Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Weddings are fun to photograph and I know how excited the brides & grooms are for each wedding to see their photos afterward. I’ve been very neglectful in getting images up this year. Here are just a few from a colourful September wedding photographed in Jubilee Park in Grande Prairie here in Alberta. This couple and their delightful wedding party were not only handsome & beautiful but a pleasure to spend the day photographing. The guys even climbed a tree for some photos — their idea!

This one above could easily be titled, “Chillin’” — that’s what ring bearers do, isn’t it?

Did I not tell you how pretty these ladies all are!

Really cool guys.

Handsome couple.

As I mentioned, there was fun during this photo shoot as well. The entire party climbed on a narrow ledge, the guys climbed a tree, the ladies ran across a busy road then marched right up to Tim Horton’s, caught a photo of the bride ‘running away’, the entire wedding party were great sports in tossing leaves, and so much more. Lots and lots of images for this couple to remember their special day.

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

A few autumn leaves taken in my backyard a couple days ago.

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” ~Elizabeth Lawrence

I am loving autumn. The leaves turning their brilliant yellows, golds, auburn, and reds are truly nature’s kaleidoscope.
I love the earthy scent of autumn as the frost begins the slow decay into winter.
The geese honking as their “V” formations float overhead each day.
The light, the low rich light of autumn is the best.

What are you enjoying most about autumn?

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

Do you live in the Peace Wapiti region, in or around Grande Prairie? … If you or someone you know would like some beautiful portraits taken in the golden light, get in touch right away. As the song lyrics, “autumn leaves will fall,” soon the leaves will be gone.

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.”

“All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography” ~ Frederico Fellini

A little word play while I’m busy working away in the background. Doing some editing, some planning for the next photo shoot, some paperwork, and getting ready to head out of town. Oh and that streamlining I’ve been talking about — it’s coming along nicely. Thank you to all my loyal readers and clients. I am very grateful for every one of you!

Oh, the very first tulip of the season opened up today and by the end of the week I think the first of the lilacs may be popping open too. Walking in the backyard, it smells divine from the blossoms on the Western Sand Cherry. What’s popping in your yard or neighbourhood?

“There is no velvet so soft as a mother’s lap, 
no rose as lovely as her smile, 
no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps.” ~ Archibald Thompson

I miss my mother intensely. My wish is that you will let your mother know how much you appreciate her. If you live in the same city/area, please spend some time with her. You are so fortunate. May you and your mother enjoy a joy-filled Mother’s Day!

You know those spring snowfalls where you can watch the thick dark clouds headed your way and you know what they are about to bring? This morning my husband and I watched just such weather coming our way from the West. Sure enough, it began with a bit of snow spitting. After about maybe 10 minutes, the snow began in earnest and fell for maybe 15-20 minutes. Silly me, I posted about it on Facebook and I doubt anyone believed it. It’s times like that when a photo would have been the proof but I sure wasn’t interested in photographing snow — we’ve had enough! Anyway the snow melted immediately upon hitting the ground and the only sign of it was a damp patio for a while.

Naturally, this photo was taken in the middle of winter — not today!!

Taking photographs is like that. If a person doesn’t get photographs taken during a momentous occasion or simply to capture a great expression, that moment — the proof of that occurrence is gone, except for the mental memory of it. So, whether you hire a photographer or simply keep your camera handy for those special family moments, I hope you will capture them through the camera lens. When you look back upon those photos, sometimes you may be surprised that certain things had actually happened. The stories of those times will come alive again for you — even if no one believes you! You’ll know.

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever. It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”  -Aaron Siskind

“You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” ~Paul Sweeney

I know this feeling so very well.

“The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of television.” ~Andrew Ross
“The smallest bookstore still contains more ideas of worth than have been presented in the entire history of computers & social networking.” ~Diane Schuller, with a great big nod to Andrew Ross

We have a winner!

Before I announce the winner, it’s important for me to give a huge thanks to everyone who entered and participated. I still feel so badly that every entry could not have been included in the voting. One of you readers gave me a great idea to do a collage of the entries that did not make it to the voting. The photos above are SOME of them. To all of you others, I apologize because I had already deleted several of the entries in an effort to clear up space on my hard drive. Now I wish I had retained them all until today. There were many heartwarming stories with the entries that did not get included and I enjoyed every single one! I’m sorry for the poor display but I’m running behind in getting the winner announced and didn’t want to take any additional time in keeping everyone waiting!

Okay, without any further delay. … drum roll please … The winner, as determined by public voting, was #1 Max the Corgi! (with #4 Galen a very close runner up!). Every pet is a winner, of course. So Max’s guardian, Kirsten Sharninghouse, receives her choice of either:

Choice One: A custom on-location photo session with me for you and your pet. This includes a full creative session plus one 8×10 of your choice from the session. The session must be booked and held prior to October 1, 2010 and you must be in my service area (Grande Prairie & area, Peace region of Alberta or BC, Edmonton and area). Value: $ 150.
Choice Two: Two books — Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V.M. and Susan Hubble Pitcairn. PLUS The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller. Value including shipping costs: $ 52.

Kirsten and her dogs live in Ohio, so I suspect she’ll be taking the books (unless you’d like to come to Alberta Kirsten!).

That was a blast everyone! I LOVE each and every one of your pets.

“My little dog — a heartbeat at my feet.” ~ Edith Wharton

“There’s no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that has a cat.” ~ Wesley Bates

I’m pleased to announce that the entries for the Pet Photo Contest have been rolling in. Although a few people got their entry in right away, it slowed down drastically after that, so I was beginning to think I may have to post all the entries for the public voting. That’s not the case. Fortunately we have received many entries and now, after tonight’s deadline, we are going to have a tough time narrowing down to the 5 finalists. Just a reminder that, because I know so many of you, I have asked another photographer to help me narrow down the 5 finalists. Also, we are not necessarily concerned about the quality of the photo; we’re more concerned about the subject. So, I want to thank everyone who has entered so far and to those who will be submitting prior to tonight’s deadline. IMPORTANT: Since I am leaving early Thursday morning and will be out of town until late Monday night, the finalists will not be selected and posted here until next week (I’m shooting for Wednesday). Stay tuned!

With being out of town on the weekend and gearing up for this upcoming extra long weekend I’m getting ready for, I find myself rushing once again. When I return after the Easter weekend, I will respond to all your previous messages then.

May each of you enjoy a truly blessed and joyful Easter with your family or friends.

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life. ~S.D. Gordon

I think of the garden after the rain;
And hope to my heart comes singing,
At morn the cherry-blooms will be white,
And the Easter bells be ringing! ~Edna Dean Proctor, “Easter Bells”

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

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