Leah O'Connell PhotographyCharlottesville, VA
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I’ve been photographing this family since they were expecting their first baby — a boy who is now ten years old and, understandably, a little too cool for me. Over the years, I’ve watched them grow from first-time parents into a family with depth, grief, and resilience. Returning to their home for newborn photos with
Hazel had a rocky start. She spent 14 days in the NICU after surprise complications led to a last-minute c-section and days without holding her, hoping she would breathe on her own. Those days were filled with worry and hope alongside caring doctors and nurses. She finally came home on the day before Christmas Eve,
If you loved this session, check out other featured newborn sessions like this one and this one. You may also like: What to wear for your Charlottesville newborn photos When to take Newborn Photos & Maternity photos at home in Charlottesville
It is the greatest privilege to coexist in the home with a new baby. Besides their fresh presence, everyone’s stories about how they came to parenthood are winding, difficult, and unique as well. I feel truly honored every time I’m asked to come into that story and capture a piece of it. It was the
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.
Featured sessions, maternity, newborns
Is it possible to photograph sessions at home in any season, through family changes and growth, in any time of day or weather? Absolutely! I photographed maternity and newborn photos at home along with a one year family session with the Barnes family as they welcomed of their first son, Theodore. So when they reached
Every new baby melts my heart, but it was a first time experience to walk into a session and simply start weeping. Baby Wilder is the first baby boy to my very best friend whom I’ve known since I was 7. She and her husband welcomed him into the world after years of infertility, a
Deciding what to wear for your home newborn photos when you’re newly postpartum can be… troubling. Confusing. Frustrating. The last thing on your list?? Probably all of the above. Then there’s deciding what everyone else should wear. Whew. Here’s to hoping this blog post sets your mind at ease and helps make that “what to
It’s easy to think that all newborn sessions are sleepy, calm and serene. After all, that’s the majority of what we see in media around newborn sessions at home. But I believe newborn photos can be just as full of personality and vibrance as any other, especially whenever there’s a sibling or two thrown in
client tips, favorites, newborns
Between hanging over a toilet, planning a registry, and setting up the nursery, it starts to really sink in that you’ll be joined by a little human soon; it’s special, unique, and a complete blur… so let’s talk about when to take newborn photos with that miracle you’ve been longing to meet for the last
client tips, maternity, newborns
Scheduling fresh 48 photos can be exciting and intimidating – after all, you have no idea how you’ll be feeling after the intense labor-zone. Maybe the idea of deciding what to wear for fresh 48 photos, dressing up, and being photographed in this stage feels like a hard pass. But the good news is, despite
client tips, maternity, newborns
When you finally get the news that you’re pregnant, whether it happened fast or it’s been a long, difficult journey to welcome this little gift, suddenly the to-do items seem to flash before you. Between registering for a pail to hold poop and throwing up saltines, it’s not always glamorous. But booking maternity photos should