Okotoks Simply Portrait Session by Dana Pugh

Often times, I’ll just have clients meet me at my studio in Okotoks. This makes things easy for a number of reasons. This fall…the main reason has been the weather. If the weather is really awful, we can just move things indoors. Or, we can quickly walk over to the pond which is literally two minutes(if that) from my studio door. We got lucky on this night and the weather cooperated(sort of)…I moved quickly and these kids were AMAZING so the session was short and sweet.

The images you see here are about half of what they received in their gallery. A wonderful collection that allows you flexibility when determining how best to use them. I can see some great gift prints for grandparents, a wonderful wall gallery and an album—all from this one session. I can help you create those with my professional quality vendors OR I can help point you in the direction of some great DIY solutions if you are feeling crafty!

One last thing about this family—how great are their outfits? I love the variety in textures, the layering and the fall colour palette. It fit so nicely with the fall colours that existed around the pond that day.

East Village Junction | Calgary Family Photographer

7 years.

That's how long I've been photographing these girls for their dad. We have done all the things together--in home sessions where they drove their little battery powered car or swung in their hammock or decorated their Christmas tree. Mountain sessions where we just chased after their dogs. But, we had never done an 'urban' session and now that they are teenagers(or close enough anyways), I thought an urban session might be fun. So, we spent an afternoon hanging out at the locked up East Village Junction while their dad carried their purses and drank his coffee. And the oldest daughter's boyfriend rode his skateboard near by until we were finished. 

I know that I say this a lot, but...watching families grow...visiting them every year...that is a beautiful gift that my clients give to me. And, there is an ease that comes with using the same photographer every year...a familiarity that allows your children to really relax and just be themselves. It makes the whole experience a whole lot less painful--especially once they reach the 'teenage years' ;) 

Pretty in Pink

Her mom is a dancer so it only makes sense that she would be born pointing her toes so prettily for me. Of course, any parent will tell you that this is probably a sign that she will be a hockey player ;) Whatever she grows up to be, she will be overwhelmingly loved by her family. 

If I'm being honest, my favourite part of my job is watching people's lives unfold...what an honour it has been to witness this family for their engagement, wedding, maternity and now their newborn. There really are no words to describe how special this is to me. 

A lovely in home newborn session to share with you all...

Motherhood

 

This is a recent shot from a studio session I did. As much as I love the big, loud moments with huge expression and bright colours...there is something equally as appealing to me as these quiet moments. These soft moments of motherhood. They aren't so obvious. We have to search for them. But they are so precious because in amongst the temper tantrums and the teething, we might forget sometimes that they existed.

~ Dana