I was sitting playing the game 'memory' with my 5 year old, Asha..she kept saying, ' it's your turn mommy..oh sorry' I would say and take my turn. To be honest, I thinking in the back of my mind which client I needed to call, the emails I needed to return and when what I going to find time to edit. I sat there, looking at this sweet little face with this big brown eyes.. 'mommy it's your turn...'
I learned something in that moment.. These times are not going to come again with her..she is going to grow up- finding the balance between my maintain and growing my business and nurturing and raising my girls is so so important...the two loves of my life.
I started to think of how I can balance motherhood with my career as a photographer...When do I take turns giving to each..I began to set up a flexible schedule for myself. Here are somethings that have helped me out...
Schedule: When I am booked for a number of shoots in a row, I create a calender schedule for myself..I print one off the web...www.freeprints.com. I write down on the days that I know I have a full day to or 1/2 evening throughout the week to process/edit pictures This helps layout what I need to do and helps with business timelines as well..
Intregity: This is crucial with my clients, yet crucial with my kids as well. If I am going to say I am going to do something or have something done by a certain time..then I will do it! I will make time in my work calender or take time from watching routine of Trash TV and cookies..
Although that is sanity at times...
Family: I have told myself when those girls get off the bus at 3:18pm...it's their time! This can be hard especially when I feel like I am so close to finishing something. I know I can do a little after they go to bed or look at my schedule again to see where I can fit the time in. I don't want to miss out on the window of opportunity that maybe there to listen, give a hug, or share their day together.. Love these moments.
Dream: I take time every day to think, dream and plan. Sometimes it is in my mind and I try it write it on a sticky notes..and then I put the date on them and then see how they fit into my business plan and goals..It maybe only for 10 minutes a day or maybe longer...It's just making the time for me.
I think I am always going to be evaluating the balance in my life between being a mom and a photographer..yet its a good thing. It forces me to keep my life open and honest for those around me..
Love to hear your thoughts..Talk to you soon! -Les
I hear ya Les. Finding the balance is so my ongoing current delema. I try very hard not to work (edit photos) during the day while my children are awake, but then I find that I get burned out using all my free time working after they go to bed. Plus, the work hangs over me and I just want to get it done, so it can be hard for me to just relax and enjoy my kids. Ella still has another year at home before she goes to kindergarden and I don't want to miss it or regret anything. I can't seem to find any free time for editing other than after the kids go to bed at 8:00 so I have come to the conclusion that I just can't take on very much work until after Ella has started school. Right now I find that all I can handle is one client a week. Also, I find myself slowing down in regards to my own personal picture taking because I just don't want to have the added work of sorting through them all, organizing, and editing.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree with you that you have to set yourself a schedule and stick to it as strickly as possible no matter how badly you just want to get things done, otherwise I think there will just be too much regret. Good idea to start this blog. We can all get tips from each other on how to make it work.
Hey Leslie -
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea you have here! All us busy Moms (who are ever toting our cameras along) likely have one thing in common: we wish we could have more time! More time for our families, more time with God, more time to connect with friends, more time to exercise, and (of course) the cook, clean, and edit pic. I've decided to say that "Life is Full", instead of busy. Our lives are full of wonderful things, and aren't we blessed to share our talents & skill by helping others to capture some of their special moments too?
I must admit, the older that I get, the more selfish I'm becoming of my time. There is only one of me! I don't have time for it all, so pacing myself and "keeping it real" really means that I can't do all that I might want to right now. But, alas, it'll all still likely be there when I may be feeling ready for more. Working 4 days/week & having a family who I LOVE to spend enjoying my every waking minute is "full" but SO much fun! Am I ever thankful to have a hubby who lets me sleep in every Saturday morning; I am completely exhausted by Friday each week, so I savour these sleep-in's. One of the things that I'm starting to do is to go to bed super early (like 8:30 pm) one day mid-week; this really helps to give me a lift.
I must say that I love my work (rec. therapy) and love my hobbies (like photography), but I love my family most! Despite feeling like I'd love to have another 6 hrs in every day, when all is said & done, if all I'm left with are my memories of our days at the park & such, that's okay too. Yet, it brings me SUCH joy to capture these moments! To add an oxymoron to this all, isn't it true that the pictures really do reinforce the memory of the events?
I'm proud of you, Leslie! I'll enjoy checking in with you here. I miss you!!!
:) Cheryl Peters
Hey Les,
ReplyDeleteFinding balance is the story of my life! My business has been kinda of put on the back burner since moving to Kelowna just because it has been so busy with life at home and at Church but I really hope to get to things this coming fall. (If I acually have time with a new baby)=) But having a schedule definaly works good for me.
This was a great idea Les! God bless!