Bryce's Story
Bryce is the Founder of The One Project, a therapeutic photography community. Learning how to fight depression through photography was key to his recovery.
"Photography saved my life."
About Bryce:
I’m the Founder of The One Project and a leading expert in therapeutic photography – teaching, writing and speaking around the world about the healing power of photos. I’m also an award-winning photographer, artist and marketing consultant discovering the art of life. I’ve built a community over 50,000 people, worked with top international brands and exhibited my artwork internationally — all to help inspire and share valuable insights (with a special focus on mental health).
What was the major turning point in your recovery from depression?
Photography saved my life. The biggest turning point was when I began the process of starting to express what I was struggling with (and had been silent on for too long) through my photos. I started out very generic and broad, working with my photos to build stories that I kept private for quite some time. It was a practice in trusting my instincts and inner voice that helped me to become more comfortable in exploring and expressing these issues. Eventually, I was able to start talking about it with others and break my silence — that changed my life.
What are some things that really helped?
Photography
- After overcoming severe depression and anxiety, largely with the help of therapeutic photography and the techniques I developed during my own recovery, I realized that people need something to help them start talking. Photography is a great tool to help when you don’t have the words to express what you’re struggling with.
Meditation
- Meditation is massive for helping to calm anxiety, rewiring your brain and retraining your mind. It doesn’t have to be mystical and there’s no secret — it’s actually incredibly simple to get started and almost all of the most successful people do it.
Journalling
- Keeping a daily journal can be a great way to dump all the thoughts racing in your head onto the page and help you clear your mind before you start the day and before you go to sleep. Plus, you’ll open up space for more creativity and innovation!
What advice would you give to other guys fighting depression?
Honestly, I know the perceived risk and fear surrounding the idea of starting to talk about what you’re struggling with. I was there years ago and had been stuck for too many years because I felt like talking about it was no longer an option. There had been too many opportunities that I let pass by and all of the stigma seemed too heavy to take on.
If this speaks to you, please try to use photography to help you get started — as soon as you open up and start to share your story, your life will start to change in the most incredible ways that you never imagined. I promise.
– Bryce Evans, founder of The One Project based out of Vancouver, BC. Canada. 
