Sticking To My Routines & Habits

Mornings have always been sacred to me, and lately I’ve been leaning even harder into a routine that helps me feel grounded, focused, and ready to take on whatever the day brings.

In today’s vlog-style video, I walked through my full morning setup. The little habits, tools, and rhythms that really support me as both a person and a business owner. Turning that into a blog post felt perfect, because these routines have become such an important part of how I stay organized and energized.

I like to start slowly and intentionally, giving myself space to wake up fully before jumping into work-mode. One of my favorite ways to ease into the morning is by watching something educational. It could be business-related, something motivational, a mindset video, or anything that fuels growth. I love starting my brain off with positive, useful information. It sets such a good tone for the entire day.

Once I’m ready to dive into work, I settle in at my desk.

I’ve intentionally created a cozy, functional workspace because I spend so much time here between editing, planning, and running all the behind-the-scenes sides of my photography business.

One little gadget I absolutely swear by is my under-desk heater. It doesn’t blow air, it doesn’t have exposed heating elements, and it’s completely safe, just the perfect gentle warmth right where I need it.

It truly makes a huge difference, especially on long editing days. You can check it out HERE

On my desk is something I reference every single day: a simple sheet of paper divided into four sections: my AM routine, my daily habits, my money-making opportunities, and my PM routine. It sounds small, but having my intentions laid out where I can see them keeps me grounded and consistent. These categories guide me through the day and help me stay aligned with the version of myself I’m working toward.

My AM routine section keeps me accountable for how I start my day, and the habits section reminds me of the daily actions I want to show up for. My money-making opportunities list keeps me focused on the tasks that truly move my business forward. The things that matter, not the busywork. And the PM routine section is there to make sure I end my day intentionally too, not just crash and forget to reset for tomorrow.

Part of my daily routine that I hold very close is journaling.

It’s one of my biggest tools for taking care of my mental health, which is something I never ignore or push to the back burner. I’ve learned over the years that it’s not enough to only take care of yourself when you’re struggling; being proactive is everything. Journaling helps me work through thoughts, set goals, process stress, and show up for myself emotionally every single day.

After getting myself fully set up for the day, it was time to switch gears and prep the studio. I had a session coming up, so the first thing on the list was hanging my backdrop. Like most backdrops, this one had more wrinkles than I would’ve liked, totally normal, but still something that needs fixing before a shoot.

I ended up tossing the backdrop in the dryer with a damp towel, and honestly, it worked perfectly. This is one of my favorite quick fixes when things come out folded or textured. A few minutes in the dryer did the trick, and I had a smooth backdrop ready to go for my client.

With the studio prepped, I moved into one of my favorite parts of the day: editing. I love getting into that creative zone, especially when I’m choosing sneak peek images. I always like giving my clients a little preview to share on social media. It’s fun for them and fun for me, and it keeps the excitement of the session going.

Sneak peek days always feel special because I get to go through the gallery with fresh eyes and pick the moments that really stand out. There’s something about curating those first few images that makes the whole creative process feel even more rewarding.

The next item on my to-do list was updating a Welcome Guide for a client.

This guide lays out what they can expect, my policies, what to prepare for, and how to make the most of their session with me. I like keeping these guides clear, clean, and easy to follow since it makes sessions smoother for everyone. This exact guide is available on my Patreon as a resource for my community, which has been such an amazing way to help other photographers build structure into their own businesses.

By the end of the morning, I felt incredibly accomplished. From my morning routine, to prepping my studio, to working through editing and admin tasks, it was one of those days where everything flowed.

I finished by taking a moment to relax and appreciate just how much I got done. Those small, consistent commitments add up, and routines like this are exactly why I’m able to run my business with clarity, creativity, and joy.