What happens when your passion for your work fades—but you still need to pay the bills?
In this episode of The ReWork, Allison Tyler Jones hosts educator and photographer Cris Duncan of CJ Duncan Photography for a candid conversation about what it takes to stay in love with your photography business for the long haul.
Cris has been in business for over 20 years and has recently taken over as director of the famed Texas School. This annual photography education event attracts photographers from all over the world at every stage of their business.
Cris and Allison discuss how the definition of success shifts over time—in his case, moving from volume and hustle to values and vision. Cris opens up about hitting burnout after years of saying “yes” to everything, and how he learned to reconnect with what he loves to shoot.
We talk about hard choices that come with being in business for a long time: how to pivot without losing momentum, how to stay creative without burning out, and how to build a business that supports the life you want (instead of the other way around).
If you’ve been in business for a while—or even just long enough to feel like you need a creative shift—this episode is your permission slip to reset, reimagine, and reignite your passion for your work.
Episode Highlights:
- From Fetal Position to Fired Up. Cris shares the rollercoaster of studio life—one day soaring, the next in tears.
- Do the Work, Even When It’s Hard. Longevity comes from showing up, staying connected, and doing the grind.
- Execution Beats Ideas Every Time. Success isn’t about ideas, it’s about who takes action and iterates.
- The Goldman Sachs Reset. A 12-week program reignited Cris’s passion and gave him fresh tools.
- Prints Outlast Phones. Hard drives fail, printed portraits live on as family treasures.