Leigh Cronin first fell in love with the dark room during a film class in graduate school but didn’t pick up a camera again until right before her first daughter was born.
“Being home with a new baby got lonely,” Cronin says. “I turned to photography to keep me busy.”
After reading tutorials and taking online classes, Cronin began photographing family and friends and eventually started a successful side business. This new creative outlet eased the burden of the postpartum depression she experienced. When Cronin discovered the Little Nest Portraits franchise, she realized it offered her the opportunity to fulfill her goals as an entrepreneur and connect with other women, and now she has opened her own location at Village at Leesburg.
Why did you decide to open a Little Nest Portraits studio in Leesburg?
Leesburg is booming with young families. Having a physical studio also offers me an opportunity to better serve my clients. While we’re not photographing, we’re opening our doors to the community and hosting events that benefit families and children. It’s my chance to create the village I so lacked in the early years of motherhood.
What are some of the events your studio hosts for new families?
On a quarterly basis, we will host a Showing & Glowing event for moms and moms-to-be with speakers specializing in breast-feeding and women’s health. Showing & Glowing is both educational and community-building, allowing expecting mothers to connect.
Share some common mistakes parents make when it comes to family portraits.
A common mistake that parents make is not printing their digital files. At Little Nest, we offer digital files as part of our Signature Packages. Our specialty is producing gorgeous wall art and heirloom-quality albums that can be handed down from generation to generation.
Tell us about your exclusive Heirloom Program and the inspiration behind it.
Our Heirloom Program is a membership program designed for families who want to capture memories and milestones from month to month. Our children grow up so quickly, and this program offers a chance to document each step along the way.
Do you have any immediate plans for expansion within Northern Virginia?
Yes, within one year, we hope to have a signed lease somewhere in Fairfax County.
Finally, what do you want the public to know about Little Nest Portraits?
We’re so much more than a photography studio—we’re a place for women to gather and uplift each other, for moms to get support during any stage of motherhood and for fun. We have a children’s area with books and coloring and a comfortable place to nurse your little one, as well as a fully stocked pantry with kid-friendly snacks and coffee on demand for tired new parents. // Little Nest Portraits: 1601 Village Market Blvd., Suite 117, Leesburg
