Leah O'Connell

Leah O'Connell Charlottesville, VA | Families, newborns, brands | personality-filled sessions outdoor + at home Families, newborns, small businesses

Non-negotiable #3- Home sessions are always at least an hour long.It’s really not that long, but for those used to quic...
06/15/2026

Non-negotiable #3- Home sessions are always at least an hour long.

It’s really not that long, but for those used to quickie mini sessions, it can feel like a stretch. Here’s why it matters:

For one hour you get to just put your phones away, eat donuts in the grass, push your kids on the swings, and make pictures that capture how freaking awesome that feels. Sessions aren’t just about the final photos, but about the feeling behind them.

It takes time to sink in, but once you do, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

// If you are looking for a Charlottesville family photographer and this vibe hits, reach out so we can start the conversation and make it happen. //

In my humble opinion, the best summer memories are always a little feral.Bare feet, melting popsicles, bike riding, dirt...
06/11/2026

In my humble opinion, the best summer memories are always a little feral.

Bare feet, melting popsicles, bike riding, dirt digging. I don’t think the goal with professional photos is to clean all that up.

The real challenge is allowing it to stay and marveling at how damn gorgeous it can feel to be seen for real.

// Farms in VA really showing off for these summer shoots. This crew mixed the best of both worlds. Swipe to see how our session ended - re: the best possible option for mid-summer. //

It’s really fun to get to hear when people talk well about you behind your back. A client told me she texted her friend ...
06/09/2026

It’s really fun to get to hear when people talk well about you behind your back.

A client told me she texted her friend (also a client) after our shoot that she was nervous we didn’t get anything because her kids keep shouting P**P spontaneously through the whole session. 😂

The seasoned client - whom I’ve gotten to photograph three times now - reassured her by saying:

Leah could make vomit look beautiful.

I don’t know if that’s reassuring or not, but it felt like a pretty great review that only my people will appreciate.

//images from a beach session a few years back with .larsen.weaver ‘s crew who always slays without trying too hard. //

Charlottesville family photographer // Virginia photographer

Testimonials can feel cheesy but this one feels like the best way a dad could describe popsicle mini sessions:“I usually...
06/08/2026

Testimonials can feel cheesy but this one feels like the best way a dad could describe popsicle mini sessions:

“I usually hate getting photos taken and [my wife] has to drag me out of the house for it. But this is the way to do it. This was actually pretty fun.”

Also, proof that we can have a lot of fun with 20 minutes, a sunny day, and a summery treat.

I’m doing it again this year (the only time all year I offer any type of mini session), and my email list gets exclusive access. If you’re not in the mix, yet. there’s still time but there’s only 4 spots left so if ya want in, now’s the time. 🎉

// link in my bio for all the inside details and access to these limited edition session spots //

06/01/2026

There’s probably a folder on your phone with thousands of photos of your kids. Cute. So happy you have them.

Are you in any?

Someday your kids will go looking for evidence of the moments, the feelings, the stories, the memories - they’ll want to see your face right next to theirs, your hand on their back, the way you throw your head back when you laugh.

You belong in the story. ❤️

As a kid, I remember looking at my mom’s very humble gold wedding ring with a single princess cut diamond. I asked her o...
05/27/2026

As a kid, I remember looking at my mom’s very humble gold wedding ring with a single princess cut diamond. I asked her once if she ever wanted to “upgrade” it—

She told me this ring was about where they were when they started. It’s what my dad picked out and could afford and I like that reminder.

I like shooting proposals, too. Just like newborns - it’s the beginning of something that feels special and marked, no matter how humble.

And just like rings, photos tell a story.

Plus I’m really good at inconspicuously hiding in bushes.

// I recently put more of this story on the blog if you want to see more from this beautiful proposal on the Blue Ridge Parkway //

Sandal weather has me flashing back to this fun mini brand shoot in February with .us . Did I get a pair of sandals for ...
05/25/2026

Sandal weather has me flashing back to this fun mini brand shoot in February with .us . Did I get a pair of sandals for our 3 year old as soon as humanly possible? You bet. Are they as cute and comfortable as they seem? Also yes.

This business was started by a mom and dad team - and Engineer and an Occupational Therapist - in South Africa, and they’re expanding with another parent team right here in to bring the brand stateside.

These pictures were made in a tiny studio with about 15 kids. The chaos was everything I adore but I really can’t wait to get out into nature where these babies really shine.

//Charlottesville photographer // Virginia brand photographer

There’s a million moments that happen throughout a week that make up a life. Dozens of intricacies that I could zoom in ...
05/21/2026

There’s a million moments that happen throughout a week that make up a life.

Dozens of intricacies that I could zoom in on and write novels about.

They don’t get memorialized or romanticized and that feels unfair to them because the big moments get all the fanfare.

Here’s a moment for the little things:

The beam of light coming through the trees that made me stop and audibly gasp while packing lunches before school.

The divine carrot cake Kira and I baked and decorated for Mothers day.

The chairs, handmade by a man who is easily in his late 70’s, who said he spent 6 months on and they’re not quite done.

The drawings of sabertooth tigers scattered on the counter and my nightstand and the shoerack where the bookbags go.

All the daily car to chest to couch nap transfers of The Little Toddler Who Wouldn’t Nap Unless Forced By Vehicle Motion. The way his puffy cheeks get all rosy when he sleeps and that little snore that escapes his lips.

We call little moments beautiful and it changes what beautiful means.

// excerpt from The Firefly Letters - in inboxes every Wednesday //

Family Photographer in Crozet // Charlottesville family photos

Puerto Rico on point and shoot // Most of my yapping is around celebrating little moments that shine. This was a big mom...
05/07/2026

Puerto Rico on point and shoot //

Most of my yapping is around celebrating little moments that shine. This was a big moment from last month (getting away as a couple for a whole 3 days?!) and it shined, too. Even though we didn’t actually do anything crazy, the going was adventure in itself.

Sometimes I get the sense that I’m supposed to feel guilty about traveling for pleasure.

But how could anything that wakes you up to the beauty that still exists all around us be bad?

I realize that single photo posts aren’t a cool “thing” anymore but this moment from a recent newborn session felt too i...
05/01/2026

I realize that single photo posts aren’t a cool “thing” anymore but this moment from a recent newborn session felt too iconic to miss.

Tell me a more “parent with a newborn and a toddler” image and I’ll buy you your own box of pirates b***y.
// Charlottesville newborn photographer // Virginia photographer

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Charlottesville, VA
22901

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 8pm
Saturday 9am - 8pm
Sunday 9am - 8pm

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