Inspired Family Photography
Ashley Kaplan, Sheena Chakeres, Dacia Vu and Krystal Stockton
What if your family sessions felt more like storytelling adventures—filled with creative play, deep connection, and images that truly reflect a sense of place?
Learn how to create family portraits that are rich with story, rooted in place, and filled with heartfelt connection—images your clients will treasure for generations. From creative techniques to intentional client guidance, this course gives you the tools to deliver galleries that stand out and sessions that feel effortless.
let's talk about
what makes it different
This course brings together a rare blend of creative inspiration, behind-the-scenes access, and real-world tools from working family photographers—offering not just how to shoot beautiful images, but how to build connection, purpose, and intentionality into every step of your client experience. From destination sessions to in-person sales, you'll gain insight into workflows, prompts, and planning strategies you won’t find anywhere else—all designed to help you create artful, emotionally rich family portraits that stand out in a saturated market.
COURSE TYPE
SELF PACED
SKILL TYPE
basics, editing, posing, creativity, storytelling, composition, shooting
PREREQUISITES
NONE
here's a look at
what you'll get
A Sense of Place with Sheena
Join destination family and portrait photographer Sheena as she shares how to turn any location into a powerful storytelling element. In A Sense of Place, Sheena walks you through her full process—from planning and communicating with traveling families to guiding clients through unfamiliar settings with ease. You’ll learn how to highlight the natural beauty and unique character of your surroundings to create images that feel grounded, intentional, and unforgettable. Go behind the scenes with Sheena in New Mexico and see how she brings it all to life.
Creative Techniques for Inspired Family Photography
Join high-volume family photographer Ashley Kaplan as she shares her favorite creative approaches to keeping sessions fresh, fun, and full of variety. From in-camera tricks to playful prompts and unexpected compositions, you’ll learn how to craft a diverse gallery that stands out—while staying inspired and avoiding burnout. This course is your invitation to keep playing, exploring, and falling in love with photography all over again.
Connected From the Start with Krystal
Join Krystal Stockton as she walks you through her full family session process—from initial prep to gallery delivery—with a focus on creating space for authentic connection. You’ll learn how to guide your clients every step of the way, setting the tone for relaxed, emotionally rich portraits. The course includes a downloadable PDF with Krystal’s 8-point checklist and her go-to posing prompts, so you can show up confident and ready to capture the moments that matter most. You'll even get a bonus behind the scenes video of her session.
Serve Through the Session with Dacia
Whether you're new to family photography or ready to refine your client journey, Dacia shares her complete end-to-end process that transforms sessions into lasting artwork. From the first client touchpoint to the final ordering appointment, you’ll learn how to create meaningful opportunities—through planning, wardrobe guidance, intentional shooting, and product education—that set the stage for effortless in-person sales. Dacia uses her years of insight and practical examples to show you how to photograph with purpose and serve your clients with confidence and clarity.
"It's a blend of creativity, connection, and purpose—designed to help photographers fall back in love with their work, stay inspired in every season, and create images that truly matter."
check out what's in your classroom
5 Educational Videos
covering core family photography topics—from creative techniques to intentional client prep.
Behind-the-Scenes Access
to a full family session, complete with final images, plus a destination shoot featuring Sheena’s tools like her location guide, menu, and welcome letter.
Bonus PDF Materials
including posing prompts, planning checklists, and client resources you can start using right away.
NEW HERE? See how our self-paced courses work
by the end of this course,
you’ll feel creatively recharged and fully equipped to lead intentional, connection-driven family sessions that result in meaningful images and artwork your clients will treasure.
meet your instructors
Ashley Kaplan, Sheena Chakeres, Dacia Vu and Krystal Stockton
Ashley Kaplan - Ashley Kaplan is a family + fine art photographer based in San Francisco, CA. She specializes in telling stories full of connection + creativity with a special focus on the use of environmental portraiture. She is a Mother Earth reverent and would spend all of her time outside if she could. In addition to her client photo business, she also works as a photography educator, workshop host and mentor melding both of her life's passions: education + photography.
Sheena Chakeres - An adventurer at heart, Sheena Chakeres is a Santa Fe-based photographer whose vibrant imagery celebrates connection, emotion, and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Grounded in a deep sense of place, Sheena’s work draws on the rich colors and textures of the southwest, capturing natural connection and candid movement against some of the most stunning backdrops in the country. Whether photographing an expecting mother, a visiting family, or a madly-in-love couple, Sheena’s approach fuses landscape, documentary, and portrait techniques to create timeless imagery that captures each client’s unique story in the natural beauty of New Mexico.
Dacia Vu -Dacia is a mom of four, and a military spouse of 15 years. She began seriously pursuing photography 21 years ago in college, and in 2017 opened Dacia Vu Photography Portrait Studio. Nothing brings her heart greater joy than capturing all the emotion and beauty of family life. Her mission is to document a family’s story and legacy to be cherished for generations through timeless, beautiful artwork.
Krystal Stockton - Krystal is a California-based self-taught photographer with 15 years of experience capturing couples, weddings, baptisms, and families. She focuses on emotive imagery that tells unique stories, believing the most powerful moments are often the most subtle. Her passion is preserving authentic emotion through her lens, creating timeless images that reflect life’s fleeting moments. Krystal travels to countless destinations chasing light, meaningful connections and tell heartfelt stories.
This class was titled PERFECTLY! It is so, so inspiring. They really covered everything, from locations, to creative techniques, to session prep and family connection, to non-sales-y selling. Everything you can do to make an amazing, artistic, and enjoyable experience for the families you photograph! I have been in business for a LONG time and I learned so much from these 4 instructors. I am feeling so inspired for my family sessions now! Thank you.