Fall Family Portrait Time | St. Patrick Island

Did you know that I offer two types of sessions? One is what I am known for—Adventure Sessions, but I have found that not all families are up for an Adventure Session…especially in the fall when we are all busy with back to school, back to sports and just preparing to hunker down for winter ;) So, I created what I call a Simply Portraits Session. It is a quick 45 minute session that focuses on getting all of the casual portraits that you love in an Adventure Session without the adventure. This type of sessions is best suited to a family with older kids who are old enough to sit still for a portrait session and this is the perfect time of year for such a session. Here is a favourite fall Simply Portraits Session from last year to give you an idea of what you might expect from such a session.

Thinking of booking your fall portraits? The leaves will be gone before you know it, so reach out soon if you are hoping to secure a spot in my schedule.

Fall Portrait Session | Calgary Family Photographer

It’s been a busy fall season—and what a beautiful fall we have had!! This is one of my favourite families—a new family who quickly became a favourite because I already knew and loved the mama so well. We met one night for a Simply Portraits Session in Fish Creek Park. There was sunshine, fall leaves, and love…lots and lots of love.

I realized when sharing this set that I have yet to share their newborn session. I meant to share it—in fact, it’s ready to go, but I just never published it…so, I’ll do that later this week ;)

Enjoy!

Lake Minnewanka Family Adventure Session

I’ve been thinking a lot about what people tell you is the ‘right way’ to photograph a family. It might surprise many of my clients to know that there is discussion around the proper number of images to show a client—for example….and that I fail miserably at that by all standards. I promise that I am trying desperately to get better…to truly narrow things down and only show images that I truly love. The problem is….well, my Adventure Sessions aren’t much like other photographer sessions. I want the images to both tell a story in a way, but to also truly capture portraits of who you are…and, when the adventure happens in an epic location like Banff National Park…to also share that epicness. The goal for me is far beyond just a ‘family portrait’…it’s truly so much more than that for me. With these sessions, I give my clients a piece of my heart. Truly. The images created from Adventure Sessions are a huge piece of my life’s work. Images that show more than what you look like.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately…all of that…and making some decisions about 2019. A new website is coming(any day really…it’s been almost ready for months so it is time to just FINISH IT ALREADY) and a new way of doing things. I can’t wait to share it with you all. For now…a fun little slideshow and some images for those who are too lazy to watch the slideshow ;)

What I love most about this session is that there is no pretense…this is them. Truthfully, it was kinda cold…so we just went with it. We took a break and had a snack in their camper van. We mostly just walked and explored and had a fun evening in the most beautiful of settings. Soooo…here’s a sample of what they got. The slideshow is about 1/3 of the images we created together.

Only very limited space left for 2019…contact me now if you are hoping for a session.

~ Dana

Calgary Maternity Photographer -- In Studio Session

One of the most commonly asked questions I get as a photographer is ‘what is your favourite thing to photograph?’. And, if I’m honest, the simple answer is connection….but, that has become kind of cliche in the photography world I feel. And, so I search to find a deeper answer, but currently come up empty. Connection. That really is what it boils down to in all of my sessions. Even when I am photographing one person…I am searching for that connection between them and I. I know when I get it and it makes me the happiest. It’s the driving force behind my work, really.

All of that said…maternity and the connection that you can find in a maternity session…that is probably my favourite. I’m not sure why except maybe it’s that whole mystery connection between mom and babe before baby is earthside. I remember how very special that was for me and it is certainly very special to witness in other people. I also believe that when a couple is expecting, the anticipation brings them closer. So, often, their connection is deeper as well. Then, throw in an older sibling and that feeling that these are the last moments of them being an older child and, truly, the room overflows with love. Whether we are on location or in studio…the background almost doesn’t matter…as long as you just show up ready to let me bear witness to it all, we are good.

As I have said before, I have a large maternity closet and sometimes…even when moms don’t plan on it…they arrive and think—let’s play dress up. I like when that happens. The white dress that we used in this session is BY FAR the favourite choice of my clients. I’m currently on the hunt for some pieces that will become the next favourite! Can’t wait to show you what I find ;) So…some new favourite maternity images from a recent studio session. Enjoy!