Lindsey Bonnice is the creative momma behind Live Sweet Photography and her studio space on our business blog today is the most kid friendly and fun office we’ve ever seen! As a designer of kids products, children’s photographer, and mom to two she hangs out with kiddos all day long. She’s sharing her tips on balancing a busy life of work and family and showing us the place that helps keep her sane and inspired! How could you not love going to work when your studio is this adorable?!
Tell us a little more about Live Sweet! What does a typical work day look like for you?
I am a full time mama of two little sweethearts so they always come first! My son is 6 and just started kindergarten this year and my daughter is 1 and a half and has the energy and cuteness of 5 children combined! After getting the kids ready in the morning I normally check my social media and email and return questions. I spend the next several hours with my little Libby girl while often daydreaming of my next design! Nap time is busy work time for me when I tackle things like returning phone calls, sewing, designing and photographing! I then spend the rest of my day with the kids and pick up work again around 9pm and work into the wee hrs of the morning. I am a night owl and tend to get the most done and have my best ideas between 11pm and 1am!
What do you love most about your job?
There is no way I could pick just one thing, but if I had to narrow it down it would be that I get to be creative and still be a stay at home mom. I need to create, it has always been in me and I love that I get to do something I love while also providing for my family! I also love that I get to donate part of the proceeds from our sales to families raising fund to adopt! We adopted our daughter so adoption is a huge passion for me and now I get to help others who are journeying through adoption as well!
How do you balance being a working mom?
This is a tough one and something that I am constantly working on! Some days I feel better about it than others but I try to make my children my priority and their needs come first but also not allow myself to feel guilty when it is time to work. As a work from home mom I try and set aside specific times like nap time, after bed time and then usually a few hours at other times during the week that are just for work. I love that I don’t have to miss any of the big stuff so if I need to work at different random times I try and remind myself that it is so worth it for all of us. I also try to include my kids in my work at times. They will play next to me while I photograph things or sometimes they are my models and I try and make it fun! I also will design and cut fabric while they are playing next to me! They love to help mommy and I love that they get to see a woman in a creative job doing both things in life that she loves!
Your studio space is so cute! What inspired the design?
Thank you so much! I am a lover of all things cute and always have been! I have been into design for years and am always peeking at magazines, blogs, pinterest and instagram for inspiration! I wanted to create a whimsical childhood dream type space. All the seating is on the floor or child size in the main studio space and that’s how I love it! It makes me think more like a child and makes it easier for me to work down on the same level as my babies! The two words that I built off for this space were whimsical and eclectic. I wanted to bring together all of my favorite pastel colors, a vintage flair and the cuteness of the woodland critters! We built the house last year and moved in less than a year ago, this space has been a working in progress adding and changing as I go to make it look and work just the way it needs too! I still feel like I’m dreaming every time I walk into the space! I never could have imagined that it would have turned out so adorable!
Best business advice you have ever received?
Setting boundaries and priorities. When you own your own business you can either run your business or let your business run you. We all have to put in our time but in the end you need to set up boundaries and guidelines of running your business to keep your sanity or everything can get carried away. I love to work and I spend a lot of hours each week doing it but I also know that I always want my family to come first and that’s why I own my own business in the first place. I make sure to set aside plenty of time to be with them and get filled back up! I used to work whenever everyone else needed me and my family suffered, but now I try and make my schedule and stick to it! Date nights, snuggle nights, playing with my kids and family outings are the most important and deserve to be on the schedule!!
What you wanted to be when you grew up: a photographer and a mom
Secret talent: decorating with candy
Beauty Secret: black leggings
I can’t live without: dark chocolate in almost every room of the house
ohemgee, that chevron wall!!
This whole set up is to die for – perfect for a nursery!
I want to play in there! So fun!
Love the colors on the wall, can you share what paint colors were used?