EP 104 - Life Updates and Live Q+A
Hi Friends!
It’s just me this time. I wanted to catch you up on some big life changes, new creative chapters, and what’s next for both me and Summer School.
After a couple years in LA, we’re officially packing up and heading back to Washington. It’s wild, honestly. Between the move, raising a nine-month-old, and my husband and I chasing this dream of buying the recording studio he used to work at - life feels like a mix of chaos and excitement in the best way.
This season has been one of introspection, slowing down in some areas and going all-in on others. It’s been a reminder that growth isn’t always neat - sometimes it looks like starting over with a baby on your hip and a moving truck in the driveway.
What’s New with Summer School
While all of that’s happening, Summer School has been evolving too. This community has become such a big part of my heart. Between classes from guest educators around the world and our exclusive member content, it’s been amazing to see photographers connect, learn, and grow together.
This fall, I’ve been scaling back on weddings a bit to pour more energy into education - building out new classes, planning future workshops, and dreaming up the next season of Summer School. It feels like a new chapter, and I couldn’t be more excited about where it’s heading.
Teaching and Learning
One of the highlights of this year was teaching at Camp Cinematic in the Redwoods. That workshop was truly special - being surrounded by photographers who care so deeply about their craft reminded me why I love teaching in the first place.
We dove deep into business - things like diversifying income, client experience, and building better systems - but what stuck with me most was the sense of community. I left the Redwoods feeling emotional and inspired, just sitting at the airport reflecting on how lucky I am to get to do this.
And it’s not slowing down anytime soon - I’ve got workshops lined up in Italy, Arizona, and San Diego, and I can’t wait to bring all those lessons back to Summer School.
Q&A Corner
In this solo episode, I also answered a few of the most-asked questions from recent workshops (shoutout to Todd for recording those!). We talked about everything from shifting away from hourly pricing to building community and staying creative.
Here are a few quick takeaways:
Diversify your income: Try new things. Offer education, host mini sessions, explore different styles. Keep the work exciting for yourself.
Build community: Connecting with other creatives - from wedding planners to photographers in your area - has been one of the most impactful things in my career.
Stay consistent: Especially online. Instagram doesn’t have to feel forced - it should just feel like you. Share what you’re learning, what you love, and what lights you up.
Looking Ahead
Between this move, the studio dream, and everything happening inside Summer School, life feels full - in the best way. I’m grateful for every challenge and every opportunity that keeps pushing me to grow.
If you haven’t joined Summer School yet, now’s such a fun time to hop in. You’ll get access to classes, behind-the-scenes podcast episodes, resources, and first dibs on in-person events - including the one I’m most excited about… Summer Camp.
Here’s to change, creativity, and building something meaningful - even when it feels messy.
Thanks for being here and for growing alongside me.
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