Adventures in Their Own Backyard

For me, family portraits aren’t about perfection. They are about authenticity. That only happens when we work together to create a space where you and your family feel free to be yourselves. And, the best place for me to witness your true selves is right in your own backyard.

This is one of my oldest friends and her family in their backyard. I visited them in Connecticut this fall. And, because she is my friend, she shared with me her concerns about the portraits—their house isn’t perfect, her son’s hair is ‘just awful’, and would they turn out okay. We had location scouted and picked a couple of spots in town, but when we went to leave, the light in their backyard was just delicious. We had stopped to take a few images of then with her father who spends long stretches of time with them. And, then, we just stayed. It just felt right to stay and relax and watch the dog chase a mouse…let the kids jump on their trampoline and swing in their hammock. Maybe even climb a tree…just let our time unfold and create what comes our way. I know it’s hard to trust someone to document your family in that way, but I promise you that the photographs are always better this way.

We got ‘holiday card’ type portraits. But, we also got wall art portraits. And, a collection that together would make a great coffee table book or an album. That’s the goal of an Adventure Session—to capture your family in a REAL way. A way that will take you back to that moment in time so you can remember what it felt like hanging out in your own backyard.

This Friday, at 9:00am, my BLACK FRIDAY SALE will launch. There will be 10 Adventure Sessions on sale at a reduced rate. Email me if you want to learn more. And, if you know you want a full session, set an alarm and come back here to grab one of these 10 sessions!

Mountain Adventures

Family Adventure Sessions will always be my favourite type of session. I love them if they happen in your home, at a local park, or downtown, but my absolute favourite place to do them is in the mountains. This family had quite the adventure getting to the session—their family RV had some issues which made the beginning of their trip to the mountains a bit interesting…so, by the time they got to our meeting spot, they were ready for a peaceful night in the sun, slapping mostquitos and chasing their dog. It was such a gorgeous night that we even ended up in the water.

In this day of uber perfectionism, I know that letting go and allowing peace to seep into your family portrait session seems like an impossible task…but I promise you that if you do it, you will get the authentic expressions and interactions you are looking for without the tantrums and the bribes. Okay—there might be a couple of bribes(jelly bellies are my favourite to use) and I’d be lying if I said I’d never seen a tantrum or two, but it’s all a part of a regular day hanging out together for most families.

Now on to a small selection of the images I created for this family…

Adventure Session at Home with Teens

There is a special kind of magic to having a session in your home. I know that many people are hesitant to do it because EVERYONE believes there is something that is not quite right or not quite done or just not ready for an in home session. I have heard all of the excuses. But, here’s the thing…it’s still your home. Life is always a little unfinished. Especially with kids. So, put away your worries of perfection and allow me to show you your perfectly imperfect life. Watch everyone start out a little unsure about welcoming this person with a camera into your home, but it doesn’t take long before we all relax(because hey—I’m a little nervous too) and I am able to capture your family in a relaxed and easy way.

The first time I photographed this kid, he was 3(if I had to guess…he was definitely a toddler). I also photographed them on the ski hill and at the family cabin one year as well(see it here: https://www.danapughphotography.com/blog/kicking-horse-family ) I love watching families grow. It’s my absolute favourite thing about my job(I have lots of favourite things about it but this one tops the list for sure).

At Home Newborn Session

Recently, I was archiving some past sessions when I realized that there were a number of them that I never really shared. I mean, I might have shared one or two on social media, but with my ‘Adventure Sessions’, justice is never really done by simply sharing one or two images. So, I thought I would share some of them here on my blog.

Adventure Sessions are my favourite because I get to see you in the real moments that will, in the future, allow you to look back and remember exactly what your life was like in that moment. I’m interested in the perfection that exists within your every day life. I know it is beautiful and I love to show you what it looks like. THAT is what my Adventure Sessions are all about.

Adventures big and small…this is a small, but mighty adventure of welcoming a new little one into your home. A moment you should definitely have documented because you will be so tired you may never be able to recall a single moment from it! Such a sweet and gentle session.

I have some space left for Adventure sessions before the snow flies, but my weekends are filling up fast. I also have some space left for ‘Backyard Adventure Sessions’—which is a first for me…a mini adventure sessions designed to capture a quick half an hour. If you are interested, please reach out and we can discuss.