Dana Pugh Dana Pugh

Studio Maternity Sessions in Okotoks, Alberta — A Session That Feels Like You

There's a particular kind of magic in the weeks before a baby arrives. The house isn't quite ready. Your body feels entirely unfamiliar. And your older child still doesn't quite grasp what's coming — only that something is.

This session captured all of it.

Mama came into the studio in Okotoks with her son, her tattoos, her joy, and her whole heart on the surface. What unfolded over the next hour was the kind of session that reminds me exactly why I do this work.

Why a Studio Maternity Session?

There's something uniquely powerful about a clean, light-filled studio. No distracting backgrounds. No weather to fight. No rushing through golden hour. Just you, whoever you bring with you, and the space to actually feel everything — without the noise.

The white walls and soft window light we work with in Okotoks create images that are timeless. Whether we're shooting intimate close-ups of your bump or full-family moments with a very enthusiastic big brother, the result is always the same: photographs that look like you, not like a template.

What to Expect

Your session includes multiple wardrobe looks — so if you want intimate lingerie shots and casual jeans-and-a-tee moments with your kids, we do both. We move through the session at whatever pace feels comfortable for you. There's no rush. There's no wrong way to look. There's only the real, unfiltered version of this chapter.

Investment

Studio maternity sessions in Okotoks start at $395 + GST.

That includes your session time, professional direction, and a beautifully curated gallery. Payment plans are available — reach out and we'll figure out what works for you.

Book Your Session

Due dates come faster than anyone expects. If you're between 28–36 weeks, now is the time to reach out.

Book Your Session →

Sessions are photographed at my private studio in Okotoks, Alberta. I work with mamas across Calgary, Okotoks, High River, Cochrane, Airdrie, and the surrounding area.

Read More
Dana Pugh Dana Pugh

Family Photos in Banff National Park: Why Your Summer Vacation Deserves More Than Phone Pictures

There’s something about the mountains that makes families slow down a little. Maybe it’s the mountain air, the lack of schedules, or the fact that everyone is finally together without school pickups, hockey practice, or work meetings pulling them in different directions.

And that’s exactly why a mountain family session matters.

For over 20 years, I’ve been photographing families in the mountains around Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country. What I’ve learned is this: the best family photos are rarely about standing in front of a famous lake smiling at the camera.

They’re about the experience.

The kids throwing rocks into the water.
The walk between locations.
The piggyback rides.
The wind in your hair.
The way your youngest still reaches for your hand without thinking about it.

Those are the moments that become priceless later.

Mountain Sessions Designed Around Your Family

Most families visiting the Rockies aren’t professional models. You don’t need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to get your kids to “behave.”

You just need to show up.

My approach to mountain family photography is a mix of documentary storytelling and relaxed portraiture. We explore, we move, we let kids be kids, and somewhere in all of that, real moments happen naturally.

That means:

  • No forced smiles for an hour straight

  • No marathon hikes in formal clothing

  • No sunrise call times

  • No pressure for perfection

You get images that actually feel like your family.

You Don’t Need Moraine Lake at Sunrise

One of the biggest misconceptions about mountain photography is that you need the most famous location at the busiest time of day to get incredible images.

You don’t.

In fact, some of the best sessions happen in quieter locations nearby where families can actually relax. After photographing in these mountains for decades, I know how to work around crowds, lighting, weather, and timing to create beautiful images without turning your vacation into a stressful production.

That’s part of what you’re hiring me for.

Whether you’re staying in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, or exploring Kananaskis Country, I can help guide you toward locations that fit your family, your energy level, and the kind of experience you want.

When to Book Your Session

Summer and early fall are the busiest seasons in the mountains, especially around Banff and Canmore. Evening light is almost always the most flattering, which means popular dates book quickly.

If you’re planning a Rocky Mountain vacation and know you’d like family photos, it’s best to book before your trip.

That said, if you’re already travelling and decide last minute that you want to document your time here, feel free to reach out. If I can make it work, I will.

What’s Included
Mountain Adventure Sessions include:

  • Planning assistance and location guidance

  • A relaxed, customized session experience

  • A fully edited gallery of high-resolution digital images

  • Images designed for albums, wall art, and preserving your family memories long after the trip is over

Because vacations end.
These photographs help you hold onto how it felt.

Planning a trip to the Rocky Mountains this summer?
If you’d like family photos that feel real, connected, and true to your family, I’d love to chat.

Read More
Dana Pugh Dana Pugh

Fresh Space, Familiar Care: Inside a New Dental Hygiene Office in High River

There’s something exciting about walking into a brand-new space that was designed with intention. Clean lines. Thoughtful details. Natural light. A welcoming atmosphere that immediately puts people at ease.

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph Prevention Dental Hygiene’s new office in High River. They just moved into a beautiful new location, and this session was about far more than “headshots” or “office photos.” It was about telling the story of a business entering a new chapter.

From updated team portraits to candid interactions and interior imagery, the goal was to create a library of visuals that could support everything from website updates and Google Business listings to social media, advertising, recruitment, and patient communication.

A move like this is a big milestone for any business. It’s also the perfect opportunity to refresh the way clients experience your brand online before they ever walk through the door.

Why Professional Branding Photography Matters for Health & Wellness Businesses

For businesses in the health and wellness space, trust matters. Patients want to know who they are booking with. They want to see the environment, the people, and the atmosphere before they arrive.

Professional branding photography helps bridge that gap.

For this session, we focused on:

  • Updated team portraits

  • Collaborative and candid team imagery

  • Interior photographs highlighting the new space

  • Details that showcase the personality and professionalism of the clinic

  • Content designed specifically for websites, social media, Google Business, and marketing materials

Having a cohesive set of professional images allows businesses to show up consistently across every platform.

The Value of Photographing the Space Itself

One of the most important parts of this session was documenting the new office interior.

When clients search for a dental hygiene office in High River, they are often looking for more than services. They are looking for comfort, cleanliness, professionalism, and an environment where they feel welcome.

Interior photography helps communicate all of that instantly.

Bright imagery of treatment rooms, reception areas, and thoughtful design details helps potential patients feel familiar with the office before they even arrive. It can also significantly strengthen website design, Google Business profiles, online directories, and local SEO performance.

Team Photography That Feels Approachable

One of the biggest goals during commercial sessions like this is creating imagery that feels professional without feeling stiff.

People connect with people.

That means capturing:

  • Genuine interaction

  • Natural expressions

  • Confidence and warmth

  • Team culture

  • A sense of connection and care

These images become incredibly versatile for businesses. They can be used in newsletters, recruitment campaigns, website banners, social media posts, speaking engagements, and print marketing.

Commercial Branding Photography in Calgary & Area

Whether you are launching a new business, renovating your space, updating your website, or simply realizing your current visuals no longer reflect your brand, custom branding photography can help your business stand out.

I work with businesses throughout Okotoks, and the Calgary area to create authentic, polished imagery that feels both professional and human.

From corporate headshots to environmental branding sessions and commercial storytelling, the focus is always on creating imagery that actually works for your business long after the session is over.

If your business is ready for updated imagery, I’d love to chat.

Read More
Dana Pugh Dana Pugh

Calgary Maternity Photography: Quiet Moments, Real Connection

There’s a stillness that happens in maternity sessions that I don’t think gets talked about enough. Not the posed, styled kind—but the kind where everything slows down for a minute and you can actually feel what’s coming next.

This session was exactly that.

We kept things simple. Natural light, a quiet space, and time to settle into it. No pressure to perform. No expectation to “do” anything.

Just connection.

What I’m always watching for in these sessions isn’t perfection—it’s the in-between. The way hands instinctively find their way to a growing belly. The way partners lean in without thinking about it. The quiet smiles. The closed eyes. The small breaths.

And then sometimes, the shift.

A little movement. A bit of laughter. A spin across the floor. Because this season isn’t just tender—it’s also full of anticipation and joy.

That’s what I want people to remember when they look back at these images. Not what they looked like—but what it felt like to be here, right before everything changed.

If you’re expecting and want to document this time in a way that feels natural, calm, and honest, I’d love to photograph it for you.

📍 Okotoks studio (serving Calgary and area)
Book your maternity session → https://book.usesession.com/i/l0dKWpJj2

Read More