Diane Jarvis-Schuller

I am looking for a horse model for a casual outdoor photo shoot (in the snow) to expand my portfolio. This casting call is for any breed of light or heavy horse in healthy condition. The photo shoot will be done in the privacy and comfort of your farm, ranch, or boarding stable.

I will require a signed model release from anyone who takes part to allow me to use the images for my portfolio. In exchange there will be no cost for the session and owners of models will be compensated with a gift of five printable digital images (a total value of $469). If you or anyone you know is interested, please use the Contact form above (in the black menu bar). I will be selecting one model for certain, but may consider a second. To be considered for this opportunity, please contact me right away to discuss the details. If you know of someone  with a horse who may be interested, please send them here! There is an “email a friend” link below for your convenience. This is a limited time offer (offer expires February 15th, 2011 but photo shoot will be arranged at a day/time convenient both for the photographer and the recipient).

Here’s what to include to get a conversation started, and to be considered:

• Your name and location;
• A brief description of your horse (including breed, if known; colour; age; and notes on horse’s personality);
• A brief description of the landscape where your horse resides (large pastures, small corrals, riding stable, wooded trails, or any other pertinent information).
• Your email and phone number.

Eligible locations: Grande Prairie, Alberta and surrounding communities; also in the Dawson Creek, BC & surrounding areas. Special consideration will be given those applicants who live in/near communities in the Grande Prairie – Hythe corridor (Beaverlodge, Wembley, etc.) or along the Highway 59 corridor (Valhalla, LaGlace areas, for instance).

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Diane specializes in photographing dogs, pets, and horses. She comes to you or a location of your choosing. She will capture the true essence of your pet so you have some beautiful and memorable photographs. If you have a dog kennel and need professional photographs for your website or for advertising, Diane is the one to call!  Visit Diane’s website to find out more.

Photographs Never Forget!

Stylish? Moi? Well, thank you very much  Before I left for Hawaii, Kelly over at Jax Does Design had passed on to me the Stylish Blogger award. A long time ago, I began declining these blogger awards but I’m going to gracefully accept this one and do my best to try and follow the rules and pass it on.

A big ol’ thank you to Kelly for considering my photo journal as stylish! By the way, if you love beautiful style and pretty interiors, check out Kelly’s blog for sure.

The rules of the award are:

• Thank and link back to the person who awarded you.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Award to 10 great bloggers.
• Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.

I did share 7 things about me a while ago, also as a prompt from Kelly, so I’ll provide a new list for more insight into yours truly. Here then are 7 more things about me.

1. I have won two major short story contests and each was produced for radio by CBC radio. The second one was aired on CBC radio but I didn’t get a CD of that one. I still have the CD from the first win around here somewhere.
2. When I was 10 years old I was involved in a head-on collision on horseback — no kidding. It was reported in The Edmonton Journal and on local radio stations. My horse was killed due to injuries from the accident and I spent two months in hospital. The accident was not my fault. I did get back on horses again.
3. I prefer food made from scratch and avoid processed foods as much as possible. I love old fashioned comfort food like old fashioned mac & cheese (never KD), meatloaf, pork cutlets, and stew — all home made of course. I also love any kind of ethnic food plus the great creations made at fine dining places, though don’t get to do that more than once or maybe twice a year. There’s not much I don’t like in the way of real food, except for pineapple on pizza – yuk.
4. I still vividly remember learning to read, even though that was in another millenium. Reading a moving novel is definitely one of my favourite things to do.
5. I was quite a tomboy growing up and still have those tendencies in terms of loving the outdoors, wanting to be adventuresome, and willing to try things. Because of where I live, I wear tomboy sorts of clothes but I feel my best when I can get all dressed up in fancy schmantzy city clothes — love that.
6. I drink one single cup of coffee each day but am really very fussy about that one cup. I grind my own coffee each morning, make an espresso for my husband and I using imported beans we buy from Little Italy in Edmonton, and then steam my own milk. One really delicious and satisfying cup, that’s it. So what do I do when I’m away from home? Desperately seek out a Starbucks.
7. I love beautiful artwork whether it’s great home design, paintings, sculptures, glasswork, pottery (oh I have a weakness for pottery), photographic art, hand woven cloth, or anything made by hand. I’ve had to stop buying artwork though because a person only has so much room.
8. YES, you get an extra one (that’s because I cannot come up with enough blogs that I know would accept the award) … I’m adding this one because for some reason it seems to be I’m an oddball in this way so it’s something unique to include about me. We don’t go into debt for anything so we never buy anything unless we already have the money. We pay our credit card at the end of each month, we allot ourselves a strict budget each month for spending money and groceries, and we are always saving money for future purchases. The two things we tend to always be saving for are the next vehicle (almost have enough saved for the next one) and for our retirement home (almost there too). Rather than get loans where we have to pay interest, we do it the other way around and save money which collects interest (albeit small amounts of interest), and then pay cash for what we buy. I don’t tell too many people that because when I do, people seem to think that is so weird.

Now here is the pay-it-forward part. Because I don’t tend to read many blogs, particularly not with any regularity, I really had to put my cap on to come up with 10. Not to mention that I feel so badly by leaving others off the list, especially the photo-only spots I visit. So here are blogs I’m passing on the Stylish award to:

Giraffe Head Tree

What If?

Junie Moon (I know Junie Moon does not accept awards but her blog is definitely worth visiting)

Blue Algae Creative

Shutter Sisters

Leaping Greenly

Sew Green

And there are a handful of photography blogs I visit as well.

Thank you to everyone who stops by and pays me a visit here at my photo journal, whether you’re here to check in on the business or whether you’re here to view a photo or two. I am grateful to every one of you who takes time out of your busy day to stop by and leave me a note.

So I’m back and wouldn’t you know it, I proceeded to have some medical issues. The worst part of that is not having a family doctor and no way of being diagnosed, let alone getting treated. Great health care system isn’t it? I’m finally beginning to work my way back to normal so thought I’d pop in to say “Aloha” since I am still on the Hawaii high. I hope to share a number of photos from my week in Hawaii and some of my experiences too. Before I left, some people thought my choice of going to Oahu (this is the first time I’ve ever been to Hawaii) was not so great. I have to say it was an outstanding choice and I loved every single moment and everything about it.

Lots to tell you and share with you. What you’re seeing above beginning from top left, going clockwise: Diamond Head as viewed from a catamaran; Waikiki beach a few steps from my hotel; a woman watching the surfers early in the morning right outside my hotel; a flower that I yet need to identify.

I have a string of emails to finish responding to and I’m already immersed in work now that I’m feeling a bit better. I look forward to sharing more from my trip in a day or so.

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If you want me to take some beautiful photographs of your horse, dog, or pet with you, contact me (contact tab in the menu above) for a no-obligation consultation.

Photographs Never Forget!

I have always loved those signs that small business owners put on their doors when they head off on vacation. I don’t have a photo of one, or I’d have used that instead. Yes, finally I am getting a vacation. Sure I get away to Edmonton a few weekends during the year but that is no vacation. I have nearly a full week of vacation in Hawaii although there is an entire day of traveling on each end of my trip. Timing to get away couldn’t be any better in some ways because we’re in the middle of a deep freeze (not unusual for living way up here). Yesterday morning it was 36 below zero when we got up and it warmed up to 27 below zero — that is BEFORE any wind chill factor by the way. Today there’s more of a wind and only a few degrees ‘warmer’. So I’m thrilled that I am heading to much warmer climes.

I will be completely unplugged while away so there will be no contact from me until January 25th, 2011 — see you then.

Diane Arbus said, “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”

As most of you are aware, I write a weekly newspaper column dedicated to simple things each of us can do to reduce our impact on the environment, “Everyday Earth Wise”. Once it has been in print, the newspaper archives each column online. Since coffee and tea are such common hot beverages that most North Americans drink, I thought you might be interested in my last column. You’ll likely be surprised about decaffeinated coffee and how it’s made — hopefully you’ll go back to using the real thing. Visit Coffee, Tea, and the Environment.

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Diane is available for professional freelance assignments for editorial, commercial, or special event coverage. She primarily serves the Grande Prairie area and lives NW of that city near Hythe, Alberta. Due to her flexibility and location she also serves the entire Peace River region having accepted assignments in/near Rycroft, Spirit River, Grimshaw, Peace River, Bezanson, Beaverlodge, and elsewhere within the region.

Her photography has appeared in a variety of publications including Peace Country Sun, Dogs in Canada, Country Guide magazine, Hythe Headliner, Trot magazine, Canine Review, Dog Sport, and others. Member of the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC).

One thing about living in Alberta, the winters may be cold but the sun shines!

I received a lovely note in the mail today. Serge Gouraud had contacted me about a year ago wanting to purchase or license one of my photographs. Today he wanted me to see the launch of his new website, complete with my photo and photo credit, and I’m sharing his new venture with you. If you find yourself traveling to France, you must check out his exquisite accommodation. Besides, anyone who goes about doing business in such an ethical and conscientious way (paying for the use of a photo instead of stealing it, like so many people do) deserves recognition. Please pay a visit to his newly launched, La Caneda.

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.” ~ Irish Blessing.

My 365 project appears to be very well received over at Flickr. I’m now rethinking my original thought to not include my 365 project here in my photo journal. Even though this is my business photo journal, I am now considering including some of my 365 images here. It concerns me because I don’t want to run into problems with time since I post my daily photos over at Flickr, and try to keep regular posts here, plus all the other work and home responsibilities I have. What some of the people over at Flickr seem to appreciate is the brief explanation that accompanies the images for my 365 project.

For today’s post I’ve included 4 of the 6 images I’ve taken so far and will cut/paste the brief explanation beneath the 4-some. I don’t know that I’ll have time to double up on my 365 posting at both places, so for anyone who may be interested, you can always see my entries over at my Flickr account. The comments people have left for me over there encourages me to continue with this fun project.

Beginning at the top left, going clockwise:

1. 6:365 at the art gallery … This was the third time, but the first time in 2011, that my photographic art appeared in an art gallery. It was a “clothesline” gallery meaning everything had to to be unframed and could be hung by a clothespin on a clothesline. Each artist was invited to submit 2 pieces. The manager has a knack for great presentation and she had some huge clothespins she used as props and on the ends of each clothesline. I’m honoured to have been included with some very accomplished artists.

I cannot ‘show’ any of the art due to copyright regulations naturally. So I took images of the clothesline which was the whole point of the show anyway

2. 5:365 … Interesting how photographing with intention results in photographs like this. As you can tell, today was ironing day. I have always loved doing laundry but ironing seems like more of a chore. Despite that, it always feels so good when the ironing is finished and I have so many neatly pressed hangers of shirts to put away.

3.  4:365 … Who knew washing dishes could look pretty? That poor jar that’s getting a soak (so I can remove the label for recycling), seems to appear like a drowning victim next to the stainless steamer mug. Actually, I was turning away from the sink to wipe the counters and all the bubbles suddenly caught my attention. Funny how a person can become blind to the things we do every day — all of a sudden I opened my eyes to the surface of the dish water.

4.  3:365 … I know the quality of my photos appears to be declining rapidly. But with this 365 project I’m doing (and I didn’t start on Jan 1), I’m purposely trying to do an honest depiction of my daily life, warts and all. I took several photos while out dog walking on this day but this partly-out-of-focus one represents the best part of the day and the exuberance of the dogs as they were digging in the snow. Look at that snow fly!

Speaking of snow flying … I hope you didn’t miss the previous post featuring my fun loving canine models!

I had some very willing canine models on Thursday. What a delightful way to spend part of an afternoon. The light was just how I like it too.

Seems they were most interested in playtime — look at that snow fly! It’s like watching toddlers at play!

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Diane specializes in photographing dogs, pets, and horses. She comes to you or a location of your choosing. She will capture the true essence of your pet so you have some beautiful and memorable photographs. If you have a dog kennel and need professional photographs for your website or for advertising, Diane is the one to call!  Visit Diane’s website to find out more.

A few days ago, after reading a poignant post over at Shutter Sisters, I made the decision to begin my own 365 project.

For the photographers who pop by and visit here, you’ll all know what a 365 project is, but for others here is the simple explanation of what it’s about. A 365 project involves taking at least one photograph each and every day of the year. It has different purposes, among them: incentive to take photos of your daily life or the life around you; to help photographers grow; to be sure not to miss recording important moments in your life; to keep the creative juices flowing, for some it’s a chance to begin building a body of work; and so on.

For me however, the main reason for commencing this project was something Meredith said, “There is something important and beautiful to remember and be grateful for every. single. day.” That statement, in particular, is what set off a spark in me. Although I don’t plan on limiting myself to only photographing that which I’m grateful for, the reason is truly worthy of embracing. And if I’m being truly honest, there was one other thing she said that nailed it for me. She said, “… if I were able to pick up the phone and call my mother each day to share one thing that happened that day I would. But I can’t.” Well I can’t either and I wish I could. This project then will be moment(s) in my day that I would share, if I could, whether they are moments worthy of celebration or moments of the mundane things we need to do during our day-to-day life. A snapshot within my day.

I’ve begun my project, though not on the first day of the year, as most photographers tend to commence this type of project. I also won’t be posting most of the images here (at least I don’t think so). For now, I’m posting them quite informally over at my Flickr account, though I will likely share an occasional one here. Since this is my business-related photo journal, I didn’t think it was the venue for my casual 365 project.

Have you taken on some form of ongoing project? What did you learn or how did you grow as a result of participating in that project?

I’ve recently had some exciting email discussions with Ottawa interior decorator Kelly James of Jax Decor regarding the huge trend for equine chic. Kelly featured some of my equine art in December.

Nancy Marcus Gueret of Marcus Design recently featured a post about Equine Chic. She also just posted the Top 5 decor trends for 2011 and equine chic is right there on that top list! As we know, home decor and fashion are tightly woven together so it’s no surprise that equine chic also hits the fashion runways. In Canada, the program Cityline will be talking about equine art for home decor on Thursday, January 6th — check it out!

I have several images that fit the bill and plan to take many more this year. Whether it’s rural related as the ones in today’s journal post or more refined and sleek, I have it! In my mind, equine art is classic and never goes out of style but it’s great to know it’s such a hot trend this year. If you’re interested in seeing more of my equine art, please contact me so I can direct you to a slideshow of available artwork. As I mentioned yesterday, I have just opened up an Etsy shop though I have so few items there yet — but you will see the beginnings of equine art offerings (including that beautiful soft image I posted here yesterday). Stay turned (subscribe by email or RSS or subscribe to my newsletter) as I trot out more equine art throughout this coming year.

Something else I will soon have available are small size equine art images on solid wood ‘blocks’. These will be smooth and not rustic and will have a permanent finish. The added bonus with these is that they come ready to hang; no framing necessary.

Don’t forget, if you live in Alberta or BC and would like me to come and take beautiful photos of your horse(s), you can have custom equine art for your walls with images of your magnificent horse! Visit my website and get in touch!

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Serving Alberta and BC and have been to the following areas to take memorable photographs for other clients: Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla, Dawson Creek, Rycroft, Sexsmith, Spirit River, Grimshaw, Peace River, Valleyview, and more!