For the last decade, coaching, courses, and education have been a huge part of my business.
They’ve brought in six figures. They’ve helped thousands of photographers. And honestly? I really loved that part of my work.
So it might sound a little strange that I decided to step back from it.
But that’s exactly what I did.
Recently, I joined my friend Kaelynn on the By Their Fruits podcast for LDS Entrepreneurs to talk about what led me to that decision, what happened after I made it, and what I’ve learned about stewardship, discipline, and doing less in business.
Listen to the full episode of By Their Fruits on Spotify
Sometimes growth means letting something go
For years, I kept adding.
More offers. More content. More Instagram accounts. More responsibilities. More people to manage.
At the same time, I was running my photography business, leading a team, raising my kids, and serving in a demanding calling.
From the outside, things were going really well.
But eventually, I started realizing that something could be successful on paper and still not be what I needed to be doing in that season of my life.
I felt strongly prompted to set the coaching and education side of my business down for a while.
And I didn’t exactly ease into the decision.
I acted quickly.
The surprising peace that followed
One of the biggest things I talk about on the podcast is what happened after I actually listened to that prompting.
I expected to feel like I was losing something.
Instead, I felt lighter.
I had more mental clarity. I had more creative energy. And I had more room to focus on the photography work that was right in front of me.
And then something else happened that I definitely didn’t plan for.
My husband received a 50% raise.
It was one of those moments that reminded me that I don’t have to figure out every detail before I take the next step.
Doing less doesn’t mean doing nothing
Stepping away from one part of my business didn’t mean I stopped working.
If anything, it helped me get more intentional about where I was putting my energy.
We talk about this a lot on the podcast: discipline, messy action, behind-the-scenes marketing, automation, stewardship, and the difference between being busy and actually moving your business forward.
I’ve learned that sometimes the answer isn’t another strategy.
Sometimes it’s removing something.
What this season has made room for
Since making this shift, I’ve noticed my creative energy coming back in a really exciting way.
I’ve been able to focus more deeply on photography, and I’ve had new brand inquiries come in that I might not have had the capacity to pursue before.
That doesn’t mean I’ll never return to coaching or education.
It just means I’m letting myself honor the season I’m actually in instead of forcing my business to look the way it has always looked.
And that’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve taken from all of this:
You don’t have to keep doing something just because it works.
Your business is allowed to change.
Your priorities are allowed to change.
And sometimes doing less creates the space you need for the right things to grow.
Listen to the full conversation
If you’re a photographer, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to figure out what your next season is supposed to look like, I think you’ll get a lot out of this conversation.
Kaelynn and I talk about the messy, practical, and spiritual side of making a major business pivot—including what it looked like to step away from a six-figure offer, trust the prompting I felt, and make room for something different.
Listen to my conversation on By Their Fruits on Spotify
And if you’re in a season where you’re wondering whether you need to add something new—or take something away—I hope this conversation gives you a little permission to ask that question honestly.
Kylee is the owner and founder of Kylee Ann Studios, where she’s spent more than 15 years building a photography business rooted in creativity, connection, and serving her clients well. She’s a mom, business owner, and photographer who loves making people feel comfortable and capturing the real moments that make their stories unique.
She specializes in commercial and brand photography, family photography, weddings, and more throughout Cache Valley and Northern Utah.
November 1, 2026
Kylee Maughan
