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I've been dreaming of doing an at-home maternity session for YEARS, and it finally happened this weekend — thanks to a sweet Charlottesville family waiting for baby number two. I love that we were able to create beautiful, intimate images in the comfort of their home (especially because it was freezing outside!). They were barefoot, relaxed, and up for all of my creative ideas — which I appreciate so very much! Our session felt especially meaningful, because their daughter arrived in the throes of the pandemic, and they weren't able to capture any professional maternity or newborn photos. To document the look and feel of this second pregnancy was really important to me, particularly the bond between mom and daughter. I would love to see this year bring more at-home maternity sessions. They're wonderful for families with young children, because they can play, snack, or run around when they aren't being photographed (and, they simply feel more comfortable at home!). They're also a great option if you have a fall or spring due date and would be taking your maternity photos in the hottest part of the summer or coldest part of the winter (hello, AC and heat!) Please reach out if an at-home maternity session sounds like a good fit for you!                 
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I couldn't have dreamed up a better way to kick off my 2023 session schedule. Baby Sam's January newborn session was relaxed, intimate, and full of love and laughter. I've known his beautiful mom since college, and it was such an honor to help her capture the look and feel of this new chapter. Mom was also up for documenting a feeding, which I'd love to do more of this year! Breastfeeding can be such a physical and emotional rollercoaster, and the truth is, you never really know how long your journey with it will last. To preserve it with raw, honest photos is a special thing indeed. Thank you, Sarah and Joel — I hope your photos bring you joy for many years to come!                         
A Sunrise Family Film Session Celebrating Baby's First Year | Charlottesville Family Filmmaker12/17/2021
I looked out the window the morning of their session as a scary thought crossed my mind: "Did I tell them the wrong time?" It was pitch-dark, no sign of a sunrise in sight, and my sleepy mom-brain was second-guessing itself again.
But by the time I reached our gorgeous Charlottesville location, my worries had subsided; a golden sunrise was on its way. The hour that followed was a joyful celebration of Eleanor's first year of life — a year that, for her parents, represented so much light during a time of darkness. We laughed, played, and explored. I was able to capture the sweetest baby babble. The final product is a moving, 3-minute testament to the love Eleanor's parents have for her, and the realization that even in her young life, their daughter has taught them so much. To Mary Shea and Nick — thank you so much for trusting me to capture this season of life for you guys. I know Eleanor will treasure your messages to her forever and ever. 
Laura Richards is a family filmmaker and photographer in Charlottesville, Virginia. Reach out to book your own session for 2022!
The Ultimate Fall Family Session with Cotton-Candy Skies | Charlottesville Family Photographer12/1/2021 I'm skipping ahead in my to-blog list to feature the beautiful Sullivan family! When she first reached out, Brittany told me she was dying to update their family photos. I think this is such a common feeling when you have middle school-aged children — gone are the days of documenting every milestone, smile, and cute thing they do. They begin to have schedules and lives of their own, and the day-to-day starts to feel a little more hectic. I'm so happy the Sullivans decided to take an evening to just be together — to laugh, dance, play, and snuggle. No matter what age your children are, that's what family sessions are all about!                         Laura Richards is a newborn and family photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions and heirloom print art. Check out 7 reasons you'll love your own LRP experience here.
At just 72 hours old, Isabel was the freshest newborn I'd photographed since my own. But just look at those beautiful, piercing eyes ... it always amazes me how deep a newborn's gaze can be! It was such an honor to be asked to capture this moment for my college friend, Gail — and so fun that we got to do it at her home in Harrisonburg, just minutes from our old campus! Not only did we capture images of their new family of three, but also the sweetest film, which I love to describe as a moving portrait and the best way to keep them little forever.                 My clients chose to preserve Isabel's newborn photos in a handcrafted Keepsake Folio, wrapped in a classic blue-grey linen and debossed with her name and birthdate.  Laura Richards is a newborn and family photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions and heirloom print art. Check out 7 reasons you'll love your own LRP experience here.
An at-home newborn session, film, and heirloom album feature | Charlottesville newborn photographer11/3/2021
Now that 2021 is wrapping up, it's time to take a look back through some session favorites!
Theo's at-home newborn session was the best way to kick off my year. I remember telling his mom that I should be able to do the session, but was feeling a little worried that their son's due date was just a month after Oliver's. Thankfully, everything worked out perfectly! Not only did we capture the sweetest documentary-style images of their new family of three, but they trusted me to also create a keepsake newborn film and an heirloom album. All the things to preserve their son's early days! "We loved working with Laura on our newborn photos. She made us feel totally at ease during the shoot and captured such sweet and natural moments between the three of us (and even some with our pup!). The album Laura created was absolutely beautiful. It has been so special showing it to our family and flipping through it ourselves and reliving all of the joy and sweetness of bringing our little one home. We can't wait to have Laura capture the next milestone in our family!" 
I had always planned to do my own newborn session. I loved the idea of coming at this with a mama's heart and a photographer's eye. And I loved knowing that years from now, Oliver would look at these images and know that his mom and dad took them. I can't wait to compile these images with his Fresh 48 hospital session into one my heirloom albums! It's so important to me that my kids have special photo heirlooms of our life together, especially the parts they aren't able to remember themselves — I think it's the most important (tangible) gift I can give them!                        Laura Richards is a newborn & family photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions and heirloom print art. Check out 7 reasons you'll love your own LRP experience here.
Meet my very last session of 2020. It was a good one, you guys. Like good-for-my-soul good. To witness the bond between this beautiful mama and her three boys was so magical that I actually came home and told my husband, “I’d have 10 more boys if they were like the ones I photographed tonight.” The kindness, joy, and love were OVERFLOWING, and it shines so brightly in their images. This session was the second of two families I chose for my recent Model Call in Charlottesville. I was craving a couple of last-minute, last-hurrah sessions before baby No. 2 made his arrival (as I write this, he should be here ANY day). Just like the first session — also a lifestyle motherhood session — this one took place on the prettiest December evening. Jenna and her boys traveled from Richmond to make the session, and I'm so honored! For this one, too, mom is styled in an eye-popping burnt-orange dress from my Client Closet. All my clients are treated to this styling option. Our time together was so laid-back and fun. We danced, played games, and gave lots of hugs and kisses. The older boys adore their baby brother, and of course, all three LOVE their mama! At the end of session, the boys gave me hands-down the best client review: “That was a lot of FUN!” Boys — one on the verge of teenage-hood and the other not too far behind — had FUN spending an evening taking photos. My work here is done, friends. "Laura could not have made my momma-son session more magical! Her clear communication ... and creative vision put me at rest to simply show up & enjoy the moment. Because I was at ease, my boys felt completely free to be themselves & enjoy the moment, too. I knew going into our session that we would be receiving beautiful photos of treasured memories — what I was so pleasantly surprised by was Laura’s equally talented ability to create the perfect environment to capture our pure, unfiltered joy. Laura will not only capture your bond so beautifully, she will create a memorable experience for you to cherish in photos worth 1,000 words!"                  Laura Richards is a family photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions and heirloom print art. Check out 7 reasons you'll love your own LRP experience here.
A Lifestyle Motherhood Session in Charlottesville, Virginia | Charlottesville Family Photographer1/5/2021 Last month, I put out a last-minute model call for a motherhood photography session in Charlottesville. I really wanted one last, beautiful hurrah before my baby boy makes his arrival. I was so surprised at the response that I ended up picking two mamas! I knew I was taking a risk planning sessions in December, but both evenings turned out to be about 60 degrees and basked in gorgeous sunset light. I was extra-thankful for the warm weather, too, because I had planned for both women to wear dresses from my Client Closet. This first session with Ngoc and her four kids was so fun and energetic. I love that their laughter, movement, and love shine through in each image — it's truly how every session should be! "The session was relaxed and she really encouraged us just to play and not worry about the camera. She really focuses on capturing the moment and capturing the feeling in a photograph. I also appreciate her patience and sweet, kind nature!"                  Laura Richards is a family photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions and heirloom print art. Check out 7 reasons you'll love your own LRP experience here.
"I could not be happier with the film that Laura created for us. I have probably watched it a hundred times already. She is so kind and so talented. You should book her. You really should. [These films] are unlike anything I've ever seen offered before, and it's such a special gift, as a mama, to be able to look back and watch our babies."
Brett's session was a dream come true, overflowing with love, laughter, and amazing light.
For the most part, I just documented them hanging out — no prompting, no posing. Just a mom loving on her babies and vice versa — and that's exactly how these special sessions should be. I was so excited that Brett chose to take advantage of my Client Closet. That golden, mustard-colored dress looked incredible and provided the prettiest pop to her film and images. For her voice overlay, Brett recorded a reading of Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem "A Song of Life" — her wish for her children. I paired it with Tim Halperin's instrumental version of "Light and Wilderness." Make sure your sound is on to hear how well they paired! Keepsake Motherhood Film sessions are becoming a quick favorite of mine, and I can't wait to create more in 2021. We all know moms are so often left out of the photographs (because they're the ones taking them), but I find that we're especially absent from the videos. If you're craving your own Motherhood Film, learn more here. I'm now booking for April 2021 and beyond! It's never too early to start planning for Mother's Day ;) 
Laura Richards is a family photographer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in lifestyle and documentary sessions, family films, and heirloom print art. Learn more about Keepsake Motherhood Films here.
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Hello!Welcome to the blog! I'm Laura, and I specialize in authentic, natural-light photography and heirloom print art. Hope you'll explore my little online home and reach out if you have any questions! Archives
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