The canine version of making snow angels, for your viewing pleasure. (Even though the light is flat, sometimes it’s necessary to take the photo to capture the moment.)
A spectator but non-participant:
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Photographs Never Forget!
If you would like me to take photographs of the precious moments with your pets, contact me for a no-obligation consultation. Use the contact tab in the menu at the top.
I am looking for a horse model for a casual outdoor photo shoot (in the snow) to expand my portfolio. This casting call is for any breed of light or heavy horse in healthy condition. The photo shoot will be done in the privacy and comfort of your farm, ranch, or boarding stable.
I will require a signed model release from anyone who takes part to allow me to use the images for my portfolio. In exchange there will be no cost for the session and owners of models will be compensated with a gift of five printable digital images (a total value of $469). If you or anyone you know is interested, please use the Contact form above (in the black menu bar). I will be selecting one model for certain, but may consider a second. To be considered for this opportunity, please contact me right away to discuss the details. If you know of someone with a horse who may be interested, please send them here! There is an “email a friend” link below for your convenience. This is a limited time offer (offer expires February 15th, 2011 but photo shoot will be arranged at a day/time convenient both for the photographer and the recipient).
Here’s what to include to get a conversation started, and to be considered:
Eligible locations: Grande Prairie, Alberta and surrounding communities; also in the Dawson Creek, BC & surrounding areas. Special consideration will be given those applicants who live in/near communities in the Grande Prairie – Hythe corridor (Beaverlodge, Wembley, etc.) or along the Highway 59 corridor (Valhalla, LaGlace areas, for instance).
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Diane specializes in photographing dogs, pets, and horses. She comes to you or a location of your choosing. She will capture the true essence of your pet so you have some beautiful and memorable photographs. If you have a dog kennel and need professional photographs for your website or for advertising, Diane is the one to call! Visit Diane’s website to find out more.
Photographs Never Forget!
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.
I had some very willing canine models on Thursday. What a delightful way to spend part of an afternoon. The light was just how I like it too.
Seems they were most interested in playtime — look at that snow fly! It’s like watching toddlers at play!
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Diane specializes in photographing dogs, pets, and horses. She comes to you or a location of your choosing. She will capture the true essence of your pet so you have some beautiful and memorable photographs. If you have a dog kennel and need professional photographs for your website or for advertising, Diane is the one to call! Visit Diane’s website to find out more.
A few days ago, after reading a poignant post over at Shutter Sisters, I made the decision to begin my own 365 project.
For the photographers who pop by and visit here, you’ll all know what a 365 project is, but for others here is the simple explanation of what it’s about. A 365 project involves taking at least one photograph each and every day of the year. It has different purposes, among them: incentive to take photos of your daily life or the life around you; to help photographers grow; to be sure not to miss recording important moments in your life; to keep the creative juices flowing, for some it’s a chance to begin building a body of work; and so on.
For me however, the main reason for commencing this project was something Meredith said, “There is something important and beautiful to remember and be grateful for every. single. day.” That statement, in particular, is what set off a spark in me. Although I don’t plan on limiting myself to only photographing that which I’m grateful for, the reason is truly worthy of embracing. And if I’m being truly honest, there was one other thing she said that nailed it for me. She said, “… if I were able to pick up the phone and call my mother each day to share one thing that happened that day I would. But I can’t.” Well I can’t either and I wish I could. This project then will be moment(s) in my day that I would share, if I could, whether they are moments worthy of celebration or moments of the mundane things we need to do during our day-to-day life. A snapshot within my day.
I’ve begun my project, though not on the first day of the year, as most photographers tend to commence this type of project. I also won’t be posting most of the images here (at least I don’t think so). For now, I’m posting them quite informally over at my Flickr account, though I will likely share an occasional one here. Since this is my business-related photo journal, I didn’t think it was the venue for my casual 365 project.
Have you taken on some form of ongoing project? What did you learn or how did you grow as a result of participating in that project?
I’ve recently had some exciting email discussions with Ottawa interior decorator Kelly James of Jax Decor regarding the huge trend for equine chic. Kelly featured some of my equine art in December.
Nancy Marcus Gueret of Marcus Design recently featured a post about Equine Chic. She also just posted the Top 5 decor trends for 2011 and equine chic is right there on that top list! As we know, home decor and fashion are tightly woven together so it’s no surprise that equine chic also hits the fashion runways. In Canada, the program Cityline will be talking about equine art for home decor on Thursday, January 6th — check it out!
I have several images that fit the bill and plan to take many more this year. Whether it’s rural related as the ones in today’s journal post or more refined and sleek, I have it! In my mind, equine art is classic and never goes out of style but it’s great to know it’s such a hot trend this year. If you’re interested in seeing more of my equine art, please contact me so I can direct you to a slideshow of available artwork. As I mentioned yesterday, I have just opened up an Etsy shop though I have so few items there yet — but you will see the beginnings of equine art offerings (including that beautiful soft image I posted here yesterday). Stay turned (subscribe by email or RSS or subscribe to my newsletter) as I trot out more equine art throughout this coming year.
Something else I will soon have available are small size equine art images on solid wood ‘blocks’. These will be smooth and not rustic and will have a permanent finish. The added bonus with these is that they come ready to hang; no framing necessary.
Don’t forget, if you live in Alberta or BC and would like me to come and take beautiful photos of your horse(s), you can have custom equine art for your walls with images of your magnificent horse! Visit my website and get in touch!
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Serving Alberta and BC and have been to the following areas to take memorable photographs for other clients: Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valhalla, Dawson Creek, Rycroft, Sexsmith, Spirit River, Grimshaw, Peace River, Valleyview, and more!
“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” ~Author Unknown
I am so excited to announce some changes to my photography business that are now in effect.
COMMERCIAL: As some of you are aware, I have been doing some commercial and editorial photography (for magazines, newspapers, and businesses) and I have made the decision to focus much more on this commercial aspect of my business. That means I will be giving priority to and pursuing more of the commercial photography opportunities both locally and nationally. If you, or someone you know, is seeking photography for your business I hope you will keep me in mind and refer me to friends or their businesses. Coverage of corporate or family events will fall into this category and I look forward to continuing to photograph events of all kinds. Special commercial rates apply.
FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY: Another aspect of my photography that I will be pursuing is fine art photography. One of my canine photos appeared in a fund raising book for cancer in 2010 plus I had two gallery showings of my photographic art with plans to sell my art as home & office decor (prints, canvas, and matted or framed options). Changes will soon be made to my website to reflect this additional focus and I will be seeking out additional opportunities for gallery showings in 2011 and beyond. To that end, if you know of any business that may be interested in hosting a showing of my photographic art (one month or beyond), please let me know and share my website with the decision maker for the business (there is ‘something in it for them’ when they host my photographic art). As I recently announced on my photo journal (blog), in December my equine photographic art was featured by an Ottawa designer and will be featured again later this month on her design blog (details coming up on my photo journal/blog). Also, to help provide exposure and offer feature artwork, I’m proud to announce I have opened up an Etsy shop. At the moment the ‘shop’ has less than a handful of items so next month once there is a better selection of stock on the ‘shelves’, I’ll provide a link plus another link where you will find some of my other available photographic art.
EQUINE & PET PHOTOGRAPHY: The third important change to my business will be a re-focus to the subjects that got me started in photography to begin with and that is equine and pet photography. Commencing 2011 my portrait photography will re-focus to a specialty in photographing horses, dogs, and pets — as well as the connection with their people. Some of these will fall into the commercial category for breeders or ranch owners needing professional photographs for advertising and promotional needs; others will simply be those who love their pets and want beautiful photos of them.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN REGARDING ALL OTHER LIFESTYLE PHOTO SESSIONS?:
Although I am shifting my business focus in the areas noted above, I will continue to take on lifestyle sessions for individuals, couples, and families where booking dates are available.
I am very excited about the growth of my business and successes for the future. I hope you share in the excitement with me and will let others know about my business.
It was great having the month of December off and I’ve already hit the road running in January! What a busy year it was in 2010 for my photography business. Many new and creative progressions are coming for 2011. Thank you to all of you who have supported me and believe in me! I am very grateful to each of you.
“I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” ~ Diane Arbus
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Diane is available for a wide variety of commercial and editorial photography assignments. Diane also serves the entire Grande Prairie and peace regions of northern Alberta as an equine, pet, and dog photographer though she is always available anywhere in Alberta, BC, and beyond.
Thank you! A big thank you to everyone who has supported me this year — actually everyone since 2008 when I embarked upon this exciting photographic adventure. There is more to come in 2011. Without your support my photography business and photographic inspiration surely would be hidden away as it was for years (decades). May you and yours enjoy a year ahead filled with energy, enthusiasm, good health, and many special moments with those you love.
“Go to the winter woods: listen there, look, watch, and “the dead months” will give you a subtler secret than any you have yet found in the forest.” ~ Fiona Macleod, Where the Forest Murmurs
“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.” ~ an Old Irish toast (those Irish surely have fine toasts and wishes).
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!
(okay, so I get desperate for titles!) … Our aging Springer Spaniel Maggie had surgery on her eye this week. Good old Pearl went immediately into protection mode the moment I brought Maggie home from the animal hospital. That was a few days ago and all is well and normal again. (This photo is neither Maggie nor Pearl but thought you might enjoy it anyway.)
A dog can express more with his tail in seconds than his owner can express with his tongue in hours. ~Author Unknown
So are you well on your way to getting ready for Christmas? I got all my personal Christmas cards done today; tomorrow I plan on doing all my client Christmas cards. The boxes of Christmas decorations are all in the house waiting to be sorted out and hung. That’s a job for tomorrow as well. Since we never get to go to any Christmas parties ( I really miss those great social events ), I’ve decided I’m going to have some girlfriends over for a pre-Christmas lunch in a week from now and then my husband and I are also going to have an open house at some point likely just after Christmas. Something to look forward to! What about you? What social events are you looking forward to during the holiday season?
