Leah O'Connell PhotographyCharlottesville, VA
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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
This cozy newborn session at home took place as snow flurried outside and the grey dreariness wrapped the home in clouds. We were confined to the windows in the front two rooms of the house and the narrow nook of their entry with the front door open. It whipped snowflakes on my back as they
families, Featured sessions, newborns
Instead of doing a roundup of my favorite photos like I do most years, this time, I’m going big and celebrating my families with some fake virtual awards. As a family and newborn photographer, every single session is unique and there are so many little quirks that make each one special. If you didn’t get
client tips, families, Featured sessions
Home is the key to removing some of the biggest stressors that most people say they hate about family photos. We can eliminate all of it be simply doing yoru family photos at home. Convince me I am so inspired by walking into a family’s intimate environment, embracing all the gooey, piles of family love
Maybe it helps that this is my second family. The maid of honor at my wedding. Countless sleepovers, notes passed, songs played sitting side by side on a piano bench. Trips, and funerals, and concerts. They are more than dear to me, so photographing them was like trying to communicate the way I’ve seen them
When I say “extended family photos” you might get shivers thinking about the sweaty mall studio guy who tried to bribe you with a lollipop as Uncle Bill grumble under his breath from the black stool beside you. This is not that. Backyard sessions are amazing options for large families who want to capture a piece of the true memories and relationships shared. They’re also a great way to have photos of people who hate being in photos. This family, for example, traveled from all corners of the country to be together for the holidays, but wanted to keep it simple and not detract from their time just hanging out.
families, Featured sessions, newborns
When Dani reached out last November, we were both pregnant, due around the same time, and met for coffee at a local shop to chat about maternity, hospital, and newborn sessions. It was all pretty typical, except for the fact that Dani is quadriplegic, and now, joins only a handful of other quadriplegic mothers ever to give birth to twins.
There is something magical about a fifth birthday party… Sparkles, jump houses, laughter, dress up, dancing, PASTA – the list goes on. I am positive that this birthday girl felt the most special as her family celebrated her on this day. After jumping in the bounce house til the sun went down, the family headed inside to video chat extended family, adding to the love.
client tips, Featured sessions
When senior year rolls around for your teen, we know that there is a running list of things to do before graduation day. College decisions, dorm preparations, exams, prom outfits – oh, and senior photos. I am not entirely sure when senior photos, outside of cap and gown, became a trend. What I do know is that they allow for the unique personality of your senior to shine through as they get to slip on their favorite outfit and maybe even choose a location they had in mind. When we step outside the posed parameters, we are able to pull out what makes your senior’s heart beat. A love for reading, the sport that they spent countless hours training for, or their heart for friendship and making others feel loved is what we will work to convey in their session.
As we discussed what it looked like to start safely photographing families again, we realized that it was absolutely possible to serve our community and continue our mission to inspire gratitude and express love for people by capturing personality-driven photos in a stress-free experience. As we follow our COVID-19 safety guidelines we can assure you that as we take necessary precautions during your session, your family will still be able to interact and share special moments just as you would have before this season.
families, Featured sessions, newborns
This family has been with me since I first got to Charlottesville and they were expecting their first baby. A lot has changed since then, including my photography style and a second baby! When we met for their first journey plan, they were in transition while they built their dream home. Now that they’re in it, we kept this maternity session cozy by celebrating a simple weekend morning of breakfast and backyard time, playing and reading books together. At this point, the nursery was still relatively empty, so we wrapped up by taking a moment in there to embrace the season of waiting and life before 3 became 4 (+ dog 🙂 ).
Earlier this year, I introduced the Kirkpatrick family and a little bit about their story through their documentary maternity session at the park and sharing family traditions on a chilly, winter morning. Well the waiting finally came to fruition as they welcomed sweet baby Henry to the world a few weeks ago, and I was able to capture these proud older siblings meeting their newest addition for the very first time.