Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Since July and August were extremely busy for me, I missed posting several previews. All of the clients have received all their proofs but since I was concentrating on keeping my head above water with the workload, preview posts really did get set by the wayside. One couple I photographed last month were such a joy, I’m backing up and sharing a few photos from that session.

S bought his beautiful wife A a gift certificate for a custom photo session for her birthday. They live in a beautiful rural setting and are building a new home so we spent the entire time taking advantage of the lovely surroundings. We also drove to a couple different locations so there is a great variety of  images to create a lovely portrait book.

From the moment A stepped outside I knew this would be a great photo session. She was wearing that cute dress with a flashy pair of cowboy boots! I love when someone has their own sense of style and fun. Speaking of fun, S is bursting with energy and antics as you can see. Now you can see part of the reason why I enjoyed my time with these two.

Many of these images were captured as the sun was setting so those ones have that darker but warm hue, much like a comfy sweater.

I had fun playing around making some of the storyboards as well, though the possibilities are nearly limitless for different combinations. If you’re looking for a photographer in the Grande Prairie, Edmonton, or Peace region in northern Alberta, I hope you’ll keep me in mind or pass this post on to friends. We could have as much fun as the evening spent with this lovely couple.

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

Time is running out, book now for fall photos. I only have a few spots left.

In recent months I have been making a point of ‘drawing out’ from some of my subjects. My tendency is always to capture people fairly close up, filling the frame. Several months ago, I decided I’d make a point of taking more photographs from a distance. I’m enjoying the results.

As I have been working on preparing images from one of last week’s photo shoots, this particular image (above) really appeals to me. I think, partly because the couple and their dogs have their backs to me in a purely natural way, but also because the distance gives this a sense of ‘watching a story unfold’ are reasons why this one appeals to me so much. It was also taken early on in the photo shoot before the sun rose too high in the sky (later on the sun became quite harsh). I like this one so much that I’m tempted to order it as a sample canvas print. Funny how certain images appeal to each of us in different ways.

The three dogs were so entertaining — I chuckled my way through the photo shoot with all their antics. This is Hank cooling off in the lake. He’s not swimming; he goes in and then lies down in the water with both head and tail up out of the water.

Note: If this post receives 15 comments from friends and family, this couple will receive a complimentary 8×10 of their choice because of your support! To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.

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Photographs Never Forget!

Drum roll!  Announcing the re-launch of my website, Diane Schuller Photography!  There are a few minor issues that I need to work out and a couple additions but, for the most part, I am pleased with the final result. I’m delighted to have a professional space where I can proudly display my work. I also have a question to ask: my improved site has capability to play MP3 tunes but I’m not sure that everyone would be keen on music (though it can easily be turned off by the viewer). Let me know your general feeling about music on websites.

Since I plan on doing more of a push in obtaining photo shoots this year, I will be using my blog to announce specials and talk more about photography-related topics. I’ll still chat and share tidbits of life up here but the biz will be more evident in this space.

Next task: I need to make some improvements to my blog. I’m so technically-challenged (which is why it took so long to re-do my website) so fortunately for me, Jennifer has offered to guide me through the blog changes. It was thanks to a discussion at the Shutter Sisters Flickr group that I hooked up with her (if you’re looking for a lifestyle photographer in the Greater Toronto, Ontario area — check her out!). What a great group of helpful and sharing women.

I invite you to visit my re-launched website! I would love to know what you think about it.

PS: Fair warning — an official press release will be posted here later today.

Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie & Northern Alberta. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

The top one was desaturated with some copper tones and some soft blurring added. The bottom one is a simple black and white conversion (though I always play with the blacks, the clarity, point curve and such) — after fiddling this is my black and white version. Do you have any preferences for which processing you prefer on this sister portrait?