When I first started my photography business, I thought “balance” meant doing everything. It meant being fully present with my kids and fully available for clients at the same time. Super solid plan right? It was totally going to work. (Spoiler alert: it did not work at all.)
Eventually, I realized I needed to define what balance looked like for me. Not Pinterest-perfect balance. Not hustle-until-you-drop balance. But a true rhythm that made sense for my life, my kids, and my mental health.
Being Present at the Right Times
One of the first changes I made was deciding how many evenings I was willing to be away from home. I knew I wanted to be there most nights for dinner, bedtime routines, and that sacred “end of the day” moment with my kids.
Ending the night listening to their stories from school, singing songs, or just lying next to each other watching them as they drift off has become our family’s reset button. No matter how busy the day gets, we always come back to that rhythm, that moment, and it grounds all of us.
Hiring Help Was a Game Changer
For the first two years of my business, I tried to do it all during nap time or while the kids were playing. I’d be editing with one hand, replying to client emails with the other, and trying to keep the peace in the playroom at the same time.
It was not sustainable at all. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything well. I was never fully present with my kids or my clients. That’s when I decided it was finally time to hire a sitter. I later ended up enrolling them in a daycare program for just a few days a week.
Having dedicated work time has been one of the best gifts for my family and for my business. Now, when my kids are home, I can be with them. And when I'm working I can be fully focused.
Embracing a Set Schedule (Even When Life Gets Messy)
Let’s be honest–parenting is so unpredictable. Someone is always sick, a school project appears out of nowhere, and please don’t get me started on how one toddler meltdown can derail any semblance of a plan you thought you had.
Giving myself a set schedule gave me a baseline of peace. Even when things go sideways (and they often do), I know when I'll be working and when I’ll be “off”. That structure gave me back a sense of control in a season that often feels anything but.
Self-Care Isn’t Optional. It’s Regularly Scheduled Maintenance
For a really long time, I felt guilty taking time away from the kids to do something for myself. But when I skipped rest, skipped connection with friends, and tried to just keep powering through even though I knew I was on empty, I ended up short-tempered, exhausted, and honestly… kind of miserable.
Now I make space for small things: grabbing coffee with a friend, going for a walk, or just having a few minutes of quiet. Those moments give me the emotional capacity to show up as a better mom, wife, and human.
Automations Changed Everything
One of the biggest turning points in my business was setting up automations. I cannot recommend this enough.
Before that, if one of my kids got sick or something unexpected popped up, I’d fall behind. Client inquiries would sit unread, emails wouldn’t go out, and I couldn’t offer the experience I wanted to give.
Now? When life gets crazy (again, as it often does), things on the business side still keep moving. I can rest, care for my family, and come back without risking everything falling apart.
Outsourcing Made My Business (and Life) Healthier
This past year, I finally let go of the idea that I have to do it all myself. I used to think I needed to be an expert in every area of my business. Website building, SEO, Branding, Marketing – yep, I know all of the things!
The truth? I’m not an expert, and I don’t know all of the things. Trying to be everything all at once only led me straight into burnout.
That’s when I decided to bring in some external support and it changed everything for me. Shoutout to the team at Luneer Mgmt for helping me focus on what I do best (serving my families and capturing their stories), while they handle the rest.
Outsourcing gave me back my time, my peace, and my ability to grow my business without burning out. I only wish I had gone this route sooner.
What I’ve Learned About Balance as a Working Mom
Balancing photography and motherhood doesn’t look perfect. Some weeks, it’s thriving. Others, it’s just surviving. But now, I’ve built systems, rhythms, and boundaries that help me show up with joy, even when things are messy.
If you’re a mom building something big and wondering how to “do it all”, let me be the first one to remind you: you don’t have to. You just have to find what works for you and give yourself the grace to evolve along the way.
To the Mama Who’s Doing Her Best…
If you’re building a business, raising babies, and trying to hold it all together… I see you. It’s not easy, but it’s also not something you have to do alone.
Whether you’re a client, a fellow creative, or a mom in the middle of the juggle, I hope my story helps you feel a little more seen.
If you want to chat, collaborate, or book a photo session, my inbox is always open.
