Juggling Motherhood & Wedding Photography
Working Mother & Wedding Photography Business //
Running a sustainable photography business is challenging in itself without being a parent. But that should not hold us back from the joy of motherhood and the satisfaction of having our own wedding photography business.
We need to start by recognising a very important truth: achieving a perfect balance as a working mother is a myth – the scale tends to tip one way or the other at any given point. That’s normal and it does NOT make us a failure. We just need to embrace it, rather than striving for an unattainable equilibrium. Nonetheless, there are things that we can intentionally do to help not only keep our heads above water, but swim comfortably with the current.
As a mom, I know the challenges of trying to juggle working and taking care of myself. A few years ago, I realised that it was no longer business as usual and that it was high time for me to implement some overdue changes that will keep me from crumbling. I knew that I needed to become more efficient and productive in the way that I work so that the quality time that I spend with my children is stress-free and abundant.
If you can relate, keep on reading. These tips are game-changers:
1. PLAN IN ADVANCE – IT’S ALL ABOUT TIME-MANAGEMENT
Allotting time on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings in order to plan the week ahead will help you make sure that you get all the important things done without getting overwhelmed. Be realistic with your to-do list and don’t give in to procrastination. Map-out the week in way that you get the tasks that you dread done first and out of the way. This way, you can keep motivated and keep moving forward.
Bonus: Be reasonable with the deadlines that you give your clients. Manage their expectations about when they will receive their images and aim to get the job done ahead of time, rather than having to be late and disappoint them, because something came up. (e.g. your kid fell ill).
2. CREATE WORKFLOWS AND UTILIZE SYSTEMS
In business, there are aspects that tend to repeat over and over again. Identify what they are and create appropriate templates and utilize checklists.Yes, you will need to invest time initially, but it will pay-off in the end, I promise. The additional bonus is that it guarantees that things stay consistent and nothing goes overlooked.
Use tools like a physical planner, Google calendar and/or Trello to help you keep organised and set schedules. Keep your workspace tidy, and make sure you don’t need to waste time looking for stuff (oh how much time do we waste looking for stuff??).
BATCH WORKING
Setting aside time to do similar tasks at once is the pinnacle of productivity. This way, you are in the right headspace to focus on that specific topic, making you very efficient. Multi-tasking is not as beneficial – focused work, where you dedicate your full-attention to the task in front of you is a skill worth developing.
I was first introduced to this concept by Jenna Kutcher who was kind enough to answer my question on her Goal Digger Podcast. This is what she writes on one of her blog posts ”Batch working is highly-focused, topic-specific forms of working… It is dividing your workflow into different days/hours of ONE TOPIC instead of jumping around from task to task.”
3. SELF-CARE
None of this can be achieved if you do not take the time to take care of yourself. If you neglect your personal needs, the negative consequences will materialize in how you show up as a mom, wife, business woman, friend etc… Allow yourself to have quiet time, ample opportunities to rest, and sleep well. Make sure that you are eating healthy and exercising regularly. I highly recommend meal-planning in order to ensure that you (and your family) are getting all the variety and nutritions on a weekly basis, not to mention it takes away from the mental stress of having to constantly think about what you are going to eat.
I truly hope that implementing these tips will make your life more manageable and enjoyable. Yes, at times the laundry might pile up and you may not have brushed your hair in a few days, but don’t sweat the small stuff. Lead with grace and find comfort in the fact that you are strong and courageous enough to pursue your dreams while being a mom.
At the end of the day, what you will cherish the most, and what you can never get back, is the precious time with your loved ones. And as a last note, don’t forget to photograph the everyday “mundane” moments (not just the highlights). These are what true memories are made of.
Note: What I have written here is also applicable to dads and parents/gaurdians, but as a mom, I am just writing from my own perspective. Additionally, I did not mention options like daycare, babysitters etc… because, it is not an option available to everybody. Even neighbouring countries like Germany and Switzerland have completely different approaches to maternity/paternity leave and the cost/availability of child-care, let alone considering other countries around the world.
Cheering you on,
Aida
MY WEDDING SEASON – THE PODCAST
BUILD A THRIVING BRAND & BUSINESS
Welcome to “My Wedding Season – The Podcast”, I am your host, Aida Glowik!
This podcast is for wedding photographers who are eager to build a brand that consistently attracts their ideal clients, eliminates the need to compete on price, and establishes lasting credibility in the industry. It is a sweet mix of solo shows and guest interviews.
I can’t wait for you to hear from so many inspirational people from around the world! I am excited to have conversations with a number of talented photographers & industry professionals.
Are you in? Get ready to take some notes…
Are you struggling to stand out in the crowded world of wedding photography? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the truth about branding and breaking down the misconceptions that might be keeping you from reaching your full potential. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to elevate your business, this episode will give you actionable insights to build a brand that truly works for you. Don’t miss it—your dream photography business is closer than you think!
Connect with Aida Glowik:
Instagram: @aidaglowik YouTube: @AidaGlowik Podcast: My Wedding Season – The Podcast 1:1 Mentoring Sessions: Book More Weddings in 2025 Book a Website & Portfolio Review
MY WEDDING SEASON PLANNER 2022 // DIGITAL PLANNER
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My Wedding Season Planner is custom-designed to help overwhelmed wedding photographers who are feeling stressed out because they are struggling to stay organised, keep track of their client work and reach their goals.
This 2022 version of the planner is going to be made available to you for FREE as a pdf download!
For more details about the planner: www.wedding-photography-podcast.com/planner
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AIDA GLOWIK
PHOTOGRAPHER & PODCASTER
I specialise in European intimate weddings & elopements.
I provide overwhelem wedding photographers with the inspiration, tools and resources needed to build a thriving brand and business.
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FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the challenges that come along with building a wedding photography brand and running a business, you are not alone!
The good news is, there is no need to stay stuck any longer! I can help you gain clarity and assist you in creating an action plan to achieve your goal.
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