A Labor of Love… Or Just Survival?

When I was growing up, I used to tell my mom I thought she was crazy.

She worked all day, then came home and cooked, cleaned, and took care of me and my dad. It never seemed like she got to rest until hours after the workday had ended. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Why not just… stop?

Fast forward a couple decades, and apparently it’s genetic—because here I am doing the exact same thing.

Mornings are chaos with six kids to get ready and out the door. Then it’s on to my job, my photography work, cooking, and trying to wrangle a house that constantly feels one step away from being featured on a “before” episode of a cleaning show. By the time the day is done, I’ve squeezed in all the “work work” and the “home work,” and what’s left? Maybe thirty minutes of TV before bed, if I’m lucky.

My mom used to call it a labor of love.I call it survival.

But one thing I know for sure: having someone else to do it all for you? That must be the ultimate luxury.

Because for most of us moms, it’s not about choosing whether to rest or hustle. It’s about holding it all together, with love in one hand and exhaustion in the other.

---

Your life is full of love and chaos—let me freeze a moment of it for you. In my studio, you’ll feel cared for, celebrated, and beautiful, and you’ll walk away with portraits that tell your story in the most stunning way possible.

_______________________

Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.