Deck The Halls | Calgary Family Photographer

This is a family that I have watched grow. Always a pleasure to go back and see families as the years pass. Last year, they asked me to come document the decorating of their tree...which I did. And, then, they have the sweetest tradition where the kids have to go find their little elf on the shelf which begins the holiday season for them. 

Do you have any unique Christmas traditions? I sure would love to help you document them :) Still a couple of spots left before the end of the year!!

A Truly Canadian Wedding | Calgary Wedding Photographer

I had the pleasure of documenting my first Hindu/Christian wedding over the Canada Day weekend this year. To me, it was the perfect way to celebrate Canada Day--seeing two cultures come together to celebrate family and love. You see the thing is, around the world, people really are mostly the same. They just want the best for their families and the ones that the love. The differences between us--these are the things we must celebrate and enjoy about each other. And, as a proud Canadian, I feel that our country does a great job of welcoming people from other countries, but, at the same time, encouraging them to maintain their heritage. 

The father of the bride remarked about how his children had all married different cultures--one daughter married a Ukrainian, his son married a Vietnamese girl and now his other daughter had married an Indian. He said 'imagine the grandchildren!!!' ;) but I thought to myself how CANADIAN is this? 

I want to say thank you to two lovely families who welcomed me, fed me, danced with me, and shared their amazing traditions with me. To the aunties who sat at my table....I promise to email you a link to the gallery so you can download all of the images! Here is a sneak peek...enjoy!

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

An Adventure With The Hanki Family

I first met Andrea Hanki online...before she had kids. Over time, we have become quite good friends. Despite the fact that she is infinitely cooler than I am. We met up for a little adventure in the mountains....these are quickly becoming my favourite sessions. The kind where we go out to the mountains and play. I'm headed out there again this weekend and I just can't wait!! We live in one of the most amazing places. I think it's only right to celebrate it. So....here is Andrea's incredibly gorgeous family exploring one of my favourite spots.

I'm going to share the next set...even though they are far from perfect because they make me LAUGH UNTIL MILK COMES OUT MY NOSE. True story. For those that don't know me well, I am...um...freakishly afraid of birds. I would go so far as to call it a phobia. Bob(my husband) certainly would. When we met up, the kids were having a quick snack and dropped a sandwich. A 'campground robber' quickly decided that it would indeed like to steal that sandwich. These SUPER BRAVE kids actually fed it while I screamed even though I was a fairly safe distance away with my camera. It was ridiculously awesome. Here are some photos I made despite my extreme urge to run and hide. **notice the piece of sandwich on MARK'S HEAD???!!! Clearly, he is the bravest of them all. And, the deadpan expressions in the first image are just perfect. IMO. 

~ Dana Pugh :)