BC Mountain Photographers Jim and Howard Smith

Jim and Howard Smith create photographic art that expresses the joy and wonder of being in the wild. Each print is handmade in their own studio using the finest materials. Cotton canvas stretched over strong pine frames ensures enduring quality. Archival ink and a protective coating preserves the beauty for decades. Authentic craftsmanship that expresses a love of nature is their ambition.

Jim Smith – photographer

“I’m privileged to have spent over 40 years in the mountains as a professional forester. My sense of awe, joy and belonging in the natural world has deep roots. During that time I used photography to promote a gentle vision of forestry. A camera was as essential to my forestry work as a compass.”

“Since retiring from forestry in 2011, I’ve focused on professional nature photography. I seek to create images that express an intimate love of things wild. To convey a heart-felt emotion is just as important as capturing a beautiful scene. My hope is that our work inspires you and that it brings you joy, peace and enhances your love of the natural world.”

Howard Smith – photographer

“While attending the Vancouver Film School I was introduced to digital media tools that allow me to express my artistic vision though photography. I draw inspiration from alpine landscapes like the Purcell mountains in southeastern BC. The sublime beauty of racing clouds, massive glaciers, delicate meadows and magnificent mountains form the backdrop to my photography. My approach is about spending time, days or weeks, in a remote area. In time, the spirit of the place starts to reveal itself. My hope is that this work brings beauty and inspiration into your life.”

“Smith photography graces the walls of our home with the timeless elegance of the natural world.” – Jim, Vernon, BC

In the Field

We’re passionate about photographing and caring for the beautiful mountains of the Kootenays. We live here, it’s our home!

Spending time in the mountains is the way we get to know them intimately, often revisiting a place many times.

In order to do that we backpack for most of our photography.

We camp for several days in each location.

That gives us plenty of time to get to know a place.

Day hiking with light weight packs allows us the freedom to explore.

We strive to create images that express the inspiration and wonder we experience being in the wild.

Waiting patiently for the right light sometimes takes days. Intimacy grows at times like these and we begin to very much feel at home in the landscape.

We respect this beautiful world and practice low impact travel.

Part of our motivation is to encourage you to experience the mountains too!

We sell fine art prints of the photographs you see in the collections gallery of this website.

“...the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”

– Mary Oliver in her poem “Wild Geese”