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Connection, color, and joy: An On Film, With Love summer session | Charlottesville Family Photographer
Imagine family photos as fun, lively, loving, and tender as these adorning the walls of your home. Now imagine what that would mean for your kids — to see their place in the world, how much they're loved, and that it's okay to be fully themselves.

Laura Richards
6 hours ago2 min read


That One Photo podcast: Episode 1 is live!
That One Photo is a conversation-style passion project and home to heartfelt conversations with everyday people about their most treasured family photographs. Yesterday I hit publish on the first episode, which serves as an introduction of me, where the idea for That One Photo came from, why this passion project matters so much to me, and my vision for future episodes. That One Photo started as a small idea almost two years ago.

Laura Richards
2 days ago2 min read


4 more-meaningful session ideas for your fall family photos | Charlottesville family photographer
If your heart is craving family photos this season, but you aren't sure if the traditional field look fits your family's personality, here are a few other fall session ideas that might feel more authentic.

Laura Richards
Jul 312 min read


Do you have that one photo? Invitation to collaborate on a special podcast project
I came up with an idea to help me explore this: a bite-sized podcast project chatting with people — family, friends, clients, strangers — about their favorite family photo. That one photo you could stare at forever. That one photo that means more as time goes on. That one photo that has the best story behind it. That one photo that makes you feel something (joy, nostalgia, grief). That one photo you'd save if you only had time to grab one. Did an image come to mind when you r

Laura Richards
Jul 121 min read


A moment of yearning: A beach day observation & the state of motherhood
We moms are living in a moment of yearning. To be seen. To be remembered. For our moments of joy, love, and presence outshine our moments of overstimulation, overwhelm, and over it. Being a mom is harder now than it's ever been. We must deal with the heartbreak of the world while making snacks, while making appointments, while making do, while making time for ourselves. And in the midst of all this, we are also trying to soak up a season that we know is passing too quickly.

Laura Richards
Jun 152 min read


An at-home newborn photos — in a stairwell! | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer
When I saw the stairwell in this home, I knew this was the place for their newborn photos. Sure, we could've taken photos in the living room, bedroom, or nursery, but the result would've been completely different!

Laura Richards
Mar 201 min read


A date with mom to Splendora's Gelato Shop | Charlottesville Family Photographer
Last month, I opened up a model call for a mom and kids to meet me at Splendora's Gelato in Charlottesville for a fun afternoon date.
Afternoons like this of course feel so magical for kids — but I know they do for moms, too. My vision was to capture that joy through expressions, color, and light. The sunny, terracotta-painted walls of Splendora's made for the perfect backdrop!

Laura Richards
Mar 181 min read


An intimate and dreamy at-home maternity session with mom and toddler | Charlottesville newborn photographer
I recently opened up a model call for an at-home session with an expecting mom and a toddler. My goal was to show off a collection of maternity work that felt intimate, playful, and dreamy — while also proving that maternity sessions don't need to involve fields, dresses, or even Dad! Instead, they can feel like a love letter to both the chapter of motherhood you're in and the one yet to come.

Laura Richards
Mar 181 min read


LRP Featured in Heartful Magazine's Spring 2026 Issue!
I'm so proud to announce that I have an image featured in the spring issue of Heartful Magazine! Heartful is a truly iconic publication celebrating family photographers from all over the world. It feels surreal to have one of my images chosen from over 10,000 submitted!

Laura Richards
Mar 181 min read


Why On Film, With Love is back for round 2
On Film, With Love is not so much an event as a response to a deep-down feeling that family imagery shouldn't be so complicated. When my clients look at their images, I hope they'll not only see warmth and tenderness, but I a true version of themselves — not perfect, but deeply loved.

Laura Richards
Jan 162 min read


Portrait Event Recap: On Film, With Love
This film-only portrait event, held at my home here in Charlottesville, sought to strip family relationships down to their most essential components: love, tenderness, and joy. My goal was to create a space where everyone felt free to be themselves, to show love as loudly or as tenderly as they wanted, and to walk away understanding that the best photos come from simply being together.

Laura Richards
Jan 11 min read


A first birthday session at sunset | Charlottesville Family Photographer
The evening was the perfect backdrop for slowing down and celebrating their first year as a family of four. For laughing, playing, cloud-gazing, and showing off classic 1-year-old party tricks (like kicking off shoes and taking off Dad's glasses). For living in the moment.

Laura Richards
Jun 15, 20251 min read


A spring newborn session at home | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer
Like most sessions with a first baby, this one felt so peaceful — more like a hangout where I just so happen to be taking photos while chatting with mom and dad.
I think you can feel that sense of peace in their images, as well as the pure joy that can only come from soaking in a baby you've waited so long to meet.

Laura Richards
Jun 15, 20251 min read


An at-home Fresh 48 Newborn Session | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer
For this session — my third Fresh 48 newborn session with the H family — I knew that we would be mainly photographing by the big window in their family room. Again, the surrounding toys didn't matter. Neither did the still-up birthday decorations. To prepare for their session, all Mom and Dad needed to do was focus on their new family of five and trust me.

Laura Richards
Jun 15, 20251 min read


A no-prep at-home newborn session with a toddler | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer
You might think that inviting a photographer into your home just a week postpartum sounds ... stressful. Crazy, even. Let this session be proof that just the opposite is true.

Laura Richards
Jun 14, 20251 min read


A joyful motherhood session on film | Charlottesville Family Photographer
Because this was officially a keepsake video session, I shot all of their photos exclusively on 35mm film, so I wouldn't have to bother toggling between the video and photo settings on my camera. Not only did this keep things simple, but it gave us that beautiful, nostalgic feeling that only film can offer.

Laura Richards
Jun 14, 20251 min read


Make my day (my week! my summer!) with *this* message
Ah, it's officially summer. Once I look past the sound of my kids fighting and the messes that pop up endlessly around the house, I am extremely grateful to be able to spend the long days of the season with my boys. After all, it's the only summer I'll have with their 8- and 4-year-old versions. I feel especially excited to do the whole '90s summer thing. You know what I mean — playing outside until dinner, running through the sprinkler, bringing bagged lunches to the pool, p

Laura Richards
Jun 13, 20252 min read


LRP Featured in The Kindred Path Magazine — Winter 2025
I took another leap last year and decided to submit a collection of images to The Kindred Path, a photographic journal.

Laura Richards
Feb 3, 20252 min read


LRP featured in Heartful Magazine!
I am so proud to announce that I have been selected as a Featured Photographer for Heartful Magazine's fall issue. This is such an honor!

Laura Richards
Sep 27, 20241 min read


An At-Home Session with the Cox Family | Charlottesville Family Photographer
I was so excited when Chelsea said she would be up for an at-home session, despite worrying that their home didn't get enough morning light.

Laura Richards
Sep 24, 20241 min read
The LRP Blog
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