EP 108 - Life Updates: Moving, Workshops, and Family Sessions
Hey friends, and welcome back to another episode of Summer School! It feels so good to be chatting with you again. Things have been a little wild lately and I wanted to take today’s episode to catch you up and share what’s been going on behind the scenes.
A New Chapter
Big life update… we moved!
After 2 years in LA, my little family officially made the cross-country jump back to the Pacific Northwest - the place where my photography journey really began. It feels surreal and grounding all at once.
Our new studio is still coming together (right now I’m recording from the guest room with a cup of coffee and a baby monitor nearby 😂), but it already feels like home. Between workshops, shoots, travel, and moving boxes everywhere, life’s been busy - but the good kind of busy that fills you up.
How I Ended Up Shooting Families
Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos… I accidentally fell in love with family photography.
It’s been years since I photographed families, and wow, it’s stretched me in the best ways. Shooting couples feels second nature to me - I can direct, repeat poses, tweak details - but families are a whole new rhythm.
You can’t control it, and that’s the beauty of it. You set the scene, create the space, and then… you watch. You observe, anticipate, and catch those in-between moments - the laughter, the chaos, the hugs that happen mid-meltdown. It’s messy and unpredictable and super real.
Honestly, I’ve learned more about patience, storytelling, and timing from photographing kids than I expected to. It’s reminded me that sometimes the best art comes from letting go of control.
Becoming a “Legacy Photographer”
Something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is this idea of being a legacy photographer - documenting people through every chapter of their lives. From engagements to weddings to families… it’s such an honor to grow with my clients.
Now that I have Georgia, it all hits differently. These moments matter. These photos matter. Getting to be the person who freezes them in time is the most rewarding thing in the world.
A Little Reminder for You
If you’re a photographer (or any kind of creative) listening right now - this is your permission to pivot. You’re allowed to explore, to change, to fall in love with something new.
You don’t have to stay in one box forever. Whether it’s families, commercial work, or something totally unexpected, your art is allowed to evolve right alongside you.
What’s Coming Up
As we head into the holidays, I’m so excited for what’s next - more workshops, more behind-the-scenes episodes, and… drumroll please… Summer Camp is officially happening May 11-15th!
We’re also getting close to hitting 100 members inside the Summer School community, which is wild. If you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the perfect time. You’ll get instant access to all our past classes, Q&As, and exclusive Recess podcast episodes.
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