Leah O'Connell

Charlottesville family photographer

client tips, maternity, newborns

Charlottesville Pregnancy and Newborn Resources

charlottesville-newborn-photos-at-home
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

As a Charlottesville maternity and newborn photographer, I meet A LOT of new moms…all with varying journeys through pregnancy and postpartum. This post is meant to be a super helpful gathering of Charlottesville pregnancy and newborn resources from aaaaaall their words, advice, experience, wins, and fails.

Their collective knowledge is the goldmine of real-talk we all need.

I’ve also included links for where to find local businesses that offer specific services for women in pregnancy and postpartum.

This of this as your curated list of recommendations for moms by moms.

really cool, local moms who you can trust.

charlottesville-newborn-photos-at-home

Charlottesville Pre/Postnatal Doulas + lactation support

Physical healing + postnatal exercise in Charlottesville

  • Women in Motion │ Michelle Little DPT │ orthepedic + performance physical therapy, pre + postnatal physical therapy, pregnancy prep classes │ in person & virtual
  • One Fit Mother Cville indoor + outdoor workouts, core classes, community, + education for moms in all stages (bring the babe along!) │ first class free

  • Be Squared Nutrition │ Bethany Blalock, nutrition assessments and plans especially for new moms, infants, + young kids
  • Zoom Cycle – Indoor training, cycling, + sculpt │ “cardio without too much pressure on the pelvic floor”
  • Walking!
charlottesville maternity photography

Other crucial advice around body recovery from our mamas: 

“Don’t stress about losing the weight. Eat well for you and your baby’s well being”

“Listen to your body and be kind to it.”

“Shove food in your mouth and relax bc you just popped out a baby!”

Maternity clothing in Charlottesville + Online Boutiques

  • Green Bean Baby Boutique │ organic + eco-friendly | based in Charlottesville
  • Darling Boutique qualilty second-hand items | based in Charlottesville
  • Roolee │ Utah-based boutique with comfortable, stylish maternity & nursing-friendly pieces
  • Pact Organic │ organic + eco-friendly maternity staples
  • One Loved Babe │ stylish maternity, nursing-friendly, and baby pieces
  • Love Olive Co │ Idaho-based boutique with boho maternity + nursing-friendly peices

Favorite baby + toddler resources in Charlottesville

Charlottesville prenatal massages + feel-good body things

Other Amazing Charlottesville-Based Resources for New Moms

  • Cortney Oliver │ traveling hair studio for bringing the salon to you!
  • WellFed Mamas | Pregnancy nutrition and gut health with Elizabeth Newton

Even more (personal) Charlottesville pregnancy and newborn resources:

I’ve grouped topics with more personal information and recommendations like:

  • “what I wish I knew,” &
  • “worst advice I got”
  • “things from my registry I didn’t really use,”
  • “best books for maternity leave,”
  • “best take-out for tired nights”

all in this guide.

This group of women is both resourceful and funny, so trust me, this isn’t just another boring list. Just sign up here for more bonus recommendations sent right to your inbox and get weekly stories on parenting, creativity, and simply joys a la The Firefly Letters.

newborn photos charlottesville va photographer

Other reads related to pregnancy and newborns:

How I handle sibling challenges in newborn photo sessions

4 tips for lifestyle newborn sessions with 2 under 2

The Alternative to a “cake smash” session

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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.