Smooshed faces, windblown hair, barefeet, superhero capes, roasting marshmallows, playing in the sprinkler, throwing snowballs, climbing trees, holding chickens...
Life (and love) is in the details. I'm here to help you hold them.
Session details | Families
Leah O'Connell
Charlottesville family photographer
Family is family at every age and size.
This includes maternity, newborn, extended families, blended families, grandparents, couples with their cute pets and everything in between.
Browse my family 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 FAMILIES ARE WELCOME AND CELEBRATED.
All inclusive pricing
because the details matter.
These images will grow alongside you, revealing new layers of meaning as seasons shift and people change.
If you love being outdoors and want a generic location that feels open and free, these are play-based sessions include both portraits and candid moments in a short time.
The family field milestone session | $750
Collection pricing
Includes
1
location: my favorite Charlottesville field
Allow time to sink in with a session that makes room for flexibility, natural unfolding, and activities that are true to your family season. We weave between direction and play, creating photographs that stay timeless and true, even as your family grows.
The Signature Story Session | $1400
Collection pricing
Includes
2
location: at home or your favorite family spots
Great for extended families, special activities, and/or multiple locations. Extra time leaves room for even more open flow and creativity to capture your family dynamic.
The Narrative Family Session | $2000
Collection pricing
Includes
3
location: at home or your favorite family spots
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
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to work with you for family photos?
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. The signature session also includes a print credit of $100 that comes back to you once the photos are delivered so you can use it like a gift certificate towards prints in the shop.
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.
The family field milestone session is the miniature version of working together at $750. These are 30 minute outdoor sessions that pack lots of fun into a simple experience with all the same level of quality, $50 in print credit, and all the digital files included.
2. How long is a typical session?
The signature session lasts about 60-90 minutes - I don't set a timer and cut us off, but this is generally the amount it takes to create a full gallery with lots of variety.
Field family milestone sessions are 30 minutes long, and Narrative Sessions last around 2 hours.
3. Can our dog 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 sessions are ideal for including all your pets easily, but you're welcome to bring them to any location if you'd like.
One small thing - pets are not allowed at the Family Field Milestone session location, so Signature or Narrative sessions are required if you want to include these pals.
4. What if my Children don't "behave?"
Listen, I've been photographing kids and families for 20 years - there is nothing that surprises or rattles me. My approach to 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 boisertrous, 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, your family, is wonderfully unique and I'd be honored to be trusted with capturing your truth.
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 ;-)
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
[My husband] especially couldn't part with any of the photos as they have captured such a time of healing in his life. I can't emphasize enough how much this art means to us. "
"We are totally thrilled and floored by these photos."
- Hannah
We have been so happy working with Leah in both the process of having the photos taken and the end results. She truly makes everything feel so comfortable and natural. I take so many photos all the time of my daughter and my husband and my pets, but the ones that bring me the most joy and that I look back on year after year are the ones Leah has taken."
"It is very rare for me to look at photos of myself and feel happy with how I look, but I am so thankful to have photos of me with my family that I can look at and feel nothing but love.
- Elenor
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, and Heartful Magazine.