I don’t even know where to begin.
How about at the beginning?
About a year and a half ago, Michelle approached me about doing family images for her in Banff–a maternity/family session as she was pregnant with her third child. A winter session with fun mitts and hats and hot chocolate. I was sooooooo looking forward to it because most families seem hesitant to get outside in the winter. Of course, Michelle was also a photographer and was keen to try anything.
A few days before the scheduled session, one of her parents fell gravely ill and she had to fly to be with them. The session would have to wait. I was disappointed, but understood. We decided to wait until baby #3 arrived and capture the family as a whole. We scheduled the session a second time over Thanksgiving(Canadian). The weather was so unbelievably horrible. UNBELIEVABLY windy. Early snow killing all plantlife and leaving a smelly mushy mess. Still, we decided to try it at the end of the weekend. Well, at the end of the weekend, everyone had the flu. An emergency room visiting flu. SERIOUSLY???? ARE YOU KIDDDING ME, LIFE???? Michelle and I cried on the phone as we agreed to reschedule it for the new year.
It finally happened about a month ago.
We shot for FOUR HOURS. The children were wonderful and loving and patient and peaceful and everything fell wonderfully into place. And the story of what happened to them in the time from October until we were able to meet again was always at the front of our minds. We laughed, we cried, we hugged. And, the session was magic. Really truly magical. It was also like two sessions with the first one full of bright fun and the second one full of peace. So….here is part one:
I want to say here that Michelle was worried about their little home not being suitable. Almost all of my clients have fears about shooting in their homes as they see the houses on my website and blog and think that I must always shoot in showhomes. I am lucky to shoot in homes that are perfectly decorated with love ;)
This is one daddy who is perfectly happy to be surrounded by four beautiful women. And, they all ‘dig’ him
I will post the second part soon and tell you about the amazing journey that this family has been through in the last year. It has been a year that has brought them close together, but it has also made them live so incredibly in the moment. I can’t wait to share the rest of their images with you.
~ Dana
by Dana
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just gorgeous, Dana. So gorgeous. So filled with love and colour and fun!!! Can’t wait for part II!!!
so incredibly… incredible. wow.
I wish I could tell you how much this means to me. I WISH I had the words.
Hard to believe the story is just beginning.
Thank you for being you. Thank you for remembering the details of us, while going through your own triumphs.
Thank you for being here, at just the right time.
I will- forever. be. grateful.
love to u, our “Dana Pugh”
Such beauty, so much love in these images…. I can’t wait to see the second half. Incredible work, my friend.
These are so nice! The colors are LOVELY! And the connection/love/affection really comes through.
Well ladies you finally did it!! And i have to say those images are so well worth the wait. I could truly feel the love & happiness that the Anderson clan has for each other!! Such lucky girls & parents. Dana, you rock, as always. Can’t wait to see part 2, but I’m sure I will have more tears running down my cheeks.
the hopscotch image of mom carrying babe? hello!! gorgeous . . . this is an awesome session, can’t wait to see the second half.
this is real, i love looking at your images because they show nothing but real. i think i came about your blog following a favorite photographer Tara Whitney’s. i become hooked and love your style of life as it is as well!! beautiful family.
I.Love.This.Session. All of it. Love!