Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Twas the day after Christmas and all across our land, was hoar frost and snow twinkling like diamonds beneath the sunny Alberta skies — and only about 12 below. How often have you read that I love what I do? I know, but I so love this job and most especially because of meeting really special people like this. But before I even had a chance to meet this delightful family in person, as I drove up their driveway and turned into their yard, I had to stop my vehicle to take this shot. An image like something you’d expect to see in a calendar isn’t it?

Once inside, all four family members were a true delight and with such warm, inviting smiles. The lady of the house has exquisite taste and has done an amazing job of decorating — a beautiful woman with beautiful taste. This recent addition to their lower floor is a hand carved authentic saloon.

A friendly game of poker.

Everywhere I turned there were so many interesting items in their home to take in and the laughter and warmth added to the feeling of home. And, as you can easily see in the next set of photos, despite heading outside, there was warmth everywhere this family went. Even if the sun had not been shining upon us that day, this family creates their own sunshine!

Maverick was enjoying the snow too!


Thank you N for having me out to your family’s beautiful country home. Yours and your family’s warmth and hospitality were the best! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek.

BONUS: As I do with all my clients, if this post receives 15 or more comments from different people, this family will receive a complimentary 8×10 gift print. To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer using natural light to reveal the true essence of people as well as their pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography to view her portfolio and for more information. Diane serves all of central and northern Alberta, particularly Grande Prairie & area plus Edmonton, Alberta.

Earlier today I stopped in at my friend Karen’s place to pick up two autographed copies of her most recent novel, Summer of Fire. I have two teenage nieces that we’ll be seeing on Christmas Eve and wanted to have a gift for each of them. I immediately knew I’d give them each a copy of Karen’s most recent Young Adult novel. Books are one of my favourite gifts, whether to receive or to give. When I picked up the books Karen and I chatted for a while and then I returned home to wrap up the books. I knew Karen had already personalized and signed the books for me but it wasn’t until I arrived home that I saw what she wrote. It was so perfect and, as is apt for such a wordsmith, there is a double entendre in what she wrote, “Get fired up about reading!”

Here’s to getting fired up this Christmas season. May you and yours enjoy a Christmas that is filled with love, laughter, and special moments. Be sure to capture those moments with your camera too!

As a photographer who works with people as well as people and their pets, my focus is on capturing their ‘story’ to provide a recording of that time in their life. I just read an important blog post by another photographer that completely blew me away. PhotoDino’s post entitled, “You Get What You Give” set me right back into the crook of my chair with the reminder of why I began taking pictures in the first place.

As a custom photographer, plus because I’m also a people-person, I do try to learn something about my clients/subjects. I do so out of interest but also because I feel knowing more about them helps me capture the genuine aspects that reveal something of them. What PhotoDino brought to the fore was a reminder to slow down, give of myself to make the client/subject feel even more important. Yes, absolutely, I’m going to keep that uppermost in how I conduct business in 2010. I’m going to build upon what I already do and take the time to let clients know they are important enough to remember, whether it’s said or demonstrated. Important – enough – to – remember.

In that blog post PD used an example of taking a photograph of a gentleman in the bar and how it made the gentleman feel — that he was important enough to remember. There have been numerous times I’ve taken photographs of strangers, mostly because I saw a story in what they were doing or perhaps had seen in their eyes. The mistake I’ve been making is taking the photograph and moving on. From now on, I’m going to stop, let the person know why I’m interested in taking their photo, and take the time to find out more about them.

Every morning I make a fresh cup of cappuccino for my  husband and myself. It’s a ritual we’ve been enjoying for at least 15 years. Each morning we sit with our cappuccino and chat for up to an hour before he heads off to work. Then I make my way to my  home office and our work day begins. When I’m out of town as I had been last weekend and will be again this coming weekend, I seek out a suitable purveyor of quality coffee. Recently and coincidentally, in the same building as our Edmonton condo, an amazing business has opened up. Credo is where we find a perfect cappuccino when in Edmonton. I used to head to a nearby Starbucks but, forgive me Starbucks, I’ve found an even better morning coffee. The place was featured on the evening news because of its already-faithful following and because of their practice of buying only quality fair trade beans. Not to mention those great leaf designs on every cup of coffee, whether it’s a cup of cappuccino or a bowl of latte. Art in a cup.

What is your morning ritual?

Or at least one they won’t return?

Custom modern portraiture is the answer. Whatever your story is, Diane Schuller will reveal a chapter in your life through custom images. When you purchase a Diane Schuller photographic session as a gift, the end result will be an invaluable personal work of art for the heart and home of the recipient. Gift certificates for a custom photographic session are easy to give and are thoughtful to receive! Whether the recipient is your spouse, an elderly relative or parent, a newly engaged couple, your brother or sister and their family, your best friend, or perhaps an employee at the office, you can be assured the person you gift this to will declare this as the “perfect gift” — the best one under the tree this year!

For every gift certificate ordered during the month of December 2009, I will include a complimentary 8×10 for your gift recipient as well.  All Gift Certificate orders are available for pickup or shipped within one business day (please note: I am out of town every weekend between now and Christmas).

To up the ante even more, I have a special offer during Double Gift Certificate Week: December 15 – December 21, 2009.  Purchase a Diane Schuller Photographic Session Gift Certificate during Double Gift Certificate Week and receive a second gift certificate of equal value (up to $150). The second Gift Certificate is valid for future sessions to be completed by June 30, 2010.

Use the Contact tab above to order the perfect gift today.

“Photographs may be more memorable than moving images, because they are a neat slice of time, not a flow. Each still photograph is a privileged moment turned into a slim object that one can keep and look at again.” — Susan Sontag

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Photographic session Gift Certificates are also ideal as engagement gifts, wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and they’re also great as a gift from staff as a going-away gift for your favourite co-workers.

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AVAILABILITY: I am open to traveling and often do, but prefer if there are two different bookings scheduled (it could even be one of your friends & their family or one of your relatives). I will reduce my session fee if you get one more family/couple/individual to book with me to do their session either before or after yours — contact me for more details.  I often drive to Edmonton and am available at all places in between as well (between Edmonton – Grande Prairie). I live an hour north of Grande Prairie and often service Dawson Creek, BC as well.

This photo was taken last year in Grande Prairie and I didn’t have my tripod with me at the time. Purely hand held straight out of the camera. Not too bad?

Just dropping you a quick note to tell you I’m headed to the city for the weekend. I’ll be back Monday. I am so looking forward to seeing the city lights, especially Christmas lights. I miss not seeing all the Christmas lights. It’s going to be so great being around people all weekend! See you Monday. Keep warm.

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Become a fan of Diane Schuller Photography on Facebook.

Diane is a natural light custom photographer. Visit Diane Schuller Photography to view her portfolio and product samples.

I was so reluctant to inject such a personal post the other day but the positive response I have had to my “Kelly Made Me Do It” post has really caused me to reflect. First, a great big thank you to those of you who responded to that post. Based on the responses I received, I’ve decided I will make an effort to inject an occasional personal-reflection-type of post here from time to time. Since this is where I discuss and promote business, just as we do in an office setting, there is always room for chat around the water cooler or lunch time gab in the lunch room, right? You have spoken and I will respond! Thank you everyone, really, thank you for such warm comments.

My next post really is going to get back to business but this will be just a wee bit more of a non-photography topic. Some of you know that I am genuinely interested in the environment and Mother Nature. I have been concerned about the health of our planet for decades, long before it was ever ‘cool’ to be ‘green’. For over two years I have also written a weekly environment column for a local newspaper. A week after my column is in print, they put the column up on the newspaper’s website. They only archive the columns for a short time online — about 2 months maximum. I’ve had two readers here recently ask me about my column (Everyday Earth Wise), so today I’m posting links to two of my more recent columns. But remember, if you find the information useful and wish to refer to it, please print it out because it will be gone in a couple months! Real Scents of the Season and Oh (Fake) Christmas Tree are both dealing with issues related to this season. Although I definitely admire David Suzuki, you’ll see my columns differ in that they’re much more personal and ‘close to home’ without any evangelism. I wouldn’t be surprised if you consider them a bit folksy.

Something else that I should mention is that I’ve been talked into opening a Facebook account. Yes, can you believe it? I have both a personal account page plus I just started one for my business. Unlike Twitter, which I really really disliked and found a total waste of time, I’m finding Facebook actually of some benefit, not to mention it’s even …dare I say it, enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable. So I welcome each of you to become a fan of my business page. Although it’s pretty bare bones at this baby stage, I do plan to post watermarked images from some of my photo shoots, advance news plus offers that I will have for the photography business, and anything else that fits with Diane Schuller Photography. I’d also be entirely open to any suggestions you may have as well.

Speaking of business (well, you knew I couldn’t completely ignore business, right?) … As I mentioned the next post gets back to business and I also want to give a heads up that I will again be doing a casting call for photo shoot models very soon. So watch for that announcement both here and at my Facebook business page. I’ll be looking for two types of models initially (hint: they’re not very tall and they say the darndest things!). The other important thing about the casting calls is that models actually get paid  to get their photos taken. Enough of that — watch in the next couple weeks for both casting calls.

Again, thank you to each of you who comes here to read my posts, even if it’s mostly business, but also for your warm comments in the “Kelly Made Me Do It” post.

“Poplars and Hoar Frost” :: This is a segment of our ‘back yard’, though back yard means something very different when you live in the country!

We’ve all heard that excuse before haven’t we, as we try to place the blame on someone else for what we do on our own.

Some time ago Kelly over at Design Ties (another creative Canadian) gave out an award and the topic for the post was Seven Things You May Not Know (about me). She’s so darn nice that I’m going to play along and, even though I won’t be passing it on to anyone in particular, each of you is welcome to do so should you wish to play along. I love her most recent home office makeover — I really covet that white leather chair in her new and inviting space. Now back to my corner of the world.

1. Most people know I love animals and care very  much about their well being. What most people don’t know is that I also love horses and they were once a huge part of my life. In fact, my first two jobs after high school were working with horses: galloping and caring for race horses and then training show horses for a lovely family south of Edmonton. I smile coyly  and say nothing when people who really don’t know much at all about horses start talking like they know it all.
2. I long to live near the ocean yet have been isolated on the prairies my entire life.
3. I don’t hesitate to report people if they are treating their animals cruelly or if they are not feeding or otherwise providing proper shelter for their pets or livestock. I wish more people would do so.
4. I once saw two guys beating up another kid (teenagers) and I stopped the car, got out (didn’t know what the heck I would do if the guys turned on me) and actually got the thugs to stop. I waited until they moved on before driving away. I think about that kid a lot and this happened about 24 years ago.
5. I had my picture taken with Lorne Greene when I was ‘just a girl’. And yes, I actually was a fan and watched Bonanza every Sunday night! Speaking of being a fan, I was also a real big Katy Keene fan (a Bill Woggon creation) and was even a member of the fan club. Does this count as two?
6. I absolutely hate the so-called ‘reality’ shows. We once went over two years without TV and the so-called reality shows make me want to get rid of it again.
7. I never hold a grudge.

Did you notice I didn’t include anything photography or writing related? That’s because you know most of that! Speaking of which, the next post goes back to business. Thanks Kelly, I had fun horsing around!

When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.~Unknown author.

The year is not over yet and, despite the snow and cold, I still have a few photo shoots scheduled but things are slowing down as winter blows in and people prepare for the holiday season. I’m excited this week. I’ve been contemplating and planning for 2010. There are a number of changes coming up that I’m really quite excited about sharing with everyone. I’m also going to share some images from 2009 in future posts this month — a bit of a wink on the year that will soon slip and slide its way into a fresh new year.

When I began upon this photographic journey year before last, I had no idea it would grow and evolve the way it has. I’m so fortunate. I’ve met some wonderful people, shared special moments and milestones, and have grown along the way. When I began, my focus was on capturing special moments between people while avoiding the cheesy or posed shots. Somewhere along the path this year, I shifted to more of those posed shots though I still managed to keep the cheesy ones at bay. In recent weeks as I’ve been putting together my plans and goals for next year and the future, this is one thing that needs to be addressed. Although I fully realize some people do want posed images, I plan to coax those from my repertoire in 2010. Sure, I’ll continue to accommodate those clients who want the occasional posed image, but I plan to focus far more on my original love and talent at capturing the emotions and unique relationships of my clients. I plan to tell their story through images. This is quite different from what many people think of in terms of portraits. I want to capture those special looks on people’s faces, or a certain body language that only those close to them really know, a certain stage in a child’s life, or the unique way a person looks or react to their loved ones. Those are the moments I’m after. It really is a type of storytelling, which isn’t a complete surprise when you consider how many years I’ve spent writing about people. This is nothing to be fearful of; quite the contrary. What it means with me going back to my original focus is that my clients will have portraits that are more of a treasure — these will be heirloom images capturing a chapter in their life. Capturing these chapters through images excites me. I can hardly wait to get back to my original journey — it’s much like having gone on a hike and taking a different path than originally planned — taking the well worn path rather than that special one where fewer travel. No harm done, saw some great sights, and still ended up at the same destination. I simply plan to take that special path where fewer have travelled. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, “Do not follow where the path may lead.  Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.  ~Confucius

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Diane captures special moments and emotions of people as well as their connection with their pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

I’m so far behind that I haven’t posted some of the beautiful client products for a while. Here is one more sample of the custom Christmas cards that recently arrived. The back of their card is all red but I didn’t think it was necessary to include a visual of that. I am so pleased with these and so are my happy clients, right L & M? with a wink.

I’m still anxiously awaiting the gorgeous 24×36 canvas of these two beautiful girls. I’ll make a point of taking pictures of the canvas when it arrives. I have two more sets of cards I haven’t posted yet. I’ll try and slip those in shortly.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie and Edmonton, Alberta and uses natural light to illuminate her happy clients. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.