Dana Pugh Photography

Dana Pugh Photography Calgary, Okotoks, and area lifestyle photographer specializing in kids and family since 2007 She is also available for one on one and small group mentoring.

Formerly Short and Sweet Photography, Dana Pugh Photography is an award winning and internationally acclaimed child and family photographer living in southern Alberta. Dana's work has been featured on billboards in NY's Time Square, on Shaw TV, local magazines and in people's homes across North America. A leader in the industry, Dana is speaking at both the Canada Photography Convention and the annual NAPCP retreat in 2015.

We met in the rain.The kind of rain that makes you wonder if the whole evening is about to fall apart. But then we stepp...
05/27/2026

We met in the rain.

The kind of rain that makes you wonder if the whole evening is about to fall apart. But then we stepped out of the car, the clouds opened up, the sun came through, and suddenly there was a rainbow stretched across the sky like the universe was putting on a show just for us. 🌈

And honestly? It matched the energy perfectly.

Between the dramatic skies, the glowing light, and that incredible black dress with the red hair catching the sun…this session felt cinematic from beginning to end. Alberta weather may be chaotic, but sometimes it gives us magic. ✨

Did you know you can book a studio session with me and skip the constant stress about Alberta weather?This sweet family ...
05/26/2026

Did you know you can book a studio session with me and skip the constant stress about Alberta weather?

This sweet family came into the studio for a Studio Short Session—just 30 minutes long—and we created so much in that little window of time.

When I photograph kids, I’m never focused on perfect posing or forcing moments that don’t feel real. I follow their lead, let them move, play, snuggle, explore, and just be themselves.

To me, sessions with children are really just conversations. A chance to slow down and show each other who we are without all the outside pressure to perform. And honestly? That’s usually where the magic lives. ✨

Link to book in profile

Spent yesterdayday morning photographing the for and Once again left feeling completely inspired.Not just by the runn...
05/25/2026

Spent yesterdayday morning photographing the for and

Once again left feeling completely inspired.
Not just by the runners (although honestly…how can you not be?), but by the community built around them. The cheering. The cowbells. The bubbles floating through the street. The signs that made exhausted runners laugh out loud. The strangers screaming encouragement like old friends. All of the high fives!!

brought together such a great crew at their cheer station this year with , .coffee, , burgers from , music from , and a whole lot of energy that somehow managed to carry people forward to the finish line.

That’s the thing I always notice when I photograph events like this: running might be the reason people arrive, but community is the reason they stay. Jeremy and the Strides crew have created something that feels bigger than a store or a race. It feels like belonging.

And from behind the camera, that’s a pretty incredible thing to witness.

Grad season is in full swing. This lovely grad sent me some inspiration images. Many of them had flowers in them so I su...
05/23/2026

Grad season is in full swing.

This lovely grad sent me some inspiration images. Many of them had flowers in them so I suggested she pick up a simple bunch. She told me that she went to and when Jaime there asked who their photographer was, she insisted on making her up this sweet little bouquet. And I’m so grateful to her for doing this as we had such fun with it. If you’ve never been to Fleurish—go treat yourself with an arrangement. They do amazing work ALWAYS.

Congratulations to this beautiful graduate 🎓 she is off to Vancouver for her studies in the fall!!

🎓My first grad sneak peek of 2026!!! 🎓This has become one of my favourite times of the year! I love connecting with kids...
05/20/2026

🎓My first grad sneak peek of 2026!!! 🎓

This has become one of my favourite times of the year! I love connecting with kids who are graduating and hearing all about their plans.

I drove out to Red Deer for this session. I love photographing in new places, but more than that, I loved that this graduate had some ideas. Specifically, he wanted his dog and his truck to be a part of his session. I was happy to oblige. I mean ‘Winston’ is one of the cutest pups around!!

If anyone asked what my biggest tip is for grad portraits, I always say ‘don’t do them on your graduation day’. This family took that advice and we ended up being able to take advantage of some amazing early summer light which you only get in the evening this time of year. I’d say that it was worth it 😉

I have lots of grad sessions coming up, but if you haven’t booked yours, there is still time. Really, we have until they leave for college. ✌️ Give them that extra opportunity to wear their fancy clothes and get some portraits before they fly the nest!

the belly. the boy. the bump that changed everything. 🤍this is the season right before your whole world shifts and it de...
05/19/2026

the belly. the boy. the bump that changed everything. 🤍

this is the season right before your whole world shifts and it deserves to be remembered exactly as it feels.

raw, tender, full of joy.

studio maternity sessions in Okotoks ↓

✨ starting at $395 + gst
📍 okotoks, alberta
🔗 book your session in bio

If you’re visiting the Rocky Mountains this summer, this is your reminder that your family photos do not need to feel st...
05/15/2026

If you’re visiting the Rocky Mountains this summer, this is your reminder that your family photos do not need to feel stressful.

You do not need:
❌ Perfectly behaved children
❌ Matching beige outfits
❌ A 4:30am wake up call for Moraine Lake

You just need your family exactly as you are.

For over 20 years, I’ve been photographing families in the mountains around Banff and Kananaskis, helping visitors create images that actually feel like their vacation — not a staged photo shoot.

Think:
✨ exploring
✨ laughing
✨ cuddling kids between locations
✨ letting your children actually enjoy the experience

The mountains do the heavy lifting.

If you’re planning a Rocky Mountain getaway this summer and want to document it, I’d love to help.

Creative Prompt: Double ExposureI made these on the weekend as part of my ‘creativity scavenger hunt’. There is a lettin...
05/15/2026

Creative Prompt: Double Exposure

I made these on the weekend as part of my ‘creativity scavenger hunt’. There is a letting go when you create double exposures in camera. You let go of your regular process so you can slow down enough to make the scene in front of you work and you let go of truly knowing what the final result will be (although current technology shows you more than ever there is still this small element of wondering what it will look like on a bigger screen). It’s a disruption. I honestly find so much creativity in disruption. So much learning and figuring things out. So often we walk around doing things that are on the list or in the schedule…the disruption to that is where we breathe.

05/10/2026

Today was the kind of day that I love…calm, quiet energy with one of my favourite people. No reception, swinging in a hammock, good food and a new book from my favourite author. As I get older, more and more I realize that there is a perfection in simplicity.

Scroll through to the end to see the best bit(a moose sighting…so rare for me. I see way more bears than moose).

Sunday in Kananaskis.

A new location is the perfect time to refresh your business imagery.I recently had the opportunity to photograph a denta...
05/07/2026

A new location is the perfect time to refresh your business imagery.

I recently had the opportunity to photograph a dental hygiene office in High River after their move into a beautiful new space. Along with updated team portraits, we created a full library of branding imagery showcasing the office interior, team culture, and patient experience.

These types of sessions give businesses content they can use everywhere:

* websites
* social media
* Google listings
* advertising
* newsletters
* recruitment materials

Strong branding photography helps businesses look polished, approachable, and consistent across every platform.

If your business has recently expanded, renovated, or simply needs updated visuals, I’d love to chat.

https://www.danapughphotography.com/blog/2026/5/6/fresh-space-familiar-care-inside-a-new-dental-hygiene-office-in-high-river

Address

Okotoks, AB

Telephone

+14034793262

Website

http://danapughphotography.com/

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