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Why I Quit The Fashion Industry To Live In A Cabin In The Woods
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Why I Quit The Fashion Industry To Live In A Cabin In The Woods

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This time five years ago I was living the dream of many photographers: I had a successful career in the fashion industry, and I was splitting my time between Toronto and Mumbai, shooting for magazines like Vogue and Rolling Stone. I worked with some really fantastic people, and had some amazing experiences, but through it all I could never escape this nagging feeling calling me back to my roots.

My career as a photographer really started when I was 18. I had my very first camera, and I was taking pictures of bald eagles during their mating season.I came home with a collection of blurry photos, but a crystal clear goal: I’m going to be a photographer. I’m going to photograph wildlife.

I got a little distracted from my quest, but after five years something just clicked one day – it was a great life, but it wasn’t my goal, it wasn’t what I’d got into it for. So I packed my bags and moved back to Vancouver Island. I built a little cabin in the forest and started photographing wildlife again.

A few years later and here we are. I’ve photographed wild bison in Yellowstone, tracked feral horses through the Dakotas, hung out with a grizzly bear in Montana, and went on a hike with a wolf in British Columbia. Most importantly, the images I’m showing people are the images I’m passionate about, the things I want people to see and fall in love with. Instead of helping people fall in love with material goods, I’m showing them lovers in the sky. I think my 18-year old self would approve.

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More info: troymoth.com

RELATED:

    I had a successful career in fashion, splitting my time between Toronto and Mumbai

    I was shooting for magazines like Vogue, Rolling Stone, but I could never escape this nagging feeling calling me back to my roots

    After five years something just clicked one day – it was a great life, but it wasn’t my goal, it wasn’t what I’d got into it for

    ADVERTISEMENT

    I packed my bags and moved back to Vancouver Island

    I built a little cabin in the forest and started photographing wildlife again

    ADVERTISEMENT

    The images I’m showing people are the images I’m passionate about, the things I want people to see and fall in love with

    Instead of helping people fall in love with material goods, I’m showing them lovers in the sky

    ADVERTISEMENT

    A few years later and here we are

    I’ve photographed wild bison in Yellowstone, tracked feral horses through the Dakotas

    I think my 18-year old self would approve

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT

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    Troy Moth

    Troy Moth

    Author, Community member

    Read more »

    Troy Moth spent the first few years of life living in a tent in a remote tree-planting camp on the West Coast of Canada. He loved the wild and abundant nature he grew up immersed in, but eventually the call to adventure became too much and he moved, first across Canada to the big city (Toronto), then across the world to India, to pursue a career in photography. After shooting for clients like Vogue, he now focuses on his art.

    Read less »
    Troy Moth

    Troy Moth

    Author, Community member

    Troy Moth spent the first few years of life living in a tent in a remote tree-planting camp on the West Coast of Canada. He loved the wild and abundant nature he grew up immersed in, but eventually the call to adventure became too much and he moved, first across Canada to the big city (Toronto), then across the world to India, to pursue a career in photography. After shooting for clients like Vogue, he now focuses on his art.

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    Add photo comments
    POST
    TeresaRogers
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exquisite images of real and important facets of natural beauty. Well done and thank you for sharing! We live on a sublime orb.

    dbradley
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It all makes sense, just knowing that Vancouver Island played a part in the inspiration.

    Tammy
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd like to see the wolf, bear and horse in color too.

    Tomassina
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buddhism calls your new work : "RIGHT LIVELIHOOD". You are enriching your own life & the lives of others. Truly beautiful pictures.

    KennethMason
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you did the right thing. i bet more people wish they had the balls to do the same....

    darkphoenix
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to do that. These pics are gorgeous, I love the wolves, all of the majestic bears and horses, hawks and eagles, Bison included.

    GeorgeParacka
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your 18 yr old self would approve,.. so would evryone from your 1 yr old self to your 200 yr old self. These images (and everything I imagine lead to their capture), is the absolute true meaning of life (if a statement with so little premise can somehow make sense).

    vezstendahl
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, the bear hit my inner core; the spectrum of emotional response. It's still echoing as I write this. Thank you.

    TonyBartolo
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The pictures of the horses are wonderful, you capture their magnificence perfectly.

    Behehehe
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW these pictures are absolutely stunning!!! animal photography is a passion of mine too so i love love love these!:)

    SusanLevett
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful photos, really amazing. Good life choice, even if it might mean less money. Good on you :)

    DavidDavenport
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We all reach a point when we question our path, reevaluate our needs. My hat of to you sir. Your images show where your heart lays.

    DavidDavenport
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My hat off to you sir. We all reach a point when stepping back and reevaluating what we want hits us, true passion is in your images

    CrackrJax
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is damn good that you followed your gut. I mean, wow. No fashion article can compare to these!!! Absolutely stunning!!

    Rcatheron
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome photography! Just fyi, America's wild horses are just that: wild. Not feral.

    Chlobo.M
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Loving the pictures! Especially the wolf and horses, my faviroute animals :)

    Martin-CalvinGautier
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Come to Africa!! You will love it! Follow Inthestixx ! trust you will love it

    TracyMcMillian
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I nerver thought about a possibility of animals having a soul. With your photos, I've changed my mind. beautiful and powerful! Thanks

    TracyMcMillian
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never thought about a possibility of animals having a "soul", but with your photos, I've changed my mind. beautiful and powerful!

    SandyCathcart
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love your photos and your philosophy...very dear to my own heart. Keep up the good work.

    AngelaGloss
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad you found your roots again! Fashion photography honed your skills and now we are the beneficiaries of your exquisite nature photographs

    KennethMason
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you did the right thing. i bet more people wish they had the balls to do the same....

    JaneSmith
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was thinking the same thing! As a photographer from Van Island, now living in Toronto I completely understand how he would choose that

    CherlynR
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's awesome, I daresay hardly anyone would give up your previous life like what you did, but the experience is so incredibly rewarding.

    TeresaRogers
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Exquisite images of real and important facets of natural beauty. Well done and thank you for sharing! We live on a sublime orb.

    dbradley
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It all makes sense, just knowing that Vancouver Island played a part in the inspiration.

    Tammy
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd like to see the wolf, bear and horse in color too.

    Tomassina
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Buddhism calls your new work : "RIGHT LIVELIHOOD". You are enriching your own life & the lives of others. Truly beautiful pictures.

    KennethMason
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you did the right thing. i bet more people wish they had the balls to do the same....

    darkphoenix
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to do that. These pics are gorgeous, I love the wolves, all of the majestic bears and horses, hawks and eagles, Bison included.

    GeorgeParacka
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your 18 yr old self would approve,.. so would evryone from your 1 yr old self to your 200 yr old self. These images (and everything I imagine lead to their capture), is the absolute true meaning of life (if a statement with so little premise can somehow make sense).

    vezstendahl
    Community Member
    8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, the bear hit my inner core; the spectrum of emotional response. It's still echoing as I write this. Thank you.

    TonyBartolo
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The pictures of the horses are wonderful, you capture their magnificence perfectly.

    Behehehe
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    WOW these pictures are absolutely stunning!!! animal photography is a passion of mine too so i love love love these!:)

    SusanLevett
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful photos, really amazing. Good life choice, even if it might mean less money. Good on you :)

    DavidDavenport
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We all reach a point when we question our path, reevaluate our needs. My hat of to you sir. Your images show where your heart lays.

    DavidDavenport
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My hat off to you sir. We all reach a point when stepping back and reevaluating what we want hits us, true passion is in your images

    CrackrJax
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is damn good that you followed your gut. I mean, wow. No fashion article can compare to these!!! Absolutely stunning!!

    Rcatheron
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome photography! Just fyi, America's wild horses are just that: wild. Not feral.

    Chlobo.M
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Loving the pictures! Especially the wolf and horses, my faviroute animals :)

    Martin-CalvinGautier
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Come to Africa!! You will love it! Follow Inthestixx ! trust you will love it

    TracyMcMillian
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I nerver thought about a possibility of animals having a soul. With your photos, I've changed my mind. beautiful and powerful! Thanks

    TracyMcMillian
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never thought about a possibility of animals having a "soul", but with your photos, I've changed my mind. beautiful and powerful!

    SandyCathcart
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love your photos and your philosophy...very dear to my own heart. Keep up the good work.

    AngelaGloss
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Glad you found your roots again! Fashion photography honed your skills and now we are the beneficiaries of your exquisite nature photographs

    KennethMason
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    you did the right thing. i bet more people wish they had the balls to do the same....

    JaneSmith
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was thinking the same thing! As a photographer from Van Island, now living in Toronto I completely understand how he would choose that

    CherlynR
    Community Member
    9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's awesome, I daresay hardly anyone would give up your previous life like what you did, but the experience is so incredibly rewarding.

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