Leah O'Connell PhotographyCharlottesville, VA
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Family, newborn, brand, and school photography stories from Leah O'Connell.
client tips, families, Featured sessions
I photographed this family of three at home when their daughter was first born, but with the gorgeous fall weather in Charlottesville, we decided to meet at a park down the road from their house instead. They often come here to play or walk their dog, and it felt like the perfect way to celebrate
From the second I read the inquiry form from this family for a home session with their four year old and triplet 2 year olds, I thought – “oh my gosh I have to work with them.” The parents approached the whole thing with a desire to capture the beautiful but wild reality of their
The first time I worked with this family, they were local to me in Charlottesville. But when they reached out to see if I would make the drive for an urban in-home session at their new place in Baltimore, I couldn’t resist. They are so much fun and I knew that photographing them in their
My 36 pound 4 year old climbs up on a small but not-a-toy four wheeler and pulls the throttle, kicking it into gear across an open field. He is in heaven. I am in a panic. My stomach drops and I’m certain I turn the color of an unroasted marshmallow. It takes everything in me
families, favorites, Featured sessions
I’ve had the joy of capturing this family through several special milestones. But as they’ve settled into a new home and started to sink into their family dynamic, it was a real treat to make family photos at home… and at their chicken coop. Along with their two kids, they raise 19 chickens, four bunnies,
*this essay was originally shared in my weekly newsletter. For more essays on family, creativity, and simple joys to your inbox every Wednesday night, sign up here.* I hear his bouncy, 3-year-old voice calling from the top of the stairs – “mamaaaaa I’m awaaaake!” I smile and sigh at the same time and close my laptop
*this essay was originally shared in my weekly newsletter. For more essays on family, creativity, and simple joys to your inbox every Wednesday night, sign up here.* It’s after dinner and the big kids have been granted a cookie while we finish the dishes. I look over my shoulder to see my oldest alternating techniques
favorites, Featured sessions, newborns
The phrase “beautifully imperfect” rubs me the wrong way. “Imperfect” somehow implies there is a “perfect” to begin with. It implies something is wrong, even if it’s accepted. I don’t believe in perfect – a perfect session, a perfect home, perfect light, or perfectly behaved kids. I believe in the hard, beautiful work of family.
Before this session, the mom and I chatted on the phone to iron out the details. We talked about letting the kids have input about their outfits, choosing things they already loved from their closets, and about her biggest concern – the light. She was worried about their crew of 6 doing family photos in
This crew invited me to their home on a bright summer day for a family session to celebrate baby boy turning one. While many families will choose to have lifestyle newborn photos at home, I met this little guy when he was just hours old for a Fresh 48 session in the hospital. This made
Families (predictably) flock to fall photos as their annual go-to, but spring is too good to pass up and most people just don’t realize it! Last spring, I was on maternity leave but this year, I’m excited to dance with some families in the sunshine, play in backyards, and re-discover all the reasons to love
Many photographers shudder at the thought of extended family photos, but to me, they’re a thrill. There are so many different personalities and so much potential for spontaneity and honest delight. All it takes is the right prep and energy to set the tone. Take these sessions to the backyard of a home where the