Using 2019 data, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 14.2 million adults over the age of 18 had a severe depressive episode in the past year, and 14.4 million struggled with alcohol abuse disorder in the past year. Clearly, both alcoholism and depression are quite prevalent in our society and it is something a lot of people struggle with. Finding ways to cope with these ubiquitous challenges can be crucial for the survival of so many of us, and nature photography is one such way that has been shown to help. 

As such, it was a real honor recording a podcast with TJ Thorne, who first joined us way back on Episode 22! TJ has been battling both depression and alcoholism for quite a long time and he has found nature photography to be one way that he is able to fight back. In this episode, TJ and I talk about this journey and his relationship with the subject of water specifically, which is the focus of his new book.

On this week's episode, we discuss:

• TJ's journey into photography.
• How working in the food industry began to shape TJ's struggles with addiction.
• TJ's struggles with addiction and depression and how nature photography has helped him.
• TJ's inaugural book, Ebb & Flow.
• The role that water has played in TJ's photographic journey.
• TJ's search for emotional and mental freedom through photography.
• How TJ's friendships with other photographers have aided him.
• TJ's process for curating images for his book.
• How tangible photography projects like a book differ from digital formats.
• Using photography as a tool to intimately explore the world instead of using it to "take photographs."
• How and why TJ has made the switch over to photographing more abstract subjects as opposed to grand scenic images.
• And a lot more!

If you enjoyed our conversation, you can catch our bonus episode on Patreon where TJ and I discuss his struggles having photography be his main way of making money when it is so intertwined with his mental health. 

Other topics/links discussed on the podcast this week:

• Support the podcast on Patreon.
• Join me over on Nature Photographer's Network and use the code "FSTOP10" for a 10% discount!
• The Invisible Gorilla Experiment.
• Watch podcast episodes on YouTube.

Here is who TJ recommended on the podcast this week:

• Juame Llorens.
• Jo Stephen.
• Nel Talen.
• Mike DiMeola.
• Cesar Llaneza.
• Michele Sons (we recorded on E306).

I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy!

We also have a searchable transcript of every episode!

Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week.

P.S. you can also support the podcast by purchasing items through our B+H affiliate link.