It is crazy how much your world will change when you welcome a little in the world, but we obviously are not the first ones to do it in this world which is why I think a community of women who are also moms is so crucial to help you along the way, especially when you're a first time mom.
So that's where we are at right now, but I want to back up to the summer of 2022, before we became pregnant or even started to try for a baby.
I was looking at my schedule for the next few months with fall mini sessions coming up, a wedding every weekend, and a bit of traveling, from Chicago to Rhode Island. It was extremely exciting, but also a bit stressful- like, when am I ever going to have time to literally sit on my bum in my favorite chair drinking a cup of coffee and read my book? OR have the time to go to an apple orchard with Trevor- even briefly to get a cinnamon donut and a hot cider? These have all been things before in the past, but as we had gotten closer to creating a family (and this ole girl was getting closer to 32.. don't run the same way as I did when I was 26, shooting 34 weddings in one summer and still have time to go out dancing- like.. where the hell did that energy go?) I had a real deep reflection of how all of that could happen AND becoming a mom.
Luckily, one of my favorite photographers posted in her Instagram story an "Ask me anything" on one thought-filled day. This photographer, Jean Smith, has been a huge inspiration to me for years. Her photography is so very dreamy, it is documentary and very natural feeling, AND she is a mom to 4 boys. I quickly wrote in her questions box, "How do you juggle being a mom and a full-time wedding photographer?"
Anxious for her reply, I knew her words were the thing I would need to hear to set myself up for the next chapter to make sure I wouldn't be stretching myself too thin, and could ease into parenthood. *I just want to touch on something here. I know I am not doing it alone, and I am so grateful for my hubs, Trevor and grateful for how much he helps around the house already, especially on wedding days- making sure I am fed, and when I get home giving me space to decompress from a high energy and emotion day. I know I am lucky to have someone to do this with, AND as a business owner, the weight of my work is is how It Clicks runs- on my ideas and creativity to strive.* ... *also quick shout out to the single mommas, especially the ones who also run their own business(es). You are a real-life super woman x1000 and I am humbled and honored to know you! Keep shining bright!!!*
Okay so back to it- Jean replied to my question with some really great advice. It went something along the lines of this;
"Being a mom and a full-time photographer was tough in the beginning because I had to learn the hard way there are days that need to be specifically for family, and specifically for business. For me, those days are on Sundays. When the clock hits a certain time each weekday, I shift completely from work mode to mom mode, and am fully present."
This piece advice is invaluable, and totally the advice I had to hear to move forward with new pricing, scheduling, and booking for 2023 and beyond.
Since getting that message, I have meditated and journaled often about the direction of It Clicks, and how I can keep it going even on the tough days. The things that came out of those sessions are groundbreaking, and there have been times when I have had "downloads" (as I like to call them) from higher up while I am sleeping that jolts me awake and gets my brain turning a hampster on a wheel. I will literally brain dump those thoughts at night on paper in a rampaged way so I can get back to sleep- because we allllll know we think we will remember the next day only to wake up and be like "Dang it!! I was onto something!!"
As we welcome in 2025, I am reminded that the past month was a time for family, making the holiday magical and special for us all, and naturally a slower time on this planet. I am excited, yet nervous to see what the new year will bring as we brought on two new members to It Clicks in 2024- Dominic to help me with editing when we are in the middle of Wedding Season and getting flooded in the editing room- he keeps us on track for editing deliveries! AND Brittany on our socials delivering our recent shoots to your feed- there has been mannnyyyy shoots that haven't had the proper spotlight they deserve, and she's crushing it making sure everyone's story gets a little light. <3 Having their support gives me the room to keep taking on shoots even when we are busting ass, and it gives me the extra time I want and need to spend with our daughter, Flora. The old saying "It takes a village" means a lot to me now-a-days with more than just being a parent. That saying now resonates with me for It Clicks and keeping everything running smoothly, on time, and over the expectation.
Here's how I knew what processes I needed help with in my business (brought to you by Lindsey Schwartz and her podcast "Powerhouse Women."
In an episode, she mentioned scaling your business and how it can be done. She recommends making a list of allllll the things you do in a day- anything from grocery shopping and picking up the kids from school to writing blogs (heyyyyy) and actually doing the thing you do- like for me, showing up to photo shoots and snapping the photos.
From there, sort the list into 4 categories: Things you are good at and like to do, Things you are good at but don't like, Things you are bad at but like to do, and things you are bad at and don't like. Lindsey also mentions that there are going to be some things on that list that are non-negotiable, like picking up the kids. That is something you just have to do, however other things like grocery shopping- that is something you can find a service to do for you, like Shipt or Instacart, or if you don't want to pay for a service (like me), check out your local grocery store and see if they have a curbside pickup. For myself, we use Kroger Curbside. It doesn't cost anything extra, you can schedule when to pick-up and it is seamless. It's seriously saved so much time.
OKAY SO BACK TO THE LIST- From the categories, the things you don't like to do are the first to go no matter if you're good at them or not. Find someone who is great at it, and bring them on board to help you. If there are things you are bad at but love, find a class to get better at it and learn how to get to the level you want to be at!
From there, take a look back at the things you're good at and love. It should be a list that makes you feel empowered and overall excited! If there are things you are good at and like AND they take so much time, look at them and see if there is an opportunity to get support when needed. For me, this was editing. I love to edit and polish the photos, but sometimes we're backlogged and I need an extra set of hands to help get us back to speed and ensure we don't miss any due dates.
That's it. I know it sounds simple- almost like a "yeah, wishful thinking" and seriously the plunge into it is scary but that's because you're probably like me, and letting go of work that has kept you busy for YEARS seems... almost like you're working backwards- It seems like it would be a big breath of fresh air from the second the torch was passed- which from experience it is- but it also very much so was a panic episode for me of "I'm not doing enough" oufff-- a big pill to swallow. But that's part of the internal work, right? Not just the work of expansion in the biz, but also personal expansion, limiting beliefs and rewriting stories that have been told through the years (I.E. "If you're not working, you're being lazy" or "The grind is the only way you're going to make it") If you're a business owner you KNOW. However-- freeing up your space from the things that bring your vibe down will help you running at a high capacity and keep you doing the things you love! PLUS it sends out a signal to the Universe of the energy you want to receive and how you want your career to feel.
To wrap this big ole' blog. up- a few simple requests as we go into 2025 from a fairly newish mom who has a passion and is doing the work of creating space for MORE. Continue to connect me to other working moms who have the juggle, can offer advice and friendship, and a deep understanding. Please keep putting creative projects and shoots on my path- whether that is through commercial, Lifestyle or Wedding work, projects around the house, or getting that Garden going. Keep helping me work on the balance, and keeping my boundary of Sunday=Fam day. Please keep me present for all the moments, big and small in mom life and business life. Send us abundance, trust, love and art- all of this or something better!
XOXO,
Erika
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