Cath Simard is a Canadian-born fine art photographer, digital artist, and a defining figure in the world of NFT photography. Known for her ethereal, otherworldly landscapes that fuse imagination and reality, Simard’s work is characterized by dreamlike depictions of cold, blue-hued mountain scenes, often captured under starlit skies. Her distinct visual language, a blend of technical precision and creative vision, has established her as one of the most influential voices at the intersection of fine art and NFTs.
Simard’s artistic journey is as unconventional as her work. Born in 1989, she began her career as a fashion model at 15, later transitioning to roles as an art director and fashion stylist. But in a bold move that reflects her philosophy of transformation, she traded the glamour of haute couture for a life of rugged exploration — first cultivating bananas in Australia, and eventually finding her true calling in mountaineering and landscape photography.
Her artistic process is deeply immersive and physically demanding. To capture the raw elements of her compositions, Simard treks vast distances — often up to 250 kilometers in a single journey — and scales peaks as high as 5,900 meters. Her approach mirrors that of a painter collecting pigments; she gathers fragments of reality from multiple visits, different times of day, or even separate locations, which she later assembles into cohesive, surreal compositions. This painstaking process allows her to craft deeply emotive images that transcend the ordinary.
Simard’s limited output — typically 5-7 meticulously refined images per year — reflects her dedication to authenticity and artistic integrity. Each piece may sit for months or years before editing begins, allowing her to revisit her experiences with fresh eyes and create works that capture not only the visual beauty of the landscape but also the emotional essence of her journey. Themes of isolation, transformation, and the sublime are woven throughout her art, inviting viewers to connect with the raw power of nature.
A pivotal moment in her career occurred in 2017 when her viral photograph of an isolated road in Hawaii was widely circulated without her consent or credit. In response, she launched the groundbreaking #freehawaiiphoto initiative, transferring the image’s copyright to the public domain. This act of defiance sparked global conversation about intellectual property, creative ownership, and the evolving role of NFTs in the art world.
Beyond her fine art practice, Simard has collaborated with major brands such as Sony Alpha, The North Face, Emirates Airline and National Geographic. Her work has appeared in prominent publications including Outdoor Photography Magazine and Open Skies Magazine.
