Diane Jarvis-Schuller

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.

As Diane’s tag line goes, Photographs Never Forget! Diane is in the business of photography and with her solid business background is well aware of the power of photographs to represent and promote your business. If you’re looking for a reliable experienced photographer, contact Diane for any commercial photography needs. From oil rigs to coffee houses, Diane’s photography will make your business look its best and get your business percolating and bubbling to the surface, where it belongs!

I definitely recommend this novel whether for yourself or as a gift, Resistance by Anita Shreve

Who are your favourite heroes (heroines) in fiction?

This is one of the questions posed by CBC in their version of Proust’s Questionnaire. One day I would love to play the questionnaire and respond to each question. In the meantime, here is my off-the-cuff response to this one question (that’s the idea of doing the questionnaire; the responses are meant to be what first comes to mind without having a lot of time to give it thought).

My favourite heroine is Penelope, the sixty-something protagonist in Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers. I found her spunky and honest in the way she examined her life and her connection with her adult children. There’s more but that’s what stands out in my mind. A very memorable woman.
I do have a second heroine — not sure why male characters are not immediately coming to mind — in Sue Monk Kidd’s delightful novel The Secret Life of Bees, I was absolutely smitten with the teenage Lily. Despite her situation, she had such a delightful and forward-moving attitude and she sometimes had me smiling so much that my cheeks were sore.

Quick, who are your favourite heroes (heroines) in fiction?

After making a vegetarian meal tonight (no I’m not vegetarian; just love vegetables) of curried tofu and vegetables, I thought it might make a tasty post. So here are a few recent food photos to titillate your taste buds. Beginning with tonight’s meal of curried tofu & vegetables that I served on Basmati rice, topped with chopped cilantro and toasted almonds. Of course, it went down nicely with a cool glass of white wine.

The ironic thing about having a vegetarian meal this evening is that, as I was preparing it, the lady I buy my bison from, delivered our half bison. So I went outside and we filled the freezer with fresh bison. I prefer the bison to beef partly because it’s lower in fat, but more because we can buy it locally and the people who raise this particular bison do it sustainably. In other words, they don’t feed any synthetics, chemicals, hormones, and the bison are on pasture from the day they’re born until the day they go to slaughter. No mass produced, fat induced meat at all.

This next one is a photo I turned into a bit of art. I baked a pair of apple pies a weekend or two ago.

And this last one is simply some ‘fast food’ that was sitting on the ledge of my kitchen window. The light streaming in my kitchen window lured me into getting my camera to capture how the soft glow made them look so appealing — at least to me. Enjoy!

“It’s the company, not the cooking, that makes a meal.” ~ Kirby Larson, Hattie Big Sky, 2006

Oh do I ever agree with that quote. Nothing beats sitting down to a meal and having a great conversation!

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.” ~ Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 – 1826), The Physiology of Taste, 1825

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Diane is always available for commercial and editorial assignments. Contact her to discuss your photographic needs today.

Photographs Never Forget! Keeping memories alive with custom portraits & albums.

Remember, a portrait says a lot about who you are and what you do! Do you need a new portrait to better represent who you are? You know who to call — not Ghostbusters — but Diane Schuller!

These are a couple portraits from a recent photo session with the author of Lacey and the African Grandmother (and other children’s books). Sue is always a real pleasure to spend time with and the sunny afternoon these were taken was no exception. Thank you for trusting me to create your updated publicity portraits!

It’s true that a picture says a thousand words … a great portrait of you says so much and these days we use our photo everywhere! Why not get a great one of yourself to post online or to use for business promotion! Whether you are an author, artist, small business entrepreneur, real estate agent, executive, or any profession, does your current portrait project who you really are? Call now to book your session! Diane 780 – 3 5 6 – 2 3 5 5. (There are special rates for this very purpose).

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Photographs Never Forget! Keeping memories alive with custom portraits & albums.

These ‘apples of the earth’, pomme de terre, are freshly dug from my garden. Yukon Gold are absolutely my favourite potato. They’re ideal baked, boiled or fried. They have a lovely almost nutty flavour and I love the consistency — they’re never gummy or mushy. I’ve always enjoyed digging up potatoes. That’s never been a job to me; always a pleasure. The earthy scent as the fork lifts the soil, revealing the earth apples, the feel of the soil, the cool wet weight of each potato — all those senses provide so much pleasure.

Yukon Gold are the first Canadian-bred potatoes to be marketed and promoted by name. Developed in 1966, registered in 1980. Unlike some of the other yellow flesh potatoes, these store well. Delicious.

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In addition to custom portrait photography, Diane is also a freelance photographer available for commercial photography, special event coverage, and editorial assignments.

It’s late; it’s been a hot day; busy too. So I’m not really inspired with any clever titles. I’ve been playing around a bit … as you will see. I hope you enjoy this trio.

I love taking photographs of cars. I was thrilled last year when asked to do this photo shoot. In another week I will be photographing this couple’s wedding!
These first two images I played around and added some artistic touches but the last one is simply a classic black & white.

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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.