Calgary, Alberta Studio in Sunalta, by appointment

Calgary's headshot specialist

Professionals need professional headshots.

Have you ever felt awkward in front of the camera? Think you're not photogenic? The right photographer makes all the difference. No matter your experience or comfort level, I provide strong, expert direction, a relaxed environment, and quick turnaround times.

Polished, convenient, professional photography, in-studio or on location.

  • 65+ five-star Google reviews
  • 12+ years in business
  • Delivery in 2 business days
Corporate headshot of a smiling man with glasses in a blue blazer and white shirt against a grey studio backdrop
Smiling man in a black turban, dark suit and red tie, studio headshot
Staff headshot of a woman with wavy brown hair in a navy top
Smiling woman with long dark hair in a black top, studio headshot
Corporate headshot of a man in a dark suit and tie against a grey backdrop
Headshot of a woman with long blonde hair against a grey studio backdrop
Smiling man in a dark suit and white shirt on a clean white background
Staff headshot of a smiling woman in a blue top
Headshot of a bearded man in a blue blazer and open-collar shirt
Staff headshot of a bearded man with glasses in a blue polo
Smiling man with glasses in a navy patterned shirt, studio headshot
Headshot of a smiling woman against a vivid blue backdrop
Staff headshot of a woman with glasses in a black turtleneck
Professional headshot of a man in a dark suit and blue shirt
Staff headshot of a smiling man in a plaid blazer over a checked shirt

Trusted by teams at

  • UNICEF Canada
  • Amrize
  • Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Amazon Canada
  • Orbis
  • KV Capital
  • Entuitive
  • Obsidian
  • Kewit
  • Kanopy Growth
  • Syngenta
Dan MacDonald, Calgary headshot and event photographer
12+years behind
the camera

Meet your photographer

You're in great hands

With more than 12 years in business as a professional photographer, with specialized training in directing headshots from the best in the industry, I know how to make anyone comfortable, relaxed, and confident in front of a camera.

That translates into headshots that stand out from the pack, whether you're a business leader or a professional actor. Hundreds of companies and individuals have trusted me with their photography and come back again and again.

  • Strong, expert direction for every pose and expression
  • A relaxed studio in Calgary, or I come to you
  • Live review on a laptop so you are sure before we move on
  • 12+
    Years as a professional photographer
  • 65+
    Five-star Google reviews
  • 2
    Business days (or less) to delivery
  • 100s
    Of companies and individuals served

Headshots for every profession

Actors, realtors, lawyers, leaders and everyone in between

Whatever your field, the goal is the same: a headshot that looks like you at your best and says exactly what you need it to say.

  • Actors & models

    Headshots you can submit to agents and casting with confidence: natural expression, flattering light, a range of looks.

  • Corporate & executive

    Polished portraits for leadership pages, press kits and annual reports - clean, confident and consistent.

  • Realtors

    Approachable, trustworthy portraits for signs, cards, listings and social media, in the studio or on location.

  • Lawyers & accountants

    Professional headshots for firm websites and directories that say credible before you say a word.

  • Dentists & residency

    Friendly, clean headshots for clinic websites, residency applications and professional profiles.

  • LinkedIn & social media

    A profile photo that looks like you on a good day - for LinkedIn, Instagram, your website and even dating apps.

  • Authors & creatives

    Personal-brand portraits with character for book jackets, speaker bios and creative websites.

  • Teams & staff

    One consistent look across your whole organization, whether it is five people or fifty.

How it works

Five simple steps to a headshot you love

A streamlined workflow that takes you from outlining your needs to being thrilled with the final product - quickly and friction-free.

  1. Schedule your session

    Book your studio session online; or call/text/email me to discuss availability and your particular needs, or to book on-location headshots. You'll receive an emailed guide on preparing for your session as soon as your appointment is confirmed.

  2. Define your goals

    I'll follow up the same day you contact me to discuss what you'd like to accomplish with your new photography. If your company or casting agency has particular requirements, or you have a style you'd like to match, this is the time for us to nail down the details.

  3. Make the headshots

    Whether you're coming to my studio or I'm coming to your location, I'll make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. When you step in front of my camera, I will put you at ease with specific, detailed instructions that get results. I'll be tethered to a laptop, so you'll see the progress we're making and be sure you're satisfied before we move on.

  4. Choose your favourites

    At the end of the session, we'll review the images we made together and narrow down which you'd like to purchase. I accept eTransfer, credit card, or cheques.

  5. Two business day (or less!) delivery

    I'll expertly retouch the pictures you purchase, and will deliver them in both web-ready and high resolution versions, in a variety of crops, within two business days.

Competitive pricing

Straightforward rates, no surprises

Retouching, both file sizes and multiple crops are included, so the price you see is the price you pay.

On location

On-location headshots

From$299

I'll come to your office, brokerage or clinic and set up with minimal disruption to your day.

  • Ideal for leaders, realtors and busy teams
  • Same retouching and delivery as the studio
  • Group and staff sessions available
Request a quote
Studio session

Studio headshots

$199per session

  • Pre-session consultation
  • Any number of outfits
  • On-site review of images
  • One finished, retouched headshot portrait
  • Both web-ready and high resolution versions
  • Multiple crops of each headshot purchased
Additional headshots - $95 Discounts for 5 or more
Book online today (opens in a new tab)
Events

Event photography

From$300first hour

$225 for each additional hour, with digital files of all the best images, adjusted for colour and exposure.

  • 24-72 hour turnaround
  • Same-day images for social on request
  • Discounts for charities and non-profits
Event details

GST will be added to all prices. I accept eTransfer, credit card or cheques. See full pricing details.

Recent work

Real people, real confidence

A look at recent studio and on-location sessions. Every image is retouched and delivered in web-ready and high-resolution versions.

  • Headshot of a woman with long blonde hair against a grey studio backdrop
  • Corporate headshot of a man in a dark suit and tie against a grey backdrop
  • Smiling man in a dark suit and white shirt on a clean white background
  • Headshot of a bearded man in a blue blazer and open-collar shirt
  • Smiling man with glasses in a navy patterned shirt, studio headshot
  • On-location realtor headshot of a smiling man in a checked shirt in front of a realty office sign
  • Headshot of a smiling woman against a vivid blue backdrop
  • Professional headshot of a man in a dark suit and blue shirt
  • Man in a tan suit and dark tie in a dramatic low-key portrait
  • Smiling man in a black turban, dark suit and red tie, studio headshot
  • Smiling woman with long dark hair in a black top, studio headshot
  • Man in a light patterned shirt against a grey backdrop, corporate headshot

Teams & staff

Consistent, professional staff headshots

I will come to your location to efficiently capture headshots of your entire team, with minimal disruption to your business.

And when you hire someone new? Just send them to my studio for a great headshot that matches the rest.

  • One consistent look across your whole organization
  • On-site or in-studio group sessions
  • An ongoing relationship for future hires
  • Staff headshot of a man in a grey blazer and white open-collar shirt
  • Staff headshot of a woman with wavy brown hair in a navy top
  • Staff headshot of a woman with glasses in a black turtleneck
  • Staff headshot of a smiling woman in a blue top
  • Staff headshot of a smiling man in a plaid blazer over a checked shirt
  • Staff headshot of a bearded man with glasses in a blue polo

What people are saying

65+ five-star reviews

More than 65 five-star Google reviews

Camera-shy or camera-ready, clients keep telling me the same thing: it was easy, it was fun and the photos were the best they have had taken.

Read reviews on Google (opens in a new tab)

Dan is very professional and did an incredible job at taking my pictures for my business cards. His vibe is positive and relaxed; making it easy to let loose and be yourself in front of the camera. He was very attentive to my every need and nailed the look I was aiming for. Overall, it was a great experience and I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a pro in the industry. I look forward to working with him again in the near future.

RacheleBusiness portraits

Dan is a consummate professional, he is efficient, friendly, and easy-going. The photo shoot was fun and stress-free, and the resulting photos were some of the best photos I've ever had taken.

SimonHeadshot client

I would consider myself to be quite camera shy, so I was pretty nervous going into my session with Dan. As soon as I met him, my nerves eased. Dan is such a pro, he provides excellent direction, has great attention to detail and will put you at ease right away.

SarahHeadshot client

Incredible work, professionalism, fast, courteous, made me feel very comfortable, and awesome value! Can't ask for more than that!

DaveHeadshot client

I went to Dan at Purple House Photography to update my head shot for business purposes. He is very kind and instantly puts you at ease.

JaniceBusiness headshot
    Speakers seated on stage during a panel discussion at a corporate conference

    Event photography

    Professional event photography

    I'll capture the action and the elegance of your next corporate event, with photographs that communicate the feel of what it was like to be there.

    Corporate event photography that your marketing team will actually use - that's what Purple House Photography delivers, professionally, quickly, and unobtrusively.

    Ready for a headshot you will actually like?

    Call or text 403-835-5554 to reserve your session today, or book a time online in a couple of minutes.

    Call / text Book online (opens in a new tab)