Finding Harmony in Motherhood and Business
ALI CAUDILL
Ali of Freebird Imagery is a Northern Virginia based photographer of intimate weddings, families, + brands. With an eye for authentic emotion, light, + story and a gift for making you feel at ease and truly seen - all art is made honest and rooted in love.
EPISODE #4
Balancing Acts: Self-Trust, Rest, and the Journey of Motherhood + Business
Meet Ali: a tapestry woven with creativity
Ali, a talented photographer with Freebird Imagery, brings more than just her skills behind the lens She is a mom of three, a graduate student studying to become a therapist, and a fierce advocate for boundaries and self-care. Ali's journey is a tapestry woven with creativity, resilience, and profound insights into balancing life's demands. As our photographer at Made for Mothers, her work deeply impacts our community, capturing the essence of our brand and the stories of our clients. Yet, there is so much more to Ali than meets the eye.
Ali's journey with Freebird Imagery began nearly 15 years ago, shortly after the birth of her daughter, Zoe. Starting a business while raising a newborn presented unique challenges, but Ali's commitment to her values of curiosity, creativity, and work-life balance has been her guiding star. Her business philosophy has always centered on being present in her life and integrating her work with her personal passions.
Ali's path has not been without its hurdles. Early in her career, she faced intense burnout, juggling the demands of a new business and motherhood. Reflecting on those times, Ali emphasizes the importance of rest and self-care, recognizing that she wasn't always good at balancing her energy and needs. Over the years, she has cultivated a healthier relationship with work and rest, understanding the critical role of self-compassion and listening to her body's needs.
Embracing Authenticity and Overcoming Burnout
Navigating Major Life Transitions
Life threw Ali a curveball when she went through a divorce a couple of years ago. This major upheaval not only changed her personal life but also demanded a reevaluation of her business. Ali candidly shares how she had to step up and support her family, turning her passion into a full-fledged career that could provide for her children. This period of transition required Ali to confront her fears and embrace strategic thinking, transforming uncertainty into a path of empowerment and growth.
Currently, Ali is pursuing her graduate studies to become a therapist, with a focus on mind-body integration. Her academic journey aligns with her values, aiming to create spaces where individuals can be seen and accepted in their entirety. Ali's vision for her future practice is to provide a holistic approach to therapy, blending her creative insights with psychological expertise.
Ali's approach to business is deeply intertwined with her experience as a mother. She emphasizes the concept of harmony over balance, acknowledging that life's unpredictability requires flexibility and compassion.
Finding Harmony in Motherhood and Business
Ali's approach to business is deeply intertwined with her experience as a mother. She emphasizes the concept of harmony over balance, acknowledging that life's unpredictability requires flexibility and compassion. Her ability to bring authenticity into her work, whether through photography or her future therapeutic practice, is a testament to her commitment to living and working with integrity.
When working with Ali, the experience feels less rushed and more like a journey. She emphasizes being present and integrating lessons from motherhood into her work. Ali believes in finding harmony rather than balance, as the latter can be disrupted easily by unexpected events like a child's illness. For her, harmony means creating a life and work balance that is manageable and resilient to family disruptions.
Ali's approach to business is rooted in authenticity and alignment with her true self. She values integrity and aims to be the same person in all aspects of her life, whether as a mom, friend, business owner, photographer, or therapist. Her goal in photography and future therapy practice is to create a space where people feel seen and loved for who they are, flaws and all.
She encourages moms considering entrepreneurship to trust their inner whispers and take steps toward their dreams, emphasizing that each person's unique light and energy can lead to success. Ali also stresses the importance of self-trust, meditation, and taking small steps to build momentum. For her, entrepreneurship has been a fulfilling path, allowing her to integrate her passion for photography with her journey toward becoming a therapist.
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About YOUR HOST
hey, iβm mariah
BOY MAMA AND MADE FOR MOTHERS CEO + FOUNDER
My claim to fame is burning my multi-six-figure marketing agency to the ground when my son was born in order to create the village I needed so badly as a CEO & mom. I felt deeply alone, and I knew there was a better way! And guess what!? I figured it out, moms just need to be deeply rooted for, seen by, and surrounded by other moms!
If you're NEW to the Made for Mothers community, just know that his table is long and wide, there are plenty of seats, no cool girls, no gossip, no aggressive networking, no stressing if your babies can tag along... we're mothers first, and wildly ambitious entrepreneurs second AND you belong here!.