Leah O'Connell

Charlottesville family photographer

family photos that feel vibrant and true

| about your session |

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

$1400

My signature session that allows for the time to sink in. These sessions feel genuine, flexible, natural, and playful within your most comfortable spaces. 

What's included:

  • 60-90 minute session
  • $100 print credit

I deliver final images that are the very best from our time - sometimes there's variety in the exact number but I promise a minimum of 50 (and it's always more). 
families of all sizes and ages, including extended families, newbornsfresh 48 (hospital or birthing center), maternity 

This is perfect for:

at home or a meaningful outdoor location of choice

Story Session

the

-Jaden

"We were hesitant about investing in family photos because of the cost. What if we didn't like how we looked? What if our child was having an off-day? We took the leap and I am soooo thrilled with what Leah was able to gift us. The pictures are incredible - genuine, soft, fun, playful, and capture our family dynamic perfectly.
Totally worth it!"

"Genuine, soft, fun, playful, and capture our family dynamic perfectly"

$2000

The Story Session upgraded. This session allows for double the time to incorporate a location change, special family activities, and an even more natural reflection of your family heartbeat. More roaming, more creative exploring, and more in-between magic.

What's included:

  • planning/art direction call via phone or zoom
  • personalized inspiration board for styling and vision
  • 2 hour session
  • 100+ final images
  • $200 print credit

multiple locations including home and your family's favorite spots

Narrative Session

the

- Eleanor

"Any quality photo experience is a significant monetary decision for our family. What has made us say yes, 3 times now, is the worth and importance of capturing precious phases in our family, with someone who we trust and creates amazing art. For the first shoot, I was nervous.... it was a newborn shoot and we had never had an at-home photoshoot. All of Leah's email exchange and prep settled me, though. I think at one point she said something like even the crying moments are okay! After we had the first experience, I've been nothing but psyched for every session. 

"Nothing but psyched"

$750

Celebrate your people in family photos that skip the fancy and cut to the heart. This makes for a laid-back experience outdoors in a simple, lovely location for families who want to celebrate a milestone or get family photos made more regularly with a lighter investment. 

What's included:

  • 30 minute session 
  • 25 final images
  • $50 print credit

location: MY FAVORITE CHARLOTTESVILLE field

Family Field Milestone Session

the

immediate family, motherhood sessions, maternity, simple senior sessions 

This is perfect for:

* these sessions are best suited for sunset

reach out to get started

a deposit of 50% of your collection total is due to book. The other half is due the week of your session. 

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.

backstory

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

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.

more than pretty pictures