Diane Schuller, Your All Occasion Custom Photographer

I can’t help but post just a few more images from the July 17th wedding (located near Bezanson). I really enjoyed myself and being around such warm and fun-loving people must have been part of the reason for that. Sandy & Travis live on a lovely acreage and I love that they also included horses in their ceremony. As all the guests arrived, there was a pair of draught horses hitched to a large and comfy wagon to transport people from the vehicle parking area up to the ceremony location. Once one wagon full of guests was delivered to the ceremony site, the horse drawn wagon headed back to pick up another group of people.

The bride arrived by a lovely horse drawn carriage and, after the ceremony, the bride and groom were taken back to the receiving line area in that same well appointed horse drawn carriage. The Patterson’s horses were beautifully groomed, their tails plaited with flowers coordinating with the wedding colours, and also had hearts (in the wedding colours) applied to their barrels (that’s the side of a horse). Here are a couple images of the bride and groom as they were being driven away from the ceremony site to the receiving line area.

And this one I added a vintage touch, especially because it reminds me of riding off into their new life together as husband and wife (instead of riding off into the sunset ).

If you have followed the previous posts of this wedding, you’ll know that this couple and their friends and family are definitely a fun-loving bunch. See!

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Photographs Never Forget! … keeping memories alive with custom albums and portraits. (I’m looking forward to putting the album together for this fun and loving couple!)

Art is another way of keeping a diary. Each diary and its contents mean something different to every reader or viewer.

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Who says livestock and horse photography can’t be considered fine art?! Bah humbug, of course it can. This exotic looking Scottish Highland cow is a prime example of how a photo can be transformed into fine art. Plus, when printed on canvas or fine Hahnemule art paper an image such as this becomes a beautiful work of art enhancing anyone’s home or office.

Sometimes simplicity is the key to high impact.

This draft [draught] horse study is one of my favourites after being turned into a work of art through mixed media including photographic texture. I can imagine this printed on canvas, enlarged to beyond life size, and hung in a prominent place on someone’s wall in their home or office. What a conversation piece! {{NOTE: I have recently opened up an online storefront where you can purchase prints, matted & framed, or canvas gallery wraps of some of my work. You’ll recognize some of these images at my shop. Feel free to share the link with friends.}}

Some of you may recall my recent post discussing the value of purchasing original works of art. Whether you consider something from me or from any other artist, when you support original works of art, you are making an investment that you can treasure for years to come but also supporting the future for all artists. Some things are well worth saving for — art is one of them.

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Diane can also create original fine art from photographs of your pets, horse, or livestock. She also creates fine art from a wide variety of subject matter. Get in touch and find out more.

The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box. ~Henri Cartier Bresson

A potpourri today. With this first image I love the story it tells.

The next one simply shows how pigs are meant to be raised, not crowded in concrete pens where they can’t move or breathe fresh air, or do what pigs are meant to do.

This family walks the walk. They are a great example that it is fully possible to raise cattle in a sustainable way. This was an excellent assignment.

I sure miss waking to the sound of a rooster crowing …

A few images from some of my freelance editorial assignments. Enjoy.

PS: I often forget to remind readers but each week the newspaper that I write for also posts my environmental columns online after the paper goes out in print. Here is last week’s Everyday Earth Wise.

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Diane is a freelance photographer serving the Grande Prairie and Peace regions of Alberta and BC from her rural residence near Hythe, Alberta. She is available for commercial, environmental, editorial, and portrait assignments. Contact her (above) or visit her website to view her portfolio.

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All photos on this site are Copyright © Diane Schuller, All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy, download, take screenshots, or otherwise use these photos without the express written permission of the photographer. Thank you for your respect.

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!

Winston Churchill said it best,

“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”

These horses may be covered in mud and already have the beginning of their winter coat but to me they and this image are the epitome of life’s sweet ordinary. Taken on a recent trip to Edmonton, before the snow fell. (Since I was showing them mud and all, this photo is entirely straight out of the camera without any adjustments to colour or exposure — au natural.)

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Diane loves to capture life’s sweet ordinary through her lens, whether it’s people, places, or horses! Contact Diane (use the contact tab above) if you’d like her to capture visual keepsakes of you and your life’s sweet ordinary.

Some of you are anxiously awaiting my tutorial on how I make my designer envelopes — it’s coming but I just had to do this post first!

A trio of horses I spotted under the amazing Alberta autumn sky near Teepee Creek, Alberta

Driving to Edmonton this past weekend, it was a beautifully sunny Autumn day in Alberta. I took both of these on my way to Edmonton (along with at least half a dozen others). This is really a poor representation of our current weather but it was so enjoyable, I thought it demonstrated the difference to today’s reality. Today I had to shovel snow twice and just now my husband went out and shoveled again. I didn’t bother taking photos of the snow because it does not impress me — I really, really, really dislike winter. Instead I ironed, shoveled snow, drove the treacherous roads to pick up some milk and mail, and got cold and wet walking the dogs today.

“Taken at the crest of Highway 43 just heading down into Chickadee Creek, north of Whitecourt Alberta. Those yellow trees among the swamp spruce are tamarack.”

I’m beginning to get caught up somewhat so general posts like this will likely occur as winter burrows its way. No more hanging clothes on the line, no more single layers (from now on it’s dressing like the Goodyear blimp), and no more pleasant times outdoors. From now on it’s uncomfortable clothing and heavy winter boots, lots and lots of shoveling, more cold than I care to consider, and far too much time indoors. The one positive thing about spending so much time indoors for the next several winter months is that I will be doing some baking. I have a bowl of apples waiting to be turned into crisp and some frozen blueberries that are likely going to end up as pie. Oh and, of course, there will be many batches of cookies to come as well. This Saturday, being Halloween, I will be making popcorn balls — more for my husband than the rare trick-or-treater who may show up.

EDIT: I decided to go outside and take a snapshot so you’ll believe me about the snow.

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Diane is looking forward to capturing people through her lens whether there is snow or not! Just click on the contact tab above to get in touch! Let’s make some snowmen and get photos of the fun.

PLEASE NOTE: This was the original reward program. It has now been updated so there is more fairness to both the referral and the person referring. This one is now discontinued for the “new and improved version”!

Announcing the launch of my Referral Reward Program

As you may or may not know, almost all of my marketing is done by word of mouth. To keep prices down for my clients, I seldom spend money on advertisements. Instead, I would rather reward my clients for spreading my name around.

Diane Schuller Photography referral program is my gift to you!  The greatest compliment is to see my clients again; just as much a compliment is a referral to friends, family, and co-workers.  Each time a new client books an appointment with your recommendation, it is accepted with my deepest appreciation so I’ll send a $25 gift card for you to enjoy during your next visit.  Gift cards are unlimited and transferrable; use them toward session fees, gifts for friends, and/or additional prints.

• Returning Clients Receive 25% off your portrait sessions.
• Your referral rewards will be credited after the person you referred has paid for and completed their session.

Book with a Friend and Save! (split the session fee). Plus receive a complimentary 5×7 each!!

Thank you for your support!

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer capturing honest moments of you, your family, or your pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

I scanned a trio of old snapshots — I hope you enjoy them (Kelly)

“Jake Amira” as a yearling (1973)

“Jake” as a 2 yr old winning against 3 yr olds at the Calgary International Arabian Horse Show 1974

An old snapshot of Diane (1969) with Nakima Sweetpea (left) and Farra (right)

 

Although I no longer have horses, I adore them and am thrilled to bits every opportunity I get to photograph them. These are all clients’ horses — I’ll have to dig out some of the old photos of my  horses one of these days and scan them to share here.

Living in the country seeing wildlife is a regular, often daily, occurrence. This morning, however, my  husband and I saw something we’ve never seen before: a mule deer doe with triplets. Yes, three little fawns in tow. No I didn’t take any photos because, even with my 300mm lens, the resulting photo would have shown a lone deer as a spot on the photo with three tiny specks … you know one of those photos where someone says, “if you look really closely you’ll see ___”. So, I chose simply to watch them with our binoculars until they slowly made their way across the field. Triplets! Oh, and more horse photos to come soon.



Diane is an on-location lifestyle horse & livestock photographer serving Alberta & central/northern BC. Visit Diane Schuller Photographs.

I can credit one book for helping me move from a rank amateur with lots of interest in photography, yet lacking in technical skills, to an amateur who finally understands how to get the most out of her camera. This one book slapped the reins in my hands enabling me to turn my little DSLR into a real workhorse.

I’ve loved photography since I was a little girl, mesmerized by the little Brownie box camera with the leather handle my parents used. Life moved forward and I focused my creative side on writing. Photography, though still a creative outlet I loved, got left behind. That changed a few years ago.

When I finally made the decision to get serious about improving my photography skills, there were roadblocks. Where I live I don’t have the benefit of access to professional photography workshops or classes though I did take an intermediate course that helped me more with post processing than anything else. I felt a void because my goal had been to become adept at maximizing my use (and understanding) of my camera’s controls.

I tried a few online forums but got absolutely nowhere because of attitude (I should KNOW those things, don’t you know). That was the whole point: I asked those questions because I was trying to learn and decipher how to fully understand the specific details about correct exposure. Someone with less attitude recommended a book that was sure to answer my questions, so I ordered it, and voila! That book made everything perfectly clear to me.

Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera by Bryan Peterson was the single most significant tool that helped me better understand exposure and how to get the most out of my camera. By the time I finished the first chapter, the questions I had been asking not only were answered but he taught it in such a way that I had no more confusion about f-stops and lens opening (and determining the best exposure without it being guesswork). As I progressed through the chapters, I learned how to achieve certain effects with my camera and experimented more (while understanding what I was doing). Peterson also had suggested exercises in each chapter to encourage the reader/photographer to try out the different lessons and to expand your capabilities. With the positive reinforcement that came as a result of trying his exercises, there really was no place to go but forward! I highly recommend this book (now available as an updated version) if you wish to better understand exposure, to get the most out of your camera (whether it’s film or digital), and to improve your technical skills with any camera.

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I still use the same entry level DSLR but I know I’m getting the most out of it. I’m still hoping to get a professional level camera like so many others have, but I’m comfortable that my little camera is like a little draught horse working his haunches off for me. The only reason I’m getting so much out of my little camera is due solely to what I’ve learned in an earlier version of Understanding Exposure.

That said, photography – like any creative art form – is a lifelong learning process. I still make mistakes but at least I know what I should be doing. We never stop learning and growing with the art.

Have you found a book that helped move you forward in any particular task or other part of your life? Or, if you are also an amateur photographer, what have you found to be the most helpful in moving your skills forward?

Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.