Motherhood, Identity & The Space In Between
It’s been just over a year since my little boy arrived, and I’m finally starting to feel like I’m coming up for air.
The first year of motherhood is a strange, beautiful, exhausting blur—full of tiny moments, sleepless nights, and the constant pressure to “do it all.”
It’s the kind of year that changes you in ways you can’t fully understand until you’re through it.
For me, the biggest adjustment hasn’t been the baby itself—it’s been navigating my identity, my purpose, and what it means to be me now. One day, I was fully myself—working, creating, dreaming—and the next, my world revolved around feeding schedules, nappies, and trying to keep my own life from disappearing completely. That shift hits harder than anyone tells you. You suddenly have this tiny human who depends on you, and your own sense of self can feel like it’s been put on pause.
Photography has always been a way for me to find myself in times when I felt lost, and the past year has been no exception. Pausing to pick up my camera—whether capturing other women in business, families, maternity, or newborn sessions—has reminded me that my creativity, my perspective, and my story are still very much alive. And while I’m still finding my own way, I’m planning my first solo photoshoot in over a year. I’m not ready just yet, but soon I’ll set myself up to explore the person I’ve become since having my baby, and I can’t wait to document that next chapter.
Finding your new identity in motherhood doesn’t happen overnight. For me, it’s been about small choices: carving out time to do things that matter to me, reconnecting with my work, and reminding myself that I am more than just a parent. Photography has been a huge part of that—both documenting other people’s lives and my own journey. Taking the time to pause, to create, to notice the little moments, has been a lifeline.
It’s also been about recognizing that your purpose can evolve. The first year of a baby’s life is consuming, but there comes a point when you start looking beyond it—toward your passions, your work, your relationships—and thinking about how to integrate them into your life again. I’m learning to embrace that balance: celebrating motherhood while also carving out space for my own growth, creativity, and sense of self.
Motherhood isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing journey of adaptation, love, and self-discovery. The first year may feel all-consuming, but it’s also a springboard. It teaches you resilience, patience, and the importance of noticing the fleeting moments, whether that’s a baby’s tiny hand or your own first smile after a long day. And as you move forward, you learn to carry those lessons into the next stage of life—for yourself and your family.
One year in, I’m still learning. Some days are messy, some days are magical, and most days are somewhere in between. But I’ve found that taking the time to reflect, to create, and to embrace my new identity makes all the difference. Motherhood changes you, but it doesn’t erase you—it just gives you a new lens through which to see the world, and yourself.
If you’re in this season too — somewhere between who you were and who you’re becoming — just know you’re not behind. You’re not lost. You’re adjusting. Growing. Evolving.
And if you ever feel ready to pause and document this chapter — not just your children, but you — I’d love to hold that space for you. Whether it’s motherhood, family, or a quiet solo session when the time feels right, it doesn’t have to be about perfection. It can simply be about honouring who you are right now.
There’s no rush. Just an open invitation when you’re ready.
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