EPISODE #159

Guest: Cris Duncan

Owner | CjDuncan Photography
Director | Texas School of Professional Photography
Lubbock, Texas
cjduncan.com
texasschool.org

DATE: September 4, 2025

What happens when your passion for your work fades—but you still need to pay the bills?

In this episode of The ReWork, I’m joined by 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 I 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.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframing success: From high volume to high value
  
• Recognizing burnout before it takes over
  
• Learning to say “no” without guilt
  
• Making peace with doing different—not necessarily more
  
• Staying curious as the key to creative longevity
  
• Building a business that evolves with you

About Cris Duncan: a high-end portrait photographer from Lubbock, Texas, where he and his wife Dee run a successful studio specializing in families and high school seniors. With over 21 years in business, he has become a respected leader in the industry, recently taking on the role of Director of the Texas School of Professional Photography after serving as a student, volunteer, and instructor. Beyond his photography career, Cris is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program graduate, bringing fresh business insight and a passion for helping photographers grow through education and community

Tune in to hear Cris Duncan share the real secrets to staying relevant, profitable, and passionate in photography after two decades and why his lessons matter for your business right now.

Click here to listen!

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Links & Resources:
Download a Transcript
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
Texas School of Professional Photography
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FREE -Frequently Asked Difficult Questions (FADQ’s)
FREE -Sales Sabotage Evaluation Tool
Allison Tyler Jones Education Courses

 

Do The ReWork
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Allison Tyler Jones
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Cris Duncan – CjDuncan Photography
& Texas School of Professional Photography
Website 1 | Website 2 | Instagram 1 | Instagram 2

 

Memorable Quotes:

“Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly until you can learn to do it well.” – Cris Duncan

“Ideas are only as good as their execution, the execution is everything.” – Allison Tyler Jones

“The people who stay are the ones who show up every day, whether they’re excited, frustrated, or scared, and just do the work.” – Cris Duncan

“Texas School is a safe place to fail you came here to fail so you can grow.” – Cris Duncan

“My competitive advantage is that clients leave saying, ‘That was going to be awful, but it was one of the most fun things we’ve ever done.’” – Allison Tyler Jones

“People don’t care about me, they care about the product and experience my studio can deliver.” – Cris Duncan

“There’s no quick fix for long-term success; it’s built drop by drop, layer by layer, in relationships.” – Allison Tyler Jones

“Generosity costs nothing, time, talent, or treasure and it always comes back to you.” – Cris Duncan