George S. Zimbel graduated from Columbia College New York in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. In 1949 he studied at the Photo League with John Ebstel, and in 1951 at The New School with Alexy Brodovitch.
 
He began his career as a freelance documentary photographer in New York working for publications, foundations and corporate clients. His photographs covered a wide range of subjects including politics, education, industry, architecture, and theater . He is known for a sympathetic approach to his subjects, evident in his widely published photographs of children. His work is generally categorized as upbeat and respectful of his subjects.
 
In 1971, he and his family emmigrated to Canada where they established Bona Fide Farm on Prince Edward Island. In 1977 he and his wife Elaine, a writer and psychotherapist became Canadian citizens.
 
In 1980 they moved to Montreal. Since then his work has primarily been directed towards exhibitions at galleries and museums. Since 2000, he has had solo exhibitions in New York, Valencia, Madrid, Tokyo, Montreal, Houston, New Orleans, Toronto and Charlottetown. His work is now in twelve museum collections.
 
He received a Lifetime Achievement award from Canadian Photographers in Communications and is a Life Member of the American Society of Media Photographers. In 2006 he was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts. The same year "Bourbon Street, New Orleans 1955." was published by Les Editions du Passage, Montreal and he was featured in the PBS documentary "Marilyn Monroe - Still Life".
 
He continues to work traditionally, completing the photographic circle of shoot, develop and print.