The Art of Scheduling (Without Losing Your Mind or Missing Your Kid’s Ballgame)

Let’s talk about something most photographers don’t love to talk about: scheduling. Not the glamorous part like golden hour or when the light hits just right — I’m talking about the actual calendar, the backend, the sanity-saving strategy behind when and how often I shoot.

Here’s the deal: I aim for no more than one or two sessions a week. That’s it. That’s the magic number. Why? Because I also have a full-time job, a family, church responsibilities, and occasionally I like to sit down and eat dinner like a human being.

Some weeks are busier than others. I’ve had those 3–4 session marathons, where I’m editing until my eyes twitch and I start hallucinating vignettes around everything I see. And I’ve had those beautifully light weeks where I only shoot once, edit with a clear head, and still have time to go on a Target run with the family.

But the sweet spot? 4 to 8 sessions a month. That’s where the groove lives. It keeps me sharp without burning me out. I stay in rhythm, I stay creative, and — bonus! — I stay likable.

When you overbook yourself, you start resenting the thing you love. That’s a red flag. And if I ever start treating photography like a chore, you have permission to snatch my camera out of my hands and send me to bed.

The truth is, balance doesn’t just happen. It’s intentional. I’ve got to make room for the things that matter — and photography matters, yes — but it’s not the only thing that does. So I build my schedule like a good playlist: enough energy to stay interesting, but not so much that it blows out your speakers.

Want to stay passionate? Want to keep loving what you do and showing up for the people who matter most? Here’s my pro tip: schedule smarter, not fuller.

And remember — your calendar should serve you. Not the other way around.