Being a Full-Time Stay-at-Home Mom AND a Full-Time Photographer

If you’ve ever caught me at a wedding or photo session, chances are another mom has pulled me aside and asked:

“Okay… seriously, how do you do it all?”

And every time I laugh a little — because the truth is, I don’t.
Not alone, anyway.

Like many others in the wedding industry I have to balance both worlds. I’m a full-time stay-at-home mom to two little ones, and I’m also a full-time wedding + family photographer serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Both roles demand my whole heart, a lot of energy, and more flexibility than I ever imagined. And some days? They collide in ways that feel beautifully chaotic. Both rolls require a lot of planning... A LOT of planning!

Life Behind the Scenes:
Motherhood Meets Photography

During the week, I’m home with my kids — early mornings, messes, snacks, school drop-off, navigating naps, potty training, empathizing big emotions… tiny humans who need me for EVERYTHING! On weekends, I’m photographing weddings across Northeast Ohio: ceremonies, timelines, packed dance floors, emotional toasts, and families celebrating once-in-a-lifetime milestones together. Though both worlds are rewarding in many ways, it can often be very overstimulating at times.

Summer (and Fall) is typically the busiest season in this industry, which also means our families kind of hate us. (Lovingly.) Weddings happen on weekends (and often get booked and contracted 12-18 months in advance) — which means we miss a lot of personal life events. Birthday parties. Cookouts. Trips. Beach days. The kind of summer memories most people take for granted.

This career is beautiful, but it comes with sacrifice — especially when you’re raising a family at the same time. While everyone else is relaxing; I’m loading gear, driving to venues (sometimes multiple locations in a day), and giving my full energy to someone else’s once-in-a-lifetime day.

It’s a sacrifice we don’t talk about enough in the wedding industry.

The Support System Is What Makes It Possible!

I would not be able to do this — truly — without my partner and my family. My fiancé and I have been together for 10 years, and his support is the backbone of my business and our family. From solo parenting on wedding weekends to late nights, early mornings, and everything in between, this life only works because we work as a team.

Our families (especially my Mom and Grandma) are a HUGE part of that, too. Whether it’s stepping in to help with childcare, understanding when we miss events, or cheering us on from the sidelines — their support allows me to show up fully for my clients and my kids. (#Iloveyoumom)

Yes, I’ve Pumped at Weddings
(and While Photographing Sessions)

Let’s get real for a moment.

I have absolutely used my breast pump at weddings — sometimes while actively photographing. Motherhood doesn’t pause for timelines, and neither does my commitment to my couples.

It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary.

And honestly? It made me stronger, more efficient, and deeply empathetic to other parents trying to balance all the things.

Why Parents Tell Me I’m “Good With Their Kids”

One of the most common things parents say during family sessions is:
“You’re really good with kids.”

And I always smile — because I live it every day.

I’m lighthearted. I try my hardest to be patient. I don’t panic when kids are uncooperative, shy, wild, or completely uninterested in photos. Why? Because I go home to my own wild little ones. I understand short attention spans, big emotions, and the unpredictable chaos that comes with childhood.

Family photography isn’t about perfect behavior — it’s about connection. And being a mom has made me a better family photographer in ways no workshop ever could.

So… How Do I Do It All?

The truth is: some days I don’t.

Some days are messy. Some days are exhausting. Some days I question everything. But I keep showing up — for my couples, and for the families who trust me to document their lives across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, while raising my own little humans at home.

Like I mentioned before, being a stay-at-home mom AND a full-time photographer can be beautifully chaotic.

I do it with support. With flexibility. With grace. And with the understanding that seasons of life don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

And I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

If you’re a mom, a parent, or someone juggling multiple roles — I see you. And if you’re trusting me to photograph your wedding or your family, know that you’re getting someone who truly understands what matters most.

Because I’m living it, too. 💛