press Sports Editors
2025 – Award of Excellence, Photo Series Design (team) – Society for News Design
2025 – 2nd Place, Star Photojournalist of the Year – Texas Managing Editors
2025 – 3rd Place, Photojournalism – Texas ME
2024 – Emmy nomination, Arts/Entertainment - Short Form or Long Form – Lone Star Emmys
2024 – 1st Place, News Photography, General News, NPPA BOP
2023 – 3rd Place, Star Photojournalist of the Year – Texas ME
2022 – 1st Place, News Photography – Texas ME
2022 – 2nd Place, Photojournalism (Houston Chronicle Staff) – Texas ME
2022 – 3rd Place, Photojournalism – Texas ME
2022 – Honorable Mention, Photojournalism (HC Staff) – Texas ME
2021 – 1st Place, News Photography – Texas AP Managing Editors
2021 – 2nd Place, Photojournalism (HC Staff) – Texas APME
2021 – 3rd Place, Photojournalism – Texas APME
2021 – 3rd Place, Video Shorter Than Two Minutes – Texas APME
2021 – Honorable Mention, Feature Photography – Texas APME
2021 – Honorable Mention, Photojournalism (HC Staff) – Texas APME
2020 – 3rd Place, Online Video Storytelling, News & Issue (Individual) – NPPA BOP
2020 – Top 10 Action Photo, Division A – AP Sports Editors
2020, 2019 & 2018 – 1st Place, Video Shorter Than Two Minutes – Texas APME
2020 & 2018 – 2nd Place, Video Longer Than Two Minutes – Texas APME
2020 – 1st Place, Star Investigative Report of the Year (HC staff) – Texas APME
2020 – 3rd Place, Photojournalism (HC staff) – Texas APME
2020 – Honorable Mention, Photojournalism (HC staff) – Texas APME
2020 – 1st Place, Religion Story of the Year (team) – Religion News Association
2019 – 2nd Place, Video Shorter Than Two Minutes – Texas APME
2018 – 2nd Place, Feature Photography – Texas APME
2018 – 3rd Place, Photojournalism (HC staff) – Texas APME
2018 – Michael Brick Storytelling Award (with Maggie Gordon) – Texas APME