The Art Of Balancing It All

Maybe you’re a mom, an aspiring photographer, or someone navigating between parenthood and creativity. Or, maybe you’re just curious about how one person can juggle work and family life. Either way, today I wanted to share my story with you.

The Time Before Motherhood

Before motherhood, life was… different. The days were less about balancing and more about creating, exploring, and chasing every opportunity that came my way. My work was everything to me, and the idea of stepping away from it to fully focus on another human being was honestly terrifying. Would I still have work after my maternity leave? Would people want to hire me if they knew I was pregnant? How could I find time to be creative after the baby was here? And so on... My mind was racing with questions. If you're going through something similar, I can happily tell you that I was worried for the wrong reasons. My work was going to be fine; it was everything else that was about to change.

If my son has taught me anything, it’s that nothing will go like I assume.

Before I was pregnant, or even thinking about starting a family, there was a sense of freedom that I can’t quite put into words—an unhurried pace where I could wake up when I wanted, go to work when I needed, and focus solely on my career and the relationships I had in my life. Back then, my weeks were packed with photoshoots, meetings, date nights, and a lot of spontaneous moments. I’ve always loved adventures—even if it’s just to the local restaurant with my husband! Life felt like complete freedom. My schedule was mine to decide, and I often used that flexibility to grab lunch with friends or spend a quiet afternoon at the local art gallery. And I have to admit, I miss that freedom now—not all the time, but often! I mean, who wouldn't right?

But amidst all of that, I always knew I wanted to be a mum one day. The funny thing is, before B came along, I had no real idea how much of a shift that would bring. I didn’t fully comprehend that the delicate balance I had then—the balance of a career and an unpredictable but mostly manageable life—would soon look like a beautiful chaos of raising a child and changing the way I felt about my business. Could this baby really change me?

The Art of Balancing It All

First things first—motherhood is a full-time job in itself, but after a while, you start figuring things out. It’s almost like everything falls into its own place—even the child. And now, I can't imagine life without B!

Does life feel chaotic at times? Absolutely. Are we always on the move, juggling tasks, and trying to keep up? Without a doubt. But you know what? It’s worth it.

Can we really have it all—a successful career and a fulfilling family life? I believe we can, but it takes a different level of commitment and hard work that goes beyond what someone without kids might experience. Time and energy will become your biggest challenge.That’s my experience. Some days, it feels like I’m running two businesses—one at home and one at work—but here’s the thing: once you start finding a sense of "normal," when your baby is happy, your business is doing well, and your marriage is strong, there’s something incredibly empowering about it. Since becoming a mum, I have never felt so empowered and proud to be a woman. It’s a reminder that you’re living your life to the fullest, juggling it all and making it work!

Managing both my personal and work life became so much easier once B started nursery four days a week. It felt like I was getting a bit of my life back—time to focus, get things done, and reclaim some of the creative space I’d lost. But, of course, with that came a mix of emotions—you can't have one without the other.

What I love most now is the balance. I get to dive into my work, be creative, and pursue my passions—but when B comes home, it’s all about family. When you love your job, it doesn’t drain you; it energizes you. My work allows me to be the best mom I can be for our little boy. When I’m with him outside of work, I can be fully present, and that’s what matters most to me now. Before, work was everything, but now family comes first, and work comes second.

From London to Brighton, from Brighton to Worthing

We’ve done what many parents eventually do: left the city life behind and moved to the suburbs. I won’t lie, I do miss London and Brighton from time to time. But, we made the move for safety and house prices, which made sense for us. I still love the culture, the energy, and the non-stop buzz of London—there’s nothing quite like it. But something definitely shifted in me after B was born. Maybe it’s just part of growing up? I miss the freedom and excitement of my 20s in London, but I’m not sure it would ever feel the same again. We joke about moving back to Islington when we retire—my husband with his season ticket to Arsenal, and me diving into my art. Who knows, a girl can dream, right?

What I’ve Learned in the Last Two Years:

Being a mama and a professional photographer is tough at times, but I feel incredibly lucky to have the flexibility that comes with freelancing—not all mums have that. I’m beyond grateful to have the two best jobs in the world. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

Flexibility Is Key: My days are often unpredictable. As a mum, I can’t always plan the “perfect” day—sometimes a sick kid or last-minute client request will throw things off. And that’s okay. Remember to be kind to yourself; you're doing the best you can!

Newborn/Baby Stage Doesn't Last Forever: The first few months were really hard. I battled with Postnatal Depression and at times I felt like the lows were gonna stick around, but nothing lasts forever. Not the highs or lows of parenthood. Kids grow up so fast!

Finding Time for Myself: Self-care might sound cliché, but it’s absolutely necessary. Whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, a walk through the neighbourhood, or a few minutes of reading, I need to find those moments of stillness to be able to create art. Creatives need time to do nothing!

I Can’t Do Everything: Whether it’s replying to emails, cleaning the house, nurturing relationships, or anything in between, I’ve learned to remind myself that I can’t do everything at once. Since becoming a mom, I’ve come to value my time more than ever. Setting clear expectations and boundaries with my work and social media has been key to maintaining a healthier work-life balance. It’s all about prioritising what matters most!

Quality Over Quantity: With a busy schedule, time with my family is often limited. But I’ve learned to make the most of it. We focus on quality time, whether that’s a quick visit to the park or a movie night at home. The little moments matter the most.

Find Your People: I can't hype this enough! I don't know what I would have done without my husband or mum friends last year. Find your peeps!

Celebrate the Small Wins: Whether it's finishing a creative project or hearing a new word. Life can be chaotic, but the small wins make all the hard work worth it—celebrate them whenever you can.

I know I’m not alone in this. I’m here to share my experiences, but I would love to hear your story if you're willing to share it with me.

Whether you're a mama trying to figure things out or a creative looking for tips on food photography, I hope this can be a space where we can connect with each other—a creative community, if you like. We’re all figuring life out, and sometimes it helps to know that someone else is in the same boat.

Thanks for taking the time to read. Until next time, my friend.

Jenni x