This Little Light of Mine

I love my clients. 

I got a studio so that I could try new things...explore and play. Lots of other photographers kept asking me what my plan was...no plan I'd say. I mean...I had PLANS but that was the plan--no plan. hahahahaha. Just to try and get back to my roots. Back to those days when I used to ask my clients to do things and I'd take risks that maybe wouldn't pay off, but maybe they would. I figured that now that I had years of experience behind me, I'd have a better chance of pulling off some of those risks. How's that for honesty? hahahahahaha. I often don't know what the outcome will be...for me, it is a journey. A process. And, we work through it together. And, in the end, the images are a collaboration. 

I am not a poser...I had to say that. I mean, I make teeny adjustments from time to time, but mostly, I give you a task and the 'pose' is a result of that. I felt the need to say that in light of a slew of comments on Instagram about one particular pose from this set. It made me chuckle because...not a pose. A cuddle. That's all ;)

I simply cannot wait to meet this wee little one.

And...if you check out the section of my website called 'For Photographers' you will see that I am teaching a class all about taking risks ;)

Love,

Dana

Calgary Fall Family Session

This was the last session of the fall this year. We could literally see the first winter storm coming. We could feel the leaves being whipped off the trees. It made for a wonderful night for family photos in all honesty! I mean--look at that sky :) 

I had to include the first two because that sign saying 'no girls allowed except for his beloved sister Kamble'--utter perfection to me. 

Big Camera Class

How to Shoot Your Family: A Photography Workshop for Moms

I know that lots of you have big fancy cameras that you secretly use in Auto and don't understand why the photographs are so crappy so you resort back to using your iPhone. Yup. I've seen you do it. Some of you have even been so brave as to tell me you do it. Well, I am super excited to be hosting an event this January to help you get that camera off of manual and finally take better pictures of your own kids.

In this two hour class, I will talk about all the different gear and WHY it is different. I will also talk about what gear you want to use for what type of shot. I will also demystify exposure for you and get you started on taking that big fancy camera off of auto and on to full manual. In the end, we will talk a bit about composition and where to begin looking to help make your photographs better.

This is a great class for moms and dads alike(even grandparents), but also a great class if you are a small business owner looking to improve your images for social media. I'll even start a Facebook group for everyone when we are done so you can help support each other to keep going!!

Details:

When: Saturday, January 16th, 2016 at 1:00pm

Where: Dana's studio in Okotoks

Cost: $100(+gst) **limited availability so act fast before they are all gone!

Must own a dSLR for this class.

Sylvan Lake Family Session

Now that I have been shooting for almost 10 years, a lot of things are becoming a whole lot clearer for me. 

Perhaps the most important thing that I have come to fully understand is that I am not a photographer who is fully in charge of what your images will look like. I mean...in some ways, I TOTALLY am, but...at least for me, photography is a collaboration. ALWAYS. You and I must come together and each of us must bring the goods. And, I don't mean props. I mean...THE GOODS. I need you to show up ready to laugh and play and love each other. And, I know from experience that it isn't easy for all families, but each family has a truth and a beauty that is special to it and that is what I am interested in seeing. I am not going to create some false idea of perfection for you. There are LOTS of other photographers for that. I am not going to use photoshop to take away all of the things you hate about yourself(please PLEASE stop assuming that is what we use photoshop for--it makes me want to SCREAM). Instead, I am going to use my camera to show you just how beautiful your life is despite all of that crap. Because it is crap...and, maybe I'm just spouting nonsense because I am particularly tired of editing right now. But, I don't think so...

This family is the perfect example of that...I know their mom was nervous to wear a bathing suit(I mean MY GOD PEOPLE she is AWESOME to put that fear aside and let me do my thing). But, this is their summer life...out at the cabin, catching frogs, boating and campfires mixed in with a whole lot of love and stuff. So, yes, this blog post is LONG, but it is only about 1/3rd of the images that they received(that's insane I know), but when people bring THE GOODS then I am inspired and you have to kick me out or I will stay all night...and my dog will pee in your house. And, my kids will cry because they didn't get to go out on the boat. And, I'll sit in the hot tub and ignore them. 

Note--NOT MY DOG in the images. 

A little summer fun on this snowy night....

Dana