From Corporate Retail to the Coast: My Journey to Becoming a Full-Time LA Landscape Photographer
We’ve all had that moment at a day job where we look out the window, see the afternoon light hitting just right, and think, “I’m in the wrong place.”
For a long time, that was my reality. Back in 2018, I was deep in the grind of corporate retail management. I was trading fresh air and ocean sunsets for fluorescent lights and endless inventory sheets. While I was grateful for the business grit it taught me, my soul belonged to the California coast.
Recently, the team over at VoyageLA Magazine reached out to interview me about my journey, my roots here in the Long Beach and Seal Beach area, and how I finally made the leap to full-time photography and education.
Looking back on that interview made me realize how much my past directly shapes how I teach my students today.
The Reality Behind the Lens
When people see a professional landscape image—like a perfectly timed Milky Way over the Sierras or a silky, long-exposure wave crashing against the Palos Verdes cliffs—they see the final product. They don't see the years of trial and error, the freezing mornings, or the steep business learning curve.
Turning a creative passion into a sustainable lifestyle takes more than just a nice camera. As I told VoyageLA:
"It’s been a road full of smooth pavement, potholes, and a few U-turns. To get to where I am today took a lot of grit, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of help along the way... What sets me apart is my commitment to the 'why' behind the lens. I don't just show people where to put their tripod; I teach them the science of the light, the ethics of 'Leave No Trace' photography, and the business grit required to thrive."
Why I Chose Education
I come from a family of educators, so when I decided to grow my business, opening up workshops felt completely natural. But I wanted to do it differently.
The internet is flooded with generic camera tutorials. What’s missing is in-person, hands-on mentorship.
When you join me for a session along the LA coastline or up in the mountains, we aren't just memorizing camera settings. We are studying how weather patterns affect the marine layer, how to read local tides for safety and composition, and how to pre-visualize a shot before you even take your camera out of the bag. My goal is to fast-track your learning curve so you can skip the years of frustration I went through.
Read the Full Feature & Let’s Shoot
I am incredibly honored to be featured alongside so many inspiring Los Angeles creatives and entrepreneurs. You can read my full, unabridged interview over at VoyageLA right here, where I dive deeper into my background, my philosophy on success, and what's next for my business.
Ready to get out from behind your screen and capture the California coast like a pro?
If you are a beginner or intermediate photographer ready to stop guessing and start creating gallery-worthy images, I’d love to hand you the blueprint. My intensive, small-group field workshops are designed to give you direct coaching and elite local insights.
Click below to view our upcoming workshop schedule and lock in your spot before our summer pricing adjustment.(Note: Rates will be increasing starting July 1st, so secure your current pricing today!)
