Why I Created Visual Voices Collective
Photography has always been there, quietly in the background of my life. As a young girl, I would bundle up and trek out into the freezing winter night to photograph the stars. I didn’t know then what it meant, only that I absolutely loved it. Those small, solitary adventures out in nature began a lifelong love. Years later, I found myself on 7th Avenue in New York, immersed in mood boards and concept development, where photography still lingered quietly behind the scenes. Even when it wasn’t my main focus in my career at that time, it never left me. That love was always there, even if it was a bit dimmed or rusty.
About eight years ago, I decided to return to photography more intentionally. At first, it was just a hobby, something that brought me so much joy. Picking up the camera felt like coming home to myself, and the lush, tropical landscape of Hawai‘i reawakened that spark within me. But it began to take root in a new way. It felt like something I had to follow, not for recognition or success, but because it felt like a part of me, an extension of who I was. It lit me up in a way nothing else did, and that’s when I decided this…this is what I want to do. It was a closing of one chapter and fully stepping into the next with an open heart.
That return was both beautiful and deeply uncertain. It felt like I had moved from the safety of the shallows, where I could just play and experiment, into deeper waters. I had no formal training, no blueprint, and no clear sense of direction. I didn’t go to photography school, and for a long time, I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing. I made countless mistakes, felt so lost, and doubted myself constantly, and spent years trying to figure out what my style was, who I was as a photographer, and whether I belonged at all. It often felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill, striving without knowing if it was leading anywhere.
Eventually, through years of trial and error, I began to find my rhythm. But it didn’t come from outside validation or technical mastery. It came from quiet moments of listening, from learning to trust myself, learn from my mistakes, and my creative instincts. That slow unfolding is what inspired me to create Visual Voices Collective. I built this program because I wish something like it had existed when I needed it most.
I longed for a space that felt safe and supportive. A place where someone would say, “You’re doing okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out.” I wanted to hear words of encouragement that were gentle, honest, and affirming, even if they were difficult to hear. I needed a space where I could be seen not just as a photographer, but as a whole creative person navigating the uncertainties of the path. Visual Voices Collective was born out of that need, and it was created for others who are walking that path with the same questions.
This program is for photographers who are in that in-between space, those who feel the pull to grow but aren’t sure how to move forward. Whether or not you want to build a business around your photography or it’s just a hobby, this is a space to evolve, to be met where you are, and to explore who you are behind the lens. It is for people who want honest feedback, thoughtful reflection, and a gentle, nurturing environment as you hone your photographic eye and style. It is a place to be seen, to feel heard, and to grow in community.
There is an African proverb I carry close to my heart: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That is the spirit behind Visual Voices Collective. For so many years, I photographed and created in isolation. I had no clue what I was doing and tried everything to see what would stick. And because I didn’t exactly fit into a specific niche, I felt all over the place and doubted myself even more. I second-guessed every step, and I had no one to talk to about the doubts and fears that come with sharing your creative work. That kind of loneliness can be stifling. I created this space so photographers would no longer have to walk that part of the path alone.
A Holistic Approach
Visual Voices Collective is a space that encourages both growth and rest. It is grounded in the belief that the answers we seek are often already within us; we just need the right conditions, the right environment, the right questions, and the right kind of support to uncover them. The program is structured around three pillars: mindset, photography, and business. Much like the exposure triangle in photography, these three elements are intertwined and influence one another. When one shifts, the other settings often need to be adjusted to shoot for proper exposure.
If you are constantly comparing yourself to others or carrying the belief that you are not good enough, that mindset will shape how you show up, both in your creative work and in the world. Just as changing your shutter speed impacts your aperture and ISO, nurturing your mindset affects your photography and your potential to grow a sustainable business, should you choose that path. I truly believe we cannot separate one from the other, and that is why this program takes a holistic approach.
There are many resources out there that focus on gear reviews, camera settings, and technical how-tos. This is not one of those programs. Visual Voices Collective is about supporting the full creative person. It is about helping you connect more deeply with your intuition, develop your voice, and create from a place of truth. It is about learning to trust yourself behind the lens and beyond it.
Each week, you will have the opportunity to submit your work, ask questions, and receive feedback that is kind, honest, and constructive. The modules are self-paced, so you can move through them in a way that works for your rhythm. Regardless of the kind of photographer you are, your genre, or if photography is just a hobby for you, this program is designed to meet you where you are and help you build the confidence to move forward. There are more than just modules within each topic; there are meditations, workbooks, reflection exercises, audio trainings, and so much more.
Visual Voices Collective is a 360-degree approach to growth. It focuses not only on your creative skills but also on your mindset, your self-awareness, and your ability to create from a grounded and authentic place. This program is not about photographing like me or anyone else, for that matter; it is about you stepping into your creative power and visual identity as a photographer.
The next chapter of Visual Voices Collective begins this July. If something in this speaks to you, I would be honored to walk alongside you on this journey. There will be two-tier options available to meet you where you are, both financially and creatively. One tier offers an affordable way to access the full library of modules, community space, and group support, so you can move at your own pace while still feeling guided and connected. The second tier is for those who desire more personalized support, with opportunities for 1:1 mentorship and deeper feedback directly from me. Whether you’re looking for gentle structure or more hands-on guidance, there’s a space for you here.
You can sign up for the waitlist below!
“Your content really resonates with me. I truly appreciate you taking the time to put all of the different categories of information in really understandable videos. I love watching all of it. What is especially helpful is that you have experienced all of it and give your perspective for your students to think about how it can relate to their genre and style of photography.
I have learned so much from your course (and I always look forward to your emails on specific topics). The best thing is that what you teach is relevant now and will be in 10 years from now. It’s not trendy; it’s timeless. It’s all about how to bring out the feeling of the photo in a creative way, in a way that feels good for the photographer. ”