Diane Schuller, Your All Occasion Custom Photographer

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.

The McL family has been patiently waiting for a preview. As I was deciding which to post for this peek from the session, I got carried away because I wanted to share lots of them. So I’ve shaved down my selections, reducing the numbers to just a few teasers.

It was a really hot day but we had some nice open shade in much of their backyard. K obviously has a great interest and talent in gardening. She had a gigantic red begonia that would be the envy of any gardener, strawberries nearly ripe and ready for eating, a pond, and some interesting ornamental plants that I hadn’t seen before. My entire time with this family was so enjoyable. Of course, I always love photographing children and sure enjoyed the intelligent and interesting B and his sister S, who loves cars and posing.

B may look serious in this first image, but he’ll easily shift from serious to giggles, as you’ll see below where he’s playing with his dad.

Little S also seems to enjoy Sweet Williams, or does that far away look mean she’s thinking of cars, I wonder.

Or maybe she was thinking of sharing the flowers with her mom.

Thank you so much K and C for inviting me to your home and getting to spend some relaxing time with your family. I really enjoyed getting to know your children and being a shadow in your backyard. I have some lovely images to share with you very soon.

10×20 storyboard

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

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!

In recent months I have been making a point of ‘drawing out’ from some of my subjects. My tendency is always to capture people fairly close up, filling the frame. Several months ago, I decided I’d make a point of taking more photographs from a distance. I’m enjoying the results.

As I have been working on preparing images from one of last week’s photo shoots, this particular image (above) really appeals to me. I think, partly because the couple and their dogs have their backs to me in a purely natural way, but also because the distance gives this a sense of ‘watching a story unfold’ are reasons why this one appeals to me so much. It was also taken early on in the photo shoot before the sun rose too high in the sky (later on the sun became quite harsh). I like this one so much that I’m tempted to order it as a sample canvas print. Funny how certain images appeal to each of us in different ways.

The three dogs were so entertaining — I chuckled my way through the photo shoot with all their antics. This is Hank cooling off in the lake. He’s not swimming; he goes in and then lies down in the water with both head and tail up out of the water.

Note: If this post receives 15 comments from friends and family, this couple will receive a complimentary 8×10 of their choice because of your support! To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.

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Photographs Never Forget!

This young lad from a photo shoot last week had such a serious look on his face. His profile is so appealing to me, not to mention his super deep brown eyes. With this image where I captured his serious look, I added a tinted haze to the black & white version simply to emphasize that serious moment.

And here are those deep brown eyes.

I had the pleasure of being invited to the T family home to take photographs of their first born. She’s a cute-as-a-button little girl and boy-oh-boy does she have proud parents! While I was in their home, I also got to meet baby Adrian’s proud grand parents visiting from ‘down East’. You should see her nursery! Beautifully painted and decorated to the nines with so many incredibly special touches, all done by her grandparents.

Did I mention how happy the parents are?

In fact, thanks to a conversation I had with them, I am bringing back the 8×10 special (see the end of this post for details) plus I’m kicking it up a notch! Thanks K. Oh and it’s not hard to see what a heartwarming look of pride the new dad is wearing these days.

And here is one more sneak peek; this one of Mom and babe.

BONUS: As I mentioned, I am bringing back the following special plus I’m kicking it up a notch. If this post receives 15 comments from friends and family, this family will receive a complimentary 8×10 of their choice because of your support! The added bonus is for anyone who lives within a 150 km radius of Grande Prairie: After leaving your comment if you contact me and book a session with me (to be scheduled prior to Sept 2010), you too will receive a complimentary 8×10 print from your photo session. To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.

I recently had an excellent opportunity to take some photos of a class of senior high school students during their music class. I love taking photos of teens and sure would LOVE to do some individual senior photos of these (and other) teens. I posted a few at Facebook in the “photos” tab but wanted to share those plus a few more here. I really should do a promotion to obtain more photo shoots with teens, especially some individual senior photo shoots. As you can see, since we were in the classroom, the background is not ideal but I’m still pleased with the results. I hope you enjoy this small sampling from last week.

A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares that infest the day
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs
And as silently steal away.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Day Is Done

Music is the poetry of the air. ~Richter

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If you are a teen and would like Diane to take photos of you, check out the information on my website and get in touch! I promise to make you look great! If you are a parent of a teen, or any child who plays a musical instrument, let’s capture this time in their life for your entire family to treasure forever.

Diane’s website ||  Diane’s Facebook fan page

Introducing Baby D from a recent newborn photo shoot in Grande Prairie. Notice his soft red hair.

A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities. ~ Eda J. Le Shan

It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into. ~Terri Guillemets

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If you too would like some beautiful visual keepsakes of your newborn, book now with Diane. If you know someone who will be giving birth soon, send them to Diane’s website or click the “email a friend” button (below and to the right).

IMPORTANT NOTE WHEN SELECTING A NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER: Diane does not manipulate babies into convoluted and dangerous positions, nor does she hang babies from nets, or other entirely unnatural and potentially dangerous poses. Here is a link to an important article that serves as a consumer alert, written by true professionals. IF you really want that type of photograph of your newborn, PLEASE be absolutely certain you ask some important questions and that the photographer is a true professional taking photos as described in this article.

Twas the day after Christmas and all across our land, was hoar frost and snow twinkling like diamonds beneath the sunny Alberta skies — and only about 12 below. How often have you read that I love what I do? I know, but I so love this job and most especially because of meeting really special people like this. But before I even had a chance to meet this delightful family in person, as I drove up their driveway and turned into their yard, I had to stop my vehicle to take this shot. An image like something you’d expect to see in a calendar isn’t it?

Once inside, all four family members were a true delight and with such warm, inviting smiles. The lady of the house has exquisite taste and has done an amazing job of decorating — a beautiful woman with beautiful taste. This recent addition to their lower floor is a hand carved authentic saloon.

A friendly game of poker.

Everywhere I turned there were so many interesting items in their home to take in and the laughter and warmth added to the feeling of home. And, as you can easily see in the next set of photos, despite heading outside, there was warmth everywhere this family went. Even if the sun had not been shining upon us that day, this family creates their own sunshine!

Maverick was enjoying the snow too!


Thank you N for having me out to your family’s beautiful country home. Yours and your family’s warmth and hospitality were the best! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek.

BONUS: As I do with all my clients, if this post receives 15 or more comments from different people, this family will receive a complimentary 8×10 gift print. To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer using natural light to reveal the true essence of people as well as their pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography to view her portfolio and for more information. Diane serves all of central and northern Alberta, particularly Grande Prairie & area plus Edmonton, Alberta.