How to balance parenting and a thriving photography business.
October 30th, 2025
Photo credit: Valerie Marie Photography
The reality of juggling parenthood and photography.
Does work/life balance even exist when you’re both a parent and a business owner? This is more than just a job–it’s an all-encompassing pursuit to turn your passion into a career. You’re in a perpetual hustle. Off to the next job, off to the next client meeting…spending hours or days in front of the computer editing. And parenting? Well, it’s only the most important thing that you will ever do. As a mom of four and a small business owner, I often felt like I was falling short of my business goals and not meeting the expectations I had set for myself as a mother and partner to my husband. Talk about overwhelming!
Finally, one day, I had to stop. I had to take a huge step back and really evaluate what I wanted for myself, both professionally and personally. And while I realized I couldn’t do or have it all (who knew, right?), I stumbled upon a few strategies that helped me find a little sanity and manage some kind of balance between being a parent and a photographer.
Actionable time management tips for parent-photographers.
Let’s face it, time management isn’t a skill that comes naturally to most of us. Sure, some of us have a perfectly penned planner adorned with stickers, encouraging quotes, and multicolored tabs, but most of us are more likely to put the “pro” in procrastination. The good news? You don’t need to master time travel to learn simple time management strategies that can help you take control of your busy schedule–and never underestimate the difference a good workflow can make.
Prioritize what matters most.
You have a lot on your plate, and it’s important to recognize that not everything can be a top priority at once. Start by deciding what needs your attention right now versus what can wait.
Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. Tackle the high-impact tasks first: delivering a client gallery on time, attending your child’s soccer game, or making that school pickup. These are the things that matter most and have solid, non-negotiable deadlines.
And remember, it’s okay to delegate, or (gasp) let some things slide. That basket of unfolded laundry can wait while you finish editing or make a quick client call.
Say “no” without guilt.
When it comes to running a business, especially one where every session or wedding booked means more income for your family, it can be difficult to say no to just about every opportunity. But sometimes, not every “yes” serves you.
If you specialize in newborn photography and that’s what brings you joy, it’s okay to turn down the family session someone asked you to do. You don’t want to wake up on the day of the session just dreading it. Your best work comes from a place of joy and fulfillment, not obligation.
Saying “no” doesn’t mean you’re falling short; it means you’re prioritizing what matters most right now, whether that’s a photoshoot or reading bedtime stories and tucking the kids into bed at the end of a long day.
Try time blocking instead of multitasking.
Say what now? Focus on just one task at a time?!
As parents, multitasking is practically our default mode, and most of us take pride in our ability to juggle a ginormous list of responsibilities day after day. But hear me out when I say that time blocking is a total game-changer for time management.
Instead of doing ten things halfway, try dedicating set chunks of time to one task at a time. For example:
- One hour for client emails
- Two hours for editing
- One block for playing outside with the kids
Scheduling time for play or rest may seem unnatural or silly at first, but when you give each task your full attention, both your business and family benefit.
Set realistic expectations.
It can be hard to accept, but as mere mortals, no one can do it all perfectly every single day—and that’s okay. Give yourself permission to set realistic expectations for both your professional and home life.
If a client requests a same-day turnaround on edits but you’ve got a dance recital or soccer game that evening, it’s perfectly okay to set clear boundaries. Let them know up front that their photos will be delivered the next day instead.
At the end of the day, most clients will appreciate your transparency, and your future self will be grateful you protected your time (and sanity).
Pro tip: Create an FAQ page on your portfolio website that answers common questions like image delivery timelines for your service types. Setting expectations from the very beginning will help these client conversations go smoothly.
Creating a family-first work rhythm.
“Work-life balance” sounds great on paper, but let’s be honest—that perfect formula for achieving that balance is more of an idyllic myth than a reality. Some days, work spills into family time. On other days, the family takes the front seat. That’s the norm. What matters most is finding a rhythm that fits your life—you’ll find that you hit a perfectly imperfect equilibrium (most of the time.)
Build consistent routines.
Kids thrive on routines—and honestly, so does your business.
Establish and stick to a daily routine that works for both! Maybe you make client calls during nap time or use those quiet early morning hours for editing while the coffee’s still hot.
Whatever it looks like, having a rhythm helps create a sense of predictability. That structure can reduce stress (and maybe even cut down on a few tantrums—yours or theirs).
Protect quality family time.
You love your photography business—it’s part of who you are. But family time? That’s irreplaceable.
Set aside uninterrupted pockets of time where you’re fully present for your family. Whether it’s a weekend adventure, a movie night, or simply being at the dinner table, these are the real moments that matter most.
Your business will always be there when you get back—but your kids won’t stay little forever.
Finding creative inspiration in everyday parenthood.
What if your photography business and family life weren’t competing priorities, but complementary facets of the same creative story?
Your business helps support your family, and in return, your family can inspire your creativity. You don’t have to meld them together entirely, but fulfillment in one area doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other.
Beyond the obvious (snapping photos of your own kids), think about ways to include them in your creative world. Tween or teen children might enjoy tagging along to a session—holding a reflector, capturing behind-the-scenes video on your phone, or making silly faces to get little ones laughing.
Capture everyday family moments.
Parenting offers a never-ending source of inspiration (or should I say material?)—sometimes beautiful, sometimes chaotic. From morning breakfast-table craziness to lazy summer afternoons, every day offers a story worth capturing. Take photos of your child building a sandcastle, playing in the backyard, or even getting into a little mischief. These ordinary moments, even the messy ones, hold real emotion and authenticity—the kind that keeps your photography fresh, heartfelt, and true to life.
Pro tip: A 365 or 52 day photo project can be the perfect nudge to get creative and capture your everyday moments. If you need some inspiration and accountability, many photographers and online photography communities offer variations with prompts.
Involve your kids in your projects.
Who says your personal and professional worlds need to stay completely separate? As a photographer and a parent, you have the rare opportunity to blend both worlds by:
- Scouting new shoot locations together: Turn a family outing into a little adventure.
- Making them your helpers: Let older kids hold a reflector, snap behind-the-scenes photos, or help with setting up props.
- Turning family time into creative time: Capture candid moments during hikes, beach days, or even at home.
- Brainstorming ideas together: Ask for their input on themes, poses, or creative concepts.
Their fresh perspective might just spark your next great idea—and the bonus? You get to spend more meaningful time together (even if it comes with a little bribery).
Building your community and support system
Connect with other photographer-parents.
If you ever feel like you’re the only one juggling nap times, sports schedules, and client meetings, think again. There’s a whole wide world of us photographer-parents out here facing the same challenges and triumphs.
Connecting with others through local gatherings, online forums, or even social media groups can offer invaluable support, guidance, and a whole lot of empathy. Trust me, most of us can relate to those late-night editing marathons all too well (sometimes it’s the only quiet time we get!).
Share resources and lean on each other.
One of the best parts of being part of a caring, creative community is the resource-sharing that comes along with it. You might:
- Learn a new editing shortcut that saves you precious time
- Discover a workflow tip that helps you stay sane during the busy season
- Swap tricks for managing both client work and family life
And don’t forget, you have wisdom to share, too. Your tried-and-true life hacks might be exactly what another parent-photographer needs to hear.
One place for everything from proofing to selling.
Share and sell your photos directly from mobile-friendly, interactive online galleries designed to impress your clients–and integrated workflows that allow you more time away from your computer.
In reality, you may have all of these tools at your disposal, but some days just don’t go according to plan. Maybe a client cancels at the last possible minute, or your toddler has a full meltdown right before a big shoot. Life happens, and that’s okay.
On those really tough days, lean on your community for help. Vent to a fellow photographer who understands, swap childcare favors with a friend, or ask your partner to handle bedtime duties so you can catch up, or just rest. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it reminds you that you’re not doing this alone.
Grow professionally—even as a busy parent.
Even as a busy working parent, it’s still possible to continue honing photography skills and grow your business. Virtual workshops, online classes, and webinars let you stay on top of industry trends and inspire you to experiment with new techniques—all without stepping outside your home.
Networking is important too! The occasional in-person meetups, virtual events, or welcoming social media groups are great ways to connect with fellow creatives. These opportunities help you build supportive, collaborative relationships that keep your work—and your passion—fresh.
Give yourself grace.
Finding harmony between your business and family life can sometimes feel like you’re fighting a constant battle. But here’s the truth: balance isn’t a picture-perfect state of being. There will be ups and downs, and it’s okay to give yourself a little grace along the way.
When life feels overwhelming, allow yourself to move with the ebbs and flows. Even the messy moments will fall into place eventually. And remember, you’re not alone—Zenfolio is here to help with tools that improve your workflow, giving you more time to do what you love, whether that’s family time or putting in more hours behind the camera.
Did you know that Zenfolio has its own online community? We invite you to join fellow Zenfolio photographers who understand your journey. Connect with others, learn together, and find the support you need. You’re not alone in this—come join us!
