Nature, Loss, and Learning to Listen Again with Jessica Hachey

⚠️ Note: This episode is from the Intentional Documentary® era. I’ve kept it in the public archive because Jessica’s reflections on grief, nature, and the seasons of documenting still resonate deeply.

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When Jessica Hachey’s daughter started school full-time, it stirred something unexpected: stillness, questions, and a new ache to reconnect with herself.

In this episode, Jessica shares what it felt like to sit in that space — between loss, routine, and the pull of something more alive. We talk about what shifted in her documenting after walking through grief, and how time in the wild continues to restore her.

This is a quiet, tender story about remembering what really matters and letting your lens follow your life from the inside out.

Topics Covered

• The emotional impact of early motherhood transitions
• Relearning herself after her daughter started school
• Backcountry solo trips and nature as restoration
• Walking through loss and how grief reshaped her photography
• Letting go of expectations and trusting what to document
• The difference between photographing to preserve vs. prove
• Honoring slow seasons, silence, and internal shifts

Access resources mentioned in this episode here:
→ dangerouslygoodstories.com/intentional-documentary-archive

Where Jessica Is Now:

Since this episode aired, Jessica has transitioned from family documentary photography into nature and conservation storytelling. Today, she blends her love of the outdoors with her visual craft, using photography to advocate for wild spaces, inspire curiosity, and deepen our connection to the natural world.

You can find her hiking the Bruce Trail, paddling quiet waters, and volunteering with conservation groups across Ontario.