About Ashley

Hi there! It’s great to have you here exploring my website. My name is Ashley DuChene and I’m a second-generation photographer based in San Diego, CA. It has been an incredible journey turning my lifelong passion for photography into a career that I’ve now enjoyed for nearly 20 years! Growing up, I had one parent who was a photographer and the other in the psychology field. Being exposed to their books and lifestyles, it was a natural fit to pursue photography and psychology for my college education.

After college, I began a fulfilling career in professional photography with a boutique studio. With hundreds of weddings and portrait sessions every year, it brought me joy to capture these special life moments – but once my family started growing, freelance work was the better choice. This prompted me to start my own business where I specialize in both families and commercial projects for businesses.

In the past few years, I discovered how very much psychology plays an essential role in my business. In 2017, it was brought to light when Yelp’s CEO and management invited me to present at their San Francisco Headquarters on The Importance of Excellent Customer Service. It really opened up a new perspective for me about using psychological techniques with customers – like helping them manage nerves or understanding family dynamics during photo sessions – that make each experience unique and enjoyable.

With a passion for both photography and helping people, I have been walking the dual-career path for several years now. After completing my Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy program and several years of internship, I am now officially a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice conducting therapy sessions three days per week. It offers me a beautifully balanced lifestyle and it’s clear that these two careers are here to stay!

Again, I thank you for visiting the site and taking the time to get to know me a bit better.  I hope to meet and photograph you soon!