3 Ways to Manage the Mental Load | Virtual Assistant for Photographers
3 Ways to Manage the Mental Load as a Photographer (Especially if You’re a Parent)
Being a photographer is more than showing up with a camera. You're the creative director, the editor, the marketer, the social media manager, the client concierge —and if you're a parent, you're also keeping small humans alive while doing it all. The mental load can get real heavy.
It’s not just about time management—it’s about energy management.
If you're constantly in "go" mode, burnout isn't a matter of if, it's when.
Here are 3 ways to manage the mental load and keep your creativity (and sanity) intact.
1. Have a Schedule (Even If It's Flexible)
As creatives, it’s easy to resist rigid structure—but having a basic routine isn’t about boxing you in. It’s about giving your brain a break from decision fatigue. When you have a general plan for your day or week, you're not constantly spinning in “what should I do next?” mode. Even a flexible schedule helps set expectations, so your brain can focus on creating, not juggling.
If you’re a parent, this is especially key. Align your creative time with your kids’ nap schedules, school hours, or childcare windows. Block time for editing, emails, shoots, and even snacks (because let's be honest, someone’s always hungry). A rhythm to your day—even if it shifts week to week—can help reduce overwhelm and build a sense of calm into your work life.
2. Outsource What You Can
You do not have to do it all. Repeat that. There are so many parts of running a photography business that can be delegated—especially the ones that drain you. Scheduling Instagram posts, managing your inbox, blogging client sessions, sending email newsletters—these can all be outsourced to a virtual assistant for photographers.
Even if you’re not ready to outsource everything, start small. What’s one task that constantly stresses you out or steals your time from clients or family? Handing off that one piece can create more space for the parts of the job you actually love—and more time for your kids and yourself. Maybe it’s house cleaning. Maybe it’s blogging. Maybe it’s grocery shopping.
Remember: your energy is your most valuable asset. Protect it by investing in support.
3. Take (and Plan) Time Off
This one is non-negotiable. Rest is not a luxury—it's part of your job. Creative burnout is real, and the only way to avoid it is to intentionally step away from your work. That means planning time off, just like you would a photoshoot or client meeting.
Add your off-days to your calendar. Make them visible. Plan them around your family’s needs, school breaks, or just days where you know you’ll want a break. And when that time comes, honor it. No sneak peeks, no inbox check-ins. The world won’t end, and your creativity will thank you.
As a parent, you already know how fast time flies. Make sure you’re not missing the moments that matter because you're buried in to-dos.
These are the 3 ways to manage the mental load that I would start with if I was starting a business from scratch.
Because managing the mental load as a photographer—especially a parent—is about intention. Structure helps. Support helps. Rest definitely helps. When you build your business around your life (not the other way around), everything gets lighter.
You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do it your way—and that starts with taking care of you.
