As an adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser spends most of his professional life behind the lens, shooting some of the world’s top mountain athletes for major outdoor brands and publications. His eye for capturing dramatic scenes in the high alpine and willingness to immerse himself in extreme conditions to do so has garnered him success in an otherwise precarious industry. But success isn’t always synonymous with happiness. Ted’s latest project, a short film called Chains of Habit (released by Mountain Hardwear last month), focuses on his lifelong battle with depression in an effort to destigmatize conversations around mental health. So, we spoke to Ted about the story behind his film; the role trail running plays in keeping him aloft; steps to take if you’re struggling; and much more.TOPICS & TIMESTed’s background

When he first picked up a camera

The realities of #vanlife

Photography tips for beginners

Chains of Habit

Training for the WURL

How depression hits him

The double meaning behind Chains of Habit

Running, psychedelics, & depression

“Taking mental anguish and putting it into a form of your own choosing”