Ilisa Ailts Photography

09/08/2024

Happy September! I have been very MIA for the past 5 years. Having our 4th boy has switched things up in my life. It has been an odd handful of years for many reasons, many not easy but all for good in the end I believe. Despite these changes and challenges, you continued to bless me with the opportunities to photograph your newborns, families, seniors, and events. I have loved my sessions and time with you.

During these years I have also been struggling with balancing fall evenings and weekends with my busy family; missing boys' playing football Saturday mornings to other family events. I have not regretted things as much as have decided it is time for a leave of absence, or a change and a dedication to my family time.

So, I am officially closing my 2024 and 2025 calendar. It will be very hard for me to tell you "No, I cannot" and direct you elsewhere. I love love LOVE photography, so I don't know if this is a 'forever' thing, or a 'for now' thing. I have considered coming back to only offering weekday morning sessions. It may be in the future. I do not know, yet, but promise to be back with a decision next year.

I have also not shared, in January of 2023 I completed a UI/UX Design certification program through UW-Madison. It was a great experience, working very long and hard with a group of students, and instructors working for companies like Linkedin.

I am currently using my design and photography passion in this capacity and would like to focus on growth there. I have switched from education and family services to helping local farmers in WI producer-led watershed groups, plus a few other people with their businesses. WI watershed groups consist of farmers trying to improve our soil health and water quality through conservation and regenerative practices. I am also passionate about health and have been on a really big journey there, and appreciate the connection at a personal level.

So, I am working hard at listening to what I believe is God putting some things on my heart and setting new goals that align well with my family and my passions. I get to work with my husband and a bunch of new friends in these farmer-led groups, and they deserve more time and attention from me. I still get to take photos, and would like to do "One Thing" (referencing a book I'd highly recommend) well.

I appreciate all the messages trusting me with your precious families and moments. Like I said, I have been mulling this over for years and have finally felt the peace to let it sit on pause. I will keep this page and update next fall/winter. Perhaps changing things over to more design services.

Thank you, thank you! I have every single file I've captured since 2011...you are still a part of my life and you helped me grow.

(If you are on my schedule this fall, you will stay there, those appointments will not change, I just will not be adding any more.)

Take care, Ilisa Ailts of Ailts Photography & Design

03/28/2023

Here is the photo contest winners I was just mentioning in my previous post, of my boys loving harvest season...Joe included! The backdrop is the Ailts farm, with Farmer Craig's guys manning the operation making some neat stuff happen for the backdrop.

It feels like forever ago, I mean, is there really anything other than snow and cold around here?! 🤨

Photography season is much like the weather. It slowly warms up and some sessions happen as we thaw out, then it seems too warm for many photos except the HS Seniors trying to get things complete before school starts or the birthday sessions with melting cake and bright balloons, and finally the mad rush of fall and thinking of the holidays leading to family and capturing/sharing another year of growth through photos.

I'm excited to see what 2023 brings! Hopefully it is award winning in all ways! 😉
https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/about/photo-contest-winners?fbclid=IwAR0N3FFU4sja_frsd8R6BD1jVMVHwjcx6QrOlk4Vt2VhYhflHG1L58bIGPM

03/22/2023

This is so special and fun to see my photography in print, either on a fridge or in a magazine! (Thanks for the efforts and sharing, Jody!)

I also won a contest last year for another farming magazine. When we receive a copy, I will share.

I love photographing farms, farmers, and other businesses. I have found myself doing more of what I am calling "marketing photography", which combines my love of a free, story-telling style with ways to help support the success of my neighbors' and friends' businesses. The social services part of me is still alive and well.

And, I have recently completed a design program which helps bring things a holistic support service - keep me in mind if you have questions or needs for marketing photography and/or design!
..of course, I still love me some children and family photography, that just cannot change! 😍

The new WI Farmers Union newsletter is out. And Mike and I are on the cover. Thanks to Ilisa Ailts for taking this great photo! And as good as the cover is, there's some good stuff on the inside to read too!

11/15/2020

Now Booking: Mini Christmas Sessions with and/or without Santa making an appearance!

Come visit Santa outdoors (see set up in attached image) for 10-15 minutes, next Saturday November 21st 2020 between 10am & 12pm.

If you would like photos of your family without Santa, please let me know!

We will visit and photograph for roughly 10-15 minutes.

Your session will be retained for the non-refundable $100 session fee, due at booking (if an emergency arrises, you can likely reschedule - but without Santa).

Please contact me to reserve your time by emailing [email protected] or calling/texting 715-220-7412.

This event will book on a first come first serve basis, and with a limit of up to 8 families. Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing you!

07/04/2019

Hello! I realize I have quite blatantly been slacking on my business page (not to mention my hacked website and corrupt Apple ID issues last fall). 😭 It's not because it's not important to me! Last fall I went back to UWRF for grad school (full-time) as well as worked full-time in a local district. That left me just enough time to take and edit photos (and sleep a few hours 😴). My website and this page went to the bottom of the totem pole, I was surviving. And, life lesson: That's okay!!

I prioritized getting the sessions in and getting clients their photos. Last year was probably my most successful business year yet, thank you thank you!

Then, on October 18th, after a photo session in New Richmond, I came home and found out we were expecting another baby! This new little guy you see here has made me dream of new plans for 2019 and 2020.

I only took one wedding this year, which was scheduled last June. This month I have four sessions and have closed my calendar for July. August is likely going to be similar.

You see, focusing on the session and getting clients their images in a timely manner are more important to me than filling up my schedule, always and even more with this new little guy. We get too antsy looking forward to seeing our beautiful images!

Please continue to reach out to schedule sessions. If you know you want one this year I would highly recommend you do that sooner rather than later. My schedule will not be quite as free. Calling or texting are best right now : 715-220-7412.

Thank you and Happy 4th! Enjoy your day ♥️

Introducing Lincoln Jeffrey, born on his due date, 6/15.

09/05/2018

I LOVE families...especially sweet, fun, adorable ones, and of the ages/stages of the kids I am already past in my own house. It is kind of sad to me because I don't remember these moments with my boys, they last only a second. But for Tim and Heather, these moments will now last forever. Priceless!

08/16/2018

Behind you, all your memories ~ Before you, all your dreams ~ Around you, all who love you ~ Within you, all you need

Kerrigan, New Richmond Class of 2019

07/13/2018

My adult version of playing dolls and dress-up

07/13/2018

Thank you for the awesome cakes, Melissa! They are perfect for my birthday sessions! I cannot wait to order more!

07/13/2018

Chloe and her parents have TWO big things to celebrate this weekend!

06/28/2018

The NR Area Community Foundation reached out to me for photos this past year and I shared tons of NR images. It is such an honor to see them being used in ways I never imagined :) Have a look and see if you can spot some familiar families!

We connect donors to their passion for New Richmond and its future through their charitable gifts. We accomplish this through grants-making to support the important work of nonprofits and projects serving the people of New Richmond. We work as a partner and convener to address issues impacting our c...

05/09/2018

A sweet little girl is coming our way! My little sister is making me an aunt again :) I love this simple session and the priceless, beautiful images here: http://www.ilisaailts.com/baby-brekke/