Diane Jarvis-Schuller

Two quick things today. First, a simple reminder that I do sell some my own photographic art if you’re looking for something beautiful for your home or office. Photographic prints can be purchased as mounted prints ready for framing; already matted & framed; or for a real classic look they can be ordered as a canvas gallery wrap. The fine art photo above would be ideal for printing on canvas. In a range of subject matter, these also make great gifts for anything from: corporate gifts, employee reward program, farewell gifts for employees, Christmas or birthdays, or as a housewarming. A gift certificate for a custom lifestyle photo session also makes an excellent gift whether as a corporate gift or for a family member.

The second reminder is a show-and-tell of my press printed portrait books. If there are several photos from your photo session that you really need to have and you don’t have room on the walls for all of them, the portrait books are an excellent and cost-effective option. Besides, they look beautiful for showing off on your coffee- or end-tables. And the bonus, they last for years so you can look back on them with pride enjoying those great memories. Here is a sample of one of the many cover options (photo covers also available). This is one of the gorgeous floral covers that gleams something like a hologram, depending upon how the light hits it. A variety of leathers are also available for the covers. Of course, inside are your beautiful photos. I can design a lovely set of page formats especially for you — and you can include some of your favourite quotes as well, if you like. These also make great gifts for grandparents or parents — far more tangible and beautiful than a fleeting image on a computer screen.

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

[caption id="attachment_2340" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="oranges in morning sunlight fine art print"][/caption]

The day I photographed this trio of oranges, I had been making our morning cup of cappuccino. I noticed how the sun was beginning to cast shadows on the wall so turned around to have a look at what the sun was up to. I grabbed my camera and took a few photographs of these oranges. It’s not the Grande Canyon or an aerial view of some magnificent landscape but, to me, there was such beauty and delight in how these oranges were being lit by the morning sun.

I remember when I was little how my mom and I would sometimes make orange marmalade. I remember it being a lot of work cutting those rinds into such thin slivers but also remember how enjoyable it was at the same time. Of course, nothing beats homemade orange marmalade especially when made mother-and-daughter style.

Speaking of my mother. Just as my mother did, I have used a clothesline to dry our laundry my entire life. It is truly one of the most enjoyable domestic jobs ever. Nothing beats clothes and laundry fresh off the line — that fresh, natural scent is practically intoxicating.

I hope you’re all enjoying a weekend filled with simple pleasures!

PS: Yes, I was playing around with these images, adding a wee bit of an artist touch.

Since I brought up the topic of hanging laundry on the clothesline, here is a link to another of my environment columns. This one gives tips on hanging clothes on the line.

“… why are you trying so hard to fit in, when you’re born to stand out?” ~ Oliver James

My mother always encouraged my individuality and when she wasn’t encouraging it, she faithfully stood back and let me forge ahead to adventure, experiment, and learn from that path. I embraced that same approach when raising my son. My mother wisely valued individualism in its many manifestations. I’m so glad I’ve followed her lead. Individuality comes in many forms, and attempts to squash individuality come in many guises. As a person who makes her living creating art, I am continually finding myself in a position where I am justifying to others the value of art (and photography  – fine custom photography — is art). Art, regardless of the medium, is something that should be valued because it is unique, one-of-a-kind, and therefore has a higher value because of the quality components involved in creating that art. Those components include the person who created the art as well as everything else that goes into its creation.

That brings me to an article I strongly urge you to read. The article “Art and Mass Production” by contemporary artist photographer Roberta Murray, is well worth the 5 minute read. She makes such valid points for all of us to seriously consider. As she concludes in her one page article, “In order for people to believe in and value art, it has to start with educating society on the value and importance of art. But maybe even more than that, it has to start with individuality being valued.”

“The man who follows the crowd will get no farther than the crowd. A man who walks alone is likely to get places no one has ever been before.” ~ Alan Ashley-Pitt

Whether you are purchasing original art (painting, sculpture, custom or fine art photography for example), attending live theatre or dance, or purchasing hand made crafts YOU are supporting art and individuality — bravo.

Liz Carpenter’s quote is one that is near and dear to me. I used to be a prolific letter writer. It began early in life corresponding with cousins, a few of my Aunts, and several pen-pals. In later years when I moved away from Edmonton, my letter writing migrated to long handwritten letters to my mother and my son. Since my mom died, I have likely only written half a dozen handwritten letters. It’s a shame because there is a real joy in receiving a handwritten letter — just as much as sending one. My mother kept every letter I wrote her and now I have them tucked away so I can pull them out and re-read them. Re-reading those letters is like re-living what I was doing at the time and reliving how much enjoyment my mother got from my chronicles of life, gardening, and other joys. There is a real art to writing letters and, unfortunately, in this current digital age, most people don’t know how to pen a well written, informative letter. Worse than that, most people simply don’t write letters anymore. Do you write letters?

Don’t forget to spread the word — and to get Your entry in — for the fun pet photo contest. It’s a fun contest that is wide open and REALLY WELCOMES submissions from the general public. Ordinary snapshots mean a lot. Show us your pets! Deadline for receiving entries is only days away: March 31, 2010.

Have a fulfilling weekend everyone!

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Diane is an on-location Custom Photographer (Editorial, Commercial, Portrait). She takes great pleasure in photographing people, places, pets, and hobbies too!

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

For your viewing pleasure. Classic car with vintage texture. Photo from a previous photo shoot.

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Diane is an on-location Custom Photographer. She takes great pleasure in photographing people, places, pets, and hobbies such as classic cars!

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