Diane Schuller, Your All Occasion Custom Photographer

As mentioned in a previous post, I’m beginning to offer a glimpse into “my neck of the woods”. Most of you know I don’t live in a city or even in a town, but on a farm in NW Alberta. The closest town (of approximately 400 — which I frankly believe is a drastically inflated population number by the town) is about 20 km and the closest city of Grande Prairie (population approximately 52,000)  is a one hour drive, one way, from our place. The nearest real city (Edmonton) is a six hour drive, one way. So photos you see will consist of the surrounding countryside & farms, the small town where I get my mail, and trips in between. Be prepared to be surprised at some of what you see, because I plan on showing it as it is, including the beautiful, the plain, the everyday, and the ugly. Posts in this project series will not be posted consecutively, but randomly here and there.

Today I’m beginning by leaving our place and showing you one of my three office assistants, Pearl.

And this is a photo of the back of the tire shop in Hythe, with one of the many feral cats watching me very closely before slinking away to safety. The owner of the tire store leaves food out for the feral cats but they do have a tough life, despite his kind efforts.

You’ll see more photos of the tire store in the nearby town in future “my neck of the woods” series. The tire store appears to have a fairly thriving business going for them. As with most places in small towns, the people are very friendly.

Last night I had to make a trip to the Hythe Library and on the way home, I stopped at a nearby dugout with the hopes of taking some reflection photos. Although I always have a camera with me, I had the wrong one for what I wanted to do. My old camera is not great for low light situations so I didn’t get my reflection photos but I got much more in personal satisfaction. The only sounds were of the wind aerator quietly clunking in the distance, and gentle little plops from the fish surfacing. I could really smell the fish too so there must be quite a few of them in that dugout. I also ended up being entertainment, of sorts, for the resident muskrat. S/he swam towards me then veered off. I remained totally still and it swam back my way a little closer to try and get a good look at my ghostly figure standing on the edge of the water. The air was warm and it felt so good standing there in the silence so I stayed a while. As I climbed back up to the road, I saw an opportunity for a couple photos. Here’s one of them.

If you’re not from here and are thinking you may like to plan a trip to Alberta, I’d recommend Frommer’s Alberta (Frommer’s Complete) and if you’re a real hiker, my favourite place is Waterton so I’d recommend this book with great details on the best hiking there, Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, 3rd: A Guide to More Than 60 of the Area’s Greatest Hiking Adventures (Regional Hiking Series).

If a good novel is more your cup of tea, I’d recommend the most recent novel by my friend and Hythe’s librarian, Karen Bass. Pick up Summer of Fire to read yourself or as a gift for your favourite teen. See! there is a lot of great talent up in our neck of the woods!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first installment on the My Neck of the Woods project. There’s more to come.

“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.

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!

Let the bells ring, the book I’ve been telling you about is hot off the presses! I was fortunate that one of my canine photos was chosen to be included in the 2010 Art Book Project. I see Sara Harley (the hardworking editor) got the press releases out to the media already. Here’s the scoop.

The Paws For Charity Art Book Project is a unique fundraiser that celebrates our love of pets, and raises funds for a human cause. The 2010 Art Book is a compilation of artwork and photography of dogs and cats from by 65 artists and photographers in 7 countries. All funds raised from the sale of these books are donated to The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, a registered charity with programs in over 50 countries. This charity also carries the Humane Charity Seal of Approval.

I’m proud to have been invited to make a submission and, even more proud to have had a photo chosen for this great cause. The book can be ordered in hard cover or soft cover but I recommend the hardcover. It makes a great gift whether for someone who loves dogs & cats, someone who appreciates fine art, or for someone who has had a struggle with cancer. I hope you’ll consider supporting the cause. Since this book is a fund raiser, I will be making reminder posts over the balance of 2010. Why not get yours today! You can see a preview of the 75 page coffee table book (the first 15 pages) when you visit the 2010 Art Book.

PS: On another paw-note … BOY oh boy have you people made it extremely difficult to narrow down to 5 finalists for our pet photo contest! We got a nice representation of both dogs and cats. I was near tears when I read some of the entries: we have some really heartwarming entries from people who have rescued their pets. As promised, I will have the finalists posted on Wednesday, later in the day, and then the voting can begin to choose a winner!

Diane’s website ||  Diane’s Facebook photography page

If you look up today you’ll see I have freshened things up a bit. New banners for my photo journal. Enjoy!

Diane’s Website || Become a Fan on Facebook

With the winter Olympics still quivering in our systems, what better time to run a contest!  Not too long ago I created a Facebook fan page for my photography business and am working at building the fan base so I don’t have to send out newsletters by email and to better communicate what’s new and upcoming. My current goal is 100 fans. Between today and when the 100th person becomes a fan, every new fan will be entered in a draw. Odds of winning are very high if you see how close we are to 100. At that point, I will have a friend make a random draw for me and the person whose name is drawn will receive one half (1/2) off my session fee for a 2010 booking, and the person referring the winner will win a complimentary session!  Check out Diane Schuller Photography on Facebook to become a fan!

You’re likely wondering if there is a catch. No catch, but the ideal people to refer are those who live in or around Grande Prairie, Alberta or within the Peace River region of northern Alberta since those are the areas I primarily service. (For example:  Beaverlodge, Clairmont, Grovedale, Hythe, LaGlace, Sexsmith, Spirit River, Valhalla, Wembley — you get the idea! Also, since I’m so close, I also service the Dawson Creek, Pouce Coupe, and Tomslake areas of northern BC).

What’s the advantage of being a FB fan? Fans are the first to know about upcoming specials, promotions, contests, model searches, and other news. Also, some of the contests will be strictly for fans-only. Fans don’t get spammed and Facebook does NOT give the business (Diane Schuller Photography) access to the fan’s (you) personal information. Don’t forget that I also do pet and horse (any livestock) photography — that’s how I got started. So be sure to let your friends, family, coworkers know about my services and Facebook fan page. Thanks a bunch!

Please share my Facebook photography fan page with friends, family, and co-workers for your chance to win!

PS: You do not have to live in the area to become a fan but for this particular contest to win the prize you need to be in the area so you can ‘collect’ your winnings!

Good luck everyone — ready, set, go!

Isn’t she pretty?

I am thrilled. I just learned that one of my photos is featured today at Shutter Sisters One Word Project. Their theme word for February is “nurture”. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thank you so much Shutter Sisters.

While I’m at it, I should let you know that while I was on my road trip there was another of my posts published over at Vision and Verb if  you care to see that one as well — it’s an abstract image paired with a haibun. As if this wasn’t excitement enough, I just received notification of something else really exciting regarding one of my canine photos. Please stay tuned; I’ll be able to announce the news by the beginning of March (keeping secrets, especially such great news, is so darn difficult to keep).

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”  ~Jean Baptiste Massieu, translated from French

Photo information: The fish market at the end of Beacon Avenue in Sidney, BC. One of my favourite places to be.

This is a model search for working horses.

Do you, or someone you know, use your horses for chores on the farm? Whether you hook them up to a wagon or stoneboat to feed the livestock, clean barns, or any other farm chores, please give me a call. I’m a freelance photographer in the Peace region wanting to take photos (at no cost to you) to add to my portfolio. In exchange you will receive two complimentary prints ready to frame and hang on your wall.

You could live anywhere in the Peace River region of Alberta or northern BC to be eligible. Although I work primarily in the Hythe, Beaverlodge, Grande Prairie areas, any locations in the region are open to apply. (for example: Dawson Creek, Valhalla, LaGlace, Sexsmith, Clairmont, DeBolt, Bezanson, and beyond). This is a limited time offer.

Please get in touch by using the Contact form above or on my website, or phone Diane at 7 8 0 – 3 5 6 – 2 3 5 5.

Become a fan on the Diane Schuller Photography Facebook page and be first to learn about promotions, specials, give aways, calls for models, and special pricing.

Sometimes it’s best to let the picture do the talking.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.  ~Andrew Wyeth

One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese Proverb