on looking back…

I try not to dwell on the past too much. Everything that’s come before has lead me to where I am now, warts and all. But at the end of each year, I do get something from looking back on the 12 months before and taking notice of all the things I’ve experienced and accomplished. 2025 was a big one for both.

In January, I was still teaching high school photography and yearbook while also working on my business. I was taking on photo gigs whenever I could, editing at night, teaching and being with students during the day. It was a hustle to be sure, and one I’d been doing for years.

In spring, I did some creative projects, including the launch of my 40 Over 40 Project. (At the time, I didn’t know if I’d have even one participant.) I did a fun “makeover and photoshoot” with a stylist friend that was a success. I went to my third year of the Texas School of Photography for Professional Photographers and spent an intensive week learning and being inspired by others in the industry.

I taught, I counseled, I attended after school sporting events and concerts and graduations. And I photographed it all.

I continued taking on more and more work as the year progressed - this was my passion, after all. The late nights and early mornings and juggling two very demanding jobs seemed worth it and doable (who was I kidding). I’d had my photography side hustle for so long that I thought that’s just how things were going to go; I’d continue to teach at my “real job” and give time to that creative, entrepreneurial side of me whenever I could. As always, the voices saying “it’s too risky,” “look what you’d have to give up,” “what if it doesn’t work the way you need it to,” “are you crazy??” were working hard to remind me of what I should believe was possible.

In May, I got a haircut and while chatting with my stylist, I mentioned that someday I’d like to have my own studio, just to say that I’d done it, realized a little dream I’d had since I was in middle school. Her response? “My landlord is renovating the suite upstairs right now - want to take a look?” I rented it in June thinking it would be nice to have a space to meet clients and do a few headshots when the weather didn’t cooperate…

School let out for summer. I hugged lots of students and said see you next year and cleaned my classroom and looked forward to a summer of lots of photography work and travel and having a studio space (although tiny) of my own to work out of. And then, in the middle of the night in late June, I woke up suddenly out of a deep sleep with a new voice saying “if not now, when?” I’d just finished my 21st year of teaching high school. I was at the “top of my game” so to speak, and felt proud of the work I did with students. My school had been my second home, the staff was my second family. I had grown and changed and evolved and learned so much over the past 2 decades in that professional sphere. But this voice said loudly, “if not now, when?” I’d told kids for years that they should chase their dreams, to find what makes their heart sing and pursue it, that anything is possible. Did that apply to me, too?

After over two decades of being a proud educator of amazing, challenging, inspiring, smart, hilarious, confusing teenagers, I decided to bet on myself. The decision to leave teaching now feels like it was my last lesson for the kids: “See, I’m gonna walk the walk and you can too!” And an enormous new chapter of learning for myself.

The summer and fall were filled with shoot after shoot after shoot - senior photos, headshots and branding photos, family photos, product photos, event photos, and live music photos. I traveled around the state to photograph people, and even got to make portraits when I was back in the Midwest! It was busy and exciting and challenging…and did not give me very much time to reflect on what was happening.

Now enter the slow season. The whiplash of the last few months is starting to subside and I’m here thinking simultaneously, “what just happened?” and “wow, I’m really proud of myself.” I took a leap and so far, all signs are telling me it was a good choice.

We’ll see what the next year brings. This one sure was a ride! I’m so incredibly grateful to all the people who have trusted me to make photos for them this year. I don’t know what I’d do without the friends that encouraged me to take a big step. And I can’t wait to see what’s to come for 2026! More challenges, more learning and growing, more evolving and more letting go. Here’s to it all.

Thank you for being a part of my journey! Here’s to a new year!