Leah O'Connell

family photos that feel wild and true

newborns, maternity, fresh 48, & extended families

ALL FAMILIES ARE WELCOME AND CELEBRATED. 

Each session type includes all the final, edited digital images from your gallery and a print credit to get your favorites off your computer and in your hands. 


3

session options

$750

Run through the grass and splash in the water for unravelled family photos that skip the fancy and cut to the heart. Expect to take a short hike down to the creek to twirl, splash, and get a little dirty. If you'd rather stay dry, we can skip the creek. But the point is to make it a laid-back outdoor experience. 

Shoes and shirts optional. 

What's included:

  • 30 minute session
  • 20 final images
  • $50 print credit
  • families with kids 1+
  • motherhood sessions
  • maternity
  • playful couples

Who it's for:

OUTDOOR ONLY AT MY FAVORITE CHARLOTTESVILLE SPOT, APRIL-SEPTEMBER

Field and Creek

the

$1400

My signature session that allows for the time to sink in. With a combination of clear direction and candid in-betweens, we'll make heartwarming family photos with lots of variety and truth. These sessions feel genuine, soft, and playful within your most comfortable spaces.

What's included:

  • 1 hour session
  • 50 final images
  • $100 print credit
  • families of all sizes and ages, including extended families
  • newborn sessions
  • fresh 48 sessions (hospital)
  • laid back maternity

Who it's for:

at home or an outdoor location of choice

Story Session

the

$2000

Sip your morning coffee while the kids bounce around in their jammies, then get dressed and take a walk or play in the backyard. Or start in your favorite clothes then head to the lake to swim! These sessions allow for the same experience as The Story Session, but with the extra time to incorporate favorite activities, meaningful moments in the daily routine, and/or a change in scenery and/or wardrobe. More roaming, more creative exploring, and more in-between magic.

What's included:

  • 2 hour session
  • 100 final images
  • $200 print credit
  • families of all sizes and ages including extended family
  • newborn sessions
  • maternity with other kids
  • those interested in multiple locations, wardrobe changes, or activities within the session

Who it's for:

at home or and/or an outdoor location of choice

Narrative Session

the

Sign up 

The Firefly Letters

If you're not ready right now but you're curious enough to stay in touch... join the family!

This is where I pour my best stories - from life and business -  along with recommendations, special offers and more

- Brianne 

With 3 kids and a very pregnant self you cross your fingers a picture or 2 turns out, but we love them all. I can't thank you enough for perfectly capturing my family in this season of our life before our new ones arrival"

"You've done it again! We were in happy tears looking through these photos.

Within 2 weeks, you’ll receive a link to your gallery and a custom slideshow. I’ll let you know when they’re going to be ready so you can schedule your reveal like a fun family movie. 

view + order

Whether we meet at home or a location of your choice, expect to soak up your favorite people with play, movement, and connection.

I'll direct the flow and allow for all the magic in-between to make images together that feel like you.

shoot

Reach out through the contact form to get started.

I'll answer any questions you have and we'll set a date. 

Book

how it works

I'll handle the design, assembly, and packaging of any keepsakes you choose and get them in your hands asap.

The final gift of this whole experience is that it truly keeps on giving.

enjoy

There's a culture around “picture perfect family photos” and I'm not into it.

My person and our 3 babies

Put on a record, make some waffles, lay in the grass, splash in the river.  It's in these moments that you get to soak in the beauty of it all - then relive it again and again in the photos we make from that well. 

I've been photographing families for almost 20 years, everywhere from Hawaii to Virginia, in dark homes and scenic mountaintops, with stoic teens, camera-shy parents, and crying babies. Basically nothing surprises me.

My goal is to help you see your insides on the outside.

For today, tomorrow, and 50 years from now. 

This is about tapping into the goodness that abounds when we're all in with each other.

Every session option includes a print credit for you to use towards gorgeous prints, albums, and frames from my curated shop of archival product options. 

Keepsakes with every session


 Somehow she manages to capture the most wonderful moments of our family and life (it all seems like chaos but clearly she knows what she’s doing) and we couldn’t be happier.

- Rachel

"A few years ago I couldn’t imagine needing or wanting to pose for any sort of family photos - I was still skeptical of the entire process.

We found Leah and now I couldn’t imagine 1) using anyone else for our family photos and 2) our home without the beautiful prints we already have.

We have 2 kids now and have done 3 sessions with Leah, and each time I’m impressed by her straightforward, warm communication and guidance.

I'm baby farm-to-table sartorial helvetica, migas marfa paleo chambray normcore 8-bit bushwick roof party truffaut banjo actually. YOLO health goth jean shorts forage farm-to-table flannel. 

"Think Katie's work is just for women? Think again. I'm a man (obviously), and my business tripled, too!"

tripled his revenue

Joshua

Let's get started

Your love for your people is wild and true.
Let's make photos that remind you how that feels.

what if it's

more than pretty pictures