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“To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring – it was peace.” ~Milan Kundera
Pretty much sums up my afternoon — I desperately needed a break.
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Photographs Never Forget! Keeping memories alive with custom portraits and albums.
I had the pleasure of photographing a truly wonderful couple and their two dogs. Although there are some incredibly fun photos of this playful couple, I’m posting some of the quiet moments first.
This first trio of photos I put on a sample storyboard — just thought these three fit nicely together. I wish I had more ‘play’ time because I love creating storyboards and putting together design pages. For some I use templates I have purchased and others I design myself. This is a nice little sample though, don’t you think? The perky little dog is Chewy and that noble looking Great Dane is Eva. The handsome couple are A & S.
I had such an enjoyable time with this couple. They were also a delight to photograph. I’ll likely post a few more from their session in a day or two. For today, here is one more photo of Chewy and one artistic photo of Eva.
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Photographs Never Forget! … Keeping memories alive with custom portraits and albums.
It’s already time to start booking for fall photos. I will be taking a very limited number of bookings this fall so contact me today to ensure you get a spot. I will also be running a special for all 2010 clients who wish to order Christmas cards for this year. Watch my newsletter and this photo journal for details.
Meet my tree hugger. Some people might call me a tree hugger because of my strong views on caring for our planet and ourselves, but most people don’t think of dogs as tree huggers. Well, if we take the term literally you can see one of my dogs truly is a tree hugger. I’m sharing this because, the dog in this photo is actually very unwell at the moment. We rushed her to the vet yesterday and, though she’s not yet out of the woods (no pun intended), she seems to be likely making a recovery. The other reason I posted this particular photo of her is because this photo has been picked up by Canwest and will likely be printed in The Edmonton Journal this week.
Since I brought up the environment, I realized I haven’t shared links for my environment column, Everyday Earth Wise, for a long time. It does appear in print each week in the Peace Country Sun newspaper and then a week later, each column is posted online. Here are a couple of the recent columns you may be interested in, but you can always view the archives online to check out other topics:
“Tips to Becoming a Lifelong Clothes Pegger”
“Greenwashing is Everywhere These Days”
Speaking of trees, they are already beginning to change colour. You know what that means! Fall photo sessions are the busiest time of year. Since they are popular and because I really limit the number of photo sessions I take on, dates book up quickly. If you’re thinking of having a fall photo session, contact me today to book for your colourful autumn photo session (whether you’re one person, a couple, or a family — and yes, we can definitely include your dog(s) or horse(s) too!).
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Photographs Never Forget! Keeping memories alive with custom portraits and albums.
Outdoor weddings are my favourite, although the season up here is short for such fine days as this. As I drove home through Beaverlodge after this pretty wedding there were already yellow leaves gathering along the curbs and windblown across the streets even while the overall picture appears green.
I love photographing the details.
The bride and her bridesmaids had gorgeous hairstyles done earlier in the day. Their hair was like art.
In many ways, I feel that these quiet moments prior to the ceremony itself are just as important and memorable as the rest of the day.
Very dapper groomsmen and groom (on the right) with classy boutineers. The bride selected gorgeous flowers.
Pretty bride, attentive groom, and look at that amazing gown — stunning. This is the second wedding in a row in which the dresses worn by the bridesmaids were also stunning. Look at the vibrant red of these ones.
Another bride & groom who will be getting a custom designed wedding portrait book as a keepsake of their wedding day.
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Photographs Never Forget! … Keeping memories alive with custom albums and portraits.
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” ~Gilda Radner
Those of us with dogs, cats, or any pets feel the same as Gilda.
If you have learned your pet is nearing the end of its life, consider a Pet Bereavement Session in which I tastefully and thoughtfully capture the special bond between you and your pet.
Since time can sometimes be compressed when we learn of a terminal diagnosis, I do my best to accommodate an emergency session if it’s deemed necessary. I understand that special place in our hearts we have for our pets so I’m particularly aware of how a pet bereavement session can be comforting for creating a beautiful keepsake of your pet. The session is dealt with compassion and sensitivity. Images from these sessions are not posted publicly unless requested by the family.
Please share this information with your friends and family (the “email a friend” button below to the right will make it convenient). If you would like further information regarding the Pet Bereavement session, please contact Diane (using the contact tab above).
{Available anywhere from Edmonton north for Pet Bereavement, in the Grande Prairie region, and north as far as Grimshaw.}
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Photographs never forget. I can help you keep your memories alive. Contact me at photos @ dianeschuller . com (remove spaces) or use the contact tab above.
There are advantages to living in a small rural community — it gives people like me a chance to start small. I’m pleased to announce my first photographic gallery show & sale. And, there is a second one planned (which was booked before this upcoming show) at our local library in August. I’ll give details on that one later. Here’s the 411 for those who may be interested:
The Beaverlodge Area Cultural Society is one of the major attractions in Beaverlodge. They support a very active arts community and conduct a variety of workshops in many different art forms. My gallery show opens on June 27th and continues through to July 23rd, 2010. If you are in the Grande Prairie / Beaverlodge area during that time, I hope you’ll stop by. You’ll find the building quite interesting as well, not to mention their lovely gift shop and tea room.
Oh, you’re probably curious about what the theme is for my first gallery show: “life’s sweet ordinary”.
“Photographs Never Forget!”
If you’re new to visiting my photo journal or website, welcome! If you are not familiar with custom on-location photography, I welcome you to click on the “Client Info” tab above to learn more. One of the other bonuses with a custom photographer is the level of quality of your finished boutique products. I’m including the condensed version below of what you can expect from me when you order beautiful boutique products from your custom photo session.
All prints, portraits, canvas gallery wraps, and custom albums are colour corrected, appropriately edited, and are then finished at a Professional lab specifically for professional photographers. All wall portraits are mounted on 2 mm styrene, as they should be, to protect your valuable portrait from creases, folds, or damage and is also intended for long life. I will not compromise quality for a cheaper and inferior final product. My Portrait Collections (in 2010) start from $300, Weddings from $1600 (with a mini-option for small weddings at $500), and an average Portrait Session investment is usually $550 (2010 pricing). Please visit my website for more information on the creative sessions.
{Caveat Emptor: Beware of amateurs masquerading as professional photographers — frequently found advertising on Kijiji or Craigslist.}
“Photographs never forget!”
Yesterday, on my way home, I followed signs to a farm auction. I have always really enjoyed going to auctions and I find that farm auctions have a real zest and life all their own. The farm auction wasn’t far out of my way and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The moment I got out of my vehicle, parked in the ditch along the highway just like all the other attendees, I could hear the auctioneer singing out bids through his loudspeaker, echoing across the fields. Auctioneers have a real talent in using their voices.
Woven through the auctioneers calls was the pungent smell of hotdogs and hamburgers sizzling on the grills. Farmers were everywhere. Many crowded around the small items set up on pallets being sold lickety split, others were checking out the large machinery, cattle pens, and flatdecks lined up with tools of all sorts. Despite a bit of cool wind, it was sunny and I could have hunkered down for a couple hours taking in all the goings-on. Instead, I poked around, took a few photos, and wandered back down the highway to my vehicle. The moment I arrived home, I downloaded the photos and sent some off to my editor. Rather pleased with myself … she bought one to appear in today’s newspaper.
Not bad for taking in a fun event.
I hit the front page! It’s not the Globe & Mail or the New Yorker but it’s the front page of the Hythe Headliner! You have to love local newspapers — and the editor of course. I know that the editor of the fund raising book my photo was selected to appear in, sent press releases out to local papers for all of the artists and photographers whose work appears in the 2010 Paws for Charity Art book, but it’s pretty exciting when one of the papers picks up the story!
I promised you that throughout 2010 I’ll be promoting this book because it’s a fund raiser after all and for such a good cause. There are so many of us who are touched by cancer in one way or another. I survived cancer, I lost my amazing & loving mother to cancer, and many other relatives too. Cancer is all around us. I hope you may consider purchasing a copy of the book — I don’t get anything from the sales of course — all profits go directly to cancer support. If you’d like to see a preview of the book, click to visit the 2010 art book.
Anyway, I couldn’t resist letting you know my news, hit the news 
My copy of the book should be arriving any day so you can expect yet another post when it arrives.
Back to business. I’m encouraging anyone in my service area (Grande Prairie but the entire central and northern Alberta regions plus Edmonton) to consider purchasing a gift certificate as the most amazing Mother’s Day gift ever! Imagine how excited your mom would be to receive a gift certificate for a custom photography session dedicated just to her?!! Even I would LOVE to get that as a present. Also, I have a super duper deal coming up. You won’t believe how great a deal it is for a custom photography session. I’ll make you look great — that’s a promise — and we’ll have a good time while we’re at it. I’ll announce the special soon. Stay tuned!
Need a meaningful Mother’s Day Gift idea? Give the gift of memories by giving a gift certificate for a personal photo session with you and mom! Or ask about gift certificates for mini-sessions (with a mini price tag!) Leave me a note or use the contact form at my website. Everyone will be jealous that you gave the best gift!
Gift certificates come in pretty gift wrapping. It’s all done, just add your card.
“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” ~ John Lennon
