Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Meet my tree hugger. Some people might call me a tree hugger because of my strong views on caring for our planet and ourselves, but most people don’t think of dogs as tree huggers. Well, if we take the term literally you can see one of my dogs truly is a tree hugger. I’m sharing this because, the dog in this photo is actually very unwell at the moment. We rushed her to the vet yesterday and, though she’s not yet out of the woods (no pun intended), she seems to be likely making a recovery. The other reason I posted this particular photo of her is because this photo has been picked up by Canwest and will likely be printed in The Edmonton Journal this week.

Since I brought up the environment, I realized I haven’t shared links for my environment column, Everyday Earth Wise, for a long time. It does appear in print each week in the Peace Country Sun newspaper and then a week later, each column is posted online. Here are a couple of the recent columns you may be interested in, but you can always view the archives online to check out other topics:

“Tips to Becoming a Lifelong Clothes Pegger”

“Serving Up Some Compost Tea”

“Greenwashing is Everywhere These Days”

Speaking of trees, they are already beginning to change colour. You know what that means! Fall photo sessions are the busiest time of year. Since they are popular and because I really limit the number of photo sessions I take on, dates book up quickly. If you’re thinking of having a fall photo session, contact me today to book for your colourful autumn photo session (whether you’re one person, a couple, or a family — and yes, we can definitely include your dog(s) or horse(s) too!).

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

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” ~Gilda Radner

Those of us with dogs, cats, or any pets feel the same as Gilda.

If you have learned your pet is nearing the end of its life, consider a Pet Bereavement Session in which I tastefully and thoughtfully capture the special bond between you and your pet.

Since time can sometimes be compressed when we learn of a terminal diagnosis, I do my best to accommodate an emergency session if it’s deemed necessary. I understand that special place in our hearts we have for our pets so I’m particularly aware of how a pet bereavement session can be comforting for creating a beautiful keepsake of your pet. The session is dealt with compassion and sensitivity. Images from these sessions are not posted publicly unless requested by the family.

Please share this information with your friends and family (the “email a friend” button below to the right will make it convenient). If you would like further information regarding the Pet Bereavement session, please contact Diane (using the contact tab above).

{Available anywhere from Edmonton north for Pet Bereavement, in the Grande Prairie region, and north as far as Grimshaw.}

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Photographs never forget. I can help you keep your memories alive. Contact me at photos @ dianeschuller . com (remove spaces) or use the contact tab above.

Playing around with some colourful images from the archives. Enjoy.

I love photographing horses whether they’re simply hanging out, showing off, or working. The same can be said about photographing dogs and people

This one was easy to capture. She’s our 11 year old Springer Spaniel. It doesn’t matter to her that the water is barely above zero and that the water is so cold it numbs fingers within seconds (if held in the water). I love how the water ripples and bends the light and reflections. Something magical about water. I hope you’re having a magical weekend.

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In addition to custom on-location photo sessions, Diane will also license images for any use including advertising, corporate, promotional, editorial illustration in magazines and books, web, media, presentations, decor, and retail products. Please contact her for details and a quote.

I’ve spent the better part of the day working on a custom flush mount album. I’m still learning how to be proficient at creating these gorgeous products so it takes me a lot longer than it takes others. I’m also so darn fussy about the details that I tend to “measure twice; cut once” over and over again. I’ve made some of these in the past but, because I don’t make them frequently, I am rusty each time I begin again. The end result is always so beautiful but boy-oh-boy it takes me a very long time to create them. So here is a preview of the one I created today. It’s a gift for my husband.

Unfortunately to put together my mosaic of each spread, I was not able to get them all in order no matter how much I fiddled with my software. So here is a peek at what the full page spreads basically will look like. I did not include the cover but when the album arrives, I’ll take photos of it for you. I added a light black stroke around each spread so you could see what the 2-pages look like opened up. (I also see from my preview here on the web that they look over-sharpened — the album itself definitely is not over-sharpened but it’s late and I wanted to post this sample for you.

Here is a separate sample of the first 2-page spread so you can see it a bit closer.

So what is a flush mount album anyway? Press Printed Albums are flush mount albums with thick lay-flat pages and no middle gutter.

Unique to Press Printed Albums, the inside pages are printed on either Art Watercolor, Art Linen, Art Recycled, or Pearl press paper and adhered to heavy black cardstock. The ones I’ve ordered so far are all on the gorgeous Pearl finish. This allows each spread to lay flat with a thick and rigid look and feel. Pages are printed as full spreads and not cut so imagery and design elements are not lost in the center of the book! Press Printed Albums are available in fixed lengths of 20, 40, or 60 sides (10, 20 or 30 spreads) and are available in 6×6, 6×12, 8×8, 10×10, 12×6 and 12×12 sizes.

All Press Printed Albums are available in a full line of cover materials including floral, mineral, suede and book fabrics, as well as many leather options including vintage, alligator and standard bonded leathers, and as a premium genuine black leather. The very popular custom photo covers are also available with Lustre or Metallic photographic paper, and Fine Art Canvas or Metallic Canvas. All cover materials can be padded as an option. All covers are wrapped around masonite providing a heavier, more substantial album. Photo custom covers are made with a photographic or canvas print that is laminated and adhered to the masonite cover.

I have shown photos before of the press printed books & albums. I’ll be sure to take photos of this one when it arrives. See what a beautiful keepsake you can have from your photo session when you hire a custom photographer? Although the press printed albums are most popular for weddings, newborns, and graduation, ANY occasion or any time is ideal for such a quality keepsake. These are quality heirlooms you’ll be proud to display and pass on to family. {Don’t forget Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up very soon.}

Let the bells ring, the book I’ve been telling you about is hot off the presses! I was fortunate that one of my canine photos was chosen to be included in the 2010 Art Book Project. I see Sara Harley (the hardworking editor) got the press releases out to the media already. Here’s the scoop.

The Paws For Charity Art Book Project is a unique fundraiser that celebrates our love of pets, and raises funds for a human cause. The 2010 Art Book is a compilation of artwork and photography of dogs and cats from by 65 artists and photographers in 7 countries. All funds raised from the sale of these books are donated to The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, a registered charity with programs in over 50 countries. This charity also carries the Humane Charity Seal of Approval.

I’m proud to have been invited to make a submission and, even more proud to have had a photo chosen for this great cause. The book can be ordered in hard cover or soft cover but I recommend the hardcover. It makes a great gift whether for someone who loves dogs & cats, someone who appreciates fine art, or for someone who has had a struggle with cancer. I hope you’ll consider supporting the cause. Since this book is a fund raiser, I will be making reminder posts over the balance of 2010. Why not get yours today! You can see a preview of the 75 page coffee table book (the first 15 pages) when you visit the 2010 Art Book.

PS: On another paw-note … BOY oh boy have you people made it extremely difficult to narrow down to 5 finalists for our pet photo contest! We got a nice representation of both dogs and cats. I was near tears when I read some of the entries: we have some really heartwarming entries from people who have rescued their pets. As promised, I will have the finalists posted on Wednesday, later in the day, and then the voting can begin to choose a winner!

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

I’m excited to finally let the cat out of the bag and bark out some exciting news! One of my canine photos will be published in a book that is a fund raiser for breast cancer! I had been invited to submit photos for consideration for the Paws for Charity Art Book and out of over 300 photographers and artists, I was fortunate to have been included as one of the 65 for the book. Please follow the link to find out more about the project. I am honoured to have been included and hope we raise a lot of funds for breast cancer. Once the book is ‘fresh off the press’ I will be promoting the book here and at Facebook.

Update: The pet contest I have been telling you all about and that I’ve had to delay due to the regulations at Facebook regarding promotions, is finally sorted out. So as soon as I finish up my current project I will announce and commence the pet contest. I will run the contest right here rather than at Facebook and the instructions for submitting entries will be announced here on Friday. Finally!

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Diane is available to do on-location custom photography of you and your dog, cat, horse, or any other pet or livestock. Please visit Diane’s website to view her portfolio and click on the “Dogs-Pets” and “Horses-Livestock” from the Category menu tabs above.

If you look up today you’ll see I have freshened things up a bit. New banners for my photo journal. Enjoy!

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Fun in the sun! I’ve been having as much fun as Austin here who is full of glee as he rolls in the snow. I’ve been taking advantage of my extra time to take photographs for the sheer pleasure of taking photographs. I’ve been playing around with abstracts, shadows and curves. The recent hoar frost was full of photographic opportunities. I’ll likely share a few of my fun shots in another post this week. For now, here is a pair of photos of my cooperative office assistants, Austin (above) and Pearl (below).

How are you enjoying yourself and playing and having fun these days?

PS: I am the featured contributor today over at Vision and Verb.
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Diane is a custom, on-location dog/pet photographer serving the entire Peace River region in Alberta. Visit her website and contact her to book a fun session to take memorable photos of your pets. Diane is taking a limited number of portrait sessions this year so book early to avoid disappointment.

Meet Austin in the daylight and then with a bit of dramatic lighting.

If choosing an Australian Shepherd, or any breed that was originally bred to herd, hunt, or otherwise work, you should have a VERY active lifestyle that includes the dog. To do otherwise, will mean your dog will be bored and become destructive as it tries to entertain itself. Many dogs, such as these, also require a lot of mental stimulation due to their high intelligence. Leaving a dog to exercise itself in a backyard is no exercise at all. Unlike humans, they do not do laps, they just get bored. And, like humans, without proper exercise they become obese.

This guy may look tired or bored but he gets no less than three (3) walks every single day of the year, without fail and regardless of the weather. Some days he and the others get more than 3 walks. Walking doesn’t mean on a leash either, which is totally inadequate for a medium to large breed. Walking means, the human walks while the dog runs, romps, and plays. But then you knew that, right? I admire anyone who, not only gives their dog the daily exercise it requires but, also involves the dog in dog sports (rally, flyball, dock jumping, agility, etc.), herding, tracking, or hunting. Doggy daycare is a great idea for people who have to leave a dog at home while they work — the dog gets to socialize, stimulate it’s brain, plus get some much-needed exercise.

Having a dog is a huge commitment in time and daily care. Anyone who has a dog in the family knows how they so willingly give love to their humans. They’re always thrilled when you come home!

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… and a few zzzz’s too.

Then she caught me admiring her.

As you can see from this second photo, I took this through our double-paned living room window.

All photos and text are Copyright © Diane Schuller. Please do not copy, download, or take screenshots. If you’d like Diane to take some great photos of your pretty dogs, just give her a call!