We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leigh Ann Saperstone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leigh Ann, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I was the kid who couldn’t even ask for a free ice cream cone at McDonald’s. Confidence and self-esteem weren’t things I came into the world with, they were things I had to build, slowly and intentionally, with help from the people who believed in me along the way.
My high school photography teacher created a space where mistakes weren’t shameful, they were essential. Failing and trying again …and again, helped me build my skills and confidence. My brother gave me my first camera at 21, and I discovered that behind the lens, I wasn’t the quiet girl anymore—I was the director, creating connection and telling stories. With my mom’s encouragement, I earned my photography degree from George Mason University which set me on my photography journey.
That confidence was tested early in my career. I was working for the circus as a photo coordinator when a close colleague and friend was unjustly fired. I sat down with that same boss and applied for my friend’s role, believing I could bring what I had learned to grow the department and take on more responsibility. She laughed at me. Actually laughed, before regaining her composure and saying I was welcome to apply. Obviously, I didn’t get the job, but that rejection didn’t break me. It pushed me. I found a new role at a high-end fashion company managing retouch and quality control soon after, and while the work was demanding, I never stopped building my skills and self-belief.
It wasn’t until I was burning out from 50+ hour workweeks that I had to really bet on myself. I remember calling my husband in tears after a company holiday party where they announced even longer hours were the new normal. “I can’t keep doing this,” I told him. He replied, “Then don’t. Just jump.” He believed in me before I believed in myself.
So I did, I took the leap into full-time photography, carrying both fear and determination with me. Over the next fifteen years, I built a thriving business in DC and Northern Virginia. Now, I’m embracing that challenge again, bringing the best of what made me successful on the East Coast to the metro Phoenix area, where I’m rebuilding as a mitzvah, wedding and family photographer while continuing to serve my loyal clients back east.
My confidence wasn’t built overnight, it’s the product of risk-taking, learning from rejection, and surrounding myself with people who pushed me forward. Every time a client trusts me with their story, I’m reminded of mine and how far I’ve come.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve worked in the photography industry for over two decades, coordinating photo shoots and performing high-level color management and retouching for everything from program books to billboards for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus (so many elephants!) to managing retouch workflows and quality control for a DC fashion company.
Fifteen years ago, I started Saperstone Studios with the goal of providing more than just photography, I wanted to create an experience. My style is vibrant and colorful because that’s how I believe life should be celebrated. I photograph Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, families, and even corporate headshots and events—but my favorite is mitzvah photography. There’s something about that age where kids are truly finding their voice and personality, and I love capturing and showcasing that in a way that feels authentic to who they are.
The magic of what I do isn’t just in the images, it’s in the connection. I love creating a space where people feel so comfortable they forget about the camera. I’ll ask you to play and I’ll ask you to be silly and I do my best to make you laugh (often at my own expense). I want my time with you to show a vibrancy, to be creative and fun! Photos that feel alive and real, not stiff or posed.
Last year, I packed up my gear (and my sense of adventure) and moved to the metro Phoenix area, where I’m rebuilding my business as a mitzvah and family photographer—while still hopping on a plane to capture celebrations for my loyal East Coast clients.
Whether you’re tying the knot, celebrating a mitzvah, or leveling up your branding with headshots, let’s make it fun! I love to capture the energy, personality, and joy in every moment and create photos you actually love to revisit.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities have had the biggest impact on my journey: resilience, trust, and authentic connection.
Resilience taught me to keep going even when things didn’t go as planned—like when I didn’t get the circus leadership role I applied for, or when I faced the long hours and burnout of my corporate job. I’ve learned that failure is actually a good thing, if you don’t fail, it usually means you didn’t try. Each misstep is an opportunity to learn, grow, and pivot.
Trust, both in myself and from others, has been essential. My confidence grew as clients trusted me to capture their stories and as I learned to trust my own creative instincts. That trust allowed me to take leaps I never thought possible, like leaving a stable job to pursue photography full-time.
Authentic connection is what sets my work apart. People hire me not just for photos, but for the experience of feeling seen, comfortable, and celebrated. Developing genuine connections has helped me create images that truly reflect people’s personalities.
My advice for anyone starting out:
Embrace failure. Don’t be afraid to try things that scare you, each attempt is a step forward, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.
Build trust in yourself. Take small risks, practice your craft, and pay attention to what feels authentic. Confidence grows when you prove to yourself that you can.
Invest in connection. Listen, observe, and be present. The relationships you build will elevate your work and your reputation more than anything else.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
This past year has been both exciting and challenging. Reestablishing a successful business in a completely new area where I didn’t know anyone felt isolating at first, but it pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and really network with incredible people in the industry: event planners, caterers, venues, DJs, and even fellow photographers. Connecting with so many talented professionals has been a huge area of growth for me, both personally and professionally.
It’s also given me the chance to give back through photography in ways that matter to me. I recently participated in a foster care event, taking back-to-school photos for local foster kids. This was especially meaningful because my brother and sister-in-law foster children, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact a little extra love and attention can have. Experiences like this remind me why I love what I do and have helped me grow not just as a business owner, but as a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saperstonestudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saperstonestudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaperstoneStudios
Image Credits
Saperstone Studios | Leigh Ann Saperstone
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