Work From Home Office Essentials | VA for Photographers
I always worked out of my office. I was a USA Club Swim coach for 6 years, so I was literally pacing a pool deck for hours a day. When I pivoting to running my own business I was in desperate need of knowing the work from home office essentials.
Over the years I have “WFH” in many different scenarios. I mean, I’ve had a newborn or been pregnant for most of my entrepreneurial journey. Through my years as a full time photographer, and running The Focus Collective. I have worked next to cribs. I’ve stuck my desk in the corner of my room. I’ve worked exclusively on a laptop, lugging it with me to coffee shops and libraries (or let’s be real, sitting in bed).
Now my kids are a little older, we’ve upgraded to a larger house and I have my own office space. While I’m still working on decorating it (with the help of my sister at Velvet Mosaic!) -
I have a few functional items that have stood the test of time as my work from home office essentials.
While everyone has different things they love, these are the things I have found really make a difference for my comfort in the long hours I spend in my space.
I’m someone who is really impacted by environment, so whether I was crammed into the corner of my bedroom on a little desk, or have a whole office space - I’m gonna make it functional (and fun).
One of the first things I purchased for myself a virtual assistant is the Costco viral standing desk. I think they sell a different version now, but it’s still the same brand. And it was worth every penny! The top is a whiteboard, which comes in handy when I need to jot down a quick note (like remembering a file name while editing photos). And the standing feature is something that helps me stay active for the long computer hours. (Remember, I used to be an athletic coach? This was quite the rude awakening for me! haha)
Sometimes you just need to be able to stand and think. Or stretch your legs. 10/10 recommend this desk!
My only “beef” with it is that sometimes the drawer doesn’t stay closed and will start to pop open. It’s really minor but I wish it latched better! But for all the other features being so good- it’s a blip on the radar!
I love that it has settings where it remembers the different heights for me, so I can press a button and it automatically raises/lowers to my preference.
Along the lines of a standing desk, another WFH must for me is a walking pad!
I got mine about 3 years ago, not sure if I would use it much. Would it be hard to type/edit? Would I actually walk on it? I used it constantly when I first got it, and it was SUCH a nice way to add activity to my day. But once I was pregnant and had SPD, a condition that made it painful to walk (so fun for me), it definitely sat there dusty for longer than I care to admit.
But now I have been using it in the corner of my office. I don’t use as often WHILE I’m working, but I will take breaks and walk on it for a few minutes at a time so I’m not sitting too long.
But I will say, it goes slowly enough that you don’t have issues typing or general editing. However, I would save the fine tune editing to when you’re seated because there is SOME movement obviously
Another work from home Office Essential is having good pens that I love. I’m one of those girlies. I just need to have pens that write well. I keep a notepad near me while I’m working and love a good old fashioned pen+paper to-do list. Yes, I know there are apps, I’ve used them! But I keep going back to pen and paper.
Thus the need for a good pen!
I also like to have a soy candle on my desk while I’m working, for the vibes, obviously. And I am starting my collection of little trinkets that I love. From the ring & jewelry dish I got for a photo shoot prop, to the jade bust from a local rock store I picked up while boutique shopping - I have found that trinkets are a nice way to make an office feel home-y to me. What about you?
