About Ashley

Hi there! Welcome to my website. I’m Ashley DuChene, a second-generation photographer based in San Diego, CA.

For nearly 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to turn my lifelong passion for photography into a career that continues to inspire me every day. Growing up with one parent as a photographer and  another in the psychology field, I was naturally drawn to both creative expression and understanding human behavior. It made perfect sense to pursue both photography and psychology in my college education.

After graduation, I launched my photography career at a boutique studio, where I had the pleasure of photographing hundreds of weddings and portraits each year while working under experienced mentors. While capturing those precious moments brought me immense joy, the birth of my own family led me to transition to freelance work. That’s when I decided to start my own business, focusing on family photography and commercial projects for businesses.

In recent years, I've realized just how much psychology influences the work I do. This became especially clear in 2017 when I had the opportunity to present at Yelp’s San Francisco headquarters on “The Importance of Excellent Customer Service.”  Preparing that speech opened my eyes to how psychological techniques—like helping clients manage nerves or understanding human and family dynamics—can make a photo session more enjoyable and personal.

Alongside my photography career, I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. These two fields truly complement each other, provide me balance, and I’m excited to continue walking this unique path of a dual-career lifestyle.

Thank you again for stopping by. I’m excited about the possibility of working with you and capturing memories that matter. I hope to meet you soon!