Daily Inspiration: Meet Leigh Ann Saperstone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Ann Saperstone.

Hi Leigh Ann, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi! I’m Leigh Ann, the face and photographer behind Saperstone Studios. I’m a Virginia girl turned desert dweller, now photographing life, love, and laughter right here in Chandler, Arizona.

My story started with a camera and a whole lot of curiosity. Before running my own business, I worked in corporate photography with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants, tigers and acrobats (oh my!). I was in charge of color management and retouching for their massive marketing campaigns, which gave me a serious eye for detail and maybe a lifelong soft spot for shiny things and organized chaos.

After leaving the corporate world, I built a thriving photography business in Northern Virginia, capturing mitzvahs, weddings, families, and corporate headshots. But in 2024, my family and I decided to chase new sunshine and adventures and made the big move to Chandler, AZ to accommodate my kids education (more on that later!).

You’ll find me and my camera all around the east valley from Chandler to Gilbert, Scottsdale to Tempe, Mesa to Cave Creek and Downtown Phoenix, capturing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, seniors, families, and corporate events that are full of life and personality. Whether it’s a wild dance floor or a quiet sunset moment, I love creating images that feel as fun and vibrant as the people in them.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Moving my business 2,300 miles from Northern Virginia to Chandler meant starting from scratch. I went from having 15 years of loyal clients who trusted me with their family milestones to introducing myself all over again in a new city where I didn’t even know the best taco joint (still taking recommendations, by the way).

Rebuilding my photography business in the east valley meant learning the local market, finding my people, and showing that I wasn’t just “a photographer”, I was their photographer. There were definitely moments of doubt and imposter syndrome, but I leaned into what’s always worked for me: authenticity, humor, and a genuine love for the people I photograph.

Now, I’m proud to say Saperstone Studios has found its desert groove! Whether I’m capturing an epic Scottsdale mitzvah with mountain backdrops, a sunset family session in Tempe, or a corporate event in downtown Phoenix, I’m reminded daily that starting over can be one of life’s best adventures.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started Saperstone Studios with a simple goal, not to just provide photography, but also an experience. I’ve photographed everything from weddings and families to corporate events across the East Valley, but my favorite work has always been mitzvah and senior 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.

What really sets my work apart is my obsession with light, and not just natural light. I bring creative studio lighting on location to completely transform a space, turning even the most ordinary settings into something vibrant, artistic, and uniquely “you.” I love showing families that photography doesn’t have to be predictable, it can be bold, modern, and full of color.

And when the sun goes down? That’s when I get even more inspired. I’m drawn to night photography. The challenge, the glow, the chance to create drama and magic with every flash and reflection. I use light to craft images that truly stand out.

I’m also often hired because families know I get it. I’m a mom of two ADHD/Autistic boys, so our cross-country move was about finding the right education and support. We tried it all, from therapies to solving sleep, and learned quickly that “top-ranked” county schools doesn’t always mean the right fit. Today, we’ve found a hands-on STEAM school in Chandler that celebrates how they’re wired. If your neurodivergent kiddo needs snack breaks, a calm corner, movement, or time to reset, you’re in the right place. I create sessions that meet kids where they are in a patient, playful, and pressure-free space.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Maybe just this, I really, truly love what I do. I love the energy of a big celebration, the quiet moments in between, and the thrill of finding light in unexpected places. I want people to see their photos and feel, “That’s exactly who we are.” If you’re in the East Valley and want a photo session that feels less like posing and more like hanging out with great vibes and great light, let’s do it. You bring the taco recs, I’ll bring the fun.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saperstonestudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saperstonestudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaperstoneStudios/
• Twitter: https://x.com/lasaperstone

Image Credits
All images taken by Leigh Ann Saperstone | Saperstone Studios