Sylvan Lake Family Session
Now that I have been shooting for almost 10 years, a lot of things are becoming a whole lot clearer for me.
Perhaps the most important thing that I have come to fully understand is that I am not a photographer who is fully in charge of what your images will look like. I mean...in some ways, I TOTALLY am, but...at least for me, photography is a collaboration. ALWAYS. You and I must come together and each of us must bring the goods. And, I don't mean props. I mean...THE GOODS. I need you to show up ready to laugh and play and love each other. And, I know from experience that it isn't easy for all families, but each family has a truth and a beauty that is special to it and that is what I am interested in seeing. I am not going to create some false idea of perfection for you. There are LOTS of other photographers for that. I am not going to use photoshop to take away all of the things you hate about yourself(please PLEASE stop assuming that is what we use photoshop for--it makes me want to SCREAM). Instead, I am going to use my camera to show you just how beautiful your life is despite all of that crap. Because it is crap...and, maybe I'm just spouting nonsense because I am particularly tired of editing right now. But, I don't think so...
This family is the perfect example of that...I know their mom was nervous to wear a bathing suit(I mean MY GOD PEOPLE she is AWESOME to put that fear aside and let me do my thing). But, this is their summer life...out at the cabin, catching frogs, boating and campfires mixed in with a whole lot of love and stuff. So, yes, this blog post is LONG, but it is only about 1/3rd of the images that they received(that's insane I know), but when people bring THE GOODS then I am inspired and you have to kick me out or I will stay all night...and my dog will pee in your house. And, my kids will cry because they didn't get to go out on the boat. And, I'll sit in the hot tub and ignore them.
Note--NOT MY DOG in the images.
A little summer fun on this snowy night....
Dana
CONTEST!!!!!
I'll be honest and say that I didn't want to have to make a new website. I mean--I just went through this!!! ha! But, the powers that be(read: Google) left me no choice and so here I am with something brand spanking new. Truth be told--I love how prominent my images are. I love that you can really see the heart of my work. So, it wasn't all bad. The hardest part for me is having to launch when there is still some tweaking to do, but I will slowly get it all done. Such is the life of a busy photographer. I am embracing the imperfect and sharing it all with you anyways ;)
To celebrate FINALLY launching this imperfect version of myself, I have decided to do a super duper giant contest. My awesome photographer pal, Andrea Hanki, actually had a similar contest when she launched her site and I asked her if I could copy her. True story! She gave me the go ahead...So, here it is....I AM GIVING AWAY ONE FULL LIFESTYLE SESSION AND THE COMPLETE SET OF DIGITAL FILES!!!!! It has a $2000 value. There are some 'consolation prizes' as well...which make it the best contest I have ever had!!! You have the ability to earn 10 entries and it's super duper easy--like my Facebook page, follow me on Instagram, comment on my blog post and share it with your friends. My friends at Rafflecopter will be choosing the winner from those entries. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
So, here is the contest entry:
The consolation prizes will be awarded based on my favourite comments on this blog post...sooooooooo...make sure to fill in the blanks as creatively as possible because I will be choosing the 3 sessions I most want to do and giving them 50% off of a collection of their choice(I NEVER DISCOUNT MY COLLECTIONS!!!!). You will have ONE YEAR to take advantage of this special offer if I choose your comment(so until July 1st, 2016). Need some ideas...here are some examples:
Hey! @danapugh please come to Vancouver and photograph my family playing in the water at Whytecliff Park!!
Hey! @danapugh please come to my house in Calgary and photograph my family running through the sprinkler!!
Hey! @danapugh please come to our cabin at Pigeon Lake and photograph my family jumping off the dock!!
Now, take note, if there are travel fees required for the session--you will be responsible for them. So, as much as I would love to photograph your family climbing the eiffel tower in Paris, if we are going to do that, you would have to pay to get me there. Capiche? If I am already going to be in a certain place, then there are no travel fees. So far in the next year I have plans to be in these places:
Okotoks, Calgary, Banff/Canmore, Lake Louise(and area), Jasper, Edmonton, Red Deer(and area), Vancouver(truthfully--we will be driving from Edmonton to Vancouver and then back to Calgary in the middle of July so if you are anywhere along that route we could make it work), Las Vegas, Utah, Toronto.
The contest will run until 12:00am on July 1st, so you have one week to enter!!! So...what are you waiting for?
****warning: emotional segment of the blog post**** just a note to say THANK YOU to all of my amazing clients and friends who have supported me over the last 8 years. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined photography taking me this far. It would simply have not been possible without your support. I have BIG PLANS for the next year....can't wait to share them with you all.
~ Dana
All Boys All The Time
Okay. So, I think these images speak for themselves. I just wanted to say that this time of year I am reminded at how wonderful it is to have the same photographer document your family over the course of a few years. Most of the families I am running around and visiting have had me come more than once before. Many of them this is my 4th or 5th visit. There is something to be said about that. Everyone knows the routine. Kids are eager to have their pictures taken for the book(most of my clients buy a book or make one themselves). I know their characters pretty well and I am able to see them clearly through my lens. It is one of the biggest gifts of my life. Truly. To watch families grow. Thank you to everyone who invites me into your home.
~ Dana
In Home Session
You know when it is so beautiful outside it is hard to think about having an in home session, but there is something special about the ordinary moments that can only happen in your home. These are the moments that you will remember when you think back on the time your children were small. The Little Tikes Slide...remember when your kids were small enough to play with that? Feels like forever ago for me.
At home sessions are a nice alternative to the typical fall leaves. And, if you have a beautiful backyard or live close to a park, we can go outside for part of the session as well. Best of both worlds.
~ Dana