You guys, I’ve applied for a muggle job. It’s CRAZY. Kind of landed in my lap and started a whole soul searching and job searching push to see if this is really something I can do. Not that I don’t think I could, it’s more of a logistical thing as a working mom. Pre-covid if you wanted to work remotely it was all gig work. Which was fine. I cobbled together a fair amount of graphic design work and writing in addition to my photography business with some studio art on top for fun to make a nice little part-time salary for myself and my family.
Pre-covid I had an elementary schooler and a middle schooler and a husband who worked full time outside the home in an office far far away. We were navigating some anxiety issues with the little one and the big one was discovering swimming year round really made her happy. Working full time not-at-home was just not possible. I not only wouldn’t be able to take kids to therapy or school activities or swim practice, we’d have to pay for aftercare and summer camps and all that. Better to keep working in the gig economy for less since over all we’d probably be coming up even. As hectic as it has been the past 12 years (and dear god we will not even get into all the *fun* challenges of covid parenting here), I’m glad for the opportunities I’ve been able to give my kids by being an at-home parent, even a crazy busy one.
One of those silver linings that’s come out of covid is hybrid jobs with flexibility. Ho. Ly. Cow. Add in the realization that my kids are now a rising 7th grader with a housekey and a senior who drives, and suddenly: working full time when the position allows for flexibility seems doable. Like this job that fell into my lap via a friend – it requires two days a week in the office, and the office is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away. And when they say, “two days,” it could be two eight hour days. Or four mornings. Or three six hour days between school drop off and pick up. Currently when I’m in a busy season I’m already squeezing in 40 hours a week of work easy, if not more when you count weekend shoots and all. It would allow me to do a swim practice run (and get work done in the coffee shop while I wait even) or hit up a field hockey game. It allows me to not fill every weekend in the fall with photography and actually enjoy the season again. So even if this position doesn’t pan out, I’m going to be looking more. It’s time.
What that does mean is that my photography will be cut back BIG time. But that’s not a bad thing. I will work for family, friends, and long time clients. The occasional event if it gets me really excited. Probably make an exception for new babies as I’m a sucker. But that’s it. No schools, no teams (except our swim team because I don’t trust anyone else, haha), no big events, no new clients. Take things back to photography with and for people I love and look forward to seeing every year. And this year there’s going to be a slew of senior portraits to do as my kid and her friends are going to be graduating and I CANNOT WAIT to do those. Most of the hustle will be eliminated and I can focus on the art of portraiture and that brings me joy. But no changes as of yet, I’m just mentally preparing how I’d do it when it’s time. Stay tuned!