Exploring Life & Business with Leanne Skinkle of Sapphire Skies Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leanne Skinkle.

Hi Leanne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Leanne Skinkle. I am a family photographer based in Aurora, Colorado. Seven years ago, I relocated to America from England, where I had a career as a lawyer. Specializing initially in Family Law at a private practice, I later transitioned to working for the local government in Housing and Environmental Health.

When I moved to America, it coincided with me becoming a mom. My husband’s work schedule meant he worked long hours and was often away for weeks or sometimes months at a time with his military obligations. I loved my career in England, and I worked really hard to get to where I was. Whilst I loved my legal career, I made a decision to become a stay-at-home mom.

During the onset of the pandemic, as we all found ourselves confined indoors, I rediscovered my long-held interest in photography. Dusting off a camera tucked away in a drawer, I delved into the intricacies of the craft, immersing myself in technical know-how and mastering Photoshop editing.

This rekindled interest quickly blossomed into a passion. Through countless hours of practice and offering free photoshoots to hone my skills, I found my calling. This newfound passion has evolved into a thriving business. I love lifestyle photography in particular. I enjoy capturing the raw emotions and heartfelt connections that make each family unique.

What I do brings me immense joy. Whether documenting the excitement of pregnancy or the arrival of a newborn, I relish the opportunity to meet new people at these pivotal moments. The creative freedom and flexibility to schedule my work around my family make my work truly fulfilling.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building my photography business amidst the whirlwind of my husband’s military career has been both thrilling and challenging. Every few years, we embark on a new adventure in a different city, resetting the stage to build my business from the ground up again. It can be daunting to navigate the myriad of different license laws, intricate tax rules, and various trade practices unique to each city and state.

It has also been a continuous learning opportunity though, making each experience rewarding and enriching my understanding of the business landscape. Building new connections with local businesses for collaborations and establishing a client base in a new city is undoubtedly a lot of work with each move, but it also presents exciting opportunities for growth and creativity.

One notable challenge has been adjusting to Colorado winters. Unlike my previous experience in California, where the weather was consistently pleasant year-round, I encountered a distinct “slow season” in Colorado. Few people wanted to brave the cold winter for an outdoor photoshoot; however, I saw this as an opportunity to explore new avenues.

I began offering more at-home photoshoots, particularly focusing on capturing the special moments of newborns in the comfort of their own homes. Being welcomed into a client’s home during such a significant time in their lives is a privilege I deeply value and never take for granted.

Despite the challenges, I have a deep love for my business and a strong desire for it to succeed. The hard work and dedication I put into building and maintaining my photography business are worth it because it allows me to pursue my passion and create meaningful connections with my clients.

We’ve been impressed with Sapphire Skies Photography, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and photographer of Sapphire Skies Photography, specializing in Family, Maternity, and Newborn photography. My style blends lifestyle and documentary approaches with a touch of tradition, resulting in timeless images that capture genuine smiles and joy within families.

What sets Sapphire Skies Photography apart is my commitment to ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable photography journey for my clients. From booking to delivery, I provide step-by-step guidance, from location options to client closet access. During the personalized session, my goal is to make you feel comfortable and at ease, fostering a friendly environment with prompts that encourage natural interactions to capture candid moments.

I offer a range of packages tailored to various needs and preferences, priced from $250 to $850. Additionally, I offer a discount for booking maternity and newborn sessions together.

I’m proud of my 5-star rating on Google, with clients praising my ability to create fun experiences and capture genuine moments.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
To work with me, just reach out on my website at www.sapphireskiesphotography.com. I have a client questionnaire that will ask you some questions about your vision for your photoshoot. I will then provide you with a quote based on your details. To collaborate with me, you can reach out on sapphireskiesbyleanne@gmail.com

To support me, tell all your friends and family about me! You can also support me on social media. Like my posts and comment as much as you can. Engaging with my social media pages gets my work seen but doesn’t cost you a penny!

Pricing:

• Essential – 6 images $250
• Deluxe – 15 images $350
• The Whole Story – all images and access to my client closet $500
• Bump to Baby Deluxe – 15 images for maternity and 15 images for newborn – $600
• Bump to Baby Whole Story – all images from both shoots – $850

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sapphireskiesphotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sapphireskiesbyleanne