ABOUT
Email kellyhofer@gmail.com Phone/SMS 1-403-836-8874
I’m a Hutterite. In Calgary.
Photography is a very personal journey for me. The photos that make me proud are photos of people in their natural element, caught off guard by my camera, looking how they do every day.
I Shoot documentary type photos as well as portraits, weddings and all manner of lifestyle photos. I love to shoot photos that tell a story without the need for explanation.
I speak Carinthian, German and English.
Social: Twitter Facebook Flickr
Published:
NATIONAL POST Essay & Photo Essay
OUR CANADA front cover & Photo Essay [October 2011 edition],
MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER GALLERY
BBC Documentary + MAGAZINE arcticle
Our Canada “A Country For All Seasons” [Leading Image+spread]
Hi Kelly, I am curious about “Corinthian German”. What is this? I am from Germany, that’s why… Sabine
March 17, 2012 at 6:15 pm
It was originally a dialect from Corinthia Province (Not sure this is spelled correctly) in Austria. Over the years (nearly 500 to be exact) we’ve made it our language, Huttrisch. Hope this helps
March 26, 2012 at 2:18 am
It should be Carinthian, as the dialect originates from the province of Carinthia in Austria.
June 1, 2012 at 4:44 pm
I copied this from http://hutterites.org/faqs.htm
Language
What languages do Hutterites speak?
Hutterites speak a German dialect, more specifically a dialect they picked up from the Carinthian province in Austria. Hutterites originated in southern Austria and northern Italy (the area of Tyrol) and Carinthia – http://www.hutteritehistory.org
Hutterites actually speak three languages: Hutterisch, their German dialect; German, standard German which they learn in school; and English.
March 26, 2012 at 2:39 am
Thank you!
Sabine
March 26, 2012 at 5:42 am
Good site you have here.. It’s difficult to find excellent writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
April 26, 2012 at 8:39 pm
Beautiful pictures. You are truly gifted with an eye for amazing pictures. Keep up the excellent work.
May 1, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Great pictures !
Thank you for allowing us to see some of Hutterite Life through this image gallery !
May 26, 2012 at 8:48 pm
I think you are one of the lucky few whose passion is their gift. You have beautiful photos displayed here. I hope that you continue to love what you do and do what you love.
June 8, 2012 at 3:19 am
As a Hutterite I can see how we must appear to be to most of the polepe who have never met any of us. MOST of the Hutterites in Canada have no problem posing for photographs, and driver’s licenses. I am a teacher on a Hutterite colony and have gone to university to get a Bachelor’s degree in education. Compared to the number of Hutterites in Canada, those opposed make up only a small number of the total population.
June 30, 2012 at 12:15 pm
About Kelly Hofer I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks! your article about “About” Kelly Hofer,Best Regards Cindy
June 8, 2012 at 5:00 am
I absolutely enjoyed your photographs. They lifted my heart after a stressful day and I thank you for sharing your gift from God.
June 13, 2012 at 12:24 am
Your photos are lovely, and I enjoyed them very much. Why do you call yourself an “ex-Hutterite”? I have so very many questions and far too much importance is placed on the Nat’l Geo perspective. I guess you believe that you are living apart from the world and like the Amish, call everyone else English. Do the Hutterites condider the Amish to be English? I guess I have a great problem with any religion that lives life by exclusiviness as opposed to inclusiveness. Jesus was a Jew and on many occaisions made His disapproval with exclusivity known. The Jews continue to live this way, but as followere of Christ I believe that an argument could be made about the very basis of any “Christian” religion being so exclusive that even the very language that they speak is a built in obstacle for anyone considering with all of their heart to convert. What would Jesus do?
June 23, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Ella, I don’t like the term ex-hutterite either and I’m originally from a colony myself. Kelly seems like a great guy and obviously has talents but why does he not mention where he is from like town, province country etc.. Show some loyalty and consideration to your country. Look at the photos here from Calgary on Canada day for for example, we’re all Canadians here. What’s the nationality/religeon of the people that built this city and country? Does it really matter at the end of the day?
Canada and Canadians first and than you can tell people what your ethnic background is. That’s what I think anyways.
July 9, 2012 at 11:03 pm
He has the right to self-identify. I would guess that growing up Hutterite has a profound impact that cannot be denied even if you choose to leave the community and the lifestyle.
August 4, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Hello from another Calgary-area Anabaptist and a hobby photographer! I found your photos online sometime last year and I was amazed by them. Even then, reading some of the comments on your Flickr page, I realized you were in conflict over your love of photography. I am so sorry to hear that you had to leave your community… I can hardly imagine what that must be like. Remember that God is still guiding your life, and I hope you’ll continue to use your gift of photography to document your unique heritage and share it with the world. I’m sure Hutterites have plenty of failings (doesn’t everyone?) but there is so much that the rest of us could learn from them.
July 7, 2012 at 4:52 am
Dear Kelly,
I’d like to compliment you on your work. You are developing a fine eye and I’ll look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
Sincerely,
William Albert Allard
July 26, 2012 at 4:51 pm
so we’re second cousins?…wow i wish i inherited some of your talent
August 12, 2012 at 12:16 am
You truly have a gift. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
August 19, 2012 at 7:39 pm
I’ve been enjoying you on Flickr for a long time & just want to say that you are very inspiring & talented. I wish you the very best in life & hope that soon you can make your photographic talent your full time job….so the rest of us can enjoy your photos even more!
September 27, 2012 at 11:52 am
Gorgeous work. . .and your heritage is amazing as well. I wish you the best!
September 27, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Gorgeous work: I love your vibrant colors and the sharpness of your images. They are beautiful. I wish you the very best of luck!
September 27, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Amazing pictures! I heard about you on CBC. Hold fast to your adventure!
October 21, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Awesome photos, love the scenes that you capture. Keep developing your talent!
~a fellow Marda Loop Photographer
November 14, 2012 at 5:33 am
I saw an article this morning about the Hutterite community in Canada on the BBC news site which led me to your work. Your photos are wonderful, rich and sensitive. I look forward to seeing more in the future.
March 7, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Just watched the BBC documentary. I was immediately struck by the strength of image your work holds and its emotion. Really pleased this space is where I can find more! Hope you live the dream!
March 7, 2013 at 10:27 pm
I have just watched the drama on the Hutterite Colony on BBC2. It was truly amazing. Strangely enough, I thought you (Kelly) was someone who didn’t seem to conform to the ideals or way of life in the Community and especially the style of your photographs . When questioned by the narrator, I thought to myself… this guy has a plan!… and sure enough… 3 weeks later… escape to Calgary… lol. Good luck to you Kelly… you are a gifted, unique and inspirational!
March 7, 2013 at 10:39 pm
I saw a documentary today on BBC, I loved your work and decided to look it up. its real shame you had to leave your community! All I can ask God is to give you and your sister the strength to continue n stay together.
March 7, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Hi sir, just saw the docu on bbc. Glad you seem to be doing fine in the ‘other’ world, best of luck!
March 7, 2013 at 10:59 pm
I watched the program last night on BBC and it was really moving,especially the ‘Allelujah’,when Kelly decided to leave Colony and live the life he wants to live!I’m ex jehovah’s witness and I did see myself when I left Organisation.People should live their life freely.Religion is not for everyone.We all have free will.I wish Kelly all the success in his career and in his life.Like Belind Carlisle sang once:”Live your life be free,open up your heart and you’ll see!!!
March 8, 2013 at 10:44 am
Kelly,
Like many who have commented recently I too have watched the BBC documentary and wanted to see more of your work. You, your sister and all those who have left to seek a more fulfilling life are so brave, I wish you the best of luck and happiness in the future, thank you for sharing your story so openly.
I hope you have seen that just because the rest of the world doesn’t eat/live/work together it doesn’t mean there is no sense of community! Your individuality contributes to the greater good of mankind, as we all do in our own unique way.
Take care
March 9, 2013 at 9:23 am
Kelly. I had heard about your photography work, and was pleasantly surprised to see you included in the BBC doc on YouTube. I didn’t know that part of your story. Keep on clicking – with your camera!
April 1, 2013 at 12:07 am