For over a year (time flies when you’re having fun!) I’ve been working with Blaire of Second Ave Photography on her photography business. Not only am I a full on fan of Blaire’s fun, natural style of photography, but I absolutely adore her spirit. She has a huge heart and is SO good about capturing the everyday moments she shares with her own family with her camera. Being a momboss can be challenging, so I thought it would be fun for Blaire to give a sneak peek into her day, and I hope it encourages you to spend more time documenting the little moments each day that make life so special!
Day In The Life: December 14, 2016
The busy season is winding down and I am officially on Christmas vacation, so I thought it would be fun to take you through a day in the life of, well, me.
I am, by profession, a family photographer in Northern Virginia. At Second Ave Photography, I specialize in newborns, children, and breastfeeding portraits. All of my sessions are done in a lifestyle manner, meaning I don’t pose my clients but offer a little more direction than purely documentary. This is because I am chatty and a little bossy (ha!) but also like to step back and quietly observe the beautiful moments that make my clients who they are.
By all other accounts, I am your typical stay at home mom. I have two daughters and I like to stay active – in all of my free time, I foster tiny kittens for our local Humane Society, I am involved in both of my girls’ schools, I believe deeply in volunteerism, and I work out.
One of the hardest things for me has been to learn how to balance my work life with my home life. Because for me, they very much overlap. I think that working out of what is essentially my kitchen adds a special layer of difficulty. There isn’t a door I can close so I can concentrate; because I’m right in the middle of everything, hiring a sitter wouldn’t help and would in fact add yet another layer of guilty (“But why can’t mom…”). So I am learning balance. I am, first and foremost, a mom. My primary job in this world is to raise happy and healthy girls who will become strong women someday. Remembering this has become my mantra, because truth be told, when you are a boss lady you set your own hours and pace. I am one person and can’t be in more than one place at a time, physically or emotionally. If I want to give everything my best, I have to compartmentalize. Mommy time now because my kids need me, photographer time later because my work needs me.
Today was a quiet day. I was up before dawn with my oldest (“Isa”) to get her ready for school. (Before my hubby calls me out on it: he got her up and brought me a cup of coffee. Then I got up and took over.) He drops her off on his way to work. This leaves me a good 30mins or so to drink the aforementioned coffee, have another cup, check emails (ok, Facebook) and putter around the house until my littlest (“A”) gets up. We have breakfast…and second breakfast…and read books.
My sister-in-law came over and we made cookies for A’s class Christmas party tomorrow.
Then it was lunch time and after that it’s quiet time for A with our cat, Molly. Today they picked my bed, but other days they stay in A’s room. It’s seriously adorable. She gets to read books and play games on her kindle for a solid 60 minutes, and I use that time to catch up on email, blogging, or editing. I try really hard not to work when I am to be present with my kids.
This brings us to 2:35pm, and Isa will be home from school soon. A and I walk down to the bus stop. Waiting is the hardest part for us both.
But she is finally here and we have a big surprise – we are going to see Santa at the mall and then go to ZooLights, one of our favorite annual traditions!
ZooLights is when the National Zoo in Washington DC gets all decked out in lights and plays Christmas music throughout. It’s gorgeous and magical and really makes it feel like the holiday season is here. My husband meets us and we spend over an hour there, dancing and enjoying the decorations, riding the carousel and the big slides, talking and enjoying our togetherness.
We stop for dinner on our way back, and then it’s time to get ready for bed as soon as we’re home. But first, a quick book. It’s late, and it’s a school night, but tonight was about making memories.
Want to see more of Blaire’s amazing work? Check out Second Ave Photography on Facebook, on Instagram, and on her website!
Are you a momboss trying to find that balance between your business and your family? What is your biggest struggle? What tips do you have for other moms trying to manage it all?! Shout out your stories in the comments!
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Hey girl, hey! I'm Kim.
I'm a business coach determined to help female entrepreneurs run successful, profitable businesses that are not only stress-free, but fun. I'm passionate about finding ways to work smarter, not harder, so that I can spend time with her stud muffin and spunky, kind hearted daughters. I am a self-proclaimed organizational queen that is couldn't live without Lip Smackers chap stick, fresh flowers or dark chocolate. Real Simple Magazine is my guide to navigating life. My true obsession lies in branding; I am every business owners biggest cheerleader!
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