Ashley Gardner’s Sun-Kissed Family Photos in a Sea of Poppies
Voice actress and mom captures fleeting poppy blooms, turns these into timeless keepsakes.
Image: Instagram
A Dream Realized In A Field Of Gold
This spring, voice actress and mother Ashley Gardner finally checked a family bucket list item: snapping portraits amid California’s flowering poppy season. Known to video game fans for roles in the Jak and Daxter series and animated series like Redwall, Gardner decided to bring her off-screen life to the foreground. Each year, she watches the wild poppy fields burst into orange glory for barely two weeks—only to miss the moment. On Instagram, she admits, “I’ve always wanted to do photos in the poppy fields and I’ve always been late to the game!”
From Voice Booth To Poppy Fields
Gardner’s career spans decades of voice-over work, but her followers know her as @quadruplethekisses—a nod to her four energetic children. To finally capture the elusive blooms, she partnered with lifestyle photographer Kass Captures (@kasscaptures). The family arrived in coordinated outfits—soft pastels, crisp white shirts, and light denim—that played off the field’s vibrant orange. With rolling hills and a pink-tinged sunset, each frame felt carefully composed yet effortlessly candid.
Planning The Perfect Shot
On her Instagram handle (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK5slmHPdHg/), Gardner explained the challenges of timing a shoot around the brief poppy window. “Seriously loving how our family photos turned out this year! I’ve always wanted to do photos in the poppy fields…” she wrote, noting that the blooms last about two weeks and scheduling is a tightrope act. After coordinating outfits, clearing calendars, and securing an early morning slot, the family braved the dawn chill to create dynamic, joyful scenes—think piggyback rides and tickle fights among the petals.
Memories Printed, Memories Framed
Rather than leave these images on a phone screen, Gardner chose to immortalize them in print. “I’ve already printed these and hung them on my wall,” she shared—turning short-lived blooms into year-round décor. In her living room, framed portraits now flank her voice-over awards—a juxtaposition that celebrates both her professional accomplishments and her most treasured role: family storyteller.
A Storyteller On Social—from Iceland To California
Capturing beauty close to home is nothing new for Gardner. Just weeks earlier, she embarked on an Icelandic expedition, guiding followers through waterfalls, geothermal springs, and glacier hikes in a much-shared post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKnmMd5y15f/. That travel highlight showcased her talent for immersive reportage—a skill she now applies to preserving family memories against seasonal backdrops.
Beyond The Bloom: Everyday Joys
Gardner’s social feed balances epic landscapes with the small moments that define parenthood. A recent post celebrated her daughters’ last day of fourth grade, complete with graduation caps and reflective captions about time flying too fast. Other updates range from bedtime routine tips to beauty tutorials—yet each centers on the same theme: presence. Her audience has grown beyond gaming communities to include lifestyle enthusiasts and parents inspired by her genuine storytelling.
Gardner’s poppy field session offers a blueprint for any family seeking to elevate everyday moments into lasting keepsakes. With a creative vision, reliable photographer, and a bit of scheduling savvy, the brief beauty of natural wonders can be preserved long after petals have fallen.
Trivia
Read full bio of Poulami Nag
