To me, photos are what sticks when everything else is moving fast. 

-Leah O'Connell

Leah O'Connell Photography

about me

In my sessions, I encourage families to 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. 

After nearly 20 years of photographing families - everywhere studios to 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 and 50 years from now. 

This isn't about perfect. This is about tapping into the goodness that abounds when we're all in with each other.

This work is all about holding family stories with reverence, joy, and gratitude.

It's personal.

black

drink my coffee

PARKS AND REC

COULD ALWAYS WATCH

KAYAKING

SECRET HOBBY

THE EARTH + PEOPLE

PASSIONATE ABOUT

BOOKS

CAN ALWAYS TALK TO ME ABOUT

to put it simply

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude."

- Karl Barth

REAd Post

When thinking and envisioning your family photos, you may feel afraid they’ll turn out stuffy or cheesy. If you’re looking for a place to start in understanding how we can avoid that, here are five ways to make your next session feel like you.

How to plan Charlottesville family photos that feel like you

take me there

Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen! 

Check out the Photo Fuel Podcast

WHERE TO NEXT?

photographers

Families

REACH OUT

If your heart is beating yes, yes, yes

Reach out below to tell me more about your family and collaborate on a session that feels  like a vibrant and honest reflection of you and your favorite people. 

LET'S DREAM UP YOUR session