Anna Leona Studio

Long time no post!
Breaking the silence with these photos from a maternity session with my brother and sister in law last month 🥹

Yallll I can’t tell you how excited to have another baby nephew!!! 💓

Biz update: I’ve been keeping myself busy with branding projects this month and I’m soooo excited to say that my beta offer for web design will be launching SOON 👀🥳

I will be opening up some spots in March for branding SOON!

So if you’re ready to create a brand that will make you the obvious choice for your dream client.. get ready 😍

When in Rome ✨

shot by:
edited by me

I miss Italy 😭🇮🇹
Where should we travel to next?

✨3 SPOTS LEFT ✨
Lantern Festival minis are happening on 1/6 😍
If you need some updated oki fam/couple pictures, maternity photos, or even last minute senior photos — this is perfect 😍

4:00
4:25 BOOKED
4:50 BOOKED
5:35
6:00
6:25 BOOKED

Here’s the link to book! Don’t miss out!
https://book.usesession.com/s/vkqPf-KP7

Let this be your sign to do the outfit change 😍
or do 2 outfit changes ! You’re in charge after all 😉

This has to be one of my favorite outfit changes of all time. Traditional wedding attire, Japanese attire to represent their Japanese roots, and Taiwanese attire to represent her Taiwanese roots 🥹🤍 Absolutely iconic.

I will never not be obsessed with Julia + Ken ✨

4 SPOTS LEFT ⚡️
Murasaki Mura Lantern Festival Minis are happening on 1/6!
Perfect for a short and sweet photoshoot to get updated family/couple photos!

Starting price is $200-
Click here to book your spot!
https://book.usesession.com/s/vkqPf-KP7

I can't wait to preserve your memories of living in Okinawa 🥹🤍

Not sure why these never got posted??😭

These are some of my favorites from my last “mini sessions” I say in quotations only cause my mini sessions always end up longer than I say they’ll be 😅🤣 I just can’t help it! I like storytelling and mini sessions are just too short to tell a full story! But here I am, trying again because I want to give people the gift of memories captured this Christmas season 🤍 Even if it’s short and sweet!!!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make memories with your loved ones and capture them on camera! You’ll thank me later 😉

Family should be treasured, your legacy matters, these memories are priceless and I’m so honored I get to help preserve it all for you.

This beautiful little fam are some of our dear friends 🥹 I’m so glad we made this happen before they moved on to do even better things!! I miss them that’s all 🥲 If you’re in Nebraska, hit up !!! She’s amazing!

this set of maternity pictures are ones I will never get over 💓 the effortless beauty of mama and ocean ugh obsesseddd

I need more expecting mamas in front of my camera please 🥹

DEAL ALERT 👀
You do not want to miss this!!!

These are the lowest prices my business has seen in 3 YEARS 😮‍💨

I don’t normally offer mini sessions and this is 1/3 of my lowest session price, so SNAG a spot before they’re GONE ⚡️

2 Locations 🔥
Starting price is $200
Click these links below to book!

American Village (12/30)
https://book.usesession.com/s/4pPATi7Zw

Murasaki Mura Lantern Festival (1/6)
https://book.usesession.com/s/vkqPf-KP7

www.instagram.com/annaleonastudio

Straight out of a movie 🪩🎥

I’m a big romantic film girly and I swear, if these were stills from a new movie, It’d be at the top of my watch list. 🥹

Rita & Brandon are pure magic ✨
You know when you meet people and it’s that instant click? Like you’ve known them forever and have been cheering on their love story from the start? That’s how it felt getting to capture them and their love. Just genuine people with genuine love for each other.

These are shots from the mini content day that I put on the other day ❤️‍🔥 I love that I get to know peoples love stories and become lifelong friends with them even if they’re there to model for 10+ photographers. Not to mention, the PHOTOGRAPHERS! Such sweet people with amazing talent 😍 The people I get to meet through my job 🥹 I’m so blessed!

Planning: Anna Leona Studio
Models: &
Hair and makeup: Sydney Ito Make-up Artist
Florals:

Calling all my last minute Christmas photo peeps 🤭 Haven’t gotten your Christmas/New Year photos yet??

I’m opening up a few spots for Dec/Jan !!!!
If you want to be on the waitlist, comment below with:

1) Mini or Full session
2) December or January
3) Location choice:
American Village,
Seawall,
Lantern Festival,
or beach

Yay 💓

In the meantime, enjoy these sneak peeks from our mini content day yesterday 🥹 This could be you 😉

If you DON’T want to grow your photography business in 2024 — keep scrolling 👀

Are you ready to ELEVATE your brand and turn your passion into a thriving and profitable business in 2024??

Here’s why investing in branding for the new year is THE move:

1️⃣ Shine Brighter: Your brand is your unique sparkle - let’s make it shine like never before!
2️⃣ Connect, Don’t Just Capture: Let’s craft a brand that feels like YOU and magnetizes your dream clients effortlessly.
3️⃣ Your Story, Your Signature: Let’s weave your story into a brand that’s impossible to forget.

Guess what? I’m opening up spots for heart-to-heart brand design and strategy sessions at the start of 2024! 🌟 Imagine us sipping virtual coffee, diving into your dreams, and crafting a brand that changes the game.

Excited to be your brand bestie and help you attract the clients you’ve been daydreaming about! 🚀✨

Comment “elevate” below and I’ll send you more details!
Let’s make 2024 YOUR year! 🫶🏽📷

“Do I really need branding?”

For so many business owners, getting professional branding is not high on their to do list and it’s more of those “later when I make more money” type investments.

It doesn’t need to be at the top of every business owners to-do list, but I don’t think it should be on the back burner of most of yours either. Psstttt I see you! Stop putting it off! 😉

I think it may be too early to invest in branding if:

- You’re just starting out and not yet sure what your business offers
- You think your business could switch niches completely in the next few months
- You’re not sure who your target audience is

But it’s a GREAT time to invest in branding if:
- You’ve been getting clients, but want to start attracting your dream clients.
- You’re ready to level up and raise your prices
- Your DIY branding is just not cutting it anymore
- You want to stand out among your competitors
- You want to provide a consistent and luxury experience for your clients

Strategic branding and the right messaging will help you to build trust and a connection with your dream clients. PEOPLE connect with PEOPLE!

Your brand is your first impression. The right branding will showcase your personality, values, and top notch experience that you offer.

It is not just about the logo or design for me. It’s about how you are reaching, communication with, and making a mark on those dream clients of yours. The right branding is going to help these clients that are perfectly aligned with you to find you much easier.

So what are you waiting for ??? 😉

Comment “Discovery” below and we’ll get you set up with a free discovery call to chat some more about how we can elevate your brand for the new year! THIS IS YOUR YEAR 🥳💓

🌼 RETRO RUN AWAY ELOPEMENT STYLED SHOOT 🌼

It’s time for a mini content day y’all 😍

WHEN: December 14
WHERE: TBA (in Okinawa, Japan)
TIME: We will start before sunset for natural light photos and continue after sunset to play with flash photography!! 😍
TICKET: $80

Click the link in my bio to join your new photographer besties in creating some magic 😍

*first come first serve - must pay to reserve your spot - limited spots available*

📣PHOTOGRAPHERS 📣

Let’s talk about the magic of content days and how they can catapult your photography game to the NEXT LEVEL ✨

Picture this: You get to make new photography business BESTIES, learn new tricks, create without the pressure, push your creativity to new boundaries, and *major bonus* build your portfolio with breathtaking photos.

Seriously, it’s like a crash course in leveling up your game. The connections you make, the inspiration you get — it’s a business booster and a creative recharge all in one. Because let’s face it, we all know about that end of year burn out.. busy season comes to an end and you’re so tired and overwhelmed you don’t even want to look at your camera.. I get it. Let’s get out of that creative rut together!!!

👀 Ready to turn your vision into reality and your portfolio into a showstopper???

I’m launching tickets to a special mini content day for photographers TOMORROW!!!!! Set your reminders and get ready for a whirlwind of growth and inspiration! 😍😍 This one will be both mini because it’ll be 1 shoot only and a small group of people. Spots will be very limited so make sure to get your ticket quick!!

If you want first dibs, just comment “I WANT IN!” below and I will send you the link to purchase tickets first 💓

When Steven reached out about capturing his proposal at the aquarium, I was IMMEDIATELY in. Such an amazing place for a proposal 😍 How have I not seen this yet??? How have I not thought of it???

This proposal was EVERYTHING. Literally feels like scenes out of a movie 😭

We showed up right before the doors opened to beat the crowds, rushed over to the Kuroshio Sea, got set up and.. the rest is history 🥹 Pure magic.

Congrats S & J!!!

⭐️ COUPLES MODEL CALL ⭐️
Looking for 2 couples for creative shoots!

1. Creative Couple shoot
- Looking for couple comfortable in front of camera (no grumpy husbands please 🫶🏽)
- Must be excited to shoot and take direction!
- Must have outfits needed or willing to get!
- Must be ready to have fun!

2. Beach Maternity
- Looking for couple for beach maternity photos
- Must be 28-34 weeks pregnant (or at least showing enough!)
- Must be comfortable with showing belly
- Must be excited to shoot and take direction!
- Must have outfits needed or willing to get!
- Must be ready to have fun!

If interested, comment below which shoot you’re interested in along with a photo of you and your boo (recent one with bump for maternity) and a fun fact about you two!

I will reach out with info about the shoot if selected 💓 thank you!!

(photos of my work to show, but not the style of the shoots!)

Brittney & Colbey wanted to do a session at a place that was meaningful to them, the place where they went snorkeling with their friends countless times, spent time together and seperately, and the place where Colbey PROPOSED. 😭

I have a ton of amazing session locations to recommend to my clients, but I absolutely LOVE when a session location is one filled with meaning. 🤍

New branding and now.. new username 👀

Formerly “itsannaleona” 👉🏽 now annaleonastudio ✨

Honestly kinda feels like the end of an era 🥲 Bittersweet for sure, but I’m so ready and excited for all that God has planned!

Anna Leona Studio will be home of wedding photography (and videography by .films ) + education and branding for photographers who are ready to level up in business, stand out, and attract their DREAM clients.

So basically nothing has changed — and a lot has changed all at once.

Photographers - Let’s crack your business WIDE OPEN and strategize. I’m here so that you don’t have to spend hours and hours, days and days figuring out.. what next??

If you want to grow your business and make a difference, to offer an experience that no one else does — I’d LOVE to serve you!

Reach out for a mentorship or branding session today! or if you just want some tips and to wait for what’s next, come say hi!!

click that link in my bio 😉

[Japan based Wedding Photographer in Okinawa, Brand designer for photographers, photography tips, photography mentorship]

This is your sign to travel somewhere gorgeous and get your photos taken.. by me 😉

Like I’m speechless. I mean the beauty of Rome + the beauty of a couple like and Charlie ???? Perfection.

Ok so where are we going next?? I’m ready when you are 😉✈️

“I want to shoot more ______, but all I get are ______ inquiries”

Fill in the blank.

☝🏽This is one of the things I hear a lot from photographers I mentor.

And I’ve been there!! For me it was, I want to shoot more couples/weddings, but all I get are family inquiries.

I get it! You want to get more of a specific type of client booking, but you never get inquiries.. so you keep posting the work you do have (not the niche you chose) because you have to keep posting consistently to get booked.. RIGHT?

No🙅🏽‍♀️ Stop posting what you don’t want to shoot!!
Believe it or not you always attract what you put out there, so if you post couples you’ll attract more couples, if you post seniors you’ll attract more seniors, and if you post maternity, you’ll attract more pregnant mamas!

Stay consistent and keep posting!!
If you don’t have the work to post, well.. time to go get it! Sign up for styled shoots, set up your own, ask some friends to model, do what you need to do so that you’ll attract more of your dream clients.

COMMENT BELOW: What one thing would you shoot forever if you could only choose one? 🤔👇🏽👇🏽

Photographers! Feeling like you’re not growing and can’t take your business to the next level? I have a tip for you.

👉🏽NEVER stop creating to create. Plan a styled shoot, attend a content day, make a mood board for a creative shoot! If you’re overbooked to the point of not being able to try new things and get your creative juices flowing.. well, it might be time to raise your prices. 😉

It’s quite literally our job to be creative, so don’t let yourself get burnt out to the point of not being able to grow!!

Collaborating with other creatives and small biz owners is one of my favorite things 🥰 to the amazing people who made this shoot possible, thank you!

model:
makeup:
cake: .bakeshop
videographer: .films

One photo session spot for September just opened up!!! If you’ve been wanting to book a couples, maternity or bridal session — this one’s for you 😍

I’m fully booked for the remainder of the year, so don’t miss out!!!

Dm me or click the link in my bio to book 💓

as a brand designer, my goal is to make sure your brand is deeply intentional and accurately reflects the vision and HEART behind your business. 🤍

this is what’s going to help attract your DREAM clients ✨

during the design process, we’ll dig deep and discover what values and goals you have, so that we can strategically implement those values into the designing of your branding 💓

it’s time to say goodbye to confusing branding that doesn’t align with you.. and HELLO to a brand that clearly communicates with your ideal client so that when they find you there’s NO question about if they should choose you or not 🤩

sound like a plan?? let’s do it 👉🏽
Now booking 1 SPOT for November 😍

NEW BRANDING IS HERE 💫

Rebranding for myself is always one of the hardest things, but I’m so happy with the result.

There’s a shift coming — and I’m so excited to share all the new plans I have as a photographer, educator, and designer.

I want to dig deeper and draw out connection and intentionality in both my photography and branding clients. If you’re someone who wants to dig a little deeper and create intentional art, I’m your girl.

So this is me officially kickstarting my branding designer era 💫 For the photographers and small biz owners who want to stand out and book their ideal client! Putting this out there — I have ONE SPOT available for September if you’d like to work together and create something magical! Click the link in my bio to book 🤍

I never want to be stagnant. I want to continue growing and changing. Following wherever the Lord leads me. Thank you for being here with me on this journey.

next up.. website.

3 Ways to make your couples comfortable during their session 😍👇🏽

1. Set expectations. At the start of every session, I communicate what the flow of the session will look like. This is the best time to reassure your clients and let them know that you’ll direct them every step of the way! A lot of the time, clients will come in expecting to have to pose themselves or “look natural” on their own, but it’s our jobs to take the pressure off! 🤍 But this also means that YOU need to be prepared!

2. Let them explore
Allowing them to walk around and explore the area can help calm their nerves and you can take some fun documentary style photos too! win win 😍

3. Play music
This is by far my favorite tip. I’ve had countless clients tell me that the music wasn’t all that noticeable but still so helpful. When there’s silence we start to overthink 🫠 Music calms and puts people at ease. Bonus Tip: Ask your clients ahead of time their top 3 favorite artists ✨

Comment below: What is something a photographer has done to make your experience more comfortable? or what do you wish that they would have done?👇🏽👇🏽

I love me a shoot that ends in the water 🤌🏽😍

When you live on a tropical island.. why not right?

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE PHOTOSHOOT.. KEEP READING👇🏽👇🏽

I don’t always offer family sessions, but since I will be offering them for a limited time (beach and field mini sessions), I thought I’d post one of my favorite family sessions! If you’ve been wanting family photos, maternity photos, couple photos, etc. don’t miss out!!! Mini session info will be posted on Tuesday! 😍

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win a FREE mini session!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ctfs30Ms8gw/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

WIN A BEACH MINI SESSION 👇🏽👇🏽

This past year, I took a really long break after some difficulties in my pregnancy and post-partum. Over the past few months I’ve been able to finally jump back into things and that would not have been possible without God leading my every step, my husbands amazing encouragement & support, and the support of all of you.

Thank you for being here, thank you for praying for us, thank you for following along. You’re all the best!

Anyways — as a thank you I’m doing a giveaway of one of my beach mini session slots! YAY! I also don’t usually do minis, but we’re gonna have fun with these 🤍

Beach mini sessions are happening on 7/2, Sunday. Airbnb mini sessions will be announced at a later date.

Giveaway will close on June 19, at 11:59pm and winner will be drawn on Tuesday.

HOW TO ENTER / RULES:
🌼 Follow me on IG
🌼 Like this post
🌼 Comment what type of session you’d like and your IG username so I can check if you follow
🌼 Tag your Okinawa friends who may be interested in this giveaway! (Each tag is an additional entry)

This giveaway is only good for my mini sessions happening on 7/2 and you will get first pick of your slot! If you’re unable to make it, unfortunately your session can’t be transferred to another date.

🌼Bonus: +5 entries if you share the reel on my IG to your story and tell me WHY you’d love to win. Make sure to tag me and your account must be PUBLIC so that I can see!🌼

Giveaway ends on June 19 at 11:59pm.
Info on Minis will be posted on Tuesday!
*For people in Okinawa only*