… 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!
Twas the day after Christmas and all across our land, was hoar frost and snow twinkling like diamonds beneath the sunny Alberta skies — and only about 12 below. How often have you read that I love what I do? I know, but I so love this job and most especially because of meeting really special people like this. But before I even had a chance to meet this delightful family in person, as I drove up their driveway and turned into their yard, I had to stop my vehicle to take this shot. An image like something you’d expect to see in a calendar isn’t it?
Once inside, all four family members were a true delight and with such warm, inviting smiles. The lady of the house has exquisite taste and has done an amazing job of decorating — a beautiful woman with beautiful taste. This recent addition to their lower floor is a hand carved authentic saloon.
A friendly game of poker.
Everywhere I turned there were so many interesting items in their home to take in and the laughter and warmth added to the feeling of home. And, as you can easily see in the next set of photos, despite heading outside, there was warmth everywhere this family went. Even if the sun had not been shining upon us that day, this family creates their own sunshine!
Maverick was enjoying the snow too!
Thank you N for having me out to your family’s beautiful country home. Yours and your family’s warmth and hospitality were the best! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek.
BONUS: As I do with all my clients, if this post receives 15 or more comments from different people, this family will receive a complimentary 8×10 gift print. To make it easy, use the [email a friend] link to share this post with friends or family.
~~
Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer using natural light to reveal the true essence of people as well as their pets. Visit Diane Schuller Photography to view her portfolio and for more information. Diane serves all of central and northern Alberta, particularly Grande Prairie & area plus Edmonton, Alberta.
It’s been an extremely busy week for me. Working on one client’s special requests, I had two very late nights and worked the entire day Saturday. Monday got off to a hectic start and things simply haven’t slowed down.
I have an in-person meeting with another client this morning — she made my day yesterday in her effusive praise of the images I produced for them. Nearly every minute is scheduled with my lengthy to-do list as I prepare to leave for Edmonton for the long weekend. Saturday I’m doing a photo shoot for a couple who are renewing their wedding vows and the rest of the weekend will be spent between visiting with my son and his family and shopping for a new laptop (Mac, of course). May you all have a truly wonderful long weekend. I hope to begin to visit some of you as I find extra time here-and-there next week. Happy days everyone!
One of my mother’s legacies is definitely that she taught me to have pride in everything I do, whether it was doing the laundry or managing a career. I’ve lived my life that way, in the same manner that she set the example for me to follow. One of the reasons I have a fascination with old architecture, vintage furnishings, wood boats or canoes, or anything that has been made by hand is simply that I understand and appreciate the work and effort — and often love — that went into those creations.
On a recent photo shoot, I was thrilled to see how the client’s barn, built in the early 1920′s was still standing and being kept in such fine condition, despite not having been used for decades. As with so many things built back then, it was erected by men who took pride in what they were doing and how they were doing it. It had to last because that building is what their life and income depended upon. Two buggies, one a going-to-town democrat and one a work wagon were positioned prominently beside that old red barn. I was informed that my client’s uncle had built both of them recently, fashioned after some parts he found on the old farm. When you look closely, the workmanship is flawless, the materials nothing but the best (intended for longevity), and the finishing shines just as the love he smoothed into it as he worked on those beautiful horse drawn buggies.
As some of you are aware, in recent months I’ve had to make some major changes with respect to the printing of the images that I have reproduced for my clients. I won’t rehash all the problems but they all relate to a lack of pride in workmanship — not on my part. As much as I enjoy the process of taking photographs, I glean even more pride when the final image is produced for presentation for my clients’ walls or coffee tables. Ultimately I found it necessary to send all my images out to a US-based printing partner, even though it means I’m paying more due to the added exchange on the dollar plus higher shipping costs. This is a partnership that I can see being long term and the reason is pride in workmanship. I am so pleased with the quality of product being returned to me from this printer and consistently so. They actually care about the quality of what they produce so I can, in turn, feel the pride I expect to feel when I deliver the final product to my clients. I am so glad I found a company that shares such a strong sense of professionalism.
Why don’t people teach pride of workmanship anymore? Why does it have to be a rare thing to experience or find?
Here is a sneak peek of a photo shoot I had the pleasure of doing this past weekend. It was a grand family gathering celebrating three significant family milestones. What a warm family and I felt honoured to be chosen to capture their special day. Have I ever mentioned how much I love what I do? :) This first young lady turns 90 in a few months!
This is a lovely traditional Norwegian Wedding Cake, kransekake. As you can see, it’s a work of art and a beautiful tradition.
There was all kinds of food all day long and Bison was a juicy, delectable feature at mealtime (as well as Arctic Char and a huge variety of tasty foods). I took a lot of photos of the details but this, after all, is simply a sneak peek.
This little gal ended up in a lot of images — she loves the camera! Here she poked her head out of an inflatable toy and, looking up at me, was a willing portrait study.
~~~
Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving all of central & northern Alberta & BC. She loves what she does and that includes capturing all your special moments. Visit her online portfolio.
{Recipe at the end of this post.} I live in a region known as Peace Country thus the reason for my title. Living in the country does have its benefits, though I still long for the day we can return to the city. What I will miss are my beloved barn swallows. I love those birds and they are truly one of my morning delights.
A few days ago Roberta Murray tweeted that she noticed the hummingbirds are beginning to migrate south. I see that occurring as well (remember that I live north of the 55th parallel). My yard is currently a smorgasbord of sources for hummingbird nectar: tall blue delphiniums, maltese cross (lychnis), beautiful spires of fireweed, a vast array of lilies, coral bells (heuchera), and believe it or not, hummingbirds have been seen taking nectar from the holes in our birch trees created by the sapsuckers. I had to force myself indoors this morning knowing how much work I had waiting for me — but watching the hummingbirds and all the other birds was so entertaining and relaxing.
Most years, although we do get robins, none of the babies make it to fledge from the nest (because the squirrels & magpies eat them). For some strange reason, we actually have a couple families of robins that made it (though I was quite diligent about getting rid of magpies this spring) and they are a delight to watch.
[caption id="attachment_1025" align="aligncenter" width="750" caption=""Fireweed grows wild and hummingbirds love it; one reason why I intentionally grow it in my garden. Besides, it's beautiful.""]
[/caption]
I’m grateful for the feedback from some of you regarding upcoming topics. With the topic of posting photos of children on online photo sharing sites, that is a very long and involved discussion with multiple aspects. For that reason, I may discuss it in segments in a series of posts. It’s something I’ve been aware of for a very long time, in fact, I no longer post any photos of children at Flickr. Photos of children will only appear here and on my website. I’ve discussed in previous posts how people use sites like Flickr to actually search for photos and then help themselves to them. I won’t get into the topic today but will discuss it in upcoming posts. Yesterday, Shutter Sisters, had a discussion on the topic of having children’s photos on Flickr if you’d like to begin thinking about the concerns of posting children’s photos to online sharing sites.
Oh, before I log off and get back to work, I have a killer recipe to share with you (I know, what’s up with me?). All my life I have been a fan of egg salad, whether on its own or in a salad. Not everyone makes it … well … as tasty as it could be. Although I do have an old standby way of making it, today I made a similar version with a bit of a twist. It’s killer! I have to share it. I never use a recipe for anything and always go by eye so these amounts are approximate.
DIANE’S EGG SALAD
4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced into small dices
Approximately 1-2 Tbsp finely chopped celery
(Optional: 1 finely chopped green onion)
Pinch of your favourite seasoning salt
Pinch of fresh ground pepper
Dressing:
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise (not that awful low fat stuff)
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
Secret ingredient for killer egg salad: about 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Mix dressing to emulsify, adding more liquid if necessary. It should not be runny but just barely moist enough to hold the egg together.
Now add the emulsified dressing to the egg mixture, stirring only enough to evenly coat and not to mush the egg. Serve as is on a bed of greens or in fresh rye (or bread of your choice) as a sandwich. It’s killer! Enjoy.
Oh my gosh peoples — this has been my busiest week ever photographically speaking. And talk about a wide range of experiences. I can’t yet share many sneak peeks because I must, must, must finish editing one from last week first. It’s interesting sometimes the people I meet. I was exposed to some intriguing people and, if I was still active full time in freelance writing, oh goodness did I encounter stories this week. One of which I must keep quiet until the magazine is on the news stands, but at least I can share a photo or two (this is from the magazine shoot I did). Then it’s back to finishing an earlier photo shoot so one of my clients can finally see all their selected proofs. Oh gosh, I love what I do and do what I love. Tell me what you love to do!! I LOVE to meet people and capture their stories (Love it!).
This guy has a great vision! I could spend all kinds of time with this sustainably-minded family. What a great evening that was (above). {This one isn’t SOOC; I did a bit of a vintage treatment to it obviously.}
This 14 month old boy is already a savvy Saskatoon picker! No, he wasn’t one of the subjects of my photo shoot but I couldn’t resist quickly moving over and squatting to get a shot of him.
One day he’ll be able to pick n’ run like his older brothers!
Doesn’t her calf look like a buffalo calf? This family runs their cattle operation in a highly sustainable way, raising them and finishing them on lush (rotated) pastures rather than sending them to feedlots. This is just one aspect of their amazing life. I could write oodles about this family — not to mention everyone else I’ve had the pleasure to shoot. Did I mention I love what I do? Oh yea, I did already.
This is a long weekend here in Canada. My dear husband has headed out to Edmonton for the weekend (missing him already) though I have another photo shoot over the weekend. Have a truly enjoyable and fulfilling weekend everyone!
~~~
Diane is a lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie and the entire Central/Northern Alberta regions. She loves to capture your stories whether they include people, pets, livestock, cars, hobbies, families, children, couples — oh heck — everyone!! Visit Diane Schuller photographs.
PS: Since I live so close to the Alberta – BC border, I also have happy clients who have had me come to photograph their horses and livestock in Dawson Creek, BC.
Yes folks, he’s mowing the lawn and wearing a winter down-filled parka — it’s that cold! He spent several hours mowing wearing a sheepskin lined jean jacket but finally had to go get his down parka for the final few hours of mowing. Even a breakfast of homemade Belgian waffles and maple smoked sausages was not enough to keep him warm. That’s life north of 55.
There is a wee bit of colour cast from the parka on his face, but most of that redness is just from the cold — I purposely didn’t want to remove it in Photoshop. Notice that the leaves on the trees have begun to pop open in the past few days. Sneak peeks coming up soon from the weekends photos shoots.
For those in the Grande Prairie and northern Alberta area, don’t forget about the Father’s Day Gift Certificate sale. I can take photos of your dad doing chores around home, or simply hanging out with mom and the kids.
Diane is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving Grande Prairie and northern Alberta/B.C. Visit Diane Schuller Photography.
Today Shutter Sister Karen Walrond has a post titled “Up Close and Personal”. She talks about how she (like me) is not so fond of roses yet loves the beauty of other flowers. Her husband asked her to plant roses in their garden and now that one of them is in bloom, she photographed it up close. She talks of how she’s shocked at its beauty when looked at up close.
[caption id="attachment_1306" align="aligncenter" width="700" caption="I love lilies. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved."]
[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1307" align="aligncenter" width="700" caption="beauty found within a single cell of a chain link fence. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved."]
[/caption]
My Friday offerings are a response to her question, “…show me some everyday things that stun you with their beauty up close.” May you look at everything up close today and this weekend and may you find beauty in the most unexpected places.
Invigorating: giving strength or energy to
[caption id="attachment_1269" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Canada Geese in Spring near Valhalla, Alberta. Copyright © Diane Schuller. All Rights Reserved"]
[/caption]
Yes, that is the best word to describe my weekend. There are two reasons why it was invigorating: I spent the weekend with people and interacting with them plus I was able to get away from the farm and being tied down by the dogs. Don’t get me wrong, I love the dogs but because of them I can’t go anywhere unless my husband is home to take care of them. As for the former reason, a reminder that I often go weeks (very literally) without seeing another human being. So, this weekend was fantastic! Saturday I was in Grande Prairie all day attending a workshop where I also led a session on goal-setting for writers. Sunday I spent several hours driving through the spring countryside heading north of Grimshaw to meet a woman for a writing consult. We spent a few hours together talking about writing projects and I helped get her started on setting writing goals as well as other writing-related discussion.
[caption id="attachment_1268" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Spring calves, northern Alberta. Copyright © Diane M. Schuller. All Rights Reserved"]
[/caption]
Just being around people, interacting with them, plus the time away from the farm was so invigorating. What invigorates you?
