Calgary At Home Adventure Session

One of the great things about Calgary is that so many homes back right onto beautiful natural parkland. One of the not so great things about Calgary is that the weather is incredibly unpredictable. Even thought this session happened when it was arguably NOT fall yet, we got a huge dose of fall weather. Wet, soggy, and incredibly foggy. I gotta be honest, I was a little afraid that things could go sideways pretty fast. I mean, with a not quite one year old, you never know how they will handle being uncomfortable. But, this beauty was a trooper. We ended with a warm sink bath that was completely unplanned but very necessary.

This family purchased what I call my Adventure Sessions. Which means that we try to capture a combination of portraits and documentary images. I think sometimes people get intimidated by the word ‘Adventure’ and think that they need to do something truly adventurous in order to satisfy the call…but, here’s the thing…Adventure is everywhere if you are looking for it! Bubbles, watermelon, sink baths…Grandma and Grandpa…all of this is quite adventurous when you aren’t even one year old.

So, here is a smattering of the images we created together while on our Adventure…

Thanks for stopping by my blog…if you have any questions about my Adventure Sessions, please ask!! Winter is the perfect time for one!

~ Dana

My Mila | Calgary Commercial Photography

I was so excited to collaborate with My Mila for this recent commercial shoot. I love the simplicity of My Mila's clothes for babies and toddlers. Everything is so soft and comfortable looking that it left me wondering when she was going to make that maxi skirt in women's sizes ;) And, I think everyone needs a toque with a fur pompom not just the babies!!! Although, they look ridiculously cute on them. 

Now that I have my own studio space in Okotoks, I have the flexibility to do projects like this. I'll be honest and say that I like working with smaller brands because they don't just see you as an employee...as someone who is just there to push a button. They see you as a collaborator. A creative whose experience can be used to help elevate the images beyond what they can do on their own. I'm looking forward to working more with this awesome company, but would love to hear from other small companies who are looking to elevate the images they use to represent their brand. Please contact me if you are interested in a collaboration! 

~ Dana Pugh 

Award Winning Family Photographer

Sooo...I recently placed 3rd in the family category for the NAPCP's International Image Competition. I have never placed in the family category before actually, so I am pretty proud of this one. I am also proud of it because it isn't a conventional family photograph at all. It also helps that I just love the people in it. They are some of my all time favourite clients. I know I say that about everyone, but...you know what? I see a lot of my clients every year. Every year I get to watch them change and grow and sometimes I am there to celebrate major milestones like Granny Great's 90th Birthday. How awesome is it that this image is now award winning? Pretty awesome to me.

I also had a handful of merits. Nice to know that after all these years, I can still place :) I feel unbelievably blessed to have found my calling behind the lens. And, I am excited for some new directions in the near future...both in my client work(not changing what I do...just adding new options) and personal work(planning some bigger projects).

There is also an official press release but goodness knows what to do with that ;) If you want to see it for additional proof, I guess you can contact me ;) hahahahaha.

Thanks to the NAPCP and to all of my amazing clients for helping me create images I can be proud of,

~ Dana