Lightly directed and full of flexibility. Think - soft and tender moments + the dog licking baby's face. Birth marks and dimpled skin. The way babies actually move. Tired adrenaline. Diaper changes and feeding. All the warmth of wildness of new baby days at home.
Session Details | Newborn
Leah O'Connell
Charlottesville newborn photographer
Browse my newborn portfolio for a sip of what's possible
Every session 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 your hands and home.
All inclusive pricing
because the details matter.
These images will grow in meaning alongside you, revealing new layers of meaning as seasons shift and people change.
- tina
"Leah is absolutely AMAZING! She captured the moment of our babies meeting their brother perfectly. I have watched & looked at these pictures nonstop, & just cry. I can’t say enough amazing things about our session, other than I promise you will not be disappointed!"
Allow time to sink in with a session that makes room for flexibility, natural unfolding, and activities that are true to your season. We weave between direction and natural engagement, creating photographs that stay timeless and true, even as your family grows.
The Signature Story Session | $1400
Collection pricing
location: your home
Includes
This is for the first moments, the precious windows of meeting your child, introducing siblings, and capturing the heart of strength and celebration in its most raw form. These take place within 48 hours of baby's birth.
The Fresh 48 session | $1200
Collection pricing
location: hospital or birth room
Includes
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to work with you for Newborn photos?
2. Do you offer baby Plans with newborn and maternity sessions?
3. Can our dog or other pets be part of the photos?
4. What if my older children don't "behave?"
5. I'm nervous because I'm seriously awkward in front of any camera... can you help me not be wierd?
1. How much does it cost to work with you for newborn photos?
I know you don't want me to say "pricess!!!" even though, deep down you know it's true. My signature session is $1400 and the rate is completely all inclusive. You'll have immediate access to download all your images and there are no extra fees. This session also includes a print credit of $100 that comes back to you once the photos are delivered so you can use it in the print shop like a gift certificate.
1/2 of the rate is due up front in order to reserve your date, and the second half is due the week of your session, though I'm always open to other payment plans if you prefer!
Hospital sessions (Fresh 48) cost slightly less because these sessions are typically shorter, given they only take place in one small space.
2. Do you offer Baby Plans with Newborn and maternity sessions?
Of course! If you'd like to book a maternity session along with your newborn session, you have your choice of the same collections, as well as the family field milestone session. This is a 30 minute outdoor option that's great for a shorter maternity option to tack onto your plan.
I extend $200 off a field milestone session and $300 off a second signature session when you reserve it alongside your in-home newborn session.
3. Can our dog or other pets be part of the photos?
ABSOLUTELY! I love when the furry friends join - dogs, cats, and whatever other family pets are part of your lives. Home newborn sessions are ideal for including all your pets easily, so they are welcome to be included as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
4. What if my older Children don't "behave?"
I've been photographing kids and families for 20 years - there is nothing that surprises or rattles me. My approach to newborn sessions is naturally more relaxed and accepting - I don't require kids to sit and perform, and that makes a difference. My superpower is equal parts setting the tone and meeting kids where they are. This means that a session with me is a great fit, whether your kids are shy and reserved, energetic and boisertous, have special needs, or any other reason you may have previously thought "this isn't for us."
Please believe me - you are exactly who this is for. Your kids are wonderfully unique and I'd be honored to be trusted with capturing that.
5. I'm nervous because I'm seriously awkward in front of any camera... can you help me not be wierd?
See the above question - same applies to adults.
I pride myself in being the choice of photographers for people who typically don't consider themselves to be "family picture people." Sessions with me are natural, relaxed, playful, and only weird if we let it be ;-)
- 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.
- 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 a few preview images 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
Charlottesville family photos | Featured
Welcoming baby #3
Peek into this home session with a newborn and 2 older sisters. Shyness and swing spinning. Bed jumping and stories in the rocking chair. Nursing and muffin baking. The art of doing life together.
Read More
Charlottesville newborn photos at home
Maternity & Newborn photos at home
Is it possible to photograph sessions at home in any season, through family changes and growth, in any time of day or weather? Absolutely! View this post with featured images from maternity and newborn photos at home through fall and winter.
Read more
Charlottesville family photos | Featured
A fresh 48 session with a new family of four
No styled outfits or fancy hair & makeup. No big production of posing or perfect golden hour timing. Just a sister meeting her brother for the first time and the raw moments of love right from the hospital room.
Read more
Charlottesville family photos | Featured
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
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, The Guardian, and Heartful Magazine.