In the bustling landscape of advertising, long hours, demanding tasks, and a relentless drive to break new ground are just part of everyday life. This can be challenging even without additional responsibilities. However, add parenthood into the mix and the challenge takes on an entirely new dimension.
Consider Jolianne L’Allier Matteau and Alexandre Chabot, the talented photo and directing duo behind L’Éloi. Not only do they handle countless projects at the firm, but they also juggle the responsibilities of raising three brilliant kids, Scarlett, Billie, and Boris – a feat that makes life thrilling but somewhat chaotic. In spite of the complex nature of managing work and home life, they wouldn’t change a thing.
Being parents has deeply influenced Jolianne and Alexandre’s professional lives. Their children serve as a source of motivation and inspiration, propelling them to new heights in their careers. This involves harnessing the innate creativity and freedom often found in children, and incorporating it into their work, enriching their creative capabilities. Also, managing a family has honed their project management and organizational skills.
Their journey began nearly two decades ago when Alexandre left his job at a photo shop on his birthday to begin freelancing. His first assignment was leading a photography class at a community center where he met Jolianne. The chemistry was instant, and Jolianne soon started assisting Alexandre in his work. They then opened a studio with friends before eventually meeting Éloi Beauchamp who saw potential in them. This led them to start commercial work and, over the past two years, this has broadened to include directing.
The collaboration between Jolianne and Alexandre is dynamic. Initially, they took turns handling every aspect of a shoot but realized that this wasn’t efficient. They decided to categorize tasks based on their respective strengths – Alexandre managing the camera and technical aspects while Jolianne focuses on details and direction. This approach helps them connect better with the talents on set.
When parenthood came into the picture, it added a new variable to their work-life equation. The birth of their first child didn’t shake the dynamics significantly, but adding a second and third child to the family took some adaptation. This comprised shifts in their work routines and depending on their colleagues more when needed. Nonetheless, their passion for work remained constant, and thus they decided to integrate their children into their workflows – an approach much appreciated by their clients.
Parenthood also brought about significant changes in their work habits. They learned that efficiency matters, especially when every minute is valuable. This realization made them more focused and purposeful. Their eldest child’s medical condition further enforced this insight. The need to be at the hospital for their child while juggling work was challenging, but their supportive colleagues made it possible for them to handle both fronts without guilt or hesitation.
Looking at the world through their children’s eyes has also evolved their work approach. The freedom and awe of a child’s perspective have helped imbue their work with a certain charm. As a tribute to this unique worldview, they made a video on how work approach changes with kids.
Their collaborative approach also played an influential role in shaping many cool projects. A recent casual shoot with friends and collaborators portrayed their ‘signature’ style, reminding them of the playful creativity often found in children. This creativity is something they hope to retain in their work approach as their kids grow older, making their work more focused, organized and inspiring.
However, there are challenges. Sometimes they must pass on job opportunities for the sake of maintaining work-life balance. But, such decisions have helped them learn to pick their jobs more consciously and work towards achieving the balance they strive for. They admit being fortunate in being part of a family-oriented production house that understands their challenges, but they also acknowledge that the whole industry is not as accommodating. They feel the industry could benefit from a greater awareness of the importance of everyone’s non-working lives.
Jolianne and Alexandre’s advice for other working parents is simple and profound. Choose a job that invokes passion as it may take much of your time. Place family first because children positively change the sense of life and it’s important to build precious memories with them. At the end of the day, striking a balance between work and family may be challenging, but it can pave the way for a fulfilling life enriched with wonderful experiences and accomplishments.
