What does it take to sustain a wonderful documentary project for 15 years? It takes patience, respect, and for Tim Smith—it takes a deeply committed approach.
In this warm and fun conversation, the Manitoba-based photojournalist takes us deep into his renowned long-term project on the Hutterite communities across the North American Prairies. Tim shares how he looked for something from the fast-paced newsroom to more slow-work philosophy, arguing that this patience is the only way to portray a community with the depth and nuance they deserve. We discuss the reality of documenting a communal, Anabaptist society that successfully balances ancient tradition with modern technology, and how he manages the challenges of building trust. Tim’s photographs have been published in National Geographic and other major magazines, and his projects have been exhibited internationally to date.
He opens up about why he questions the pressure of the "all-in" photojournalism lifestyle and the essential need to prioritize family life. Hear about his wonderful crazy new project “Chaff”, the secret joy of eating supper in a combine during harvest, listen to some wonderful stories about the amazing Hutterite communities, where we talk about emotional moments or have a good laugh too of course.
Grab that coffee, settle in, and let's head to the Canadian Prairies with the amazing Tim Smith!
*****
📸 See more of Tim’s work:
https://www.timsmithphotography.ca/
*****
🎧 Got any questions? Email us
Thanks for listening and look out for our next episode! 🚀
