Chris Gordaneer
Artist Biography
Chris Gordaneer – Biography
Chris Gordaneer is a Canadian photographer whose work bridges the worlds of commercial photography and fine art. Known for a strong, stylistic visual language that is distinctly his own, Gordaneer creates images that balance technical precision with narrative depth, often evoking a wide spectrum of emotion.
Over the course of several decades, he has collaborated with globally recognized brands on campaigns that have taken him around the world, including iconic work for Telus.
As a longtime partner of Westside Studio, one of Canada’s most respected commercial photography studios, he is instrumental in producing large-scale advertising campaigns and developed a reputation for creative problem-solving and visual storytelling at the highest professional level. Gordaneer’s photographs from these campaigns—particularly those featuring animals—have become widely recognized for their clarity, character, and visual impact.
Gordaneer’s work is frequently described as cinematic or epic in scale. From capturing a mountaineer mid-journey to elevating a quiet moment between family members, he has a talent for transforming everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives. He is equally comfortable working in carefully controlled studio environments or in remote locations where unpredictability becomes part of the creative process. Whether photographing animals, athletes, families, or landscapes, Gordaneer approaches each subject with patience, adaptability, and an instinct for storytelling.
In recent years, Gordaneer has increasingly focused on fine art photography, developing long-form projects shaped by travel, extended observation, and a deep respect for his subjects. Whether photographing people, landscapes, or wildlife, he works with a deliberate pace that allows moments of connection and presence to unfold naturally.
Today, Gordaneer’s practice reflects the synthesis of decades of commercial mastery and a renewed artistic freedom. His photographs invite viewers to pause, observe closely, and experience the world through a perspective that is both expansive and intimate.
Exhibition Statement
Unfolding: The Photography of Chris Gordaneer
After years working as a commercial photographer—including high-profile campaigns for Telus—Chris Gordaneer has shifted his focus toward fine art photography, approaching the world and its subjects with patience, curiosity, and presence. His work is shaped by time spent moving slowly through unfamiliar places, attentive to what quietly unfolds when observation replaces urgency.
Chris is drawn to photographing people, landscapes, and exotic animals—sometimes encountered in the wild, sometimes within the carefully constructed environment of the studio. In either setting, capturing these subjects requires a rare combination of technical skill, intuition, and trust. Each photograph emerges through a deliberate process, allowing the character of the subject to reveal itself over time.
Much of his recent work takes the form of long-term personal projects rooted in travel and human connection. Often arriving with only a loose framework, Chris allows place and experience to guide the work as it develops. Whether documenting remote environments, wildlife, or communities closely tied to their land, the images evolve through patience and sustained engagement.
His ongoing Ranchers series focuses on female ranchers—figures rarely centered in traditional Western imagery—highlighting their leadership, resilience, and deep relationship with the landscape.
This intuitive approach gives Chris the freedom to follow stories as they emerge and to shape projects thoughtfully over time. Behind the camera is where he feels most focused and grounded; the personal work he pursues—whether in the wild or within the studio—ultimately drives everything else he creates.
