Leah O'Connell

Charlottesville family photographer

Featured sessions, newborns

Fresh 48 session with a new family of 4

I'm Leah!

I’m obsessed with stories of family, creativity, and simple joys.  A nostalgia nerd, educator, wife, and mom of 3, I believe life’s most fun when you’re dreaming big and having kitchen dance parties. 

Education and articles for family photographers

TOp categories

FAQ's and guidance for stress-free family and newborn sessions 

Essays, letters, favorites

Highlighted family and newborn photography sessions

This fresh 48 session with a new family of 4 was such a precious reminder of the beauty of family.

If you’ve never heard of this type of session, it’s different than a typical newborn session because it takes place in the hospital within the first 48 hours of birth. The emotion is raw, often incorporating real family memories like meeting a sibling or grandparents for the first time.

I always encourage my Fresh 48 mamas to let it be simple.

No styled outfits or fancy hair & makeup.

No big production of posing or perfect golden hour timing.

They just gave birth, after all. Nobody needs that pressure.

We schedule whenever we can coordinate and let it unfold. I often shoot these fresh 48 sessions with much of a documentary approach, offering only occasional direction to press into ways of visually communicating their family connection.

Fresh 48 sessions are back and my heart (and baby fever) just might explode.

Enjoy this featured session of a Fresh 48 session with a family of 4 and sisters meeting for the first time.

dad in hospital room looking at baby girl
meeting big sister for the first time
Newborn session at hospital meeting big sister
family of four holding new baby at the hospital
newborn baby girl fresh 48 session with big sister
fresh 48 session for family of 4 in the hospital
big sister crying when meeting newborn baby for the first time
mother gazing calmly around the hospital with newborn baby
newborn baby girl wrapped in blankets laying on hospital bed

If you are interested in chatting more about Fresh 48 photos for your family, please reach out here!


You may also like:

Meet the siblings Fresh 48

Your maternity session is not about your bump

Add a newborn or fresh 48 session to your registry

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Hi, I'm Leah.
Family photographer, writer, educator.

I’m  one of the first to meet your newborn baby, the one who won't judge your clothes baskets and unmade beds, and the one who can capture the way your husband looks at you with a twinkle in his eye after 12 years of marriage. I believe in honoring people and telling stories.

I believe art has the power to light up the world in dark places, starting at home.