Waiting to meet your baby and honoring the incredible power of your body to grow and nourish new life is a sacred time worth remembering. Maybe your pregnancy happened quickly or unexpectedly or maybe your journey was a winding road starting years before, but whatever your story is, I would be honored to document the love, beauty, awe and anticipation during this special season of life.

Sessions can happen in-home or on location and I will document the intimacy between you and your love as you dream about who your baby will be, and your hearts expand just thinking about holding your little love soon. Fur babies are always welcome at sessions too.

Maternity sessions last about 45 minutes depending on the location and how much walking is involved. Documenting siblings as they wait to meet their little brother or sister is something I cherish as well.

For family maternity sessions with siblings, please click here for details. 


Maternity

“Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom.”
- Harriette Hartigan

INVESTMENT

MATERNITY MEMORIES SESSION

•  Pre-session communication, access to a styling service and preparation to make the session wonderful.
  
•   1 hour photographic service.
  
•  My creative and professional editing service. A gallery of 50+ high resolution  digital downloads for you to use and share.

•  Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.



• Pre-session communication, access to a styling service and preparation to make the session wonderful.

• 1 hour photographic service.

• My creative and professional editing service. A gallery of 50+ high resolution digital downloads for you to use and share.

• Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.



“Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom.”
- Harriette Hartigan

Weekend rate is +$250
Travel fee charged on sessions outside of SF at 100/hr of travel
Additional heirloom-quality prints, albums and products are also offered a la carte.

Investment: $1525 

BOOK NOW

Maternity

Looking for a package that will document your entire child's first year?  
LEARN MORE

Newborn

Meeting your baby, whether it's your first or last, is one of the most
life-defining moments for a family. The newness, the love, the excitement,
the exhaustion, the tears of joy, the baby tears that make your heart skip,
the long days that disappear in a blink… all of it is so powerful and beautiful
as my lens sees it.

My in-home newborn sessions are all about documenting your baby being
welcomed into their first home and into your loving arms. This chapter
passes so quickly, and often in a sleep-deprived haze, so I will  record
all the details for you to savor for the rest of your lives. I will photograph
your family just as you are, your beautiful bebe, the sweet snuggles,
the feeding, the diaper changing, the swooning over your little one,
the yawns, the blanket that Grandma made, the nursery (even if it's in a
San Francisco closet) and I am happy to document your special pets too.

I always make sure to record all the little newborn details like tiny hands and
toes and I even help to tuck away any unwanted clutter so that your
memories are recorded beautifully and without distraction. I usually stay
about 1.5 - 2 hours but all babies are different and some need to be fed for
45 minute stretches, so I am on your time and I will stay as long as necessary
to make sure I have an amazing gallery to deliver to you. The session is a
relaxed and stress-free time.

Meeting your baby, whether it's your first or last, is one of the most life-defining moments for a family. The newness, the love, the excitement, the exhaustion, the tears of joy, the baby tears that make your heart skip, the long days that disappear in a blink… all of it is so powerful and beautiful as my lens sees it.

My in-home newborn sessions are all about documenting your baby being welcomed into their first home and into your loving arms. This chapter passes so quickly, and often in a sleep-deprived haze, so I will  record all the details for you to savor for the rest of your lives. I will photograph your family just as you are, your beautiful bebe, the sweet snuggles, the feeding, the diaper changing, the swooning over your little one, the yawns, the blanket that Grandma made, the nursery (even if it's in a San Francisco closet) and I am happy to document your special pets too.

I always make sure to record all the little newborn details like tiny hands and toes and I even help to tuck away any unwanted clutter so that your memories are recorded beautifully and without distraction. I usually stay about 1.5 - 2 hours but all babies are different and some need to be fed for 45 minute stretches, so I am on your time and I will stay as long as necessary to make sure I have an amazing gallery to deliver to you. The session is a relaxed and stress-free time.

"You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.”
-Jen Hatmaker

INVESTMENT

Lifestyle in home newborn session

•  Pre-session communication and preparation to make the session stress-free and wonderful.

•  1.5 -2 hours (sometimes more) of photographic service in-home.

•  My creative and professional editing service.

•  A gallery of 75+ high resolution digital downloads
 
•  A 12x18 professional print  

•  Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.


Investment: $1725 new clients 
 returning clients $1525

Weekend rate is +$250
Travel fee charged on sessions outside of SF at 100/hr of travel
Additional heirloom-quality prints, albums and products are also offered a la carte.

"You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.”
-Jen Hatmaker

Newborn

BOOK NOW

Looking for a package that will document your entire child's first year?
LEARN MORE

I am forever living in nostalgic “remember-when moments and photography is my way of freezing time. Whatever chapter of your family love story you may be in, documenting these moments matters. Sometimes life gets busy and feels overwhelming, but I want to show you why all your hard work as a parent matters.

My focus as a photographer is visual storytelling. I try to capture everything- your love, your connections, your joy, your laughter, the adventure, the chaos, the beauty, and the details of your life and family right now. I work beforehand through a consult/questionnaire to understand your unique family dynamics and the aspects of your family life that are most meaningful.

I aim to create emotive, artistic, and authentic imagery that conveys who your family is. I want to know what makes you and your family unique, and then I want to create artistic heirlooms for you to cherish for the rest of your life and bestow upon future generations.


Family

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.”
— Andy Warhol

INVESTMENT

HEIRLOOM Lifestyle FAMILY SESSIONS

•  Pre-session communication and preparation to make the session  wonderful.

•  1  hour of photographic service on-location or in-home (I can get  a solid set in an hour, but if the kids are in a good mood, I happily  keep shooting a little longer).

•  Access to a free online styling service.

•  My creative and professional editing service.

•  A gallery of 75+ high resolution digital downloads for you to use and  share.

•  A 12x18 professional print  

•  Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.

• Pre-session communication and preparation to make the session wonderful.

• 1 – 1.5 hours of photographic service on-location or in-home (I can get a solid set in an hour, but if the kids are in a good mood, I happily keep shooting a little longer).

• Access to a free online styling service.

• My creative and professional editing service.

• A gallery of 75+ high resolution digital downloads for you to use and share.

• A 12x18 professional print

• Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.

Weekend rate is +$250
Travel fee charged on sessions outside of SF at 100/hr of travel
Additional heirloom-quality prints, albums and products are also offered a la carte.

Family

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.”
— Andy Warhol

 new client Investment: $1625
returning clients: $1425 

book now

•  Pre-session communication & preparation to make the session wonderful.

•  Access to a free online styling service for your family.

•  30 minutes of photographic service on-location or in-home.
  
•  My creative and professional editing service.

•  20 digital downloads selected from a gallery of 40 edited photographs.
     **This shorter session is only offered on weekdays.


Family

“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.”
— Andy Warhol

**Additional heirloom-quality prints, albums and products are also offered a la carte.

< Go Back

Investment: $975 new clients $875 returning clients.

Choosing to share your life with another person, whether you are newly
engaged or celebrating your City Hall Wedding, love is a beautiful commitment
worth documenting. Love is my favorite source of inspiration for photography,
and each couple’s love story is truly unique.

I work beforehand through a consult / questionnaire to get to know you and
your partner so that I can authentically capture the beautiful details, tender
moments, intimacy, joy, humor, and story of who you are as a pair, and what
makes your connection strong. My intention is to photograph storytelling
imagery and create artistic heirlooms for you to remember this chapter and
cherish for the rest of your lives together.

If you are interested in booking an elopement or intimate wedding,
please send me a message for a custom proposal for your special day.

Choosing to share your life with another person, whether you are newly engaged or celebrating your Golden Anniversary, is a beautiful commitment worth documenting. Love is my favorite source of inspiration for photography, and each couple’s love story is truly unique.

I work beforehand through a consult / questionnaire to get to know you and your partner so that I can authentically capture the beautiful details, tender moments, intimacy, joy, humor, and story of who you are as a pair, and what makes your connection strong. My intention is to photograph storytelling imagery and create artistic heirlooms for you to remember this chapter and cherish for the rest of your lives together.

If you are interested in booking an elopement or intimate wedding, please send me a message for a custom proposal for your special day.

Couples

“To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love;And to bleed willingly and joyfully. to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;And to return home at even tide with gratitude;And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips”
-Kahlil Gibran

INVESTMENT

couples love story session

•  Pre-session communication & preparation to make the session wonderful.
  
•  Access to a free online styling service.
  
•  1 hour photographic service.
  
•  My creative and professional editing service.
  
•  A gallery of 50+ high resolution digital downloads for you to use and  share.
  
•  Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.


• Pre-session communication & preparation to make the session wonderful.

• Access to a free online styling service.

• 1 hour photographic service.

• My creative and professional editing service.

• A gallery of 50+ high resolution digital downloads for you to use and share.

• Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.


“To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love;And to bleed willingly and joyfully. to wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;And to return home at even tide with gratitude;And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips”
-Kahlil Gibran

Couples

Weekend rate is +$250
Travel fee charged on sessions outside of SF at 100/hr of travel
Additional heirloom-quality prints, albums and products are also offered a la carte.

** For San Francisco City Hall weddings or proposals, additional hours and locations can be added for $650 per hour.

Investment: $1525

book now

Are you a small business owner or creative professional looking for photos for your website, social media accounts, blog posts, blog features, news articles, workshop advertising, speaking gigs, or magazine interviews? Do you want more than a traditional headshot?

Are you looking for beautiful imagery of you doing what you actually do?
I love working with small business owners, artists + creatives, store owners, coaches, therapists and entrepreneurs doing branding and creative headshot sessions.

During a creative branding session, I take a few traditional headshots, but the larger focus is usually making creative portraits and environmental portraiture that reflect your unique personality and line of work. The photos are on-brand and help to tell a bit about your story and the work you do.

I can come to your home office, studio, place of business, or beyond and spend time with you, photographing you in your work space, brand elements, creative process, details and materials relevant to your line of work, products, and place of business. You will receive a gallery of high quality imagery related to your work to use however you see fit, along with a series of great portraits that reflect who YOU are to your ideal clients.

Are you a small business owner or creative professional looking for photos for your website, social media accounts, blog posts, blog features, news articles, workshop advertising, speaking gigs, or magazine interviews?
Do you want more than a traditional headshot?
Are you looking for beautiful imagery of you doing what you actually do?
I love working with small business owners, artists + creatives, store owners, coaches, therapists and entrepreneurs doing branding and creative headshot sessions.
During a creative branding session, I take a few traditional headshots, but the larger focus is usually making creative portraits and environmental portraiture that reflect your unique personality and line of work. The photos are on-brand and help to tell a bit about your story and the work you do.
I can come to your home office, studio, place of business, or beyond and spend time with you, photographing you in your work space, brand elements, creative process, details and materials relevant to your line of work, products, and place of business. You will receive a gallery of high quality imagery related to your work to use however you see fit, along with a series of great portraits that reflect who YOU are to your ideal clients.

Portraits + Branding

"Working with Ashley Kaplan Photography was undoubtedly the best investment for my business in 2021. Not only is she an incredible photographer and mentor, but a genuinely rad human who cares about the bigger picture in life, which is why I reached out to her. Learning from Ashley has propelled my business so much farther than I imagined in a short period of time. She's an open book and answered every one of my questions with thoughtful honesty and detail. I will definitely continue to work with her in the future and highly recommend! You won't regret it!"

INVESTMENT

BRANDING, creative headshots + senior portrait SESSIONs

•  Pre-session questionnaire and call to customize the session to match your unique brand and goals.
  
•  1-hour creative portraiture session.
  
•  50+ professionally edited high-resolution digital downloads in both web-optimized and high-resolution files.
  
•  Print release and lifetime licensing and usage.

• Pre-session questionnaire and call to customize the session to match your unique brand and goals.

• 1-hour creative portraiture session.

• 50+ professionally edited high-resolution digital downloads in both web-optimized and high-resolution files.

• Print release and lifetime licensing and usage.

"Working with Ashley Kaplan Photography was undoubtedly the best investment for my business in 2021. Not only is she an incredible photographer and mentor, but a genuinely rad human who cares about the bigger picture in life, which is why I reached out to her. Learning from Ashley has propelled my business so much farther than I imagined in a short period of time. She's an open book and answered every one of my questions with thoughtful honesty and detail. I will definitely continue to work with her in the future and highly recommend anyone looking for a mentor to hire Ashley! You won't regret it!"

Portraits + Branding

** If shooting at more than one location, an additional hour of shooting can be added for 650/hour or location

Weekend rate is +$250

Investment: $1425

book now

• Pre-session communication and preparation to make the sessions wonderful

• Three photo sessions: maternity + newborn + 1-year milestone or newborn + 6-month milestone + 1-year milestone

• Access to a free online styling service. My creative and professional editing service.

• A gallery of 75+ high resolution digital downloads from each session

• A 20-page 10x10 professional album custom designed by me with your favorite images from all 3 sessions.

• Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.

• Pre-session communication and preparation to make the sessions wonderful

• Three photo sessions: maternity + newborn + 1-year milestone or newborn + 6-month milestone + 1-year milestone

• Access to a free online styling service. My creative and professional editing service.

• A gallery of 75+ high resolution digital downloads from each session

• A 20-page 10x10 professional album custom designed by me with your favorite images from all 3 sessions.

• Generations of sweet memories in single frame from this special time.

"You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little bigger then they are today. This day is a gift. Breathe and notice. Smell and touch them; study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today mama. It will be over before you know it.”
-Jen Hatmaker

Weekend rate is +$250
Travel fee charged on sessions more than 30 minutes outside of SF

Investment: $4650

book now

first trip around the sun package

Frequently Asked Questions

I specialize in family love story sessions offering engagement, maternity, newborn and family photography sessions. I also offer birth sessions, San Francisco City Hall weddings, and creative headshots/branding for entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

For outdoor sessions, lighting is usually best in the early morning hours right aft er sunrise or in the hour or two prior to sunset. The light at that time of day is known as “golden light” and can offer a beautiful and warm glow so long as Karl the Fog doesn’t intervene. A foggy or overcast sky can also be beautiful too! Sunrise and sunset isn’t feasible for all families, and I am a mother so realize that timing sometimes won't work around kid's schedules, so please just let me know what can work for your family.

Since I am creating custom artwork for your family, wardrobe and color theory impact the final imagery we create. From beginning to end, I want to make this photo experience as stress-free as possible for all of my clients, which is why I offer my clients free access to a personalized styling site that’s fun to use to select and buy clothes from online stores or just to find some style inspiration by clothing style and color. I am also happy to discuss color palettes and wardrobe options. Clients are welcome to email me options and I am happy to help find the perfect outfits to reflect your family’s personality.

Yes! Your pet(s) are always welcome at sessions. In-home sessions work quite well for pets to be naturally included but outdoor sessions can often work as well. You know your pets best so I ask you to take the lead and responsibility for keeping kids safe, especially newborns, when pets are included.

You can send me an email at ashleykaplanphotography@gmail.com by clicking here.  Or select a date on my booking calendar here

I do not have a studio because I prefer to use nature’s glorious natural light for my sessions. I plan session timing around when I can leverage the best natural light available whether in home or outdoors. I do not bring props to sessions because my aim is for authentic and true-to-you photographs. If your child has a special lovey or toy, those are definitely welcome at my sessions because there is meaning and story in that! For in-home sessions, I love to document babies with heirlooms or special blankets Grandma made. 

I deliver your online gallery 4-6 weeks after our session date. I usually post some sneaks in the week after our session.

I recommend that newborn sessions happen in the first 2 weeks after birth. It is common for babies to develop newborn acne after those first weeks so it is advisable to book the session before that happens. When initially booking, we set a tentative session date usually 7-10 days after the due date and then I have clients reach out after the baby is born to either confirm that date or adjust when necessary. Because of the unpredictable timing of baby’s arrival, I keep room in my schedule open when I know I have an upcoming newborn session. Since I don’t do posed newborn work, it isn’t essential that the photo session happen in the first weeks when the baby is extra sleepy. If you have a challenging birth or need to do the session at a later time, I am willing to do a newborn session at any point of infancy.

Bellies grow at different paces and pregnancy feels different for each woman, so maternity sessions can happen anytime in the second or third trimester. My experience is that most women say they like the way they look and feel between 25-36 weeks. I love big bellies and even have photographed Mamas-to-be in the last days before baby arrived so it’s never too late to document this special time as long as baby is still on the inside.

Most of my work is done in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Outside of San Francisco, I charge a travel fee of $100/hour.

I also frequent Yosemite, the Eastern Sierra Nevadas, the Redwoods, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, Mendocino and beyond. If I am already planning a trip, there isn't an additional travel fee. I also do custom travel sessions, so feel free to ask. I am usually up for an adventure, and exploring Mother Nature’s majestic beauty is my fave. If any of these places (or others) are special to your family, hit me up, because I am forever a wanderlusting soul and usually down for travel! Please send me a message and we can discuss in further detail and I can offer a quote depending on the location you have in mind. If you sign up for my newsletter or follow me on instagram, I also will post about specific travel dates and locations when they are offered.

I love San Francisco City Hall weddings and book those year round!  Additionally, I book just a few small and intimate weddings each year. Because of the season of life I am currently in, I choose to not be away from my family for the busy wedding season. But if you are planning a unique and intimate wedding with 50 guests or less or would like an adventurous elopement photographed, please reach out and we can see if we are good match.

I am constantly watching the weather forecast. If it looks like it will rain, we will be in touch via text or email and make a call whether or not to postpone. I like to wait as late as possible to actually postpone because stormy skies right after or before rain are absolutely gorgeous, so if it’s not raining, we will be out there shooting! Last year’s fires required significant rescheduling due to smoke. In the event of extreme weather, I don’t want anyone’s health to be at risk, so will happily reschedule based on your comfort level with higher-than-normal AQI. In the case of any postponement, I will try to accommodate your session as soon as my schedule allows. 

I am an understanding human, so if there is an accident or unforeseen illness, please just reach out and we will try to reschedule at my earliest available date. If I am too sick to run a session or concerned about spreading germs, I will also let you know. I can try to send a replacement if you’d like or we can reschedule.

There is something so special about the tangible quality of prints. I don’t imagine my great grandchildren scrolling through my old instagram account, but I do see them fingering old vintage prints and piecing together stories of their family. I believe in the beautiful and tangible and while my sessions come with digitals, it is always my hope that they will be printed for your homes and to share with family. I have tested prints and products from many labs and stores all over the country, and through your gallery, I offer a curated selection of some of my absolute favorite photo prints, books, albums and products. They can be ordered directly from the store tab included in your gallery. The storefront can also be shared with family who might like pictures too (Grandparents usually love this option and it saves you the hassle).

My sessions tend to book out year round so it is best to reach out as soon as you know you would like a session with me. I don't like having to turn people away but my sought after late Summer + Fall dates book out shortly after I open my calendar to my mailing list. Last year I was fully booked for 2023 by early summer. I recommend signing up for my client newsletter here 

This is a frequent request and yes I can! For +$250/person, I am happy to add on headshots. This usually adds 10-15 minutes to our session and you will get an additional 7-10 fully edited and retouched headshots added to your gallery. I do not bring a backdrop but rather utilize a couple backgrounds that are already at our shooting location. If you are looking for a more in-depth headshot and creative branding session, I also offer those for small businesses and entrepreneurs.


The day that Ashley came was lovely. She is absolutely a natural at seeing moments through the camera lens. She put us all at ease the second she came in the door and really worked magic. Our toddler actually touched our newborn son, for the first time, under Ashley's magic. There were so many wonderful photos taken that day and I couldn't be more grateful. She captured our apartment and our family so naturally and so beautifully. Book her now! I am so incredibly glad that we did. Literally the best money I have ever spent.

-Reeves S.

"Book her now! I am so incredibly glad that we did. Literally the best money I have ever spent." 

Client Love Notes

From the moment I saw her work, I noticed that it was truly something special. When I met Ashley in person, I could see why. Not only does she have a gift for photography, but she is so warm and kind that my kids felt completely comfortable around her from the moment they met her. They opened up to her and acted “themselves” which allowed her to capture who they truly are. Ashley is also incredibly professional, and went above and beyond for us in so many ways. She was flexible, honest, open, and so involved - she truly felt like a part of our family during the session. If you don’t know Ashley yet, you should feel lucky to have stumbled upon this incredible photographer (and person!). Truly, no one else comes close in comparison.

- Laura M.

The BEST!!! I truly don’t think another photographer exists that can even compare to Ashley. Her photos are simply AMAZING and captured the true essence of our family.

I can't say enough good things about Ashley, and as long as she's working we'll never work with anyone else again! She is a master photographer, with incredible artistry and skill, and the photos she took of our family are far and away the best we've ever had: like capturing love, life, and Mother Nature in a bottle. Just as important, she's also the loveliest human being you could hope to meet, and she made this somewhat frazzled mom (who was nervous about corralling her family and awkward in front of the camera) feel completely taken care of and at ease. Working with Ashley was an absolutely wonderful experience from start to finish, and the photos she created are new family heirlooms that we will treasure forever.

-Lindsey T.

"The photos she took of our family are far and away the best we've ever had: like capturing love, life, and Mother Nature in a bottle."