A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Photographer Mom
A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Photographer Mom
Life as a homeschooling photographer with an only child is a little different than most. We spend a lot of our days together—learning, creating, running errands, exploring, and honestly, just figuring things out as we go. It's not always picture-perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
With a new school year beginning, I thought it would be fun to share a glimpse into what a typical day looks like for us. Every day is a little different, but this is our rhythm—and it's one I've grown to love.
☀️ 5:30 AM – Me Time Before the Day Begins
I try to start my mornings with a hot cup of coffee and a solid hour of work. Having that quiet time to get ready for the day, check my calendar, answer emails, and tackle a little admin helps me feel organized and productive before the day really gets going. I always feel so much better when I've gotten a good bit of work under my belt before we shift our focus to homeschooling.
🕖 7:00 AM – Wake Up & Breakfast
My girlie and I ease into the morning together. We chat over breakfast, enjoy a slow start, and sometimes curl up for a cozy read-aloud while we're still in our pajamas. One of my favorite parts of homeschooling an only child is how personal and connected our days feel—our mornings are unhurried and set such a peaceful tone for everything that follows. Afterward, she gets ready for the day, and we transition into our homeschool routine.
📚 8:30 AM – School Time
From 8:30 to 2:30, it’s our dedicated learning block. When it’s just the two of us, our pace is calm but focused. We move through subjects with flexibility, taking breaks when needed and diving deeper into things that spark curiosity. Three to four days a week, my learner takes various classes offered to homeschoolers within our community, and I teach. This gives her a chance to practice collaborating with her peers and experience learning in a small group setting. If I'm not teaching a class, I'm lesson planning for the weeks ahead.
On home days, in between lessons, I may may do some chores or household management tasks. Having just one student means the day flows more like a conversation than a classroom.
📸 Late Afternoon - Transition into Independent Play or Hobbies | Editing & Admin Time
Afternoons often include a mixture of independent play and a dance class or piano lesson. This is also when I transition into photographer mode. This is when I edit or plan content . Afternoons in a one-child household are quiet but rich- we each get time to pursue what we love.
🌙 Evening – Wind Down Time Together
If I have a photography session scheduled, I'll gather my gear and head out—most often for a beautiful golden hour session close to home. On evenings I'm not shooting, we keep things simple with dinner together, followed by a chapter or two from our current read-aloud or a cozy family movie night.
Once my daughter is tucked into bed, I settle back into work mode to finish editing, deliver any remaining galleries, and prepare for the next day. Then, before I call it a night, I savor one last quiet moment—a little pause before another full and beautiful day begins again.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Being a homeschooling mom and a photographer means every day is full—sometimes beautifully, sometimes chaotically. But, the rhythm is cozy and intentional. There’s space for creativity, for meaningful connection, and for slow living in a fast-paced world.
Thanks for sharing a day with us. Want to see what life looks like through my lens?
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These are a few sweet photos from our forest school days several years ago. Looking back at these moments brings back so many memories of slow mornings outdoors, hands-on learning, and the simple joy of exploring together. Those years were filled with curiosity, connection, and countless little adventures that shaped our homeschool journey.
