In every session, I look to capture personality and nuance. I love to make photos that speak to a variety of relationship dynamics within the family, the beauty in simple details, and the way people see one other deeply.
Images that feel vibrant, true, and known.
Leah O'Connell Photography
Family Photos, Charlottesville VA
Portfolio
Pricing
featured sessions
on this page
Testimonials
Family is family at every age and size.
This includes maternity, newborn, extended families, blended families, and couples with their cute pets.
Reach out to work together.
privacy policy
The experience
Every session type includes all the final, edited digital images from your gallery to download and a print credit for you to choose how you want to enjoy your favorites in the world. Photos change in meaning over time, so you don't have to pick favorites. Just soak in every moment again and again.
ALL FAMILIES ARE WELCOME AND CELEBRATED.
All inclusive pricing
because the details matter.
collections
Payment plans available.
If you love being outdoors and come alive in open spaces, this is for you. Skip the fancy and cut to the heart with a play-based session in nature.
The family field milestone session
Collection pricing
my favorite Charlottesville field & woods
- 30 minutes
- 30 final images
- $50 print credit
- smaller immediate families
- motherhood sessions
- maternity/couples
Includes
Perfect for
1
$750
location:
Allow for the time to sink in with a session that makes room for flexibility, extra creativity, and the spark of playfulness that's true for your people.
The Signature Story Session
Collection pricing
- 60-90 minutes
- 50+ final images
- $100 print credit
- families of all sizes
- anyone wanting images that include more activity and personal touches
Includes
Perfect for
2
$1400
at home or your favorite family spots
location:
When you all get together, it's a big deal. This is for larger groups to mix classic, relaxed portraits with natural play and connection.
The Multigenerational Session
Collection pricing
- 2 hours
- 100+ images
- $200 print credit
- extended families (3 or more)
- motherhood sessions
- maternity/couples
Includes
Perfect for
3
$2000
at home or your favorite family spots
location:
- Clients can choose their level of comfort with sharing images online. Your images are yours and it's up to you how or if they're shared publicly.
- All sessions are culled and edited by human touch. Your images are never uploaded into cloudbased softwares for AI training at any part of my workflow.
- I do not record "behind-the-scenes" video during paid sessions to use for my own marketing. Your home is your haven. Everything you experience in your session will allow you to remain in the moment with privacy among your people and spaces.
Safety and respect
Reach out for availability + share about your family!
one
Reserve your session + get excited
two
Meet to make photos together & savor your People
three
Get sneak peeks in < 48 hours
four
Get teary over your slideshow and browse your final photos (<2 weeks turnaround)
five
Use your print credit to order keepsakes from your gallery
six
Working Together
Click Magazine
Heartful Magazine
Recently Featured
All Things Montessori Podcast
The MOther's Embrace Podcast
The Guardian
Every session option includes a print credit - it's like a gift certificate to yourself for printing your photos after the session. Choose from curated archival options right inside your gallery to customize your treasures.
Keepsakes with every session
I make a conscious effort to partner with labs and choose products that utilize environmentally friendly printing practices and materials.
With people and the planet in mind
Reach out to get started
Leah is a photographer in Charlottesville, Virginia who specializes in families and newborns with a relaxed, honest, and vibrant approach.
also serving surrounding areas of Richmond, Winchester, and Harrisonburg, Virginia and available to collaborate wherever you call home.
[My husband] especially couldn't part with any of the photos as they have captured such a time of healing in his life. I can't emphasize enough how much this art means to us. "
"We are totally thrilled and floored by these photos."
- Hannah
We have been so happy working with Leah in both the process of having the photos taken and the end results. She truly makes everything feel so comfortable and natural. I take so many photos all the time of my daughter and my husband and my pets, but the ones that bring me the most joy and that I look back on year after year are the ones Leah has taken."
"It is very rare for me to look at photos of myself and feel happy with how I look, but I am so thankful to have photos of me with my family that I can look at and feel nothing but love.
- Elenor
Charlottesville family photos | Featured
Don't control it, embrace it
Peek behind the scenes at a playful, outdoor session with four kids. These fall family photos are full of laughter and connection, while celebrating all the personality a family holds.
Read More
Playful Outdoor family photos in Charlottesville
FEATURED EPISODES
What to wear for family photos besides dresses
Breathe a sigh in solidarity in knowing there are other options! Read on for tips that will have you looking and feeling like your beautiful self for your family photos.
Read more
FEATURED EPISODES
An urban in-home session (+ backyard oobleck)
Strolling the city sidewalks, paying in the park, and making oobleck in the backyard - the suprising elements that made these family photos totally unique to this family's season of life.
Read more
Leah O'Connell is a family photographer in Charlottesville, VA.
She is available for travel primarily on the East Coast, but is open to anywhere you call home.
Leah has photographed families for nearly 20 years all across the United States and has been featured in print publications such as Harvard Magazine, Click Magazine, and Heartful Magazine.