Diane Jarvis-Schuller

I continue to be busy, as you can tell by my infrequent posts. Today one of my more important jobs was to double check an order that came in, put it together, and then package it up nice and pretty. You may remember this couple from a recent photo shoot in Edmonton. D & M are truly delightful. There were several photos from this shoot I felt really hit the mark. This photo is one of them and so is the one below. Ordinary enough and maybe doesn’t look to be anything overly special. But today when I gave them that second look as I was preparing to package up all the prints, these were two that really grabbed me in how something that seems ordinary can be really very striking. This one isn’t huge but in the 8×12 print it really comes alive. I’m excited for them to see it. I’m excited for them to see most of the prints and I hope they love them as much as I do.

Isn’t it wonderful when we take the time to pause and really have a second look at things? The ordinary, everyday things. There is so much to see that is missed when we don’t take time to linger and really observe the details and the essence. For me, when I’m photographing anyone or anything, what is most important to capture is that essence. Not the superficial but what comes to the surface from within. That’s what I strive to capture when I photograph.

“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” – Elliott Erwitt

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer using natural light to capture the essence of her subjects. Visit Diane Schuller Photographs to view her portfolio or for more information.

PS: I’ve been asked to write out a tutorial on how I make my designer envelopes. I thought I’d have that completed by now but hopefully next week I should post on that how-to crafty item that is so easy peasy.

I’m so pleased! Look how wonderful this canvas gallery wrap turned out from a recent photo shoot.

I’m trying out different suppliers for the canvas wraps and I have to say that I have nothing to complain about from this company. The delivery process coming from the US into Canada was a bit of a hassle but that had nothing to do with the company — it has more to do with the remote area where I live. I’m hoping more clients choose to have one of their images done on canvas — they’re a work of art.
See how nicely the back is finished? There are also 4 adhesive bumpers for the back but I’m not going to put those on until I deliver the canvas.

This shows how tight and neatly the corners are folded on the gallery wrap. It makes me proud to offer such a quality product to my clients. These are a beautiful and classy way to showcase your favourite photo plus they arrive ready to hang. Did I mention they’re a true work of art? Canvas wraps are printed directly onto archival canvas, UV protected, then stretched over a wood frame.

This particular one is only 11×14, the smallest size I offer. The larger the canvas, the more impressive it is.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer capturing special moments using natural light. Visit Diane Schuller Photographs to view her portfolio and for more information.

“Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.”  ~Author Unknown

Such a beautiful family in such a beautiful setting.



I hope you enjoy this sneak peek. I’ll let you know when your private viewing gallery of proofs is ready. Thank you again for such a fantastic weekend!

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” ~Desmond Tutu
“Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.” ~Gail Lumet Buckley

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Albertans: As I do with everyone, If this post receives 15 or more comments, from different people, this beautiful young family will receive a free 8×10. To make it easy you can use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends and family.

Diane is a natural light, on-location lifestyle photographer serving central and northern Alberta including Edmonton & area. Visit Diane Schuller Photography to view her portfolio.

What a wonderful Saturday I enjoyed capturing this couple and their family in Edmonton. It was actually their 10th wedding anniversary and they renewed their wedding vows. What a beautiful and loving couple they are. Oh and two darling boys as well.

Thank you Dave & Marcie for entrusting me to capture your special day. I hope you enjoy your sneak peek and I wish to thank you and your family for such a wonderful day and evening! I can hardly wait to show you the rest.

ALBERTA RESIDENTS, SHARE THIS POST: If this post receives 15 or more comments (from different people), the client receives a free 8×10 print! (To make it easy, you can 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 in Alberta using natural light to capture your special memories. Visit Diane Schuller Photographs to view her portfolio.

** UPDATE: I have learned that the Think Pink organization has, unfortunately, closed down and the program is no longer available.**

I am excited to announce a partnership with Think Pink Photography. Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. Think Pink Photography is a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause.

Through their professional photographer network, they are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.

To support the cause, Think Pink Photography has partnered with The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The Eric R. Beverly Family Foundation. As a 3-time breast cancer survivor, Danielle Beverly and her husband Eric joined together to form a foundation dedicated to promoting education, increasing awareness, and providing support and resources for families who have been touched by breast cancer.

Please subscribe to their blog (on the Think Pink website) and tell your friends and family about Think Pink Photography. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

I encourage you to view the Think Pink website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Think Pink Photography! If you hire me, mention Think Pink and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Think Pink session, please contact me for details (for your convenience, please use the “Contact” button at the top of this photo journal).

As a cancer survivor myself, I am very proud to be a network photographer with Think Pink Photography, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Think Pink Photography website at http://www.thinkpinkphotography.org

Kids are so enjoyable to photograph. Even the sweet shy ones always come around in no time at all! Even if you haven’t met this delightful young fellow, you still get a sense of his personality. Isn’t this better to capture real personalities rather than placing family members in awkward poses and asking them to say “cheese”? Simple. Natural. Genuine.

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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.

Today is nothing short of glorious. It’s really warm (hot), sunny with a bit of a breeze, and the entire weekend is forecast for much of the same. My day started with a positive bang: an editor of a national magazine contacted me to do a photo shoot for a story he’s covering. I’m delighted — the gig is next week. As if that isn’t fantastic enough, this evening is when I do that fun guy-and-his-vintage-cars shoot. I’m so excited — like a kid anxious to head to the fair. May you all have a warm, sunny weekend filled with good times and plenty of watermelon!

[caption id="attachment_938" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Diane's son cutting up watermelon for his two little girls."][/caption]

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving central and northern Alberta & B.C. Visit Diane Schuller Photography for details & to view her portfolio.

In Edmonton, I didn’t have to look far to locate a tree-climbing princess.

[caption id="attachment_903" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="tree climbing princess"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_907" align="aligncenter" width="598" caption="serendipity ... or could that have been a dream?"][/caption]

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

PLEASE NOTE: This was the original reward program. It has now been updated so there is more fairness to both the referral and the person referring. This one is now discontinued for the “new and improved version”!

Announcing the launch of my Referral Reward Program

As you may or may not know, almost all of my marketing is done by word of mouth. To keep prices down for my clients, I seldom spend money on advertisements. Instead, I would rather reward my clients for spreading my name around.

Diane Schuller Photography referral program is my gift to you!  The greatest compliment is to see my clients again; just as much a compliment is a referral to friends, family, and co-workers.  Each time a new client books an appointment with your recommendation, it is accepted with my deepest appreciation so I’ll send a $25 gift card for you to enjoy during your next visit.  Gift cards are unlimited and transferrable; use them toward session fees, gifts for friends, and/or additional prints.

• Returning Clients Receive 25% off your portrait sessions.
• Your referral rewards will be credited after the person you referred has paid for and completed their session.

Book with a Friend and Save! (split the session fee). Plus receive a complimentary 5×7 each!!

Thank you for your support!

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer capturing honest moments of you, your family, or your pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

There was a time I would never have considered photographing something from a garden or nature, or anything for that matter, that I felt was less-than-perfect in presentation — like this delightful, blousy oriental poppy. Although strongly drawn to its colour, texture, and beauty I would have given it a pass simply because the quack grass has grown and intertwined among it’s slender stem and frilly bloom. Yet now I feel that is what gives this so much more appeal. The ordinary becoming sweet in its position in life (not to mention in this overgrown garden).

Here is another of life’s sweet ordinary. Although today I’ve chosen to use nature’s sweet ordinary, it applies to people as well. Perhaps that is why I’m so drawn to lifestyle photography more than any other. It’s all about life and seeing the beauty from within rather than focusing on perceived perfection or striving to manipulate people into uncomfortable positions and poses.

“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it” ~Confucius

I have a busy day ahead preparing for my upcoming trip to Edmonton. I have some writing to be completed, phone calls to be made, paperwork, dogs to walk, laundry & ironing, then tomorrow it’s pack, dogwalk, and get ready for the six-hour drive to the city. Have a great weekend  and may you see the beauty beneath the surface!

PS: For everyone who is participating in Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk on Saturday, have a fantastic time! (many communities still have some openings available, believe it or not!)

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Diane is an award winning short story writer and a photographer serving Grande Prairie & northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.