Keeper of Childhood Magic
Owner, Primary Photographer & Chief Magic Maker at Cloud 9 Studios
Helping children grow up surrounded by reminders of just how deeply they are loved.
Why I Created Cloud 9 Studios
Hi, I’m Jeanine, and I believe your story deserves to be celebrated.
As a busy mom myself, I know how quickly childhood changes. One moment you’re buckling them into a car seat… and the next you’re helping them tour colleges. It goes so fast that sometimes we forget to stop and see the magic we’re creating.
That’s why I built Cloud 9 Studios.
I believe every mother deserves to feel profoundly proud of the life she’s building — and to be reminded every day that her love is shaping a beautiful childhood worth celebrating.
Growing Up Loved
What we do is photography. But what we create is connection.
When you walk into Cloud 9 Studios, the rush of everyday life gets to pause for a little while. We laugh. We play. We discover the little things that make your child wonderfully themselves … their imagination, their personality, their spirit.
And together, we turn those moments into portraits that become part of your family’s everyday life.
Because I believe something wonderful happens when children grow up seeing themselves celebrated in their homes.
Every time they pass those portraits on the wall, my hope is that they feel:
I matter here. I am loved here. I belong here.
And those portraits are for you, too.
On the days when life feels overwhelming, when schedules are crazy, or when you wonder whether you’re doing enough, they’re a reminder of the love you’ve poured into your family and the childhood you’re creating together.
That’s what Growing Up Loved means to me.
Not creating a perfect childhood, but making sure our children have reminders of how deeply they were loved in the one they actually had.
A Little More About Me
Here’s something you might not expect about me. Before I became a photographer, I was a mechanical engineer!
I’m a proud University of Florida graduate (Go Gators!), and I spent the early part of my career working at Motorola. Quite a different world from photographing babies, chasing toddlers, and creating magical adventures with children!
Cloud 9 Studios has been celebrating childhood and families here in Wesley Chapel since 2006. And one of my favorite parts of this journey has been watching the children I’ve photographed grow up, sometimes welcoming them back year after year for entirely new chapters of their lives.
Outside the studio, I’m mom to Eryn and James, a lifelong Gator fan, and someone who believes there’s always time for another cup of coffee.
I love what I do, but even more than that, I love the relationships we’ve built with the families who have made Cloud 9 part of their stories.
The Experience Behind the Magic
There’s a lot of experience behind all those giggles, bubbles, and silly voices!
I earned my Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) degree from Professional Photographers of America in 2006, and my photography has been featured in local and national publications. But even after all these years, one of my favorite things is discovering what makes each child light up in front of the camera.
In 2019, I even wrote a book! Don’t Blink: Capturing Your Child’s Story Through Portraits is about something every parent eventually realizes: childhood moves faster than we ever imagine. It’s about recognizing the little moments, celebrating the big milestones, and preserving the stories that make each family unique.
Writing that book reinforced what I’ve always believed about photography. Someday, these portraits will mean even more than they do today.
A Little Recognition Along the Way
The People Behind Cloud 9 Studios
While I’m the owner and primary photographer at Cloud 9 Studios, there’s a wonderful team of people helping bring all that childhood magic to life!
From the first conversation about your session to the finishing touches on your portraits, each person plays a part in making your experience special.
Betsy is our Client Happiness expert, helping families from their first conversation with us through all the little details that make their Cloud 9 experience special. Elizabeth brings her own creativity and patience behind the camera, especially with our First Birthday families and school photography. And Robb is our digital artist, working his magic behind the scenes to give each finished portrait the attention it deserves.
We’re different people with different talents, but we share one belief: every child deserves to feel celebrated, and every family deserves portraits that remind them of the love they share.
Let’s Make Some Memories Together
Whether we’re celebrating a first birthday, capturing a little imagination, or gathering everyone together for a family portrait, I’d love for Cloud 9 Studios to become part of your family’s story.
And you don’t have to know exactly what you want before reaching out. That’s what we’re here for!
We’ll start with a short Discovery Call to get to know your family, hear what you’re dreaming about, and help you explore the possibilities.
I can’t wait to meet you!
With love and a little magic,
Jeanine McLeod
Owner, Primary Photographer & Chief Magic Maker
Cloud 9 Studios | Wesley Chapel, Florida
