From Corporate Hustle to Creative Harmony: One Mother's Journey to Work-Life Balance
Sarah never imagined a life without work. At 34, with a background in marketing, she had always valued having her own income, a sense of purpose, and a career she could be proud of. But now, with two young children - one in nursery, the other still at home - she found herself questioning whether the sacrifices she was making to maintain her job were worth it.
The Reality Check: When Work Becomes Too Expensive
It wasn't just the emotional toll of missing milestones, nursery pick-ups, or feeling like she was only seeing her kids at bedtime - it was the financial strain too. By the time she factored in childcare, commuting, and the added expenses of keeping up with a demanding role, her salary had been whittled down to almost nothing.
"It felt ridiculous," she admits. "I was basically paying to work, and for what? I barely had time with my children, I was exhausted, and I felt trapped."
An Alternative Worth Exploring
A close mutual friend had casually mentioned renting out her home for photoshoots and filming, something she had been doing for a while. At the time, Sarah dismissed it. It sounded too niche, too uncertain - how could something like that work for her? But as the cost of working continued to weigh her down, she found herself reaching out, ready to listen.
That conversation led her to The Shoot Academy, where she learned that turning her home into a shoot location wasn't just a fun idea - it was a real, viable side hustle that could bring in up to £1,500 per day.
Getting Started (And Facing the Doubts)
Sarah was one of the first to enrol in The Course: Becoming a Shoot Location Host which guided her through everything - how to market her home, deal with production teams, set her pricing, and handle bookings. Her skills were natuarally aligned with the marketing side, but still, she had doubts and reached out for advice:
"My home is just normal; who would want to book a regular house for a shoot? It's never going to happen." We reassured her that even typical family homes are in high demand, as they provide relatable settings for various projects.
"Can I manage this with small kids at home?" Absolutely. Shoots are scheduled, not a 9-5 commitment, so she would be able to work around her own timetable.
"Will I be able to make real money from this?" Her first few bookings covered nursery fees, and so she can now accept the bookings that truly fit in with her lifestyle.
More Time, More Money, More Freedom
Sarah hasn't replaced her previous work salary but her costs (time and financial) are so reduced that hosting shoots has given her the balance she craved. She chooses when to take bookings, works from home, and doesn't miss the important moments anymore.
"I had no idea this world existed," she says. "But it's completely changed my life."
Could This Be for You?
Sarah's story is just one example of how rethinking what's possible can open doors to new opportunities. You don't need to hit breaking point to make a change - this option is available to anyone looking for extra income, flexibility, or a way to work on their terms. It can be done instead of or as well as another job.
The Course includes a 30 Day Challenge to jumpstart your journey and help you secure your first booking faster. Suzie and Louise, the founders of The Shoot Academy, have done this themselves and helped countless others do the same.
So, what's stopping you? Find out if this is the right path for you by signing up for The Shoot Academy today. We think it will be - but see for yourself.
📸 Learn more and start your journey here: The Shoot Academy
Want to hear more about Sarah's experience? Click here to read our full interview with her and discover how she manages shoots around family life.
