Dana Pugh, Calgary's Family and Children Photographer

Love, laughter and light. That is what my work is about. In a nutshell…oh yeah–and life. Real life.

Picking my favorite images from the year is kinda like picking a favorite child. It makes me feel guilty neglecting certain images or certain sessions because in my heart, they all have a special place. But, I did my best to narrow it down. Some sessions had more than one favorite. One session had 3…which gave me a bit of extra guilt, but it could not be helped. Some of the images below were picked because of how they stand alone. Some of them were picked because the experience of taking them were highlights of an incredible year. And, still others were picked because they represent a leap in my own understanding of what it is I am looking for through my lens.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

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2011 was a very special year. To all of my clients and friends(and clients who have become my friends), from the bottom of my heart I say thank you. I am looking forward to 2012 with great anticipation

~ Dana

For me, photography has always been about this. This one simple thing–documenting my own life. This year, I thought alot about that. As my business continues to grow(for which I am so grateful and humbled), how do I find time to do this one thing justice. My life. Photography is two things to it–and they oppose each other. It takes me away from my life(with work), but it also brings me closer to it. Closer than many(I think). My husband remarks often on how I sometimes think of cool things to do because I simply want the opportunity to take a photograph of us doing it. He never complains about this…he loves it. Because it brings us closer together. Funny how photography can do that…

This year, while I was documenting my own life, I was truly struck by how fast it is slipping away. I have been seriously photographing my own kids for over 5 years now. They have really changed since it all begun. I have, too…this caused me to really think about what it was that I wanted to capture when I had the opportunity to pick up the camera. This is what I came up with. Whenever I think to myself, ‘I will remember this…them like this’…I pick up my camera. So, sometimes they are simply eating breakfast. Sometimes they are just chilling with their ipod. It might be their birthday. We might be at the brand new Science Center. Or, we might be standing on a decades old lava flow in Iceland. You might just see some of these as fairly ordinary…but to me, they each represent a moment when I thought this. I’m so happy to have each and every one of them.

Be glad that I narrowed it down to these fewThere are 4000 images from Iceland alone–ha! The two favorite things in my life–photography and my kids(my husband is happily lumped in with them). Perfection to me.

~ Dana

by Dana

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ana rochaDecember 13, 2011 - 10:14 am

stunning and inspiration! just you and just so beautiful!

BrandiDecember 13, 2011 - 4:22 pm

Great stuff! Several of these are ones I remember from some posts so I think I agree lol. You are ahead of me.. I haven’t even finished blogging sessions and hopefully i will find time to do some faves posts.

DanaDecember 13, 2011 - 4:33 pm

Thanks Brandi! I think at least 3 of these sessions haven’t been blogged though! ha! I will get to it eventually

Cate ScaglioneDecember 13, 2011 - 5:10 pm

These are great! Well done. My fave, fave, fave is the baby in the sink-tub in black and white. What soul, what a story!

JenniferDecember 13, 2011 - 6:56 pm

Oh my, you capture family so well I almost want to add more to mine LOVE this!

Heidi B.December 13, 2011 - 8:49 pm

I LOVE your photos!!! Really and truly-thanks for the inspiration and the smiles.

BrandiDecember 13, 2011 - 11:13 pm

Dana, each of these is just amazing!!

KarleeDecember 17, 2011 - 8:51 pm

What a great year you’ve had! Absolutely stunning.

AmyJanuary 2, 2012 - 10:25 am

Okay, my favorites…
the second to last one of the couple on their wedding day with the perfectly amazing light!
The family eating (shoving) popcorn – how I hope my family is when my kids are older!
The sweet tiny tiny newborn. Truly an incredible moment.
The mom feeding the little girl an ice cream cone while eating her own. Multi-tasking at its finest.
The sink ones. Who doesn’t wish they had a sink like that? I know I do!
You capture the most amazing little moments in peoples lives. I know one day, when the timing is right, my familys path will cross in front of your lens.

KimJanuary 7, 2012 - 9:18 pm

LOVE!
XKim

Karie PetersDecember 7, 2011 - 10:35 am

Beautifully written & pricless photos

GrethelDecember 7, 2011 - 10:44 am

LOVE!.. your kiddos are gorgeous!!… your comment about how you come up with fun stuff to do only to get a photo of it made me smile.. I totally do the same.. I’m obsessed with photographing my own kiddos too..
I’m inspired by your awesome work.

natashaDecember 7, 2011 - 12:34 pm

Your children are going to appreciate each tender moment in the photos you have captured for them. Such a precious gift you are giving to them, and to all of you, as a family. While looking at these images I must admit to getting misty eyed. Made me think of my own children and how fast they are growing up and changing. How time, just kind of slips through our fingers. Images like these help us preserve time, in some way Thank you posting this, and reminding families the importance of documenting their memories….

BennyDecember 7, 2011 - 4:00 pm

Beautiful – Capturing life moments as they whiz past at such an intense speed..

Sarah DobbinsDecember 7, 2011 - 4:13 pm

Gorgeous. Gorgeous. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. I’m a woman of few words tonight, but you, my friend, are incredible.

KathyDecember 7, 2011 - 5:43 pm

Wow, just seeing you in your daughter. Beautiful.

cheironDecember 7, 2011 - 6:06 pm

Fabulous photos…your kids are lucky to have all of these memories!

LoriDecember 8, 2011 - 8:57 am

I discovered your blog when you did your amazing session with the Anderson family. I want to thankyou for all the inspiration I’ve drawn from it. Not just to document my family, but really treasure the moment as it is happening, to relax, have FUN and appreciate being together. For that I am truely grateful.

LauraDecember 15, 2011 - 12:48 pm

I LOVE your work. All of your images are amazing, but the ones you selected for this post are beyond amazing. I always look forward to your new posts. I can’t wait to see what goodness you bring to 2012!!

MandyDecember 31, 2011 - 5:15 pm

As a fellow photographer, I often look at other photographers’ work for inspiration, ideas and just to admire beautiful art. Looking at the pictures of your kids today, it was the first time I have ever cried. They evoked in me such strong feelings of love and caring, since they show the moments of life that truly create the memories.
I love photographing my girls, but often put the stress on myself to get “the” shots, rather than capturing their true essence. This is rather ironic, since my clients often tell me that I have a knack for capturing their children at their most natural.
Thank you for reminding me that beauty lies in the ordinary, and it is what makes life with kids extraordinary.

Short and Sweet Photography

Welcome to my blog!

Favorites of 2011 – Client Work

Favorites of 2011 — My Kids