TJ Thorne|Photography

TJ Thorne

My name is TJ and I live in Portland, OR. Nature has always been an integral part of my life. Growing up in rural Southwestern Pennsylvania afforded me with trees to climb, vines to swing on, and forested trails to follow. In the winter my time was spent snowboarding every chance I could. I spent the majority of my free time outside. There’s nothing in my life that has brought me to my true center in the way that nature has. It’s meditation. It’s balance. It’s no surprise that I ended up in the Pacific Northwest, one of the most beautiful places in the world. My passion for the outdoors and for hiking is so readily accessible here. Now that I’m older and live in the city I find the need to find that balance.. that center.. much more important. Necessary. Photography is my means of experiencing nature in a much more intimate way. It envelops me in my true surroundings and appreciation of life. There's a difference between being in nature and being IN nature. Nothing gets me out of my funk faster than walking directly up a hidden, moss covered creek. Standing waist deep in rushing water simplifies existence. It dissipates stress and worries and washes them downstream. It leaves me covered in moss, mud, creek scum, and (hopefully not) poison oak, but I walk away clean. It might only be my heart and mind that are clean.. but to me... that's what the whole purpose is. Each of these images are moments in time where I was breathing, feeling… living. Don’t forget that it’s out there for all of us. Thanks for letting me share these moments with you. “And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair” - Kahlil Gibran