Okotoks Studio Photography

I love watching families grow. I photographed their wedding back in 2017(you can see the blog post here: https://www.danapughphotography.com/blog/2017/11/1/canyon-ski-resort-wedding-calgary-photographer ). This summer, I got to meet their adorable little man in my studio for some family photographs. It is honestly one of the greatest joys of my life seeing families over and over again as they grow and change. And, then, right after I sent them their gallery, I ran into them at D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous!!! I mean, when in Sicamous, you gotta stop there—am I right?

I just wanted to share a studio session with everyone so that you can see that they aren’t stuffy at all ;) Very relaxed and fun, just safe from any inclement weather. And, now, in the days of COVID, I am taking all sorts of precautions—including increasing the airflow by keeping the windows open during the session, wearing a mask, hand sanitizer and fully sanitizing between each session(this last bit is nothing new…I’ve always done that). So, if you are looking for something a bit different than fall leaves for your annual portrait session this year, a studio session is a great option!!

Calgary Teen Studio Portraits

I’ve been photographing these girls for 10 years!! Back when they used to ride in their small battery operated car and jump on their backyard trampoline. Now this year, the oldest is graduating. Honestly, this has been one of my favourite things about being a family photographer—watching families grow and seeing who these small children become. And these girls are no exception…they have grown into wonderful young women with big dreams and ambitions. Such an exciting time for them.

Together, we have done so many different kinds of sessions over the years, but we had never done a studio session before, so this time, I got them in the studio for some simple portraits. I love modern and simple portraits. With teenagers, it’s nice to get the session over quickly as they are often busy and have other things on the go. I love my adventure sessions and they are great for younger families, but I truly find that a lot of families out grow them and portraits become the best option for them. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the weather or wait for the fall—it’s lovely in the studio year round.

Over the years, I have often shared their annual session because, once upon a time, a photograph that I took of these girls ended up on a billboard in Time’s Square to celebrate my win as the NAPCP’s Child Photographer of the Year back in 2011(it was for my work in 2010). Many photographers know them as the ‘hammock girls’ because of that moment in my career. That image came from our very first session together about 10 years ago!!! Their dad has been an annual client ever since and has a stack of coffee table books from each session as a way to document the girls over the years. I think he actually has more coffee table books by me than I have of my own kids. hahahahaha….I gotta get on that!!

Check out the official notice for my win below!! Hard to believe that it was 10 years ago!!

To mark the 10 years of the NAPCP, they recently published an anniversary magazine where I had a gorgeous spread…if you are a photographer(or just interested in photography), you can find it here: https://www.napcp.com/2019/12/20/december-2019-inspired-magazine-10-wonderful-years-of-napcp/ It’s a gorgeous magazine that I purchased in print and have in my studio—so, if you want to see it in all it’s gorgeous printed glory, drop by and say hi!!

2020 marks exactly 13 years of photographing families for me!! I’m determined to make it my lucky 13th year ;) Can’t wait to see what’s in store…

Dana :)

Out On The Farm

I always feel like each of my family sessions are unique to the family featured in them. And, every family is so unique that maybe there lacks a certain ‘flow’ to my portfolio when my goal is to simply capture them as they are in that moment. At times, I have definitely struggled with that lack of consistency and worried about what my peers might say, but right now, I am embracing that. I see it as a reflection of my ability to truly see people and reflect their uniqueness back to them in my own quirky way.

So, this family is extremely unique…sometimes they live in town…sometimes they live on the farm. This little girl has a half brother(and another half sibling on the way) plus step parents and a strong network of friends that feel like family(or at least that’s the sense I got from the time I spent with them). So, for me…the very last image is super special as it shows this little girl sitting with her half brother while her mom adjusts her hair and her step mom adjusts her half brother because IT TAKES A VILLAGE plus TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK. I kinda love that image as an example of modern day family. The things that stick out about a scene in front of you is what makes each photographer’s vision important. Like the ‘mystery box pick with eyes closed’ image. Or the one of mom and daughter in the kitchen(mom is an amazing cook—she turned me on to making my own pickled red onions for which my family is forever grateful). So, during a session when I am chatting with you and asking all sorts of curious questions…it’s really just my way of getting to know what’s important to you…without necessarily coming right out and asking that question. I just like to see what you are going to show me and somehow incorporate that into the images I create.

The mom in this image is also my friend and fellow photographer, Ash Nayler. Make sure to go take a look at her amazing work as well. And, if she ever offers to cook you a meal out on the farm—do not hesitate to accept.

Published

One of my goals for 2019 was to submit for publication more. In January, I submitted to the NAPCP’s request for black and white images for their next Inspired Magazine. And, lookie here! This image of Jack from our travels last summer was selected to be included. Making goals is one thing—doing the work to achieve them is always another. People often ask how these things happen…it is always about searching for the opportunities. Being aware when you see the call and taking action.

To see more about this issue, go here: http://www.napcp.com/blog.php/2019/01/31/new-inspired-magazine-tracy-sweeney/

Thank you to the NAPCP for including this image. It was super fun to create!