Motherhood, Creativity, and the return from Maternity Leave

Kelsey Schwartz
Jun 17
3 min read

Me (post baby) deliriously brave, creatively reckless, and ready for anything.

My goodness. Where to begin.

I had a baby in February! She is the biggest joy of my life. They say that having kids is a feeling you can't understand until it happens, and for me that was true. I have felt an increase of love, joy, and hope but also worry, anxiety, and pressure for the future.

Suddenly, I find myself making a compost bin because waste feels more heavy when you have a child who's future planet is at stake XD.

I tend to think big - and for the first few months (let's be real I'm still in the first few months but I'm talking the first 3 months...) I would imagine my daughter's future and all my hopes and dreams for her.

I hope that she knows how loved she is.

I hope that she knows her potential is limitless.

I hope that she knows that she can be brave.

I hope that she knows that she can be optimistic.

I hope that she is creative, vibrant, driven, social, and hopeful. (Like me!) Or logical, silently strong, kind, easy-going, and attentive like her father.

I know I'll love her no matter what though!

Nothing has encouraged me to be more creative than the creation of life. I suddenly see myself not only as a photographer, but as an artist. I have made the most beautiful creation, my magnum opus as Charlotte says in Charlotte's web ( (I vaguely remember from 5th grade...)

I want my work to be meaningful. I want the jobs I take to have purpose and make the world a little better, by supporting companies with whom I align.

Suddenly, any job that takes me away from my little one is a sacrifice, so if I'm going to make that sacrifice I better darn well make the best of it by doing my BEST WORK and by getting paid in a way that feels worth it.

I always undervalued my work and struggled to set pricing that reflected the quality of my imagery. Not any more. No más, amigos! Sorry for any who this impacts negatively but giving birth showed me that I am stronger than I ever knew and that results in me being brave enough to finally raise my prices.

So.

What does that look like?

I believe very much in transparency, so if you are here reading this far I'll let you know what's up.

I have a goal to make 100k from photography. (I think we all more or less have this dream haha.)

This year. (even though I took off 3 months. Am I crazy? maybe...)

I also have a dream to spend most of my time at home with my sweet baby girl - minus shoot days. I'm willing to go ALL in on shoot days, and the rest of the time I'd like to have a slower paced, more relaxed day in which I can blow bubbles, draw with chalk, and pretend to eat tiny toes.

I think both are possible.

I'm a dreamer, and like I said earlier, I dream big.

Do you think it's possible? Not just for me, but for yourself? What value would you place on more time with your kids? Or your loved ones? Or yourself for that matter? Heck, if you had 2 more free hours in the day how much could you get done? Or how much could you finally relax? Get a pedicure maybe?

If you had increased revenue from increased sales, how would that improve your quality of life and decrease your stress?

Well. If you're reading this far I can promise you - I am committed to getting you images that will reduce your stress. Take a load off, and let a professional handle it. I'll do it faster and better than you ever could. Promise ;) And I say that with love, haha.

Get an estimate today -- I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised ~

Since returning from maternity leave, I have taken on 2 projects. Prior to maternity leave, I was working 8+ jobs a month to get by. Now, I am focusing on fewer projects but ones that I care about deeply and feel passionate about. Or that lead to better opportunities down the line. My focus is on food, lifestyle, and stop-motion animation. My rates range between $2,500-$10,000+

And my work looks like THIS!!! Heck yeah!