Angela McNaul Photography

Angela McNaul Photography www.angelamcnaulphotography.com
Charlottesville Maternity, Newborn & Baby Photographer Photographing Newborns, Maternity and Children.

Teaches new photographers how to photograph newborns in a studio OR natural light setting. Email me for mentoring prices. Mentoring does include hands on models, how to photograph and edit your sessions and portfolio critiques. Requirements are locations 125 miles outside the 22963 location. Must already shoot in Manual mode.

Can we bring this back?Because shirtless dads used to be a THING in my newborn studio.I’m talking tattooed arms, sleepy ...
09/01/2026

Can we bring this back?

Because shirtless dads used to be a THING in my newborn studio.

I’m talking tattooed arms, sleepy newborns, and that very specific kind of newborn photo that somehow makes dad look like he just wandered onto the set of a Calvin Klein ad.

This image is from 2017, and I actually used to have “shirtless dad” as an option on my session questionnaire because SO many dads wanted one.

And honestly?

I kind of miss it.

There’s something about a tiny newborn curled up against dad’s chest that just works. It’s simple, masculine, intimate, and completely different from the traditional family portrait.

So I’m officially asking:

Are we bringing back the shirtless dads?

Because I’m ready.

If you’re expecting a baby and your husband is thinking, “Absolutely not,” just show him this photo.

He may reconsider.

What Happens When We FinishI always notice the change at the end of a newborn session.At the beginning, parents are usua...
08/31/2026

What Happens When We Finish

I always notice the change at the end of a newborn session.

At the beginning, parents are usually watching everything.

Is the baby okay?

Is the baby hungry?

Is the baby comfortable?

Are we getting enough pictures?

Then somewhere along the way, they relax.

They stop watching the clock.

They stop worrying about whether the baby is going to sleep.

They start looking at the photographs.

And by the end, everybody is just tired.

Baby is tired.

Parents are tired.

I'm tired.

And somehow we have a gallery full of photographs that didn't exist a few hours earlier.

That's a pretty good way to spend a morning.

Just speaking the truth…Angela McNaul Photography
08/30/2026

Just speaking the truth…Angela McNaul Photography

A pretty newborn photograph is easy to recognize.Beautiful baby.Beautiful prop.Beautiful lighting.Everything is technica...
08/28/2026

A pretty newborn photograph is easy to recognize.

Beautiful baby.

Beautiful prop.

Beautiful lighting.

Everything is technically right.

But a good photograph?

That's different.

A good photograph makes you recognize the baby.

You look at it and immediately think:

"That's her."

"That's his little face."

"That's the way he sleeps."

"That's the exact expression she makes."

That's what I'm looking for.

Pretty is nice.

But recognizable is better.

Because your baby isn't just a newborn.

They're your newborn.

This happens all the time.Mom says:"I really don't want to be in the pictures."And I get it.You've just had a baby.You p...
08/27/2026

This happens all the time.

Mom says:

"I really don't want to be in the pictures."

And I get it.

You've just had a baby.

You probably haven't slept.

You may not feel like yourself.

You may not love the way your body looks right now.

You may have spent the entire morning making sure everyone else is ready.

But here's what I want you to know.

I'm not interested in making you look like a model.

I'm interested in making you look like their mom.

Because when your baby is 10 years old, they aren't going to look at that photograph and critique your hair.

They're going to see you holding them.

And I think you'll be glad you were there.

There is a look parents give me sometimes during a newborn session.Usually after their baby has pooped.Again.Or spit up....
08/26/2026

There is a look parents give me sometimes during a newborn session.

Usually after their baby has pooped.

Again.

Or spit up.

Again.

Or decided that the beautiful outfit they arrived in needs to be completely removed because absolutely everything underneath it is now questionable.

It’s the look that says...

“I am so sorry.”

And I always laugh.

Because please know this.

You do not have to apologize to me because your newborn is acting like a newborn.

Your baby is not ruining the session.

Your baby is not being difficult.

Your baby does not need to “behave.”

They are literally days or weeks old.

Honestly, if everyone leaves with a few good photographs and only one person gets peed on, I consider that a pretty successful day.

The bar is realistic around here.

I Still Get NervousAfter all these years...I still get a tiny knot in my stomach before every newborn session.Not becaus...
08/25/2026

I Still Get Nervous

After all these years...

I still get a tiny knot in my stomach before every newborn session.

Not because I don't know what I'm doing.

Because every family has trusted me with something irreplaceable.

Those first days.

Those tiny details.

Their brand new baby.

That trust is never something I take for granted.

I have a soft spot for dad photos.Not because dads don't love being in photographs.Some do.Some absolutely do not.But th...
08/24/2026

I have a soft spot for dad photos.

Not because dads don't love being in photographs.

Some do.

Some absolutely do not.

But there is usually a point in the session where dad realizes this is not really about having his picture taken.

It's about showing up in the story.

So I ask him to sit down.

I hand him his baby.

And almost immediately, he stops thinking about the camera.

His shoulders relax.

His hands know exactly what to do.

And he looks down.

That's usually when I take the photograph.

Not the smile he gave me.

The one he gave his baby.

Those are the dad photographs I love most.

The ones where I don't think he even realizes I'm taking them.

08/23/2026

Here’s what I would choose if I only had 10 images to introduce you to my work.

Ten images to show you how I photograph newborns, children, and families—the details I look for, the way I use light, and the kind of photographs I want you to have years from now.

Obviously, there’s so much more to my work than 10 photographs.

But if you’re new here, these are a pretty good place to start.

Charlottesville newborn photographer | Crozet newborn photographer | Virginia newborn, child, and family photography

Address

375 Four Leaf Lane
Charlottesville, VA
22903

Opening Hours

Monday 9:15am - 2:45pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:15am - 2:45pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9:15am - 2:45pm

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