Hi, I'm Kelly Hofer. A visual storyteller in Calgary, Alberta.
I started my life as a Hutterite photographer and artist. I now work in the mediums of Photography, Film, Wearable Tech, Ceramics, Electrical Engineering, Furniture Design, and other experimental art forms. My creative process is bringing two traditionally unmarried concepts together. The technics of electronics + pixels + physics + unexplored perspectives + Hope + culture + compelling light.

My short story

It was very unlikely that I became a photographer. I grew up on a Hutterite colony in Manitoba where I was the only photographer in a culture that is not supportive of photography. There were “outsiders” such as William Albert Allard from National Geographic, Laura Wilson, George Webber and other news Photojournalists, who photographed my culture, but none were Hutterite.

My first jobs, starting around the age of 8, were far removed from the art of photography. At different times I was a gardener's helper, fine woodworker, apprentice automotive electrical engineer and finally a CNC waterjet operator. We built fire trucks on my colony, a notable fact considering we are traditionally farmers.

My first experience with photography was a point-and-shoot camera my mother used to document construction on the colony, and sneaking off to the near-by river valley to experiment. I was 10 and loved every minute.

I could not afford a quality camera of my own, but thanks to my wonderful sister Denise and close friend Ken Yuel and their extremely generous gifts–SLR cameras–I was able to learn the technical side of photography. Much of the lighting equipment and accessories I needed, I made myself. I learned by trial and error through research on the internet.

At the age of 19 I made the difficult decision to leave my home on the colony due to my sexuality and to pursue art as a career. As a result, I have acquired the title Ex-Hutterite, a title I proudly carry, for there is much about my culture that I love. Growing up on a colony immersed me in a rich cultural upbringing, a sense of purpose, a strong work ethic and many other qualities, which I treasure.

Being a photographer in a culture in which many older, respected members struggled to accept cameras and having their photos taken, created tension. I wanted to pursue my passion, and found it difficult in light of so many obstacles. Creating scenes and finding good photos was therefore difficult and this experience improved my photography skills immensely.

These days having long left the colony, I work as a full-time artist, mainly in photography but also includes the creation of Films, Sculptures, Furniture, Books, Philosophical writings, Drawings, Ceramics and the occasional Fashion Piece.

A lot of my time is also spent thinking and sometimes writing about my upbringing, my culture, and analyzing and comparing the philosophical, religious, societal, thinking of Home vs the “outside world” and all it’s cultural variety.

Interview with Fellow LGBTQ Amish.

Telus short Doc on being a Gay Hutterite.

BBC DOCUMENTARY ON HUTTERITES (snippet)

A glimpse of my life as a Hutterite from the documentary "How to get to heaven with the Hutterites)

Interview with a Religious Trauma Counselor.