Posted by Jana Ferreira Tips for Surviving as a Photographer Mom & 11 Inspiring Examples
Being a photographer mom is like trying to solve a Rubik's cube while riding a unicycle. It takes a lot of skill, patience, and dedication to get all the pieces in the right place without falling down.
But when you finally get it right, you feel like a total boss (for a while, because let’s face it, this feeling doesn’t always last for too long).
You're in the middle of editing a dreamy golden hour session, and BAM! Your little Picasso has decided the living room wall needs a mural.
With children requiring – and deserving – your attention and the demands of running a photography business, it can be overwhelming to juggle both responsibilities.
This article is your virtual high-five. We're revisiting these tried-and-true tips for surviving (and dare we say, thriving) as a working photographer mom in 2025.
Plus, we're bringing you the inspiring real talk from 11 incredible photographer moms and Aftershoot Ambassadors who are total bosses in both their studios and their homes.
Let's dive in and make being supermama shutterbug a little more manageable, and as always, really rewarding!
1. Establish boundaries (with a Do Not Disturb sign!)
Okay, in 2025, the lines between "work life" and "real life" can get blurrier than a lens without autofocus. That's why setting boundaries is your superpower. Think specific work hours that are actually… well, specific.
Communicate these to your amazing (and sometimes boundary-testing) family. Maybe your shooting schedule syncs with naptime or school hours. And those glorious breaks?
Let your clients know your availability upfront. Being crystal clear prevents those "urgent" 9 PM emails when you're trying to have a family movie night. And hey, life happens!
If a kiddo has a surprise school play or a genuine emergency, it's okay to reschedule. Your clients are humans too (mostly!), and they'll appreciate your honesty and professionalism.
Bonus tip: Consider setting "digital boundaries" – like designated times to check emails and social media, so your phone doesn't become a 24/7 work portal.
2. Prioritize and delegate (you're not a one-person circus)
Being a mom and a photographer are two FULL-TIME gigs! It can be challenging to balance your responsibilities as a career woman and a mom. Working smarter is not optional.
Prioritize those tasks that only you can do. For everything else? Delegate! This could be anything from wrangling receipts to scheduling appointments.
And speaking of delegation in the photo world… why spend hours wrestling with editing when you've got Aftershoot? Seriously, our AI wizards have been cooking up even more time-saving magic in 2025.
Let that intelligent software handle the heavy lifting of culling and editing while you focus on the creative heart of your business (and maybe sneak in a moment of peace). You can also explore virtual assistants who specialize in social media or other time-consuming tasks.
Your time is precious – invest it wisely!
Speaking of investments, just dropping a link to this super-helpful resource should you need it: A Complete Guide to Taxes for Photographers
3. Become a productivity ninja with workflow hacks
List down all the time and work intensive parts of your post photography workflow. We bet you're coming out with the usual suspects. And they need to be automated!
Consider investing in photography software that automates processes such as culling, editing, and proofing gallery or online store design.
We've already raved about Aftershoot (because it's that good!), saving photographers hundreds of hours annually with its AI-powered culling and editing software. Hear it from Sondra -
Best of all, Aftershoot works offline, so you can run the photo selection or editing functions while waiting in the car to pick the kids up at school.
Besides using AI-powered culling and editing software, there are some great business management tools on the market too.
Studio Ninja is the world’s highest-rated photography business app that will help simplify your administrative workflow. We’ve partnered with them to bring you an exclusive offer!
New subscribers can now get a 30% discount on any Studio Ninja subscription by using the code AFTERSHOOT30 at checkout.
Streamlining your workflow means more time for family, more time for creativity, and less time feeling like you're drowning in details.
Suggested read: Photo Editing Workflow: Integrating AI Tools for Faster, Smarter Edits
4. Be present, Mama!
When you're with your amazing family, be with them. With our brains constantly buzzing with notifications, this takes conscious effort - am I right or am I right?
Power down the phone, close the laptop, and soak in those precious moments. Turn off those distracting notifications and carve out dedicated family time that's a tech-free zone.
Remember, those little humans grow up in the blink of an eye, and those genuine connections are the real magic.
5. Practice self-care
How often are you at that point where you're running on nothing but fumes and perhaps more coffee?
In 2025, let's make self-care a non-negotiable. It doesn't have to be a fancy spa day (though, wouldn't that be glorious?). It's about those small moments that recharge your soul.
Maybe it's a quick guided meditation app session, a 15-minute walk in the sunshine, or simply savoring a hot cup of tea without interruption. Taking care of you makes you a better mom, a better photographer, and a happier human.
And hey, while Aftershoot is doing its thing, that's a perfect excuse for a little you-time!
Justin and Harshit, the co-founders of Aftershoot wrote a special piece we thought you mind find very insightful.
Give it a read - How AI Transforms Your Life as a Photographer & Beyond: Insights from Our Founders
Inspiring stories from 11 photographer moms
Being a photographer mom in 2025 is a beautiful, challenging, and utterly rewarding adventure. Remember these essentials: set those boundaries like a pro, delegate tasks like a Jedi, hack your workflow with awesome tools (Aftershoot and Studio Ninja, we see you!), be truly present with your family, and fiercely protect your self-care time.
We've collected some beautiful stories from photographer moms we believe deserve all the love and attention, and thought you'd enjoy reading. Let's go!
Maria Del Valle Presser
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Below is a photograph of Maria Del Valle Presser and her daughters, followed by examples of her beautiful work.
My daughters are my inspiration, my motivators, and the ones who push me to be the best version of myself.
I want them to learn that women are powerful and capable of achieving our dreams.
The challenges I have faced as a woman photographer I believe are quite common to other professions and are not limited to photography. Many of them are related to being a mother.
Starting a family is a choice I have made very consciously, however, I believe that one is not really prepared for all that it entails and one learns by doing it.
The first years of motherhood are hard for us because although we have a wonderful partner – as in my case – we are the ones who must carry out the pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, and breastfeeding.
There are many physical and emotional changes in a short period of time. Many of us have to deal with fatigue and an overload of tasks.
Sometimes it is not easy to achieve a balance between having a successful career and a happy family. Guilt is a feeling experienced all too often.
Katrina Cross
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Below is a photograph of Katrina Cross and her children, followed by examples of her vibrant work.
As a teenage mother, I faced many challenges and obstacles on my journey of motherhood. But today, I couldn't be prouder of the amazing adults my children have become.
Watching them grow up and become positive, influential people in their industries has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
I am also very proud of the person I have become. As a teen mom and mother of three, I never would have imagined I would be the wedding and boudoir photographer I am today.
Photography has truly changed my life and opened doors that allowed me to walk away in 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, from my corporate 9-5.
Being a full-time photographer, I learned how important it is to have systems and automation in place.
Adding Aftershoot to my workflow has truly been a game changer for my business, giving me hours of my day back. I can’t thank Aftershoot enough, and love being a part of the team.
As a mother, I always wanted the best for my children, and it's truly amazing to see them achieving their goals and making a difference in the world.
From the long days and sleepless nights of their childhood to the ups and downs of their teenage years, to the challenges they faced as young adults, I have always been there to support and encourage them.
Now, as they embark on new adventures and challenges, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the amazing people they have become. They inspire me every day.
Being a mother has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I am so grateful for the love and joy that my children have brought into my life.
To my wonderful children, thank you for making me the proudest mother in the world. I love you more than words could ever express.
Sondra LaRay Miltenberger
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Below is a photograph of Sondra LaRay Miltenberger and her kids, followed by examples of her gorgeous work.
I want to just start by saying thank you to Aftershoot.
I'm a mom of three crazy, chaotic, sweet, and loving kiddos. We go outside and ride four-wheelers, go-karts, play make-believe, and so much more.
The amount of time that I have gotten back to spend with my kids while Aftershoot culls and now edits my photos, I will forever be grateful.
I hit a button and can fully trust Aftershoot and walk away and make dinner or play with my kids, and let me tell you, that is a game-changer!
LaJune King
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Below is a photograph of LaJune King and her two little ones, followed by examples of her striking work.
I don't have to miss my babies’ milestones. Aftershoot has helped me as a mommy in business in so many ways.
It used to take me hours – up to a day – to cull the right images, especially during the mini-session season.
Sadly, sometimes I'd sacrifice a game or performance to meet my client's expectations. Aftershoot actually meets my expectation with boundaries plus allowing me to get my time back with my family.
I don't have to miss many milestones from culling anymore. Nothing beats a 2 minute culling like Aftershoot does.
Maydeline Ines Rivera
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Below is a photograph of Maydeline Ines Rivera and her daughter, followed by examples of her stunning work.
Being a mom and a photographer is the best thing that ever happened to me.
It has helped me teach my daughter the value of dedicating herself to her passion.
That value is not only in the money we can earn. The most significant value is in the time I can dedicate to her.
Angela Nelson
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Below is a photograph of Angela Nelson and her children, followed by examples of her wonderful work.
The most important job I'll ever have is being a mom.
So having more time I can free up to be with my girls is always the aim.
Thanks to Aftershoot I'm able to add hours of time back to my week to spend time with what matters the most.
Michelle Sheehy-Black
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Below is a photograph of Michelle Sheehy-Black and her kids, followed by examples of her fantastic work.
I'm lucky that our photography business AIBP has allowed me to be present with my kids.
For years I worked in a corporate setting where my schedule was dictated by someone else. I felt like I was missing out on time and the most important people in my life.
The photography business that my husband and I have worked hard to grow has allowed us to dictate a schedule that works for our family.
As much as I love our business, raising these two little humans is the best job ever and I'm so fortunate to be present for them.
Being mainly in the boudoir genre has also been a blessing thus far. It has made it easy to teach my children about what it means to be beautiful. It has eased the conversation about self-awareness and self-worth.
Catalina Avila
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Below is a photograph of Catalina Avila and her sons, followed by examples of her marvelous work.
I was named among the 50 best portrait photographers in the world, I have been an official Nikon influencer for Latin America for several years, and I have trained more than 5,000 photographers around the world.
But success is not success if it takes you away from the people you love. That's why I love Aftershoot.
It allows me to have more quality time with the ones I love the most!
Meredith Ryncarz
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Below is a photo of Meredith Ryncarz and her children, followed by examples of her wedding photography work.
Being a mom isn't always easy and when you throw in being a business owner as well, things can get pretty chaotic.
Anything that I can do to speed up my tasks for work is a big deal to me. It allows me more time to spend with my family and not be stressed when I close the office door at the end of the day.
Aftershoot has given me back more time with my family and I love that!
Sophia Barrett
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Below is a photo of Sophia Barrett and her daughter, followed by examples of her inspiring work.
The beauty – and importance – of motherhood is something our studio is proud to celebrate and prioritize.
I feel blessed to do this for a living while I experience the joys of watching my beautiful daughter grow before my eyes!
While I love my job, I value practices and systems that help me spend more quality time with her and Aftershoot answers that need in spades.
Aftershoot allows me to focus on the art and saves me time on the backend. The precious hours I save I get to spend with my husband and daughter! What’s more important than that?
Yakaly Di Roma
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Below is a photo of Yakaly Di Roma and her children, followed by examples of her fantastic work.
As a mother of 3 children, the most important thing for me is to be able to have weekends off to fully enjoy time with my children.
Aftershoot reduces my workflow and allows me to have two days off that I didn't have before, while still being able to deliver a quality product to my clients.
I have gone from doing the culling and editing in 2-3 days to doing it in 3-4 hours total.
To recap
Being a photographer mom can (and will) be challenging, but with these tips and words of inspiration from your fellow boss-lady photographers, you can survive and thrive in both roles.
Establish boundaries, prioritize and delegate tasks, streamline your workflow, be present with your family, and practice self-care.
Take it one amazing day at a time, and know that your hard work and love are making a real difference.
Want more work-life balance tips? Hit that link to keep reading.
You are doing an amazing job juggling both roles, and we know your hard work and dedication will pay off!
