A Backyard Adventure Session (with chickens)

With fall sessions already booking, I thought I would share a favourite Adventure Session from last fall. One of the most common questions I get asked is what is the difference between an Adventure Session and a Simply Portraits Session. Well...for starters, Adventure Sessions are the heart and soul of my business. No truly. These are the sessions I have spent over a decade doing here in the Calgary area. My goal is always to go on an Adventure with a family--whether that adventure is at a park, downtown or right in your own backyard. We explore, we discover, we laugh and have a relaxed time together. This allows me to create both casual portraits, as well as, some more candid or 'documentary' type images. It's really the best of both worlds. 

Here's the thing though--these sessions aren't quick. And, I know that not all families have time to spend on a session like this. You really have to set aside a morning or an afternoon for it all to happen. But--I encourage you to consider taking the day off from all other commitments and taking the time to just live in the moment with your family. To invest in what I have come to call 'slow portraiture'....it's very similar to the difference between fast food and a home cooked meal made entirely from scratch. You can tell the difference with every bite.

If you are interested in an Adventure Session in 2018, please contact me soon as my calendar is quickly filling up! Until September 1st, book a session and receive a free 12x18 print of your favourite image.

~ Dana

Mountain Adventure Session

I have always found that there are two kinds of clients...ones who just want quick and painless portraits and the other who want THAT and some great candids. For this reason, I separated my session offerings into two types of sessions. One being Simply Portraits and the other being, what I like to call, Adventure Sessions. 

Adventure Sessions are what I like to call 'directed documentary' or 'pure lifestyle'. These are great sessions for active families that like to play together. You decide on an activity and we basically do that activity together while I photograph it. So--dream of having professional photos of you hanging out at your cabin? How about an evening of boating? Or, just making pancakes on a Sunday morning? Street hockey. Running through the sprinkler? However your family enjoys spending time together, it deserves to be documented. Because regular life is beautiful. 

This family is incredibly active and wanted to do a session in the mountains. Round one had to be rescheduled due to extreme smoke from forest fires, but round two ended up being a beautiful night--if not a little too windy for the stand up paddle board. It certainly was an adventure. 

I am currently booking into June. Once the weather gets good, certain dates tend to be harder and harder to secure--so, if adventure calls your family, I'd love to hear all about it!

~ Dana

Studio Family Session | Calgary Photography Studio

You know I love outdoor family pictures. I truly do...but, sometimes, we just need a change. Sometimes, we need to simplify. A fresh and modern session like this is just the way to do that. In studio sessions, allow us to focus on the personalities and the connections more than ever. A blank canvas if you will. When your family is this cute, who wouldn't want to focus on all that beauty? 

So, if you missed the beautiful fall leaves, but are still hoping for some beautiful family photographs, think about a studio session. 

~ Dana :) 

Apple Pies and Skateboards

Any session where I come home with an apple pie is a win in my mind ;)

An in home Adventure Session...so many people think that adventure sessions aren't for them because they aren't that ADVENTUROUS...but, here's the thing, every family's definition of adventure is different. Some like to go hiking in the mountains. Others like to stay home and play board games. Whatever you spend your Sunday afternoons doing is adventure enough for me! Especially if you are going to bake me a pie. 

This family belongs to the outgoing and lovely lady with a slight southern drawl, Christy Swanberg. She pretty much radiates sparkle and sass all at the same time. I wonder if that's a southern thing?

~ Dana