Amara Dirks Photography

03/24/2026

Well, chalk this one up as a first in 20 years!!

In the little town 12 minutes away from me, there is a house filled with a whole lot of love and cute babies - QUADS!!! More cuteness to come ... but until then ... enjoy these sweet little faces

03/11/2026

Where it ALL began in 2006.

Here she is. My Western Academy of Photography graduation portfolio (the images quality here is POOOR, but in said portfolio, the prints are much more beautiful!).

I chose portraits for my final submission and naturally, photographing people was always my thing! My style, editing and the way I photograph has clearly evolved over the last 20 years and putting together this book of images had to have been the most stressful thing I've ever had to do creatively. Next to doing a business plan worth the other 50% of my diploma.

So for those of you just starting out (because I speak to so many of you that are!). We all start somewhere, with little to no experience, no confidence and not a clue what we are doing. It doesn't have to be aesthetically pleasing for social media, it doesn't happen over night ... You don't need the best gear money can buy, or the fanciest lenses. Just take the photo. Fall in love with it and let it take you on a journey!

What a journey it has been.

03/11/2026

I used to blog every single session I photographed ... then blogs died off it seemed. After 20 years, it feels like I've seen all the trends come and go! So here I am, firing up the ol blog to keep my website up to date and filled with beautiful moments as such.

There is not much more I love than documenting lives unfold, from couples photos, engagement photos, wedding and then the birth of the first baby. I have been through all of these beautiful steps in the Benson's lives t...

03/04/2026

Still catching up on Grad 2026 sessions ;)

Melayna loves horses so what better place to visit to incorporate a few horses into ones session than right in my yard! This session was beautiful from beginning to end and thank you all for making the trek north to spend that gorgeous summer day with me!

Congrats again, Melayna!

02/20/2026

Hi followers! This page has been quiet ... only because my winter gig of keeping animals fed & alive takes over. I do often get asked if photographing keeps me busy during the Alberta winter months, and the answer to that is not really at all. By choice I let the camera sit on the shelf for my brain to have a moment away from it. After 20 years, it seems to have me refreshed for the season ahead!

Speaking of which. TWENTY YEARS of Amara Dirks Photo this year!!! 20 years ago I was standing in a dark room in Victoria BC at the Western Academy of Photography. 21 years old and questioning myself daily what I was doing in photo school because surely I was not talented enough to be a professional photographer. My stubborn self never gave up and what a lifetime of memories it has been!

Who wants to see images of where I started?

01/24/2026

This day was filled with the most beautiful touches from beginning to end - a real tribute to their love, their family, their friends and to their life together. I don’t know how many times tears streamed down my cheeks behind the camera, but enough to recognize that wearing make up that day was a poor choice!!

Gloria’s dad Trevis was almost a permanent fixture in my families lives for a lot of years - my dad’s best friend - and the unexpected passing has always been a hard one. There were so many beautiful touches to honour his absence and she was not short of incredible men that have supported her through the years to walk her down the aisle (my dad being one of them!) to Jeff. Though not related through blood, this was like having a sister get married and we all got to be there to celebrate her and Jeff’s new beginning!

Thank you both for having me be a part of such a special day .. it is one I will forever cherish! Happy almost 7 months married!

01/04/2026

Playing the terrible game of social media catch up at the moment ;) Perhaps 2026 I will regain some posting organization!

I love how grad sessions became a thing .. because it is my favorite time of the year. Now boys .. do they love photo sessions? I can make a quick answer of that question. Not really .. at all.

BUT. They always do great, and the happy to be doing photos moment DOES occur when they can have their sweet trucks involved! Dylan - congrats again on your graduation and I hope life is filled with all the success!

01/04/2026

The last grad session for this family, it was POURING rain - the photos were amazing! It was definitely a welcomed gorgeous day for them this round. As per usual ... always my favorite family to catch up with.

Skye - wishing you all the successes on all the adventures you'll be embarking on!!

12/15/2025

Grad season was PACKED yet again with the most amazing families - and this big, beautiful group .. ahhh … so much love, so much fun. Cheers to you Abby!!

12/15/2025

To know this family is to love this family. Never, ever a dull moment. I never know what direction it will go, but I always know that we will spend most of it laughing.

From those adorable photos I took of little Rhett, till now … A high school graduate. What an honor to have known you your entire life. I know that where ever you go, that infectious smile will take you places!

11/16/2025

June brought green grass, new babies around the farm, fire season and the newest little farmer on the Mielke Farm!

10/22/2025

Here we are ... Oct 21st. Fall FLEW by (as per usual here in Alberta), and my calendar was filled to the brim with amazing sessions as such. Can't wait to share what I was up to all year!

The days are still beautiful and I have some weekday spots available from now till the end of the month!