Biography
A native son of New Jersey, Nicholas Trofimuk fell in love with the beauty of the rolling hills, forests and countryside at a very young age. He would sketch and paint all his life but after seeing a photographic exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, his love of photography was born. He was captivated by the ability to capture a moment in time and make beauty come to life. His precision and perfection come from his background as an oral surgeon.
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In 1987, he left the east coast for the Land of Enchantment where he was inspired by the rugged and wild landscapes of New Mexico. His work focused primarily on black and white and perfecting the art of toning. He is known as a Master Printer, working in large format camera printing his own work with perfect precision. In 2012, he also expanded his world into archival pigment prints. While they are color, he is adamant about reproducing them true to what you see. There is little or no enhancement and he does not possess Adobe Photoshop. His color work is as true to his mission as his traditional black and white.
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He was represented by Photogenesis Gallery in La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, New Mexico for over 35 years. He became one of the most widely collected modern photographers in the Southwest. His work resides in thousands of collections around the world from the first-time art buyer to some of the most prestigious collections including, among others, the collections of Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Robert Duval.
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Simply put, he is known for capturing beauty – whether it be in a sensual unfolding of a flower, the rugged and expansive landscape of New Mexico or the cityscapes of London, Paris, Chicago and New York. His versatility is unlimited. As long as a subject conveys beauty, he will use his talents to capture it, to create something where the viewer feels as though they have been transported physically, emotionally or spiritually.
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​​In 2024, after the end of an era in New Mexico with the loss of his beloved wife and partner in business and life, he moved to the Monterey Peninsula to be near his daughter. He was immediately captivated by the natural beauty of the flowers, succulents and seascapes indigenous to the area. As someone who must always be moving and creating, they quickly became his focus and Carmel Vibes Gallery was born.
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While still a Master Printer, he changed his focus from the traditional matted and framed pieces to accommodate the changing photographic landscape. Although he still prints, mats and frames his work, he also offers the modern option of high-definition luxury prints on ChromaLuxe panels that bring a new dimension to his images. Viewers are overwhelmed by the feeling that they can touch a flower petal, walk down a path or feel the sand beneath their feet.
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He has called his photographs “Vibographs” which encapsulate everything that is special about Nicholas’ approach to art.
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vibograph©
\vi·â€‹bo·â€‹graph\ noun: 1: an image that evokes emotion and speaks to the viewer’s soul 2: an image that captures beauty and creates joy or happiness
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His advice is “take your time, enjoy the search and immerse yourself in the beauty. If your heart leads you there, select something that speaks to your soul”.
