Personal Brand, Networking, and… Mom Mode

At my day job, I’m in a training series right now for career development. Today’s session was all about personal brand and networking.

As a program manager, I understand the importance of both. Strategy, communication, alignment—those things don’t just happen. They come from relationships and trust. And in theory, I love that.

But here’s the truth: ever since I had baby Danielle, I really haven’t done much networking. And honestly? The break was kind of nice. Before she was born, I was at 6+ networking events a week. It was exhausting, and I completely burned out. Eventually, I pared down to just a couple of favorites and let the rest go.

Now I’m being told to “get back out there,” and I’m realizing something: I feel clunky and awkward in networking spaces.

When I think about my personal brand, I want to be seen as powerful, professional, personable, friendly, and helpful. But often I feel like I show up in survival mode instead.

It’s the same tension I feel in my photography business. People know to reach out when they want portraits (which I love), but networking there sometimes feels one-sided—like I’m helping organizations more than building relationships. I’ve made wonderful connections through photography, don’t get me wrong, but I still feel like I haven’t cracked the code on balancing my personal brand with my “helpful mom with a camera” vibe.

And then there’s the mom networking part. Most of the moms I meet (at work or in life) have one or two kids, usually older. Their kids run around at the playground while they sit and chat. Meanwhile, I’m juggling six. I’m holding Danielle, catching William as he topples off the slide, helping Alexander with his pinched finger, chasing Timothy (ADHD meds worn off), while Emily chats happily with her friends and Henry sighs because teenagers are too cool for playgrounds. That’s my version of networking—not exactly polished.

The speaker today kept saying, “Be yourself, be authentic.” And here’s the thing: some days, I don’t even know which version of me is “authentic.” The professional program manager? The creative photographer? The exhausted mom in the trenches? All three are me—but depending on the space, one shows up louder than the others.

So here’s where I’ve landed for now:

1. Program Manager / Day Job → Networking feels critical, but I’m rebuilding those muscles after burnout.

2. Photographer → I connect with people easily through my work, but I want to deepen those connections, not just show up as the “helpful creative.”

3. Mom → Networking here is chaos and survival. But it’s real life. It’s also where I learn the most about patience, resilience, and laughing when things don’t go as planned.

   
   

Maybe this is just my season. Maybe this is my brand right now: multitasking, messy, and constantly balancing three identities. It’s not always sleek or professional, but it’s real.

And maybe that’s enough.

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Being a mom is so hard sometimes. You're never on your own schedule, you're always doing something for someone else. It's exhausting.

As a fellow exhausted mom, I get it, and that is why I absolutely love doing back to you sessions at Kristian Hutchings Portraits. It's half day - that's all. Family is invited (or not), and you're pampered and taken care of and posed in the most beautifully flattering ways, (even if you have a few too many pounds on you right now). The results, gorgeous photos of you that your kids will hang on to forever, and an experience that is right up there with a spa day, (even if you don't think you like taking photos).

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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.