So, no…I didn’t take this image. Anyone who lives in Calgary will recognize it as having been taken at Chinook Mall. Where both of my kids leaped into Santa’s arms this year–excited to share with him their wishes for the upcoming year. Christmas has now come and gone. It was a lovely, white, cold event here in Alberta. We are lucky to report that we got more than we could ever possibly wish for(including me–my new camera arrived two days before we left). I am home for one day before we head out to a wonderful winter getaway complete with hot cocoa, skating and skiing. Insert warm fireside fun where necessary. I will be home and back to answering your emails next Monday.

Just a note that I got 25 comments in my comments for cans. I am going to make it a twofer So, 5o cans(well, some will be jars of peanut butter and boxes of pasta). Thanks for helping me spread goodwill. AND…keep sending me your entries for GIVING IS AWESOME. I’ll announce the winner when I get home.

AND, I wanted to say that I have lots of things coming up for 2009–including a new site(I can’t wait), some winter mini sessions(contact me to get on an early list), and some travel dates. Yes, travel dates. I have had requests to travel to Toronto(I’m thinking May-ish), Vancouver(summer-ish), and New York city(to be determined). I will take sessions there, as well as, offer up mentoring services for photographers who are interested. Contact me to learn more. And, tell your far away friends

*********comments for cans—for each and every comment until Christmas, I will donate a can of food to the foodbank–so comment away*********************

 Photographers across North America have come together and created a way to give back. I know that I feel incredibly fortunate to have a job that I ADORE, incredible clients, family and friends, AND everything that I could ever need. For awhile now, I have been thinking about how to give back. Then, this movement was created. So, I’m a joiner. And, what better time to give than at Christmas. I know that I have the best clients EVER and I know that you all will come up with some incredible nominations. I can’t wait. So here is the official blurb:

You know someone. You know someone who’s experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can’t afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family’s spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $2500 worth, to be exact. Whether it’s canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a free session and a free 30×15 custom storyboard(worth $500). What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Southern Alberta. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : dana@shortandsweetphotography.ca.

The winner will be announced on January 5th – get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Dana Pugh

 Merry Christmas everyone

*********Until Christmas, I will donate one item of food to the food bank for each and every comment. Thanks to Rachel Boekel of Brooks for the suggestion. Comment away!!!!!************************

But we had Seaweed soup to keep us warm Okay, so readers of my blog will know that this is a friend of mine. She is expecting twins and has been kind enough to let me do what ever I want with her belly. What does that mean for her? Well, not one, but two sessions. This was the first…just her(or at least that was the plan, but her little guy is so cute and just had to get in on the action). The next you will not get to see until January. We did have a fun day hanging out!

Even though it’s cold outside, you can still look HAWT!!! FREAKING FANTASTICALLY HAWT!!!

a little indoor flare!!! If there is flare to be had, I will find it!!!

An abstract belly…thanks for lending me your belly for the day. Can’t wait until they’re here!!!

But, it’s warm in here…I had to share this one as it was a new favorite the instant I took it. I had planned on a tub session with mom, but her little guy would not let us leave him out. It’s so sweet…I will share more from this session tomorrow.

It hit me as I prepared this image for my blog that soon I’ll be writing 2009 on all my images. Man, time flies when you are having the time of your life until tomorrow!

Stuck inside like everyone else inside. Might as well edit. Might as well listen to this song over and over again. So happy and positive. The feet tapping helps keep my feet warm Happy Monday.

This is why I must hire others to photograph us.

Enough already mom!!! Seriously???? What kind of mother drags her kids out into a snowstorm to take pictures???? I want ice cream. And, I want it now. Forget the pictures.

 Yes, that’s how it went. Yes, that was about 30 minutes ago. We are fine now. Still demanding ice cream, but painting while we mumble it under our breath. Still no Christmas card image. Oh well. Who was I kidding anyways? And, I have an even better idea than cards… you’ll have to wait and see.

So, on with the whole favorites part of the post(not that shooting my own kids isn’t one of my favorite things). Erin Vey and her unbelievable images of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. Her image today with the saying ‘Peace, Love and Flying Lips’ is awesome. Man, she makes me want to have a dog so that she can come and take it’s picture If I did get a dog–it would be a golden doodle. Because her recent session with one melted my heart. And BELIEVE me it takes a lot to do that in this wintery weather up here. So, run over and check out Erin Vey. Beware of the inexplicable urge to purchase a pet while looking at her work.

I am back from a quick mini vacation with my husband to Sin City. For us it wasn’t so sinful. We spent our days walking the streets, shopping and enjoying each other’s company. Not much to gamble–I doubled my money($5)–we stayed out of the casinos except walking through them to our destinations. They did remind me a lot of Chuck e Cheese though…the last time I was there it was all old school–put money into the slots get money out. Now you get these tickets and you take it to the ticket eating machine which dispenses your prize. The only difference from Chuck e Cheese is the dispensing machine does not make a munching sound while eating your tickets. I vote that they add that for fun. 

We did see ‘O’ by Cirque du Soleil which was incredible. We also joined some other friends who were there for the best meal of our life at Micheal Mina’s in the Bellagio. ooohhhh and I shopped–new shoes(thank you Cole Haan for creating heels with Nike soles) and a new bag(thank you Kate Spade for just being you)….

Here are some of the sights:

On the last day, we rented a car and got out of Dodge–to the Hoover Dam(being married to Bob I see many marvels of engineering) and to the Valley of Fire. This is an image of Bob at the latter.  Places like that make me feel like an inferior photographer. Seriously. Capturing their natural beauty is incredibly difficult because what you see with your eyes is so brilliant.

I’m off to get some Christmas work done. We still have no tree. At least with the massive snow dump we had while I was in Vegas, it feels a lot more like Christmas.

I was wrapping presents today and Georgia came into my room. She asked me who the presents were for. So, I pointed out each one and listed off to whom it was destined. When it was all done, she earnestly asked me–’what is pretend friend getting for Christmas?’

You see…quite a while ago now, Pretend Friend arrived at our house. She is from Fairy World–which is not in this world…but is also the home to the tooth fairy and many other wonderful fairies. If you ask Georgia–what is pretend friend’s name? She will look at you like you are from outer space and say, ‘Pretend Friend’(if she was 13 you could add ‘duh’ afterwards). Over the months the kids on the street have adopted Pretend Friend. There have been many birthday parties for her(I guess in Fairy World, it is your birthday about every third day). The kids all know and accept this Pretend Friend as a playmate. Georgia even created a brother for Jack.

So, what to get Pretend Friend for Christmas? hmmm…I tried the whole ‘pretend gift’ thing(it worked once on timbits). That didn’t go over well…but, Georgia is resourceful. We now have some of Georgia’s used coloring books and random markers wrapped in colorful Christmas wrapping. The tag says: Pretend Friend.

I love my kids.

Just a note to say I am off on a mini vacation for a few days. All calls and emails will be returned on Wednesday next week. Thanks.

So, two totally different types of sessions to post this week. Today is a maternity/family session in wonderfully urban Eau Clair Market. This beautiful family is expecting a wonderful addition soon. They were kind enough to share their name choices with me, but I have been sworn to utter secrecy. I can’t wait to see who they get

 I often ask parents how they met in the process of the session. There are two types of stories I always love to hear–how people met and birth stories–can’t get enough of them. Their story was seriously cute. You see, they met at the finish line of a marathon. At least that is how she tells it. HE has an altogether different story of going to the same junior high and watching her from afar. Riding the same bus. And how she was too cool to run to catch the bus so if she was late she would just let the bus go. He, however, would be sitting inside the bus watching her thinking ‘run, run…get on the bus!’. I just loved how cute it is to think that a junior high school crush could lead to a future meeting and falling in love. Not to mention creating one of the cutest kids ever!!!

They let me pick his sweater–isn’t it cute???

The bump…

Nothing like a little private parking Even if the sidewalk is chilly. Thanks for hanging out with me guys! I hope you enjoyed being on my blog

 PS–thanks to the spelling police

When this family told me who referred them, I should have been prepared for a kid that ooooooozed personality. But, then again, some kids surprise even me What a treasure this little guy was to hang out with! In no time at all, we were best buds…holding hands as we walked through the woods.

It’s always hard for me to decide what images to show in a sneak peek. This time I wanted to show some of the indoor shots as I haven’t shown any of those in awhile. But, I loved the outdoor shots so much that I didn’t want to hold back any of those as well. Oh, decisions. Tough decisions. So, two indoor shots. The first one I call ‘The Thinker’. This next one lets all future clients know that I encourage misbehaviour.

Now, we’ll move outside…a walk in a beautiful spot, with a beautiful dog and a beautiful family…and the nice thing about this time of year-when there is light it is always beautiful. And, that day was no exception.

okay, so this next image is one of my favorite family images of all time. OF ALL TIME.  I love that it looks like the little boy is pushing his dad to give his mom a kiss. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expression on the mom’s face. And, most of all I love the magical light that they are standing in. Yes, it’s love.

Thanks for spending the day with me! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek–and, have fun skiing this week!!! Wish I could join you!