Tiptoeing Back into Teaching In Person

Tiptoeing Back Into the Classroom: Rediscovering My Voice at ShutterFest

Four years ago, after selling my photography education company, I stepped away from in-person teaching. At the time, it felt like the right move—staying close to home, focusing on family, and pouring my energy into a podcast instead of a stage. But the truth is, selling my photography education company was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It felt like I lost more than just a business—I lost a community, a purpose, and a piece of who I believed myself to be.

For a long time, I thought I had to completely let go of that chapter. I told myself I’d moved on. But the quiet that followed told a different story.

Over time (and with many heartfelt conversations), I realized that walking away wasn’t a failure—it was an act of bravery. The truth was, that business was destined to fail if a drastic change didn't happen.  The partners had grown apart, employees were allowed to act in ways that were not in the best interest of the bottom line, and our members were leaving in droves because of the onslaught of new, fancy, shiny education options available to them.  Getting out at that time was not only smart and  brave, it was necessary.  So after leaving, as hard as that was, I needed that space. And when the opportunity to teach at ShutterFest came my way, I hesitated for only a moment before throwing my hat back in the ring. It felt like tiptoeing into a room I hadn’t entered in years—and yet, somehow, it felt like home.

Standing in front of a live classroom again, sharing hard-earned lessons about business growth with passionate photographers, reminded me of what I love about teaching. The energy, the questions, the lightbulb moments—it all came rushing back. And while the industry has changed, and I’ve changed, one thing is still true: I have something valuable to give. And I’m so grateful to be finding my place again, one step at a time.