30A through the lens — ‘Shane O' teams up with Beach Properties of Florida to showcase area's ‘Color'

Fort Walton Beach native Shane Reynolds, also known as ‘Shane O’ in his work with the Travel Channel and Beach TV, is using his expertise to showcase a specific part of the Destin area to outsiders looking to become insiders.

Reynolds is producing a series of cutting edge videos about Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, WaterColor, Watersound, The Retreat, Alys Beach and Seaside. Each will be one to three minutes and will serve as informational resources for each community and Beach Properties of Florida.

“We selected Shane for the outstanding work he has already done,” said Hunter Hartman, broker/partner for Beach Properties. “He uses so much creativity to reveal the essence of the area. We also wanted to prepare for the big push of new people who will be discovering the area with the new airport in Panama City.”

The 30A series is being created through Color Earth, a long-form TV and full HD video production company created under the direction of Reynolds in 2000 and based out of Fort Walton Beach.

Color Earth chooses projects based on the “colors” they offer. According to the Color Earth Web site, these colors can come in the form of scenery, culture, creativity, music, travel, adventure or truth.

Reynolds began producing videos in 1993 and, since then, has shot in over 35 countries, producing countless commercials, documentaries, music videos, TV specials and series.

“This line of work offers everything that I want,” said Reynolds. “While working, I’ve been able to do everything from surfing to driving racecars.”

But ‘Shane O,’ ranks this area right up there with the best he has ever seen.

“Being familiar with 30A is like knowing about a really good band before everyone else,” said Reynolds. “It is obviously photogenic and it’s as beautiful as any world-class resort area. But it’s more rural and a lot less commercialized.”

He is currently working with Discovery and Travel Channel as a producer, writer, director, editor and host of multiple travel series from prime time to online. These vehicles have enabled him to see more than most people could ever imagine.

Reynolds is happy to call this area home and takes advantage of every opportunity to immerse himself in the area’s offerings.

“It is an actual, real Florida culture, which is hard to find even in our area,” he said. “Each nook of 30A has its own niche.”

“Beach Properties of Florida represents the area in an authentic local way, so it was great to focus my lens here at home with a client that shares the same vision.”

If you would to view the series, visit www.beachpropertiesofflorida.com/30a-video-series.php.