Coconuts

These were taken in the front yard of the house we rented in Belize. It was the day we harvested coconuts for fun. The son of the caretaker showed us the proper way to do everything.

Just a couple of notes...first, I am teaching a class on Storytelling With Images through the month of June. You must be able to take pictures on full manual, but that is the only prerequisite. If you are a professional or a parent, you are welcome to join us. The class will be project based and there will be an opportunity to purchase the chance to shoot for an evening with Dana. During the evening shoot, she will cover sun flare and shooting into the sun. Here is a link to details on the class(make sure to share it with your friends):

http://danapugh.com/2013/02/online-photography-classes-for-parents/

The second note is regarding scheduling. Warm days are here again so I am excited to get out and document some families playing in the sunshine(and the water--hoping for some water sessions this year). I still have a couple of spots left for May. June and July have quite a bit of space still, but August and September are quickly filling up. They have never before filled this early, so if you are hoping for a session during that time period, I advise you to book sooner rather than later as I'm afraid for the first time, I may run out of space. This also means that I won't be doing mini sessions this year during the fall as my priority will have to be my signature session clients. I'm sure you all understand :)

feels like a good day to get a slurpee....

~ Dana

Mexico Rocks

That is the name of the snorkelling spot directly across from the little house we rented in Belize. We could kayak there and jump over the edge and see amazing things. This was a day where we didn't see anything surprising(Georgia and Bob saw 3 six foot barracudas there one day)...but the light was sweet and we had a nice time. Thought I'd share some personal underwater work... I see some more tropical vacations in our future... ~ Dana

* just because I get asked all of the time, I am adding that I have a professional underwater housing that holds my 5D Mark II.

Storytelling

This is jungle Georgia...on the beach in Belize. Just outside our condo on our last day. Of course today with the snow blowing and the temperature lower than I imagined, it is easy to wish myself back on that beach ;) I took 7000 images in Belize. I have been asked how many I took about 15 times already, so I thought I'd share that statistic. It's less than I thought actually. But, that's because there were times when I left my camera and just lived the experience instead of witnessing it through my lens. I find those moments so important as they always make me long to have a camera in my hands and it is important to feel that ache once in awhile. Plus, I spent a good deal of time learning on this trip...about light and bubbles and movement under water. It's a new beginning for me...shooting underwater. And, I can't wait to share more images with you. Not to mention, start shooting underwater sessions. Summer is coming and I am hoping for some sessions out at people's cabins, in their swimming pools, and all sorts of other fun water stuff.

While on vacation, I was also thinking lots about using your images to tell a story. Mostly because I have an online class coming up on the subject...I created a beautiful little story with these images...and another set with a coconut. I will be using them in the class ;) I go back and forth on teaching and whether I will continue doing it or not. The truth is...I learn so much while teaching that I sometimes wonder who's getting more out of it ;) But, something wonderful has happened in the last couple of years....a sort of freedom from caring what other people think--that's always held me back a lot truth be told. In all aspects of life, but especially when it came to the idea of teaching. And, so here I am...I feel like I am on the edge waiting to jump into the unknown. And, I'm excited...whatever it brings. So, if you would like to join me in my class here are the details: http://danapugh.com/2013/02/online-photography-classes-for-parents/ I say that it is for parents, but really it is open to anyone who can shoot on full manual. Email me if you have any questions :)

I promise to share more from Belize and from recent sessions and from Charleston(did you know I was there--well, I was)...in the coming weeks...

~ Dana

Bubbles and Light

Georgia gave me a good couple of hours in the pool the other day to explore bubbles and light. This one seemed magical to me :) Leaving Belize today...it went too quickly. ~ Dana