Photographer visits Saskatoon as part of 10-year project across Canada

So far, he's shot 42,000 photos of Canadians; he just needs 12,000 more, and he's in Saskatoon this weekend to work towards completing the task.

Tim Van Horn has been criss-crossing the country for the past seven years, photographing Canadians' portraits for the Canadian Mosaic Project.  It is his contribution for Canada's 150th birthday, set to be celebrated in 2017.

He told Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski why he has spent so many years on the road taking so many portraits. His initial plan was to travel for only one year back in 2008.

"I extended the trip by another year," he said. "I've sort of fallen in love with putting a face to our national identity. What do we really look like?

Van Horn had worked in Alberta as a photographer for 15 years until he decided it was time to uproot, travel across the country, and put a face to the Canada's multi-faceted identity.

"This country's huge. But there's not a portrait that sort of puts a face to who we are," he said. 

He's managed to hit every province and territory in the country, "from Tofino to Cape Spear, which is the eastern most point in Canada," he said.

This country's huge. But there's not a portrait that sort of puts a face to who we are.- Tim Van Horn

Of his subjects, Van Horn says they're everyday Canadians in a variety of everyday moments.

"It's a collection of humanity. Not just about Canada. It's a beautiful look at life with all these geographical locations," he said.

It'll be hard to miss Van Horn, who'll be in Saskatoon for at least another day. He drives a full-size, red camper van covered with the thousands of portraits he's already shot. 

Van Horn says he'll be back in Saskatoon in 2017 with his completed project: a 50-foot bus showcasing his portraits, along with philosophic quotes and words of advice, all in celebration of the country's150th birthday.