Meet Leah Islinger - Appleton's Newborn Photographer
H E L L O & W E L C O M E.
I am so happy that you found me & my website - I hope you can find all of the information that you need here to be confident that you are choosing the best photographer to fit your needs!
Let me tell you a little bit about myself.... I am a mother to four kids who are all big now. My oldest is 22 and my youngest is 14. Rest assured I have dealt with all of the stages of childhood from fussy infants, teething babies, rambunctious toddlers, witty grade-schoolers, stubborn pre-teens, the teenagers themselves (they are a whole different breed), and even the dad who dislikes family portrait day (my own husband is one of those!). I'd like to think I have pocketed many tips & tricks over the years that help me to give you the best photo experience ever :)
I received my first camera when I was about 8 years old. I loved nothing more than taking photos and going to get them developed (I am that old LOL). Right before I had my oldest son my husband bought me a 'fancy' camera to 'take photos of the new baby' and that is what started it all. By the time my third baby was born, I had a more professional camera and I grew more interested in learning the 'true rules' of photography but this is also when I started to become mostly interested in the art of newborn photography. By this time I was painfully aware of just how fast those newborn stages went by and I was determined to capture every single one of them. She became my number one model along with her older sister who loved to be the center of attention in front of the lens! By the time their baby brother came along they were happy to hand him over the modeling position :) All of that to say - my kids were my true inspiration to keep learning and growing until I created my own little dream job.
With the full support of my amazing husband, I opened a physical studio space in 2022 and I have never been happier! I love being in there and I am always finding new ways to improve my setups for my clients.
Things that I love.... my two dogs, chocolate, Starbucks, ChapStick, and newborn babies!
If time, space, and money would allow it I'd have a million newborn babies of my own. I love how they smell and the little noises they make when they sleep. I love the peach fuzz on the backs of their ears, arms, and backs and I love to sniff their little heads. And who doesn't love those surprisingly loud and seriously hilarious baby toots?!!!
I also really love photographing mamas while they're still expecting their sweet babes. I love making them feel beautiful and showing them just how gorgeous they look. I encourage you to have these photos made, even if you feel frumpy -- I'd like to think that you will be pleasantly surprised with just how stunning your maternity portraits will be!
I truly love perfecting the newborn poses and even catching those little newborn smiles. In nearly all of my newborn sessions at least one parent will comment "You have so much patience!" and I always have to laugh a little because if you don't have patience in this line of work then the job is not for you. I cannot control a newborn's personality or how they feel that day or how they will react to being posed, etc.... All I can do is comfort them, make them feel safe and go at their own pace. Only then will these stunning portraits be possible.
When I am working with newborns something in me slows down. My brain focuses on one thing only and that is your precious baby. Getting these images is as much for me as it is for you. I LOVE coming home and loading my memory card into my computer and looking through the images I took of your family and your new little love. This job is a gift.
As a perfectionist, I take so much pride in giving you stunning images. What you see in my portfolio is exactly what you will receive from your own session as well. I do not only showcase my 'best work' because that would be deceiving. I give every one of my clients the same amount of quality and care because that is important to me. I never rush my newborn sessions (or any of my other sessions!) because I know that once they are relaxed and comfortable I will be able to capture what you came to get - irreplaceable images of the most memorable time in your life. At the end of your session, I hope we'll feel like friends.
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting your family :)
~ Leah