At Verve Portraits, we are privileged to witness and capture moments that matter—especially those shared between women and their families. The women featured in this piece have all photographed with us, each bringing their own unique energy, story, and purpose into our studio.
From business owning mothers, community leaders to creatives—these women embody strength not just in their achievements, but in how they show up for their loved ones and themselves. Their portraits reflect the beauty of connection, but their stories go even deeper—revealing grit, love, and the resilience it takes to juggle it all.
A Balancing Act with Managing a Career & Family
Who Has Been Your Biggest Support?
“I feel truly blessed to have a beautiful support system around me. The incredible women in my life inspire me in so many ways — each bringing their own unique strength, wisdom, and love. At the heart of it all is my Mum — a pillar of unwavering strength and kindness. She’s always been there for me, through every high and low, even in the moments I may have taken her presence for granted. As I’ve grown older and become a mum myself, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for just how much she’s given and the sacrifices she’s made. Her love, guidance, and quiet strength continue to shape the woman and mother I strive to be every day.”
How do you manage career & family?
“The balance between career and family sometimes feels a bit like a circus performance with equal parts that are thrilling and delicate. I can be like the juggler, requiring each of my plates to be spinning in harmony. It’s taken some time but I’ve learnt it’s not about perfection, but about keeping the right things in motion while giving myself grace when one plate wobbles.”
How Do You Uplift Other Women in Your Field?
“I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of women in my team (some beautifully, talented genuine men too!!) What makes our team so special is the beautiful diversity we share — different cultures, ages, backgrounds, and stories — all coming together to create something truly powerful.
Watching each woman grow, succeed, and bring their unique strengths to the table is not just inspiring, it’s a privilege. We learn from one another, lift each other up, laugh till we cry most days and its obvious there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Together, we’re building a space where everyone is empowered.”
Juggling Motherhood and Career with Humour and Honesty
How do I balance career and family?
“Let me start by saying that anyone who claims to have mastered the elusive work-life balance probably also believes in unicorns and inbox zero. The truth? Most days I feel like I’m conducting an orchestra where half the musicians are playing different songs and the other half have wandered off for snacks.
Balance implies some sort of zen equilibrium. What I actually have is more like a constant negotiation between competing fires that need extinguishing. There are seasons where work takes precedence – like when I pulled three all-nighters to finish that annual report with auditors breathing down my neck, existing solely on cold coffee and sheer determination. Then there are times when family needs me more – like creating my daughter’s Book Week costume at midnight, hot glue gun in one hand, wine glass in the other, wondering how “simple costume” and “Narwhal” got me here.”
“The secret? I’ve abandoned perfection as a goal. Perfection is the enemy of done, and sometimes “done” is the greatest victory. Yes, my presentation might have a typo on slide seven, and yes, my daughter might have gone to school with mismatched socks, but we all survived the day.”
“The women who truly “do it all” aren’t doing it perfectly – we’re doing it persistently. We’re showing up, figuring it out, sometimes failing spectacularly, and then trying again tomorrow.
And let’s be honest: behind every woman “doing it all” is usually a support network – partners, family, friends, childcare providers, Uber Eats, and that one amazing colleague who covered for you when the school nurse called.”
What inspired you to start your journey?
My journey began from a genuine passion for photography and fashion, coupled with a desire to share things that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives. This passion naturally evolved into the brand we have today. I intentionally built my business to allow me to stay home with my children. As they started school and sports, I wanted to be present for school drop-offs, pick-ups, and all their sporting activities. Balancing family life with my career has always been a priority for me.
Who is your biggest support?
My husband is undoubtedly my biggest support system. He provides the emotional support we need after long days filled with the girls’ extracurricular activities, while I also navigate my work commitments. Whether it’s finishing dinner or being emotionally available to handle whatever challenges arise, he’s always there for us. His support helps me recharge after a busy day with our children.
What advice do you have for others?
Although I don’t feel particularly worthy of giving advice, I believe we’re all doing our best. My biggest piece of advice is to prioritize sleep. It’s essential for our overall well-being, yet many of us have fallen into the habit of scrolling on our phones late at night, which is detrimental. Encouraging everyone to go to bed at a reasonable hour can make a significant difference, allowing us to function better the next day. We all deserve to feel our best
On Overcoming Pain and Finding Purpose in Vulnerability
What obstacles have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
“Once I began opening up to others, I had many share their experience back, it’s comforting to know you’re not alone. I was lucky to have such a supportive husband – he literally made me a cup of tea every morning to help me get out of bed after our 2nd miscarriage when all I wanted to do was to stay in bed and cry. He struggled with not being able to ‘fix it’ for me, but just let me have my tears and do what he could to help me through it. When I shared our story with my step-daughters, they had many questions and I felt that answering them might help them in the future if they were to have a similar experience.”
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