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:

• Your name and location;
• A brief description of your horse (including breed, if known; colour; age; and notes on horse’s personality);
• A brief description of the landscape where your horse resides (large pastures, small corrals, riding stable, wooded trails, or any other pertinent information).
• Your email and phone number.

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!

I’ve loved horses my entire life and now that I don’t have horses anymore, my attention instead is focused on photographing them. Horses are particularly well suited for fine art photography, which is a direction I’ll be focusing on more in the future. Stay tuned for an upcoming feature at another blog of my equine photography.  Even ‘backyard’ horses can become art whether it’s because of the light and pop of colour as in this photo:

Processing the same image as a black & white also turns it into art. This is an ideal way to really focus the eye directly to the horse:

Or if the artist adds some soft vintage-like processing similar to the panorama I created below, a different feel is given to the entire image:

Sometimes a close up becomes art:

I’m really enjoying December and am so pleased I made the decision to take the entire month off work. I got my first batch for this season of traditional shortbread made yesterday — melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

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Photographs Never Forget!

Diane offers fine art photography in many sizes and shapes, professionally mounted and ready to frame, or have Diane do the framing for you. Watch this photo journal for an announcement in January regarding horse and animal photography. Diane currently has a limited number of fine art photographic prints available if you’re looking for a special gift for someone special. Ideal for home or office decor! Contact Diane today for more information.

Gift certificates come in pretty gift wrapping. It’s all done, just add your card.

“Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one.” ~ John Lennon

I will require a signed model release from anyone who takes part to allow me to use the images for my portfolio.

There will be no cost for the session and owners of models will be compensated with a gift of approximately six to ten digital images (a total value of $625). If you or anyone you know is interested, please email me at photos @ dianeschuller . com (remove spaces). I will be selecting one model for certain, but would 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 purebred Arabian, please send them here! This is a limited time offer (offer expires April 15, 2010 but photo shoot will occur later in spring, likely May or June).

Eligible locations: Grande Prairie, Alberta and surrounding communities; also in the Dawson Creek, BC & surrounding areas. Special consideration will be given to communities in the Grande Prairie – Hythe corridor (Beaverlodge, Wembley, etc.).

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

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

ELIGIBILITY: Everyone, no matter where you are located. For this contest “pet” shall refer to a Dog, Cat, or Horse.

RULES:  Very few but these are the most important aspects …

1. The photo MUST have been taken by YOU. No photos taken by anyone other than you.
2. No photos of pets that are “dressed up” in clothing or accessories (collars or harnesses are allowed). If the article of clothing is for a specific purpose and is a necessity, such as booties on dogs in the snow or ice or a raincoat for a small or thin-haired dog in the rain, those will be allowed. (Reasoning for this rule: I strongly dislike when people dress dogs in clothing and accessories. Dogs do not like it and I consider it bordering on cruelty. It’s my contest and that’s my rule.)
3. One entry per person.
4. By submitting a photo for consideration indicates you certify that you adhere to all the rules and eligibility requirements.

HOW TO ENTER:  Send your photo to me by email [ dianeschuller @ gmail . com  -- remove spaces and please check the spelling before sending ]. You MUST include a subject line with the words, “PET CONTEST”. Any email without that subject header may end up in my spam folder and be deleted. Attach your photo to the email and be sure to include the following information in the body of your email: 1) Your name; 2) Your email; 3) where you are located in the world; 4) The name of your pet; 5) A brief (no more than 50 words) description of why you picked this particular photo or why this pet is so meaningful to you.

DEADLINE:  Send your photos with the required information beginning immediately. The contest closes Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 12:00 Midnight MDT. No late entries will be accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS: Once all entries have been received, 5 finalists will be selected. The 5 finalists will be posted on this blog within a few days (this will depend upon my workload at the time). Once the 5 finalists are posted, the public voting will commence. Full instructions on how to submit votes will be outlined with the posting of the finalists. So the winner will be selected by public voting process.

PRIZE:  The winning entry will receive their choice of one of two prizes. No cash prizes or cash equivalents.

1. 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.
2. 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.

That’s it. So now I am really excited to see your photos! Start sending them today. Tell your friends, relatives, and co-workers. Use the “email a friend” link (below and to the right). Spread the word. I’m expecting a wide variety of images from all over the cyber world.

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

Custom modern portraiture is the answer. Whatever your story is, Diane Schuller will reveal a chapter in your life through custom images. When you purchase a Diane Schuller photographic session as a gift, the end result will be an invaluable personal work of art for the heart and home of the recipient. Gift certificates for a custom photographic session are easy to give and are thoughtful to receive! Whether the recipient is your spouse, an elderly relative or parent, a newly engaged couple, your brother or sister and their family, your best friend, or perhaps an employee at the office, you can be assured the person you gift this to will declare this as the “perfect gift” — the best one under the tree this year!

For every gift certificate ordered during the month of December 2009, I will include a complimentary 8×10 for your gift recipient as well.  All Gift Certificate orders are available for pickup or shipped within one business day (please note: I am out of town every weekend between now and Christmas).

To up the ante even more, I have a special offer during Double Gift Certificate Week: December 15 – December 21, 2009.  Purchase a Diane Schuller Photographic Session Gift Certificate during Double Gift Certificate Week and receive a second gift certificate of equal value (up to $150). The second Gift Certificate is valid for future sessions to be completed by June 30, 2010.

Use the Contact tab above to order the perfect gift today.

“Photographs may be more memorable than moving images, because they are a neat slice of time, not a flow. Each still photograph is a privileged moment turned into a slim object that one can keep and look at again.” — Susan Sontag

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Photographic session Gift Certificates are also ideal as engagement gifts, wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and they’re also great as a gift from staff as a going-away gift for your favourite co-workers.

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AVAILABILITY: I am open to traveling and often do, but prefer if there are two different bookings scheduled (it could even be one of your friends & their family or one of your relatives). I will reduce my session fee if you get one more family/couple/individual to book with me to do their session either before or after yours — contact me for more details.  I often drive to Edmonton and am available at all places in between as well (between Edmonton – Grande Prairie). I live an hour north of Grande Prairie and often service Dawson Creek, BC as well.

Some time ago Kelly over at Design Ties (another creative Canadian) gave out an award and the topic for the post was Seven Things You May Not Know (about me). She’s so darn nice that I’m going to play along and, even though I won’t be passing it on to anyone in particular, each of you is welcome to do so should you wish to play along. I love her most recent home office makeover — I really covet that white leather chair in her new and inviting space. Now back to my corner of the world.

1. Most people know I love animals and care very  much about their well being. What most people don’t know is that I also love horses and they were once a huge part of my life. In fact, my first two jobs after high school were working with horses: galloping and caring for race horses and then training show horses for a lovely family south of Edmonton. I smile coyly  and say nothing when people who really don’t know much at all about horses start talking like they know it all.
2. I long to live near the ocean yet have been isolated on the prairies my entire life.
3. I don’t hesitate to report people if they are treating their animals cruelly or if they are not feeding or otherwise providing proper shelter for their pets or livestock. I wish more people would do so.
4. I once saw two guys beating up another kid (teenagers) and I stopped the car, got out (didn’t know what the heck I would do if the guys turned on me) and actually got the thugs to stop. I waited until they moved on before driving away. I think about that kid a lot and this happened about 24 years ago.
5. I had my picture taken with Lorne Greene when I was ‘just a girl’. And yes, I actually was a fan and watched Bonanza every Sunday night! Speaking of being a fan, I was also a real big Katy Keene fan (a Bill Woggon creation) and was even a member of the fan club. Does this count as two?
6. I absolutely hate the so-called ‘reality’ shows. We once went over two years without TV and the so-called reality shows make me want to get rid of it again.
7. I never hold a grudge.

Did you notice I didn’t include anything photography or writing related? That’s because you know most of that! Speaking of which, the next post goes back to business. Thanks Kelly, I had fun horsing around!

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Are you pregnant? Or do you know someone who is? Consider this my official casting call to anyone who is expecting a baby between now and the end of October for maternity sessions.

I have not yet had the opportunity to photograph a mother-to-be and would so very much love to add you to my portfolio. I wish to photograph the expectant mom using natural light in natural surroundings. I’ve been studying top maternity photographers and have gleaned many wonderful ideas for showcasing you in the most flattering ways. You and I will do a pre-session consultation so we can get to know one another, you share your preferences with me, and I can share my vision with you. I won’t put you in any unflattering or uncomfortable poses. Together, we’ll capture your maternal beauty and unique personality.

As with all my creative sessions, your maternity session includes our pre-shoot consultation, travel to your home or location of choice, my time & expertise during the creative session (for up to two hours), all of my post processing afterwards, and a private online viewing gallery of your proofs approximately one week after our session. Visit my website to view my portfolio and to find out more about this casting call, click on the “Specials” tab when you arrive at my website. I look forward to hearing from you and documenting this important time of your life!

Please contact me by using the “Contact” form (located in the dark grey navigation bar near the top of this photo journal) to book your session now, or to arrange for a gift certificate for someone you know! First come, first served! Limited time offer.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer anxiously looking forward to photographing mothers-to-be. She is not limited by location, serving central & northern Alberta and B.C.

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Diane is a freelance photographer serving all points north & south of Grande Prairie, Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller’s portfolio. As she did for this client, she accepts assignments for editorial and environmental projects.

tree climbing princess

serendipity ... or could that have been a dream?

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer based near Grande Prairie but serving all of Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.