Adam’s Edmonton Graduation Session | Hockey, Heritage, and Downtown Portraits
There are some graduation sessions that feel extra personal, and this one certainly did for me.
This was my nephew Adam’s grad session from a couple of years ago, and even though time has passed, I still wanted to give it a place here on the blog. His session was such a strong reflection of who he was at that moment in life, and that is always what I hope graduation portraits will do. Yes, they mark a milestone, but they should also say something real about the person stepping into what comes next.
Adam grew up playing hockey and spent years as a goalie, so it was important to include that part of his story in his session. I love when graduates choose to bring pieces of themselves into their portraits rather than keeping everything overly formal. The suit and the cap and gown matter, of course, but so do the things that shaped them along the way. For Adam, hockey was one of those things.
We photographed part of his session near Rogers Place in Edmonton’s entertainment district, which gave us a fun urban backdrop with colour, texture, and energy. It felt like the right fit for a graduate who wanted something modern and personal. We were able to create a mix of classic portraits, more relaxed downtown images, and photographs that tied in his love of the game. The goalie gear images are some of my favourites because they feel unexpected and completely him.
Because he is family, I also followed along on his actual graduation day and photographed some of the real moments as they happened. We captured images with friends at the Alberta Legislature, which is such an Edmonton graduation tradition. There is something special about documenting both the planned portrait session and the documentary moments on the day itself. Together, they tell a fuller story.
One of the most meaningful parts of Adam’s graduation day was seeing him receive his Métis sash. It was a beautiful nod to his heritage and added another layer of significance to the day. Those kinds of details matter. They ground a session in identity, family, and history, and they turn portraits into something more than just photos to mark an event.
That is one of the things I love most about grad sessions. They can hold so much more than a formal outfit and a smile at the camera. They can reflect personality, passion, family, culture, tradition, and the path that brought someone to this moment.
Adam’s graduation session was stylish, joyful, and full of meaning. It celebrated not only his accomplishment, but the many pieces of who he already was.
If you are planning graduation portraits, this is your reminder that your session does not have to look like everyone else’s. We can build something that reflects your story, whether that means including sports, music, family traditions, cultural elements, or a location that means something to you.
That is always where the best images begin.
Commercial Photography for Childcare and Dayhome Agencies in Calgary
When families are choosing childcare, images matter.
Parents want to see the environment where their children will spend their days. They want to see the toys, the spaces, the educators, and the atmosphere.
Stock photos rarely do that well.
Over the course of a year, I worked with Discovery Tots, a Calgary-based dayhome agency, to create a comprehensive collection of images showing what their dayhomes actually look like and how children spend their time in them.
The goal was simple: create honest, welcoming imagery that helps parents understand what Discovery Tots dayhomes feel like.
Photographing Dayhome Environments
One of the key parts of the project was documenting the spaces themselves.
Many Discovery Tots educators have created bright, thoughtfully organized environments in their homes that are designed specifically for early childhood learning. Photographing these spaces helps parents visualize where their children will be playing, learning, and growing.
Wide environmental images were created for website pages, brochures, and recruitment materials.
Educator Portraits
Another part of the project focused on portraits of the educators themselves.
Families often choose childcare based on connection and trust. Simple, natural portraits allow parents to see the people behind the program and help humanize the organization.
Capturing Real Moments
Some of my favourite images from the project are the quiet everyday moments.
Children concentrating on crafts.
Breakfast at the table.
Climbing, exploring, laughing.
These kinds of images communicate far more about a childcare program than staged photos ever could.
Commercial Photography for Childcare Businesses
Childcare organizations, schools, and educational programs often need a wide range of imagery:
• environmental images of classrooms and play spaces
• staff and educator portraits
• activity documentation
• marketing images for websites and social media
Projects like the Discovery Tots photography project combine all of these elements to build a cohesive visual library that can be used for years.
If your childcare program or educational organization needs updated photography, you can learn more about commercial photography services by reaching out to Dana today!
Calgary Marathon Event Photography
Capturing Energy, Community & Brand Moments for Strides Running and On
Every once in a while I get to photograph an event that reminds me just how joyful community can be.
Last year I photographed the Calgary Marathon on behalf of Strides Running and On Runners, and the energy on the course was something special.
If you’ve ever spent time around runners, you probably already know this:
they are some of the most supportive, encouraging, and downright fun people you’ll meet.
And when brands tap into that energy, the results can be incredible.
Creating an Experience for Runners
Strides and On didn’t just show up with a banner and a tent.
They created an experience for everyone running through their section of the course.
There were:
Cowbells ringing loudly to cheer runners on
A DJ pumping music into the street
Confetti cannons celebrating runners as they passed
Friendship bracelets for runners and spectators
And even life-size cardboard cutouts of the Strides team cheering alongside the real staff
Those cardboard cutouts were especially fun—the photos used to create them were from a previous shoot I had done with their team, so it was pretty surreal seeing those images cheering runners on in the middle of the race.
The entire activation felt like a mini celebration zone right in the middle of the marathon route.
The Power of Good Event Photography
When companies invest in creating moments like this, it deserves to be documented properly.
Great event photography does more than just show what happened. It captures:
✔ The atmosphere
✔ The energy of the crowd
✔ The interaction between brand and participants
✔ The emotion of the moment
For brands, those images become incredibly valuable for:
social media
marketing campaigns
sponsorship reports
future event promotion
brand storytelling
Moments like a runner high-fiving a volunteer, confetti exploding in the air, or someone ringing a cowbell with their whole heart say far more than a simple “event recap.”
The Community of Running
One of the things I’ve noticed after photographing running events over the years is how encouraging the culture is.
Runners cheer for each other.
Volunteers celebrate every single person who comes through.
Strangers high-five and shout encouragement.
Whether someone is racing for a personal best or just trying to cross the finish line, the atmosphere is incredibly supportive.
And that energy makes for some of the most authentic moments you can capture with a camera.
Corporate Event Photography in Calgary
Events like the Calgary Marathon are a great reminder that corporate events don’t have to feel corporate.
With the right ideas — music, interaction, playful elements, and a great team — brands can create experiences people genuinely remember.
My goal when photographing events is always to capture the real moments happening between people — the laughter, celebration, encouragement, and the little details that bring the event to life.
Because those are the moments that tell the real story.
Planning a Corporate Event in Calgary?
If you're organizing:
a corporate activation
a brand event
a company celebration
a charity run or community event
a product launch
or a team experience
I'd love to help document it.
📸 Professional Event Photography — Calgary & Area
👉 Contact Me Here
Calgary Urban Grad Session | Blue Dress, Converse & Downtown Vibes
Some grad sessions feel like they belong in a fashion magazine, and this one absolutely did.
When this graduate arrived with a borrowed royal blue gown and a pair of Converse sneakers, I knew right away we were going to create something special. The contrast between the elegant dress and the casual sneakers perfectly captured what graduation really represents—the moment between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming.
And honestly? It was such a fun combination.
An Urban Calgary Grad Session
For this session we explored several downtown Calgary locations, using the clean architectural lines, skywalks, and city views to create a modern, editorial feel.
Urban sessions are always a favourite of mine because they bring such variety:
• dramatic architectural backdrops
• soft window light inside modern buildings
• unexpected reflections and textures
• wide city skyline views
And of course…lots of space for a dress like this to move beautifully in the wind.
The Dress (Borrowed!) & The Sneakers
One of my favourite details from this session was the story behind the outfit.
The stunning blue gown? Borrowed.
The shoes? Classic Converse.
It was the perfect mix of elegance and personality. The sneakers peeking out from beneath the dress added a playful twist and made the session feel uniquely hers.
That’s one of the things I always encourage grads to think about—bringing something that reflects who they really are.
It might be:
• sneakers under a formal gown
• a sports uniform
• a musical instrument
• a favourite jacket
• something meaningful borrowed from a friend or family member
These small details are what turn a portrait session into a story.
Creating Movement
A dress like this was made for movement.
Some of my favourite images from the session came when she simply twirled, walked, and played with the fabric. The layers of blue tulle caught the light beautifully and created that dreamy sense of motion that makes grad photos feel alive.
Between the skywalks, downtown streets, and rooftop views, we had endless opportunities to create images that felt both elegant and energetic.
Calgary Grad Sessions
Grad season is one of my favourite times of year. These sessions celebrate such a huge milestone—the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Whether a graduate wants something natural, urban, or adventurous, the goal is always the same:
To create images that feel timeless, confident, and completely them.
If you’re planning grad photos in Calgary or Okotoks, now is the perfect time to start planning.
The best sessions happen when we can take advantage of the beautiful evening light in the last two hours before sunset.
✨ Now booking Calgary & Okotoks grad sessions.
If you’d like to start planning a session, you can find more details here:
👉 https://www.danapughphotography.com/calgary-grad-photographer