Simply Portraits | A Family Studio Session

Pets are always welcome in my studio! I know that they are an essential part of your family and they deserve to be in your family portraits—whether they are on location or in studio. After the last 18 months of being your unofficial therapy pets, Let’s get them front and center in your family portraits!

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

Okotoks Maternity Photography

I absolutely love having a studio. One of the best reasons is because it allows me to work with AMAZING people like make up and hair stylist Karli from Love and Colour. She can come in and pamper my maternity and new mother clients so that they can look and feel their best by the time they are in front of my camera. It also allows me to keep an ever growing wardrobe for my clients. This is also especially helpful for my clients who are expecting because not everyone wants to go out and buy a special outfit for their session, so I make it easy for them to just come shopping in my client. And, like in this client's session, we can do more than one look. 

The outdoor images were all shot within a 5 minute walk from my studio. It's nice to have such flexibility all in one location. After our more 'intimate' session, her 3 older children joined her to celebrate the impending arrival of their newest brother or sister.

I cannot wait to meet this little baby later this month. If you are expecting, I'd love to hear from you and help you book your day of pampering and creating beautiful imagery.

~ Dana

Canmore Wedding

It was a super hot day in June when I had the pleasure of documenting this day...so hot, that we cut portraits short and went for a cold beer(or Radler or Burt Reynolds--whatever) over at The Rose and Crown. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do ;) It was a beautiful day filled with family, friends and a whole lot of laughter. Here are some of the images we created together.

Enjoy!

~ Dana