I operate on the belief that every subject I photograph is embedded with social and personal histories and agency to form intention and choices. My task is to see and express the essence of these characteristics.
My creative art practice and research reside at the intersection of photography, social issues, new media, documentary, and collaborative work. I bridge traditional and conceptual image-making while exploring emergent literacies in photography and art. My methodology is informed by intense architectural theory and research and study and years of photography practice, inquiry, and teaching.
My academic and pedagogical research and practice strategically blend traditional and contemporary photography while engaging new media, new technologies, and future visual literacies.
Tim is a multifaceted creative professional whose career spans photography, academia, art direction, and architecture. With over two decades of experience as a professional photographer, he has consistently pursued excellence across diverse creative disciplines while maintaining a successful photography practice. His formal education includes both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Columbia University in New York, complemented by ongoing professional development through specialized workshops and training programs.
His editorial portfolio encompasses more than 200 features nationally and internationally, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, Business Week, Fast Company, Wired, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Dwell, Interior Design, Smithsonian Magazine, and Preservation, among others.
Tim collaborated with Knoll, Boffi, and Starwood Hotels in the commercial sector while completing over 250 architectural and interior design projects. These pursuits have involved coordinating with diverse teams of architects, designers, editors, stylists, and technical specialists.
After graduating from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation, Tim pursued his commitment to social impact through significant pro bono work. He provided architectural support for post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Haiti after 2010, serving as Team Architect and Global Advisor for UniHaiti, New York City/Léogâne, and Treasurer & Board member for the Haiti Housing Collaborative. His dedication to community service extended to photographic projects for numerous non-profits, including DIFFA, an HIV/AIDS care support organization, the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, and DesigNYC.
From 2015 to 2024, Tim served as a full-time assistant and then associate professor of photography at Kent State University. He maintained a rigorous commitment to professional development during his tenure, refining his pedagogical approach and photographic expertise. His research and teaching focused on innovative pedagogy, including a novel approach in color theory and practice, New Media theory and applications, and emerging literacies in photography and the expanding role of lens-based visual media, ensuring his students were introduced to received cutting-edge instruction in this rapidly evolving field.
Tim's professional work can be seen on timothybell.com