Finding Work-Life Balance in the Creative Industry: The Ups and Downs of Starting My Photography and Videography Business
Starting a photography and videography business was one of the most exciting decisions I’ve ever made. Every day brings new creative challenges, opportunities to work with amazing people, and the chance to express my vision in ways I never imagined before. But like many entrepreneurs, especially in the creative field, the road to success hasn’t been all smooth sailing. There’s a unique set of struggles that come with balancing the demands of running your own business, the unpredictability of the creative industry, and trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
In today’s blog, I want to share my journey through these ups and downs — the moments of excitement and growth, but also the challenges I’ve faced in finding a sustainable balance between my work and personal life.
The Creative Highs: Doing What I Love
Let’s start with the good stuff. The reason I chose to go into photography and videography in the first place was because I absolutely love what I do. Every day is a new opportunity to create, tell stories, and work on projects that excite me. There’s something deeply fulfilling about capturing a moment or producing a video that speaks to people, whether it’s for a client’s brand or for an intimate personal project.
The creative satisfaction is one of the best parts of being in this industry. When everything comes together — the lighting, the shot composition, the edit — it’s incredibly rewarding. I get to work with people who share my passion, and I’m constantly inspired by the clients and collaborators I meet along the way.
Whether I’m shooting a wedding, working on a commercial, or simply capturing the world around me, the creative aspect is the driving force that keeps me motivated. There’s a certain joy that comes from bringing your vision to life, and for me, that’s what makes all the hard work worth it.
The Struggles of Running a Business
As much as I love the creative side, starting my own photography and videography business hasn’t been without its challenges. Running a business means there’s a whole other set of responsibilities that you don’t necessarily get exposed to in film school or on set in a production studio. And these responsibilities are just as important — if not more — than the creative work itself.
1. The Weight of the Grind
In the early days of my business, I often found myself working around the clock. It was a mix of shooting, editing, marketing, networking, and handling all the administrative tasks that come with being your own boss. There were countless late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent working on projects, sending emails, managing finances, and updating my website or social media.
For a while, I didn’t know how to say no. Every new opportunity felt like it could be the one that launched my business to the next level, so I said yes to everything — even if it meant overloading my schedule.
But over time, I learned a painful but important lesson: burnout is real. If you push yourself too hard, it doesn’t just affect your creativity — it affects your mental and physical health. I’d find myself feeling exhausted, unmotivated, and frustrated, even though I was doing something I loved. Eventually, I realized that I had to set some boundaries for myself, both personally and professionally.
2. Managing Inconsistent Income
One of the realities of running your own business, especially in a creative field, is the inconsistency of income. Some months are packed with back-to-back shoots and clients, while others feel like a lull. That can be incredibly stressful when you’re trying to cover expenses, invest in new equipment, or plan for future growth.
When I first started out, I struggled with the uncertainty that came with the feast-or-famine cycle. One month, I might be celebrating a big paycheck, and the next, I’d be wondering how to keep the lights on.
To manage this, I’ve had to get better at budgeting, saving, and creating a financial cushion to get through the leaner times. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned to be strategic about forecasting income and planning for fluctuations.
3. The Creative Slump
As a creative professional, you’re expected to be consistently “on,” which can lead to pressure. There’s an unspoken expectation to always be delivering fresh, exciting content, and sometimes that pressure can weigh on you. Creative burnout is a real thing. There are days when I sit down at my computer to edit or brainstorm ideas, and I just feel uninspired. When you’re working on multiple projects back to back, it’s easy to lose the spark that made you fall in love with your craft in the first place.
What I’ve learned is that it’s important to take breaks and allow yourself to step away when needed. Whether it’s taking a weekend off, traveling to clear my head, or simply allowing myself to indulge in other creative hobbies, stepping away from my work is often the best way to reignite my inspiration.
It’s also important to remember that perfection is a moving target. Sometimes, I’ve had to accept that not every shot will be “perfect” or every project will feel groundbreaking. That’s okay. As long as I’m putting in the effort and striving to improve, I’m moving forward.
Finding Work-Life Balance: The Key to Longevity
After a few years of pushing myself too hard and experiencing the negative consequences of that hustle, I realized that work-life balance isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential for longevity. If I wanted to be in this industry for the long haul, I needed to take care of my mental health, my relationships, and my personal well-being.
1. Setting Boundaries
One of the most important things I’ve done to find balance is setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. When you’re running your own business, it’s easy for work to bleed into every part of your life. Emails at midnight, editing photos on the weekend, replying to client messages during dinner — it becomes endless.
I’ve learned that saying “no” is a powerful tool. Not every project is the right fit for me, and not every opportunity needs to be seized. Saying no allows me to say yes to things that are truly important — like spending time with family, going on vacations, or simply having a few hours to recharge.
2. Scheduling “Me Time”
I’ve made it a priority to carve out time for myself — away from work. Whether it’s getting outside for a walk, reading a book, or spending time with friends, it’s important for me to unwind and disconnect from work every now and then. These little breaks help me come back to my projects with fresh eyes and renewed energy.
Scheduling downtime is just as important as scheduling work meetings or shoots. If I don’t block it off in my calendar, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to take care of myself.
3. Learning to Delegate
At first, I tried to do everything myself. I edited every video, responded to every email, managed every social media post. But as my business grew, I realized that delegating tasks was key to managing both my workload and my sanity. I’ve started outsourcing tasks that aren’t in my core skill set, like administrative work or social media management, so I can focus on what I do best — creating.
It’s also important to surround yourself with a good support network, whether that’s hiring a team or collaborating with other creatives. Having others to rely on allows me to focus on my strengths while still delivering high-quality results for my clients.
The Road Ahead: Embracing the Journey
Starting a photography and videography business has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things I’ve ever done. The creative highs are incredible, and the freedom of being my own boss is priceless. But the reality is that entrepreneurship requires resilience — the ability to weather the ups and downs, manage the unpredictability, and always strive for balance.
I’m still learning how to navigate the delicate balance between my work and personal life, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. The key is to be kind to yourself during the tough moments, take breaks when needed, and remember that success is a journey, not a destination.
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re already in the thick of it, know that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. Your passion for what you do will keep you going, but don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.
Thanks for reading, and remember to find time for the things that make you feel alive — both in your work and in your life.
— Clayton Duhamell