When I think about what it was like being a working mom, I honestly can’t believe I did it. I think that I somehow have managed to be a working mom because of my personality more than anything. I don’t think about things until I’m doing them, but I also try to be really practical and stay organized. It also helps to have a support system.
I was really lucky that I was able to still do the things that were really important to me while working, like school drop-offs, conferences, soccer games, and school performances. I was also really lucky that I could bring my kids with me when I traveled for shoots. My husband, who loves to travel, was always gung-ho about coming along, even if that meant bringing a few kids (and some nephews) along with us.
I have been able to bring my sons to a number of different location shoots, fashion shows, dinners, christmas parties and I have a lot of pictures of my kids, as babies, with models, editors, photographers, and celebrities. And I’m really glad that I captured those moments. It wasn’t always easy having them there, but looking back you forget the tough times and just remember the good times.
I remember bringing my two older boys to Florida for a shoot for Young Miss magazine with model Niki Taylor. One of my sons got sick with an ear infection, so my husband took him down on the train and met me there.
Another time I took one of my sons to Florida for a shoot with Italian Vogue. It was at Mar-a-Lago with models Eva Herzigova, Yasmine Ghauri and Helena Christensen. I somehow got a photo of Eva holding him on set. That was really a fun memory.
When I had my third son, I was all in. Three kids and commuting to work. I managed to start working from home on Mondays and Fridays and I would have my teams come out to work with me. That allowed me to have the morning for drop-off and getting in some exercise and to be around to pick the kids up from school.
I loved every second of being a working mom and I love being a working mom now, of grown children. I love getting their advice and opinions on projects and new businesses. I’ve always depended on my children’s opinions — and they are all very opinionated boys. I have no regrets and I would do it all over again. If I did ever do it again, I’d probably add a fourth kid.