Leah O'Connell PhotographyCharlottesville, VA
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client tips, families, Featured sessions
If you’ve been thinking about booking a family session but the idea of a scenic overlook, a color-coordinated outfit, and a stranger telling you where to stand makes you want to close the tab – this one’s for you. The Home Sweet Home session exists for exactly that feeling. It’s built around your actual home,
When your family scatters across states and schedules, finding a window where everyone lands in the same place is its own kind of miracle. Last summer, a family made that happen at Wintergreen resort in Virginia and reached out about making some relaxed extended family photos while they were all together. Because reunions are scheduled
If you google “best locations for spring family photos in Charlottesville,” you’ll get a pretty predictable list. Scenic overlooks. Blooming gardens. The kind of locations that look incredible in a single frame but don’t always allow for much natural play, variety, or realness. I’ve been photographing families here for almost 20 years and the locations
There’s always something uniquely meaningful about gathering extended family in one place—but especially when the year has been marked by both extreme joy and immense heartbreak. In this session, I spent an afternoon with a family who had traveled from all over the East Coast to meet for the holidays. One of the couples was
A Recap of My Charlottesville Summer Mini Sessions Back in July, I opened just 8 spots for summer mini sessions at one of my favorite tucked-away spots in Charlottesville—a public reserve that feels secluded, calm, and easy for families of all ages to enjoy. Each session was just 20 minutes long, but those minutes were
Fall in Charlottesville is magical. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as our backdrop and the University of Virginia’s stunning grounds framing our neighborhoods, there’s no shortage of gorgeous locations for Charlottesville fall family photos. But after years of the same golden field sessions, many families crave something fresh. As a photographer who’s lived in Charlottesville
If fall is your favorite season of all, join the club! Family photos are the most popular in the fall around Charlottesville because it’s just so dang beautiful. Families revel in all the fun things to do together that make it even better. Unfortunately, this means lots of favorite family spots are too crowded to
Summer family photos come with so many natural perks, and wardrobe is one of them! As a Charlottesville photographer for the last 12 years, I’ve picked up some recommendations for outfits that will lend themselves to fitting the summer vibe and photograph beautifully, without feeling overly styled. Maybe choosing outfits for a summer session feels
I met this lovely crew on a bright May morning for their family photos at UVA. The couple are alumni of the University of Virginia, so it holds a special place in their hearts. Years ago, I had the joy of capturing them here with their oldest child as he took his first steps. Now,
Let’s start with 2 obvious points – dresses are lovely and lots of women wear them for family photos. It’s the main thing you’ll see moms in if you google or search for inspiration. But what if you’re not a dress person? You’re in good company because the majority of women I work with actually
Reach out here to plan your family photos with me. You may also like: Don’t control it, embrace it: playful family photos in Charlottesville Outdoor fall photos in Charlottesville with a family of 3 Charlottesville Pregnancy and Newborn Resources
