Diane Jarvis-Schuller » family photographer

Autumn Leaves Will Fall

Diane — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:06:41 +0000

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.

Forced Poses … Just Sayin’

Diane — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:51:30 +0000

You know, one of the things I have never liked whether I’m in front of the camera or behind it, are forced poses. I know I’m not alone in this because others I have talked with have said the same thing. I often cruise around Flickr partly because I get inspiration from some of the talented people there but then there are times I really get aggravated by what I see. I just came from Flickr and was tickled pink to see some really delightful images such as this or this or this moment. But then I came across an image that just about made me want to throttle the person who took the photo. It was one of those forced ‘portraits’. You know the type I mean; when the people in the photo are choreographed where to put every part of their body, what direction to look, and to like it or not. Well the one that absolutely drove me to write this rant is a maternity shot. So many maternity shots are so contrived anyway which is why I don’t care for most of them but this one focused on the mom’s belly and her little boy, maybe 8 or 9-ish, had his hand on her tummy and he wore such a deep facial expression of discomfort and annoyance. I felt so sorry for him. He obviously was entirely uncomfortable touching his mom’s belly in that way PLUS the photographer had him without a shirt! Talk about making the poor kid feel insecure and awkward. That did not look like a warm, spontaneous moment to me that’s for sure; quite the opposite. Just sayin’.

Okay, so you get the idea. I dislike those stiff and unnatural poses so much. My clients never have to endure such things. I’m about making clients feel comfortable and at-ease and getting the real moments, the special interactions that come naturally or spontaneously. While I’m at it, I should also go on record saying that I really dislike those ubiquitous poses of infants where their head is being held up with their bent-backwards hands and other similar unnatural poses like hanging from a net. I love to see or take images of infants showing them naturally, not all contrived into pretzels.

Yes, a photographer will need to give direction and guidance to bring out some of the fun or special moments but it should not be so forced that the people in the resulting image look plastic or in pain. I’m just sayin’.

I don’t like to subject you dear readers to a rant but this just gets my goat, as the tired old saying goes. Never fear; much more uplifting posts are coming next. Oh, and fair warning: I have a few posts lined up so there will likely be one-a-day this week primarily for the ‘biz’, which is the main purpose for this little spot on the ‘net.

If you would like Diane to take photos of you, your family, or your pets without any forced or contrived poses, contact her to book your session.

Family Birthday Celebration: Grande Prairie, Alberta Lifestyle Photographer

Diane — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:03:46 +0000

This is a catch up sneak peek. I did share one image from this photo shoot a week ago and the clients already have their proofs online but I thought I’d share a trio from this one anyway. This family was so full of smiles and laughter; what a delight to photograph them on such a special occasion: their mother’s 95th birthday!

"One very happy family -- look at those smiles!"

"More smiles and one of those lifestyle moments."

Of course, I couldn’t resist sharing another photo of hands. I love the connection of youth held so tenderly with the character of an elder.

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer using natural light serving Grande Prairie plus central & northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photographs.

Ranch Life :: Freelance Photographer, Grande Prairie & northern Alberta

Diane — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:30:16 +0000

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.

Children & Family Photographer: Edmonton & Grande Prairie, Alberta

Diane — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:10:17 +0000

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

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.

Sisters :: Children’s Photographer Grande Prairie & area

Diane — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:30:41 +0000

Above: I’ll likely Photoshop that dark circle from under her one eye.

Sisters. Children can be so wonderful to work with and sometimes you catch the magic in their eyes (and the photographer too!). Notice that cute bit of attitude with the younger sister I’m so looking forward to another family booking very soon!

“We sat side by side in the morning light & looked out at the future together.” from Story People by Brian Andreas

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Diane is an on-location lifestyle family photographer serving Grande Prairie, Alberta & points north and south. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

5 Things of Beauty

Diane — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:41:47 +0000

Honesty
Refraining from gossip
Helping someone else, just because.
Warm summer rain
The innocence of children

The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life. ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer near Grande Prairie, Alberta serving all points in Alberta and northern BC. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.