Since there are so many photos to work through and combine for here on my photo journal, I’m not taking the time to do any adjustments or editing to any of them. They’re simply coming straight out of the camera.

I love all the colourful, authentic costumes. I may have mentioned it in one of my previous posts but I really found the Hawaiian people to be incredibly friendly and happy. This next fellow is going to demonstrate how to light a fire using two pieces of wood — boy scouts check this out — and it took him less than two minutes. Oh, and notice the tattoos! The Hawaiin men were really covered in tattoos but unlike in the rest of N. America, theirs are meaningful designs or figures that relate directly to their ancestry and/or their connection to the land or sea.

Just blowing a little into the smoking coconut fibre and …

It is so hard deciding which photos not to include. There was a great deal more entertainment in each of the villages and some hands-on games as well. After a full day of this kind of entertainment, more music and dancing was enjoyed at the authentic luau. The pig smelled delicious when they uncovered it and took it out of the ground. I tried all the different foods and am glad I did. Prior to going to Hawaii, many people advised not to try the poi because it’s so bland. Well I tried it but it is NOT bland — it has a very annoying taste. I didn’t mind the texture but oh that taste was yukky. A lot of people at my table loved the lomi lomi salmon and I admit that, even though I dislike salmon, this was one of the best ways I have tried salmon. What I really did enjoy, besides the kalua pig were the other things they make with the taro (which is what they make poi from), especially the little purple buns and the taro chips.

I have so many more photos. I may not post many more here on my photo journal, except I did promise to share some of the photos of the artisans and their handiwork. I should also post a few photos of where I stayed and one thing I will definitely share is a link to the slideshow I put together. Stay tuned.

If you missed the previous images from Hawaii, here is Part Two and Part One.

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I have 3 or 4 posts already written, just waiting to be ‘published’ but thought I should hold off on posting them in bunches like I have been recently. So in the upcoming week I’ll gradually post them … topics such as Horses in Feng Shui, Gallery Wall Ideas for your Family Photos, and a real cool (yet easy) project for your family photos, and more.

I have always loved those signs that small business owners put on their doors when they head off on vacation. I don’t have a photo of one, or I’d have used that instead. Yes, finally I am getting a vacation. Sure I get away to Edmonton a few weekends during the year but that is no vacation. I have nearly a full week of vacation in Hawaii although there is an entire day of traveling on each end of my trip. Timing to get away couldn’t be any better in some ways because we’re in the middle of a deep freeze (not unusual for living way up here). Yesterday morning it was 36 below zero when we got up and it warmed up to 27 below zero — that is BEFORE any wind chill factor by the way. Today there’s more of a wind and only a few degrees ‘warmer’. So I’m thrilled that I am heading to much warmer climes.

I will be completely unplugged while away so there will be no contact from me until January 25th, 2011 — see you then.

Diane Arbus said, “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”

Thank you! A big thank you to everyone who has supported me this year — actually everyone since 2008 when I embarked upon this exciting photographic adventure. There is more to come in 2011. Without your support my photography business and photographic inspiration surely would be hidden away as it was for years (decades). May you and yours enjoy a year ahead filled with energy, enthusiasm, good health, and many special moments with those you love.

“Go to the winter woods: listen there, look, watch, and “the dead months” will give you a subtler secret than any you have yet found in the forest.” ~ Fiona Macleod, Where the Forest Murmurs

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, never in want.” ~ an Old Irish toast (those Irish surely have fine toasts and wishes).

Who are your favourite heroes (heroines) in fiction?

This is one of the questions posed by CBC in their version of Proust’s Questionnaire. One day I would love to play the questionnaire and respond to each question. In the meantime, here is my off-the-cuff response to this one question (that’s the idea of doing the questionnaire; the responses are meant to be what first comes to mind without having a lot of time to give it thought).

My favourite heroine is Penelope, the sixty-something protagonist in Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers. I found her spunky and honest in the way she examined her life and her connection with her adult children. There’s more but that’s what stands out in my mind. A very memorable woman.
I do have a second heroine — not sure why male characters are not immediately coming to mind — in Sue Monk Kidd’s delightful novel The Secret Life of Bees, I was absolutely smitten with the teenage Lily. Despite her situation, she had such a delightful and forward-moving attitude and she sometimes had me smiling so much that my cheeks were sore.

Quick, who are your favourite heroes (heroines) in fiction?

I know all the rules about keeping blog posts short plus I realize how annoying real long blog posts are, but I hope you’ll forgive me for making this one a tad on the long side — so I hope you enjoy them anyway. I was losing light with some of these, especially this next pair, but I think they still show some nice detail. I’ll be doing a lot of (catch-up) posting beginning this week with the majority of the images being my personal photos, with a few client photos tossed in here and there this month.

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All images in this post and within this photo journal (blog) are Copyright © Diane Schuller – All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy, take screenshots, or otherwise use these images without my written permission. Please use the contact form in the menu bar above to request permission and I’m sure we can work something out. If you are interested in reprints of any of the images in this photo journal (blog), please contact Diane for more information. Thank you for respecting copyright laws.

If I were to try and put a caption to this photo of an 8 year old puppy it might go something like, “Is that my youth down in there somewhere?”

Next post is a pictorial of Rocky Mountain Sheep I encountered a few weeks ago.

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Diane is an experienced dog, pet, & horse photographer serving Grande Prairie and surrounding regions. Visit Diane’s website to view her portfolio and to learn more about getting beautiful and candid photos of your dog, pet, or horse!

Photographs Never Forget!

1. Camera strap cover. These are not a necessity but they are a unique way of spiffing up ordinary camera straps. I recommend checking out Sara Eaton’s Swanky Stitch. I was fortunate to win one of her custom camera strap covers and am proud to have a more feminine touch when I’m out and about with my camera. She also has some masculine fabrics to choose from for the guys on your list.
2. Since I happen to love supporting creative people who make things, here is another excellent suggestion. An incredibly high quality padded camera bag for women who like to look stylish while carrying a camera with them (instead of those ugly black and bulky masculine bags) — and you won’t believe how reasonable they are. I have something similar but when I found this person, I was kicking myself that I didn’t buy from her first! Check these stylish (and well made) camera bags out and you will be guaranteed to have the BEST gift under the tree!
3. Books: either of David DuChemin’s: Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision, and VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography. Both are photography books written by a fellow Canadian that any photographer would be delighted to receive.
4. A Microfibre Cleaning Cloth: Every photographer, whether an amateur or pro needs more than one of these in their camera bag. Even if a photographer has a couple he or she will appreciate having a few more.
5. Gorillapod*. Here’s a really useful little gadget any photographer should have in their bag. Basically they are a portable tripod with three articulated legs that you can use to wrap around any object and hold your camera or flash. They are relatively small and lightweight and are great when you need to support your camera or flash in some unusual position or location. They also have a version for the iPhone called the Gorillamobile which is a great little accessory with a number of uses (watch the video). In conjunction with the Gorillamobile, there is now a new iPhone application called Gorillacam and the best part is that it’s free! It features a camera timer, unlimited rapid fire, 3-shot burst and a grid overlay. Used together with the Gorillamobile, you can now take better self portraits or videos using your iPhone.
6. Another book suggestion is for the photographer who is still just getting started or who says they only do natural light. Well it’s time they learned more This book, On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography is so good because it’s not so technical that a person can’t get into it and yet it gives so much excellent how-to information. And if you’d like to know my favourite book on lighting, it’s Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting but this one is much more about learning to understand lighting rather than a lot of how-to.
7. Black Rapid R-Strap. I want one of these — soon! The company is smart enough to make them for men or women. From all the reviews I’ve read and comments from photographers who do have them, this is by far the best camera strap on the market. The R-Strap allows a person to hang the camera at your side quickly sliding it up to your eye to take a shot. This is far better than hanging a heavy camera and lens around the neck. It’s ideal also for travel photography or wedding/event photographers.
8. Want some more ideas that border on novelty rather than true practicality? Check out Photojojo for some funky ideas.
9. Subscription to KelbyTraining.com. Scott Kelby’s training website offers hundreds of hours of instruction on just about every Adobe program including Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, and others. There are also lots of other instructional videos on photography, covering topics ranging from legal and business issues to lighting and wedding photography.
10. Memory Cards. A photographer can never have enough memory cards. It’s best to stick with well known brands like Lexar or SanDisk.
11. This one won’t surprise most of you. Because photographers are always taking so many photos for themselves and because I feel we MUST get all our images printed rather than left on our computers, head out and buy the photographer on your list a beautiful photo album. Here’s a nice leather one for someone who like things a bit rustic or country, Genuine Leather Rustic Rider Photo Album – Stores 100 4×6 Photos, Dark Brown or for the photographer who prefers things a bit more classy, try this one Deluxe Leather Photo Album with Faux Suede Interior Lining – Stores 300 Pictures, Brown — I know I would always appreciate receiving an archival quality photo album of any kind.
12. Gift Card. Still not sure what to get them? A gift card to their favourite camera store is always a safe bet.

What items are on your photography wish list this year? Leave your ideas in the comments below.

These are a couple portraits from a recent photo session with the author of Lacey and the African Grandmother (and other children’s books). Sue is always a real pleasure to spend time with and the sunny afternoon these were taken was no exception. Thank you for trusting me to create your updated publicity portraits!

It’s true that a picture says a thousand words … a great portrait of you says so much and these days we use our photo everywhere! Why not get a great one of yourself to post online or to use for business promotion! Whether you are an author, artist, small business entrepreneur, real estate agent, executive, or any profession, does your current portrait project who you really are? Call now to book your session! Diane 780 – 3 5 6 – 2 3 5 5. (There are special rates for this very purpose).

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

The workshop begins at 6:30 PM tonight at the Grande Prairie Public Library. For details click  “How to Take Better Photos of Your Children”.

See you there!

Aspen (poplar) trees during an Alberta autumn

I’m way behind on posts and will be doing my best to catch up when I return. I have some wedding previews, in particular, I should get up next week. I’ve also been so pleased that some of you have sent me your photos showing how you display or save your printed photographs! Thank you so much! Keep ‘em coming for those of you who haven’t sent a photo in to show me how you display or save your printed photos (even if they’re held up by clothespins or nicely stored in an album or photo box) — I’m also going to make a post of those next week. I had promised to post some photos of that beautiful old barn and they are still to come — I have not forgotten.

English Springer Spaniel — a different perspective

Anyway, I had a super day today and by mid day tomorrow I’ll be hitting the highway to drive to Edmonton. May you and yours enjoy a special weekend of celebration and appreciation. I look forward to sharing more with you next week. In the meantime I hope you enjoy a few photos I took while there were still leaves on the trees — they’re all on the ground now making a carpet for winter.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

early morning: Birch leaves in silhouette

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder

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Photographs Never Forget!