Diane Schuller, Your All Occasion Custom Photographer

As a writer, I am aware of the tremendous power of words. The right words can make a huge impact. How many of you can recite key phrases from historical speeches (Martin Luther King’s, “I have a dream”) for instance? Or perhaps you have a line or two from a song you can’t get out of your head. How about an advertising line or jingle you remember through the decades (Pepsodent’s, “You’ll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent”). Of course, there are many slogans that immediately come to mind such as Nike’s “Just Do It”, Wonderbra’s “We care about the shape you’re in”, Clairol’s, “Only her hairdresser knows for sure.”, or perhaps Avis’, “We try  harder.”

The reason I’ve raised this topic is because, as some of you have likely already noticed, I’ve incorporated a tag line to tie in with my branding. I didn’t make a formal announcement about it for a few reasons plus I wanted to test it out first. I’ve decided that, although the tag line I was thinking of using, “Photographs Never Forget!” projects a message, it wasn’t entirely complete. Tag lines should convey a message to the reader but also should sum up what I am trying to convey about my business. I knew it needed something more. I’ve come up with what I feel is “the more” and I’d love your feedback.

I should share one more wee tidbit before I share with you my proposed, completed tag line for your feedback. I am trying to ensure that people who read it now and in the future understand a couple things that set me apart from some of the other photographers, especially in this digital world. I feel what I’ve come up with works in a single, memorable sentence though I’m struggling with two versions. That’s why I’d love your feedback, even though I do feel one is better than the other — I want to know what YOU think. So, without any more delay, let me introduce you to my tag line:

“Photographs Never Forget!
… keeping memories alive with custom albums & portraits.”

“Photographs Never Forget!
… memories alive in custom albums & portraits.”

Your home or office can and should be a unique expression of who you are, changing and evolving with you, over time. So rather than mass produced prints from the local box store, hang art that is meaningful and representative of you and your lifestyle. Canvas gallery wraps are one way of accomplishing this simple aesthetic.

These are beautiful products and come ready to hang (framing not necessary) – a true work of art.

24 x 36 canvas gallery wrap in darkened room highlighted with picture light

Have one of your images created on canvas or order one of Diane’s fine art images. Canvas wraps are printed directly onto archival canvas, UV protected, then stretched over a wood frame. Please note that part of the image actually wraps around each of the four sides of the wrap. These are made only at a top quality lab using the highest quality materials & workmanship (cannot compare to those sold at retail box stores). The fine canvas gallery wraps begin at 11″ x 14″ and up — the larger they are, the more impressive they are. Custom sizes are also available for special applications.

detail showing the tight corners and properly finished backing on a canvas gallery wrap

What you may not know about purchasing your canvas gallery wrap from Diane … you get a huge BONUS: For each image from your photo session that you order as a canvas gallery wrap, you receive the corresponding high resolution digital file. Since I provide a full print release with this item, you may then print as many copies in any size(s) your heart desires. Imagine how many gifts you can print off with this amazing offer! This bonus does not apply to Diane’s fine art images; it only applies to images from your custom photo shoot.

Here’s an image that I’m going to order in a large canvas gallery wrap for my home. Several things about this appeal to me and express elements about me. This is from a personal experience I had on a particularly sunny day. I love animals and was intrigued by this playful, soft-eyed harbour seal. I’m drawn to many other elements of this image. I have a deep connection to water, especially the sea with it’s ripples and the ebb and flow of the tides. The ripples in the water from the seal popping its head on the surface plus the play of the many reflections provide so much visual interest. The way the seal is nearly camouflaged among all the undulations and reflections gives the overall image an almost abstract quality. How’s that for multiple reasons for wanting this blown up on a canvas?!

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Photographs Never Forget!

Reminder to all executives, entrepreneurs, authors, artists, realtors, and small business owners in Grande Prairie and surrounding region. I’ve been running a special on all corporate portrait sessions since the beginning of June. We’re midway through June and there is still time to take advantage of this opportunity with a coupon worth 10% off the regular corporate photo session!

For the person needing publicity or promotional photos, and not just the ubiquitous face staring at the camera. This is a brief session, less than an hour, usually taken in your work environment (but not essential). The price includes three (3) lightly edited, full resolution digital images for you to use in promotional material, book covers, your website, etc.

Contact Diane to book your session today. Although I’m available anytime for portrait sessions, the special offer expires at the end of June so take advantage now.

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!”

Many of you, especially my clients, are well aware of my stance on photographing newborns as well as older babies. To repeat what I quote on my website and here on my photo journal, “If you’re interested in things like … hanging newborns in nets … I’m probably not the photographer for you.” There is more to that statement, but that’s the part that applies directly to my philosophy on photographing newborns and other babies. I also am not hung up (sorry for the pun) on insisting that the newborn be photographed in the first 10 days or 2 weeks of his/her little life. Anytime that you are ready is fine with me. Besides I don’t need to mold your newborn into contortions so it doesn’t matter if they are sleeping or wide awake.

Yes, there is a huge trend these days with photographers, and rampant among amateur photographers, taking photos of infants hanging from nets, hanging from trees, and with their delicate hands holding their heads up in a most unnatural and unsafe manner (you know the ones where the babes are propped up on their elbows, head-on-hands). This follows the skillfully recreated Anne Geddes images, which by the way are conducted in a very safe manner (albeit very unnatural) with multiple hands and arms at the ready. Those safety devices and hands/arms are photoshopped out later on, by the way, in the case of Anne Geddes.

My style, as many of you are aware, is entirely different. Sure, I like to create some artistic images but my version of art does not include posing babies in totally unnatural ways. I prefer to focus on the true essence of the people I photograph and that includes infants. With babies I love to capture how they sleep, how they wake up, how they scrunch themselves up, or wrap a finger around mom or dad’s fingers. I love to capture the love or joy in the face of the parents or how they hold their treasured newborn. It’s important to me to capture the real babe, naturally, so that years and decades from now the parents and the child can look back and see (or remember) those special real moments. Not some contrived pose that was the whim of the photographer.

So I won’t pose your baby in some artificial, unreal, or unsafe pose. No poses for me because in the future, those poses will be just that: poses. They won’t reveal the genuine moments, the true essence of your precious newborn. I don’t treat babies like some still life as if they were oranges or pears. They are babies, darling infants you brought into this world, so I aim to capture the beauty and magic of their (and your) real life.

Sure, I’m willing to photograph a baby in a vintage carriage, a laundry basket, or alongside a football (if Dad’s a die-hard football fan), for instance. But I still won’t pose your darling babe; we’ll simply use those props as meaningful tools. That’s why I suggest to the parents to consider something that is meaningful to them and their life so that the prop has true significance. That item could be a special quilt or blanket handmade by a family member, or something of significance to you and/or your spouse, a toy one of you had as a child, or any other item of sentimental value.

My focus, when photographing newborns and other babies (as well as children or adults) is a lifestyle approach. I want you to look back on those photographs and remember that specific moment in a meaningful and heartwarming way; not to look back on it as a photographer who has used your child as still life incorporating some current trend.

If you are soon to give birth or have recently given birth, please contact me and we’ll discuss the types of portraits you envision. I look forward to capturing your new infant’s life in a meaningful and heartwarming way. Together we’ll create a lovely family heirloom you can proudly treasure for years and decades to come.

Ask me about birth photography — capturing the emotions and elation of giving birth.

“Photographs never forget!”

If you are one of the few people who actually gets your snapshots printed (what a concept!), have you questioned what you can do with all of them? I’m sure you have. I have too. Here’s a great idea I actually got from a friend who does this very thing. She had all kinds of snapshots of her family, her garden, and trips they had taken. The problem is, she’s not keen on taking time to put them all into albums but she does keep them organized in photo boxes. (Between you and me it wouldn’t matter if she kept them in shoe boxes — at least she has physical copies of them rather than leaving them on her hard drive!). So here’s what she does.

If you drop by her place for a visit, on her coffee table she always has a pretty dish or bowl prominently placed for all to see. The trick is, that bowl or plate is never empty. Instead of filling it with mounds of apples or a variety of fruit, she has a scattering of photos inside that pretty bowl. I can tell you it’s usually hard to resist picking up some of the photos and getting a closer look. It can even be a great conversation starter when you have a gathering of people over for a visit.

I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself, “That’s well and good but that’s only a few photos. What about all the others?” Ah ha! There’s more to it. She leaves the snapshots out for a while (I’m sure that can be whatever time period you like: a week, a month). She then gathers the dishful up, puts them back in the box and brings out another handful or two and drops them in the bowl. How clever is that? You and I could do that too. The snapshots are being rotated and you, your family, and guests will always have them right there in front of you to view. I certainly wouldn’t worry about the few fingerprints or the occasional rubbed edge on a snapshot — the snapshot still exists and at least they’re being shared as they were meant to be! Snapshots are meant to be a reminder of moments past. But if we never look at them then why take them in the first place? Besides, not only is it easier on the eyes browsing through photos that you can actually hold, but those moments linger in your mind simply because they are visible and being seen.

[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="432" caption="snapshots on a white plate on display as home decor"][/caption]

At your OFFICE: You could do the same thing at your office. Bring a vase that flares toward the top or an empty box from chocolates (line the box with tissue first) and toss in your photos. I bet you’ll start a trend at work or compete to see who has the best display vessel! Go ahead, get those snapshots printed and on display.

I’d love to know how you take advantage of displaying your snapshots — the ones that are printed out and not wasting away on  your computer. If you have a photo of them on display, include the link and I’ll come take a peek!

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Diane is a custom photographer who values images that are in print rather than sitting on a disc or hard drive.

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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.

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

[caption id="attachment_2229" align="aligncenter" width="700" caption="Scottish Highland cattle in fine art"][/caption]

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

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

For your viewing pleasure. Classic car with vintage texture. Photo from a previous photo shoot.

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Diane is an on-location Custom Photographer. She takes great pleasure in photographing people, places, pets, and hobbies such as classic cars!

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

I’m excited to finally let the cat out of the bag and bark out some exciting news! One of my canine photos will be published in a book that is a fund raiser for breast cancer! I had been invited to submit photos for consideration for the Paws for Charity Art Book and out of over 300 photographers and artists, I was fortunate to have been included as one of the 65 for the book. Please follow the link to find out more about the project. I am honoured to have been included and hope we raise a lot of funds for breast cancer. Once the book is ‘fresh off the press’ I will be promoting the book here and at Facebook.

Update: The pet contest I have been telling you all about and that I’ve had to delay due to the regulations at Facebook regarding promotions, is finally sorted out. So as soon as I finish up my current project I will announce and commence the pet contest. I will run the contest right here rather than at Facebook and the instructions for submitting entries will be announced here on Friday. Finally!

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Diane is available to do on-location custom photography of you and your dog, cat, horse, or any other pet or livestock. Please visit Diane’s website to view her portfolio and click on the “Dogs-Pets” and “Horses-Livestock” from the Category menu tabs above.