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).

Before becoming a professional photographer, I actually used to be an educator and teaching photography was my favorite. I love supporting other artists to grow and evolve in their craft. I offer 1-on-1 mentoring (either via zoom or we can meet up locally at a coffee shop or for a photo walk). Topics I often mentor on: sustainable pricing, editing, session flow and prompts, client communication, camera settings, creative techniques, finding your ideal client, etc... I am an open book so what we cover depends on what areas you'd like to deepen in your photography work.

I don't yet have a photography course, but one is in the works so please stay up-to-date on news by signing up for my infrequent and non-spammy newsletter.

Before starting a portrait photography business, I spent decades as a hobbyist shooting landscape and travel photography. Mama Earth is one of my greatest inspirations and you can purchase NFTs of my work in my Stories in Nature' collection. Additionally, I offer custom prints and framed artwork in my art store. 

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. This year I was fully booked for 2021 by mid summer. I recommend signing up for my 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.