Why I Started My Business at 42 (And What Keeps Me Going)

TW: This post includes references to physical assault and workplace trauma.

At 46, I’m four years into running my own photography business - and sometimes I still can’t believe I get to do this for a living. It wasn’t a straight path here. In fact, it took decades of experience, a few big pivots, and one very real moment of clarity to start this chapter.

So today, I’m sharing the story behind my business: why I started, what keeps me going, and how the hardest season of my life led me to the most meaningful work I’ve ever done.

A Career Built on Listening, Leading, and Lifting Others Up

Before I picked up the camera professionally, I spent almost 20 years in education. I worked with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, mentored early-career teachers, and led teams in schools across Victoria. I loved that work - it gave me purpose, connection, and a sense of contributing to something bigger.

What I didn’t realise at the time was how much those years were preparing me for what I do now. Photography might seem like a different world, but the heart of my work hasn’t changed: I still listen deeply. I still support others. And I still care about helping people feel seen, heard, and understood.

The Turning Point

I didn’t leave teaching because I stopped caring. I left because I had to protect my wellbeing.

I found myself in the middle of a deeply complex situation - I was physically assaulted by a student. More than once. I was seriously injured as a result and I took a substantial amount of time off to recover. When I returned to the classroom and I questioned the follow up conversations I had been assured would happen the response I received was ‘That ship has sailed, don’t you think?’

I did everything I could to prioritise wellbeing and follow the right processes, but over time, it felt like the goalposts kept shifting. Some student behaviour escalated, staff wellbeing declined, and as a union representative, I not only dealt with my own stress and anxiety, but also that of the people I worked with.

After months of overwhelming stress and anxiety, I reached burnout. I made the incredibly hard decision to step away.

Choosing Creativity, Community, and a New Way Forward

Photography had always been in the background - something I loved. Slowly, it started becoming something more. As we entered the pandemic, I used that time to work through the PTS I had developed and undertook several courses (visual arts/photography, and digital teaching and learning)

I began taking small jobs, working with local businesses, and investing time in learning everything I could about brand photography, product shoots, and expanding my knowledge of visual storytelling. I discovered that I could combine my love of education, mentoring, creativity, and connection in a completely new way.

What started as a tentative side project became a business. And more importantly - it became a lifeline. A way back to myself.

How That Experience Shapes the Way I Work Now

That final season in education taught me a lot - about trust, bravery, boundaries, and what it really means to hold space for others. That experience has become part of the foundation of my business.

Now, those lessons are woven into everything I do. I don’t just take photos. I create safe, supportive spaces where people can show up as themselves. I work mostly with women-led, purpose-driven businesses - people who care deeply about what they do and want their visuals to reflect that care.

Whether I’m shooting a product collection, creating personalised stock images, or capturing someone’s personal brand - I approach every project with empathy, curiosity, and care. I listen more than I speak. I help my clients feel seen, valued, and proud to share their story with the world.

And maybe that’s the full circle moment: I used to support young people to find their voice and grow into themselves. Now, I get to help women in business do the same - just through a different lens (yes, I went there)!

What Keeps Me Going

It’s not just about the photography - it’s about the people. The conversations, the quiet moments of confidence on camera, the emails that say, “You really understood me.” Four years in, I feel more connected than ever to my purpose. I know I’m where I’m meant to be.

If You’re at a Turning Point, Too …

… know that it’s okay to start again. It’s okay to choose yourself. And it’s okay to build something beautiful out of something difficult.

If you’re a business owner needing updated photos or visuals that truly reflect your brand, I’d love to help. No pressure. No performance. Just honest, beautiful images that feel like you.

Let’s chat.