
What Photographing Loons Taught Me About Parenting and Loss | John Welch
From F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast by Matt Payne
April 27, 2026 · 57 min · Episode 471
About this episode
Matt Payne interviews John Welch about his project on loons and its connection to personal loss and growth.
In episode 471 of "F-Stop Collaborate and Listen," Matt Payne sits down with New Hampshire landscape and wildlife photographer John Welch to discuss his emotionally charged long-term project, "Healing from Loss: A Season with Loons." The conversation follows John Welch's journey of integrating photography with family life, shifting his focus from big bucket-list locations to meaningful local work due to necessity. The project becomes deeply personal after the loss of John Welch's mother, intertwining the life cycle of loons with his process of grieving, healing, and reflection. They also touch on the power of local projects, the importance of curiosity, and how working on a long-term photographic story can offer both creative fulfillment and personal growth. The episode is an inspiring look at how art, nature, and personal challenges can intersect to create meaningful work that resonates deeply with others. Links: John Welch: Website, Instagram Muench Workshops F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast Patreon Natural Landscape Photography Awards Matt Payne's Book, The Colorado Way John Welch's YouTube Channel, Nature's Stories Loon Preservation Committee Team MooseMan Harry Lichtman…
People in this episode
Host: Matt Payne
Guest: John Welch
Topics covered
- parenting
- loss
- photography
- nature
- personal growth
- local projects
Keywords
- loons
- photography
- grief
- healing
- local work
- art
- nature
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Loon Preservation Committee, Natural Landscape Photography Awards, Nature's Stories
Books & works: Healing from Loss: A Season with Loons
More episodes of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast
- The Freedom of Limitations in Photography | Mark Scheffer · September 7, 2026 · 1h 7m
- The Chaos and the Calm in Photography | Mali Davies · August 31, 2026 · 1h 6m
- The Soft Skills of Creative Longevity | Ajani Charles · August 24, 2026 · 1h 16m
- What Photography Can Still Do | Marc Asnin · August 17, 2026 · 1h 7m
- Telling Your Story with the Monochrome Collective Community | Darren Pellegrino · August 10, 2026 · 1h 14m
- Infrared Travel Photography | Nevada Wier · August 3, 2026 · 1h 24m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Photography Podcast podcast page.