Tim Shields • Master Photographer and Transformational Guide

In the hands of a 13-year-old Tim Shields, a Minolta camera became more than just a device; it was a portal to a world of endless possibilities. Little did he know that this simple tool would one day be his salvation, guiding him from the depths of despair to the pinnacle of photographic achievement.

As years passed, the camera was set aside. Tim found himself walking a conventional path - a steady job as a civil servant, a loving wife named Lea, two children, and a house to call home. On the surface, it was the picture of suburban success, but beneath this façade, shadows were growing.

For Tim, depression wasn’t just a feeling—it was a profound sense of disconnection from himself. Life felt hollow, as if the purpose that once defined him had slipped away, leaving only questions.

Days blurred together, and the activities that once fueled him felt foreign. His family sensed the shift, seeing not only his struggle but also his journey through a fog of lost meaning. Moving from bed to couch each day became less about physical energy and more about navigating an unfamiliar emptiness, a search to rediscover who he was beneath the weight of it all.

Tim turned to prayer in his darkest hour when even a well-intentioned intervention failed to provide answers. Then, he heard it - a faint whisper urging him to venture into nature with his long-forgotten camera.

With the last reserves of his willpower, Tim embarked on a solitary journey to the Rocky Mountains. Guided by an inner voice, he found himself rowing a small boat for hours in the pre-dawn darkness, headed for the remote destination of Spirit Island.

As the first light of day painted the sky, Tim set up his tripod, set the timer on his camera, and stepped into the frame. At that moment, as he gazed upon nature's bounty, the shutter clicked, and a profound realization washed over him. He suddenly knew he was, and always had been, a creator.

Returning home, Tim was a changed man. The spark of life had reignited in his eyes, but the journey was far from over. He struggled to recapture the magic of that inspirational moment, knowing that the key to his continued well-being lay in the art of photography.

Fate intervened again when Tim entered The Peter Lik Gallery in Las Vegas. Surrounded by breathtaking landscape photographs, he felt a familiar stirring in his soul. At that moment, Tim vowed to unravel the secrets of creating such masterpieces, not just for himself but for others who might be lost in their own darkness.

Over the next few years, Tim poured his heart and soul into developing the Photography Transformation 4-Step System. This was more than just a method for taking pretty pictures. It was a roadmap for rediscovering one's identity as a creator, finding adventure in grand vistas and backyard scenes, and maintaining mental sharpness through visual storytelling.

As Tim refined his system, accolades followed. He captured the title of International Nature Photographer of the Year, and his prints became sought-after works of art. Still, the accurate measure of his success lay not in personal achievement but in the lives he touched.

Founding Photography Academy, Tim transformed his hard-won insights into lessons that could illuminate the path for fellow creators. The Photography Transformation 4-Step System resonated deeply, spreading like wildfire through the photographic community.

Your adventure awaits.

Tim's odyssey - from a curious teenager with a camera through the valley of darkness to becoming an award-winning photographer and beacon of inspiration for a global community - stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and perseverance.

Tim’s extraordinary journey reminds us that within each of us lies the potential to reframe our world, find beauty in the ordinary, and craft vivid visual stories through the lens of our unique perspectives.

Tim's journey echoes the profound truth that they are creators to those who find themselves standing at the crossroads of passion and purpose. Your camera is a tool and key to unlocking grand and intimate adventures. In every click of the shutter lies the potential for personal transformation, seeing the world anew, and inspiring others to do the same.

Today, over 900,000 creators across 146 countries have rekindled their passion, honed their craft, and transformed their lives through Tim's guidance.

Are you ready to step into the frame and create your masterpiece?

As you stand at the threshold of your photographic journey, remember Tim's story. Let it be a beacon, guiding you through moments of doubt and illuminating the path to your creative awakening. In the end, the most potent image you'll ever capture is the one that transforms your life.

Your Transformation Starts Here.

Tim Shields

Photography Awards

2023

  • 2023 Judge, Epson International Pano Awards
  • Gold Award for Enchanted Land – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Lightning Over Lavender – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Osprey Landing – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Powerful Presence – International Image Challenge
  • Silver Award for Tranquility – International Image Challenge
  • Silver Award for Tree With an Ancient Memory – International Image Challenge

2022

  • 2022 Judge, Epson International Pano Awards 

2020

  • 2020 Best in Class Award, the highest-scoring image in the fine art landscapes category, MPI, Foreverland
  • 2020 Best in Class Award, the highest-scoring image in the wildlife category, MPI, Wild Horses
  • 2020 Honorable Mention, International Photography Association, Seceda
  • 2020 Honorable Mention, International Photography Association, Sunburst
  • 2020 Honorable Mention, International Photography Association, Wild Horses
  • 2020 Honorable Mention, International Photography Association, Abstract Reflections

2019

  • 2019 Gold Award, Epson International Pano Awards in Nature category for The Veins Of A The Tree
  • 2019 Silver Award, Epson International Pano Awards in Nature category for Water From A Glacier
  • 2019 Silver Award, Epson International Pano Awards in Nature category for Glacier Dreamland
  • 2019 Silver Award, Epson International Pano Awards in Nature category for The Colors Of Fall
  • 2019 Nominated International Fine Art Photographer of The Year by Master Photographers International
  • 2019 Award of Excellence, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Birch Forest
  • 2019 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Fall Glory
  • 2019 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Secret Waterfall

2018

  • 2018 Awarded International Nature Photographer of the Year by Master Photographers International.
  • 2018 Designated Master Photographer in Fine Art by Master Photographers International.
  • 2018 Finalist in the Belle France Photo Competition 2018 for Eiffel Tower During the Blue Hour.
  • 2018 Finalist in the Belle France Photo Competition 2018 for The Abbey Senanque.
  • 2018 Finalist in the American Photography Open 2018 by Pro Photo Daily for Majestic
  • 2018 Winner, fourth place in the 3rd Waterscapes Exhibition by Fusion Art for The Island’s Spirit.
  • 2018 Finalist in the 3rd Waterscapes Exhibition by Fusion Art for Vancouver Lights.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Rice Fields Forever.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Gateway to New York.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Golden Grand Canyon.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Golden Dunes.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for The Last Minute of the Sun.
  • 2018 Award of Distinction, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Majestic.
  • 2018 Prestige Award, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for Big Dreams.
  • 2018 Prestige Award, International Image Challenge, Master Photographers International for The Island’s Spirit.
  • 2023 Judge, Epson International Pano Awards
  • Gold Award for Enchanted Land – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Lightning Over Lavender – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Osprey Landing – International Image Challenge
  • Gold Award for Powerful Presence – International Image Challenge
  • Silver Award for Tranquility – International Image Challenge
  • Silver Award for Tree With an Ancient Memory – International Image Challenge