Dana Pugh 4/23/26 Dana Pugh 4/23/26

Studio Short Sessions in Calgary: A Better Alternative to Mother’s Day Minis

You Don’t Need to Wait for Mother’s Day Minis

Every spring, my inbox fills up with the same question:
“Are you offering Mother’s Day minis this year?”

And the honest answer is… I don’t.

But here’s the better answer:
You don’t need to wait for one specific weekend to get beautiful, meaningful photos with your people.

I offer Studio Short Sessions year-round, and they’re designed to give you exactly what most people are looking for in a mini session—without the stress, rush, or limitations.

What Is a Studio Short Session?

A Studio Short Session is a 30-minute session in my natural light studio in Okotoks, designed to be simple, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable.

No themed setups.
No forced smiles.
No pressure to perform.

Just real moments, beautiful light, and images that actually feel like you.

What They’re Perfect For

These sessions are incredibly versatile. Clients use them for:

Motherhood & family portraits
(Yes—this is your Mother’s Day session, just without the one-day pressure)
Small family groups
Perfect for capturing connection without needing a full session
Maternity sessions
Soft, simple, and focused on this moment in your life
Branding & updated headshots
Clean, natural images that feel like you—not a corporate template
“Just because” sessions
Because you don’t actually need a special occasion to document your life

Why Clients Love Them (More Than Minis)

Traditional mini sessions can feel rushed and limiting. These are different.

You get your own dedicated time (no back-to-back pressure)
You’re not locked into a single date or setup
We can adjust slightly based on your family, your energy, your needs
It feels calm, not chaotic

And most importantly—your photos reflect real connection, not a production line.

Booking Your Studio Short Session

Studio Short Sessions are:

30 minutes
$395 + GST
Includes 10 fully edited digital images
Option to purchase more if you’d like

You can book directly through my online schedule.

And if you don’t see a time that works for you, just reach out—
I’ll always do my best to make something work.

Book Here: https://book.usesession.com/i/l0dKWpJj2/session-type/186885

Dana Pugh 4/20/26 Dana Pugh 4/20/26

Creative Headshots with a Euphoria-Inspired Vibe | Calgary Headshot Photographer

Every once in a while, I give myself a prompt and just… play.

No client brief.
No expectations.
Just creativity.

I call it my hunt for creativity, and if you’ve been following along on Instagram, you know I do this most weekends. It’s a way to stay curious, try something new, and remind myself why I picked up a camera in the first place.

This past weekend’s prompt was: “see through.”

Seeing Through Something Ordinary

I started with a simple idea—what happens if I literally try to see through something?

So I stacked a few prisms in front of my lens and began experimenting.

What I found was less about clarity and more about distortion—layers of colour, movement, and emotion that felt almost dreamlike. The images started to take on this soft, surreal quality where nothing was quite fixed… and that’s where it got interesting.

A Euphoria-Inspired Headshot Session

Enter Sofia.

Sofia Katherine is not only a friend, but a fellow photographer—so there’s an immediate level of trust and collaboration that allows us to push things further.

She put a call out on her Instagram to see if any of her friends were available for a quick photoshoot. Since I am always looking to work with other creatives in a fun way, I responded as soon as I saw it. She told me she wanted something with a Euphoria-inspired vibe—bold colour, softness, a bit of edge, and something that feels more like art than a traditional headshot. I knew it was the perfect opportunity to play using my prompt for the weekend.

Using the prisms, I was able to create:

layered reflections
subtle duplication of features
streaks of colour moving through the frame
a softness that still holds presence

It’s technically a headshot—but it doesn’t behave like one. Which works perfect for her brand.

Why Creative Headshots Matter

Most people think of headshots as clean, simple, and neutral.

And there’s absolutely a place for that.

But there’s also space for something else—something that reflects personality, artistry, and emotion.

Creative headshots like this are ideal for:

artists and creatives
photographers
musicians
personal brands that lean into storytelling
anyone who doesn’t want to look like everyone else

They shift the goal from “this is what I look like” to “this is what I feel like.”

The Process (For the Curious)

For anyone wondering how these were created:

Prisms stacked and handheld in front of the lens
Movement introduced either by subject or camera
Controlled light with colour reflecting through the glass
Intentional softness (not chasing sharpness here)

It’s less about precision and more about experimentation.

Credits

This was a collaborative effort, and the final look wouldn’t exist without this team(check out their instagrams):

Model: Sofia Katherine
Hair: @kind.amy_ | @kindbeautysociety
Makeup: @ceceartistry
Brows: @cultlueur

Want to Try Something Like This?

If you’ve ever felt like traditional headshots don’t quite fit you, you’re not wrong.

There’s another way to approach it.

Creative sessions like this can be fully customized—whether you want something subtle or something that leans fully into colour, movement, and abstraction.

And if you’re someone who just wants to play and create?

You’re always welcome to join in on the hunt for creativity over on Instagram. I share the prompts—what you do with them is entirely up to you.

Dana Pugh 4/13/26 Dana Pugh 4/13/26

Natural Light Maternity Photography in Okotoks | Simple, Connected Studio Session

There’s a tendency to think maternity photos need to be styled, posed, or carefully constructed.

But more often than not, the most meaningful images come from something much simpler.

This session took place in my Okotoks studio using natural light and minimal direction. No elaborate wardrobe. No complicated setups. Just a quiet space, soft window light, and the freedom to move naturally.

What stood out immediately was how comfortable they were together. Not performative. Not overly aware of the camera. Just present.

Those are the sessions that unfold easily.

He leaned in without being asked.
She responded without thinking about it.
Their hands kept finding the same place—resting, holding, grounding.

That’s where the images come from.

There’s a point in almost every maternity session where things shift. The initial awareness fades, and what’s left is something much more honest. That’s always the goal. Not perfection—just connection.

If you’re considering maternity photos but feel unsure about being in front of the camera, this is what you can expect. A relaxed pace. Gentle guidance when needed. And a focus on creating images that feel like your life, not a version of it.

Maternity sessions are typically booked between 30–34 weeks, when the belly is beautifully defined but you’re still comfortable enough to move and enjoy the experience.

Studio sessions take place during the day to make the most of natural light.

Dana Pugh 4/8/26 Dana Pugh 4/8/26

A Calgary Wedding at Deane House | Real Moments Over Perfect Details

I don’t photograph a lot of weddings each year. That’s intentional.

But when I do, it’s because I know I can show up fully—for the people.

One of the questions I get asked often is: “Do you shoot weddings?”
The answer is yes… just not in the way you might expect.

Because for me, a wedding isn’t a styled shoot. It’s not about perfect napkins or whether the florals match the linens (although, yes, those details are beautiful—and I’ll photograph them too). A wedding is about the people who show up for you. The emotion. The relationships. The way it feels to be in that room.

This day at the Deane House was exactly that.

The kind of day where the energy never dipped. Where laughter came easily. Where the bride—one of the most expressive, joyful people—was completely, unapologetically excited to be getting married.

And that was exactly what I wanted to capture…that energy.

The Morning: Energy from the Start

There’s something about a room full of friends getting ready that sets the tone for the entire day.

This wasn’t quiet or reserved—it was emotional and fun. The kind of morning where you don’t need to direct anything because everything is already happening.

Those are the moments I’m always watching for.

First Look: Quiet, Honest, Real

No performance. No pressure.

Just two people seeing each other before everything begins.

Portraits (But Still About Them)

We spent time around East Village and St. Patrick's Island, and while yes—these are “portraits,” I still approach them the same way.

Minimal posing.
Real interaction.
Letting people settle into themselves.

Because the goal isn’t perfection—it’s recognition.

The In-Between Moments (a.k.a. the part no one plans for)

This is the part of the day no one really talks about.

The travel time. The waiting. The “what do we do now?” moments.

And yet… this is often where things get really good.

Put a group of your favourite people on a party bus, add a little excitement (and maybe a drink or two), and suddenly you’ve got a full-blown celebration before the ceremony even starts.

No timelines. No expectations. Just people being themselves.

Laughter that comes out of nowhere. Inside jokes. Slight chaos. Someone inevitably holding onto a pole like it’s their moment.

These are the moments that remind you this isn’t just a wedding day—it’s a really good day with your people.

And honestly? They’re some of my favourites to photograph.