Lifestyle & Portrait Photographer based in Asheville, north Carolina

Specializing in documentary style family photography, retreat & event photography, portraits, elopements & weddings, and natural headshots & branding.

Meet the Photographer

Ariel (she/her/hers) is a documentary & lifestyle photographer, as well as a clinical social worker, based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. When she’s not following you around with a camera, Ariel is a therapist who sees both couples and individuals, an activist who always tries to see the world through an anti-carceral, anti-oppression lens, a wife and mama to 3 beautiful weirdos.

A woman with wavy light brown hair standing by a railing against a sunset over a coastal town with hills and water in the background, smiling and wearing a dark gray t-shirt with a graphic and text, bright pink wide-leg pants, and colorful earrings.
More About Ariel
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  • A woman with short dark hair holding a baby with short hair close to her face, in a cozy indoor setting with a fluffy blanket and books in the background.

  • A woman in a red dress and black boots standing on a dirt road in a rural landscape with a red barn and tree-covered hills in the background.

  • A woman with black hair and tattoos on her arms is standing on a rocky shoreline near a body of water with boats and mountains in the background.

  • A child walking on a sandy trail through a natural landscape of grass and trees, with a large twisted tree in the foreground and more trees in the background, in black and white.

  • A woman wearing a bright pink suit sitting on a park bench, smiling and laughing with her hand near her neck. She has short, curly hair and is accessorized with gold earrings and a ring.

  • A young girl covering her face with her hands standing outdoors on a yard with fallen leaves, surrounded by two adults whose faces are not visible in the frame.

  • A woman with long brown hair and tattoos on her arm, smiling, sitting among red and green garden plants and flowers.

  • A man lifting a young girl in the air while smiling at each other, with a woman holding a baby in a blanket nearby, surrounded by bushes and trees.

  • People sitting and smiling on a trampoline in a backyard with a wooden fence and colorful towels hanging on the fence

  • A woman wearing a maroon headscarf smiling outdoors with green plants and pink flowers in the background.

  • A woman in a long, strapless dress with a red rose pattern stands on stone steps outside a decorated building, with balloons in gold, white, and black, and star-shaped decorations hanging inside.

  • Two women in dresses by a stream in a lush forest, one sitting on a moss-covered rock and the other jumping from the bank.

  • A smiling woman in pink pajamas sitting on a bed in a cozy, well-lit bedroom, seen through a doorway.

  • A woman with long hair and tattoos on her arms wearing a detailed lace dress, standing on a balcony and looking out at a landscape with trees and mountains under a sky with clouds.

  • A group of people swimming and relaxing in a calm bay with rocky cliffs and houses on a hill in the background. One man is jumping off a boat into the water, while others are floating and smiling.

  • A young boy wearing a blue helmet rides a blue bike past a couple dressed in formal attire; they are standing near a brick building and concrete wall in an outdoor parking lot.

  • Black and white photo of a newborn baby being cradled, with an adult's hand supporting the baby's head, and the baby's face turned slightly, looking at the camera.

  • Woman with red hair and light pink blazer smiling, standing outdoors next to lush green plants and vibrant pink, red, and purple flowers.

  • A young child with blond hair and blue eyes standing against a wall, with an adult woman and an older woman examining her head. The child looks surprised, holding a pink straw, while the women smile and gently touch the child's head, possibly checking for lice or lice eggs.

  • Two women laughing and hugging outdoors, surrounded by trees and foliage.

  • A woman with red hair and dark makeup stands in a field of tall plants with purple flowers, wearing a white blouse, a wide black belt, and red plaid pants, with a forested hill and blue sky in the background.

  • Three women standing together smiling in a scenic outdoor landscape with mountains, trees, and grazing cows in the background.

  • A woman in a black and white polka dot skirt and a shiny top poses in a field with two people jumping behind her; the woman is smiling and holding her pregnant belly.

  • A man with glasses and a beard standing in a narrow alley between brick buildings, smiling and pointing at the camera. He is wearing a green t-shirt and brown cargo shorts, with decorative cows and plants visible on the right side of the alley.

  • A woman sitting on a tan armchair surrounded by potted plants, with a white brick wall and windows in the background.

  • Group of six diverse friends jumping and smiling on cobblestone street in urban area.

  • Child in a green suit lying on the wooden floor with an orange napkin under his chin, surrounded by adults at an outdoor event.

  • A bride and groom sharing a kiss outdoors, with the groom lifting a sheer veil over both of their faces, in a scenic green landscape with mountains in the background.

  • Woman in a white dress squatting with hands in a prayer position, against a white background.

  • A woman in a blue, beaded gown standing in a lush greenhouse with pink, green, and purple plants and flowers.

Client Reviews

“Can't say enough great things about Ariel! She's an incredible photographer who helped us capture memories with our newborn. She's got an intuitive eye for shots, is warm and easy to work with, and helped our family feel comfortable in front of the camera. Ariel's flexibility was key in getting our newborn shoot scheduled, and we will treasure these photos always.”

Lauren W.

“Ariel is absolutely amazing! She captures all the love and joy in little moments. You feel her passion in every session she does. I would recommend her to EVERYONE! So thankful for her work that I have up all over my home.”

Lauren O.

“Ariel not only creates delightful, engaging photos; she makes the process of being photographed fun! I regularly get complements on my professional photos, and I get to remember how comfortable Ariel made me feel while she took them. A wonderful experience all-around.”

Jane C.

“Ariel doesn't just take pictures; she smoothly draws out her subject until they find themself at ease not just with her but with themself --often to their own surprise. Even in a group shot, she's somehow able to capture each individual’s personality. Your finished product is not just a photo; it’s a unique record of a distinct moment in a particular person’s singular life story. Ariel has obvious expertise, but also a discerning eye for location and atmosphere… and a sly way of catching a spontaneous moment. You end up not just laughing and having fun, but knowing that she did too. It's not just that Ariel is clearly in her element behind the camera, it's that you can tell she does it only because she loves it.”

Michelle A.

“There is something powerful about being seen well.

Ariel captured moments that feel just like the room felt, alive, electric, magical. I remember the first time I met Ariel. After she took my picture, I immediately wanted to see it. She calmly said, “I know how to photograph melanin.” I was like ok well let me see! She already knew what was up lolol we laughed and my nervous system said okay girl and I’ve been trusting her eye ever since.

As therapist speakers and trainers we experience magic and breakthroughs daily. We are in it, facilitating, holding space, moving energy. Rarely do we get to actually see what it looks like in real time.

Ariel gives us that gift.

She captures what we feel but cannot see and hands us something to look back on and say, that right there, that was powerful.

These pictures are amazing. Thank you, darling, for your eye, your care, and the way you hold us through your lens.”

Yunetta S.

Years ago we started hiring a professional photographer for retreats/summits. It allows me to be present knowing someone will be capturing the moments. Ariel is our go photographer for every event!

As a part of our gift to speakers, they all get headshots during the summit. Ariel is so incredibly talented. As a therapist and photographer, she has a very special way of helping you feel confident and comfortable being on camera.

She’s got me out here looking like a middle aged model.

Jennifer A.