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Firefly Photography : Charlottesville, VA

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One Photo One Story: I See the Moon

personal, documentary

One Photo One Story: I See the Moon

Leah O'Connell April 20, 2018

My husband works really hard - he's passionate, creative, dedicated, and a true leader down to his core. Yet, he has always inspired me with the way he's about to "shut off" and create memorable experiences, wholly present and loving, whenever the opportunity arises.

On an unseasonably warm, winter day, he came home from work just as the sun was setting. He immediately scooped up Kira in one arm, a blanket in the other, and Bourbon by the leash, ushering us all outside. Still in his button-up and dress shoes, he laid on the grass with our girl and gave her his energy like only a dad can - with tickle fights and goofy stories, teaching her about stars and pointing out constellations as the sky grew darker. 

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In one photo one story Tags personal, documentary
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Fresh 48: Meet the siblings

featured, documentary

Featured: Meet the Siblings Fresh 48

Leah O'Connell April 11, 2018

Earlier this year, I introduced the Kirkpatrick family and a little bit about their story through their documentary maternity session at the park and sharing family traditions on a chilly, winter morning. 

Well the waiting finally came to fruition as they welcomed sweet baby Henry to the world a few weeks ago, and I was able to capture these proud older siblings meeting their newest addition for the very first time. 

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In featured sessions Tags fresh 48, documentary
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Behind the Brand : Laurel Denise

 

women making waves, business

Behind the Brand: Laurel Denise

Leah O'Connell March 23, 2018

Laurel Smith started her business after literally dreaming about it, left her full-time government job in DC where she worked yards away from her future husband, and started taking action on the purpose she felt called to pursue. 13 years later, she's married to that man, loving on two precious daughters, running her business, Laurel Denise, from the upstairs of her beautiful Charlottesville home, and consistently serving up joy, hope, and love around the world. 

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In business, featured sessions, inspiration Tags women making waves, brands
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A Maternity and Birth Story Through Cancer and Beyond

featured sessions, maternity, newborn, documentary

Featured: A Maternity and Birth Story Through Cancer and Beyond

Leah O'Connell March 19, 2018

They met because of perfect timing. And while the joy of new life and news of cancer came for her all at once, their faithfulness in the continued purpose of God's timing is one of the most inspiring stories I've heard and had the honor to capture.

He's a turkey farmer, she's a nurse, and together they celebrated and waited, fought and hoped through all the pieces of this journey.

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In featured sessions Tags maternity, newborn, lifestyle
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girlrunninginfield

It's not for everyone, but is it for you?

session experience, inspiration

It's not for everyone, but is it for you?

Leah O'Connell March 16, 2018

Time after time, I hear people say - 

"I don't want pictures of myself around the house."

"Photoshoots are just so awkward"

"I’d be self-conscious, I’m not a model, I'm not good enough at posing..."

"I just want one good shot for the Christmas card" 

They look at my photos and they don't understand why everyone's not looking at the camera, or why there's hair in front of the kids face, or someone's head is cropped out of the frame. 

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In education, inspiration Tags documentary, lifestyle, favorites
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Mother + Son Newborn Session

newborn, lifestyle, featured sessions

Featured: Lifestyle Newborn Session with Mama and Baby A

Leah O'Connell March 9, 2018

There is nothing quite like the relationship of a mama and her newborn baby. When discussing photos for his first year, mom Amanda shared with me that her husband felt like she had worked so hard all 9 months of the pregnancy to grow and nurture him, that the first session should simply celebrate their bond. (I mean come on, how sweet is that?!) 

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In featured sessions Tags newborn, lifestyle
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Our Weekend Family Getaway

Guide to Williamsburg with kids 

Our Weekend Family Getaway : Guide to Williamsburg with Kids

Leah O'Connell February 28, 2018

We are so blessed in Virginia to live so close to so many wonderful destinations. We have found such a home here in Charlottesville, but sometimes, ya just need to get away. When a rare but open weekend presented itself on the calendar, amidst a rainy forecast and desperate desire to slow down for a change, we booked a random little getaway to Williamsburg, VA.

Believe it or not, this was our first trip/vacation with just the three of us. No other family or specific occasion, just our crew and basically no agenda but to just enjoy each other's company.

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In personal Tags personal, travel, documentary
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10 Biggest Love Lessons I Learned from Childhood

personal, inspiration

10 Biggest Love Lessons I Learned From Childhood

Leah O'Connell February 14, 2018

Today is Valentines Day, which --okay, it really doesn't really mean a whole lot. It is, however, a day in which our society chooses to celebrate love and I love love so I also enjoy an excuse to spread a little extra of it around. 

I was thinking back to all the Valentines Days of my past, who I was with, how they played out, and it made me realize just how much I've grown in my understanding of relationships throughout it all. 

Through all the drama, the secret crushes, the bad relationships, the break-ups of the past, and then the marriage lessons which are a whole new ballgame, there are a few lessons that seem to persist at every age and through every kind of relationship, romantic and otherwise. 

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In inspiration, personal Tags mom's corner
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I won't ask your kids to smile

family, session experience

I won't ask your kids to smile

Leah O'Connell February 9, 2018

Yep, your read that right. You will never here the phrases "smile big!" or "give me your biggest smile!" or "smile for the camera!" or ANY variation of that request.

In fact,  "Say cheese" is on my top 10 list of phrases that make me cringe. 

(Right up there with "there's no more cereal" or "I've never seen Parks and Recreation"). 

But here's the thing. Those phrases are engrained in us - it's like whenever we see a camera emerge, these words just blurt our of our mouths.

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In session experience Tags family, mom's corner
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Icy Winter Maternity Session

maternity, lifestyle

Featured: Icy Winter Maternity Session

Leah O'Connell February 7, 2018

Ever wonder what a maternity session looks like in the dead of winter?

Welp, to start with, it looks like two adventures soon-to-be-parents and a willingness to get a little cold for the sake of a vision.

Add an icy lake on a 9 degree evening at sunset + some gorgeous Virginia mountains, and you're right on track!

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In featured sessions Tags maternity, lifestyle
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Featured
Jan 22, 2018
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The One Thing Everyone Does When They Enter A Home
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