Conversations with Tim Canfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Canfield.

Hi Tim, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started in a high school darkroom developing frames of black & white film. I wasn’t all that good. I rarely ventured out of the auto mode of my camera. I’m sure I breathed in a whole bunch of interesting chemicals as I was creating my “masterpieces” at the time. But I could never quite shake it. Now over two decades later, I’m still at it. My love for the art of photography has only grown by leaps and bounds. It’s my passion. I’ve gone to places under conditions that I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams. It motivates me to wake up early and stay out late. To drive and hike for hours upon hours, usually in the dark and with a headlamp that always seems to be on its last leg. Interesting things happen along the way to the edges of the day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been one heck of a road, I’ll say that. Sometimes smooth, sometimes rough, but always perfect. Life has a funny way of gifting us exactly what we need. Even to this day, it is tough when those closest to you question what you are doing or don’t support your life path. I have struggled with self-confidence and this experience of following my intuition has taken me to my core. It has forced me to look within and start believing in, trusting, and loving myself.

These days I love all the stuff life gives us – the amazing, the awful, and the ordinary. I appreciate each bit. When you’re on the bike of life and start to loosen up your grip when it gets bumpy, the ride gets a whole hell of a lot smoother. And a bunch more fun.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a landscape photographer – that doesn’t even like to take all that many photos. Maybe it’s because I honed my skills on film before digital. Maybe I just enjoy being in nature. Anyways, I sell my work as loose prints and acrylics, but my favorite is to accentuate the images with unique, one-of-a-kind hand-crafted frames utilizing curious and interesting woods acquired from architectural salvage. All of my prints are signed and limited to 8 per size, per medium. It’s a small number; however, these images are special to me and I want them to be special for the people that bring them home as well.

I take folks on tour and into the wild with me. I focus on the wilderness areas of Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. I like to explore so you won’t often find me at popular locations. Participants get to see how I operate. Some of them get an up-close encounter and dare to camp with me. I show them around. I confuse them sometimes by not taking my camera with me, taking a dip in frigid waters, going barefoot, or some other bizarre behavior – always with the intent to invite them to slow down and appreciate all that is here before us.

What matters most to you? Why?
A goal of mine is to inspire a deep connection with the great outdoors, creativity in protecting it, and take some badass pictures along the way. I am a believer that our mother earth is a reflection of our collective consciousness. When we journey within and become the best version of ourself, we change the world from the inside-out.

Selling prints and taking people on tour is a byproduct of what I believe I’m here to do. I’m here to inspire. I want everyone to enjoy the images, the words, or some combination of both. I secretly want to ignite a fire. A fire to follow your dreams, to spend more time in nature, or something else entirely.

Change has a significant impact on our lives. A small shift applied each day can place us in a completely different position. Sometimes it’s something we see. Sometimes it’s something we read. Maybe it’s a life-changing moment that sparks us onto a whole new journey. I believe that we become a lighter, happier, and more joyful version of ourselves when we do what we love. Imagine if more of us listened to our heart and brought the best versions of ourselves to each and every day. Imagine the beauty we would offer to each other. Imagine community being rebuilt. Imagine picking people up instead of pushing others down.

If we believe in beauty and harmony, that will manifest physically into our daily lives. Bringing more of that to the table matters most to me.

Pricing:

• 8×12 prints (mini) $99; 12×18 prints (small) $222; 24×36 prints (medium) $444; 45×30 prints (large) $777
• Mini and small sizes often available framed in one-of-a-kind reclaimed wood for $444 – $1,111
• My tours are usually priced between $999 – $1,111 per person

Contact Info:

• Website: timcanfieldphotography.com
• Instagram: timcanfieldphotography