As my last post mentioned, I’ve moved to a permanent home based at my domain. So my photo journal (blog) and exciting new website are right beside each other.

If you’re subscribed to this blog via RSS, you’ll want to head over to see my new photo journal residence and update your feed. I will no longer be posting to this one. The updated photo journal features nice BIG images, so be sure to check it out.

(Note: this is not yet the end of May 2009 and the look of the new address is still undergoing some changes that I hope to have ironed out by month’s end, but the address will be permanent.)

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

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
May 13, 2009
Hythe, Alberta

Hythe Area Photographer Captures Animal-Human Bond

Some clients slobber; some kick; some have bad breath, pass gas, or want to hide in a corner.

That’s all part of the job for Diane Schuller who specializes in pet and livestock photography. “It’s important to understand how animals behave and react, and to have a solid knowledge of animals’ body language,” says Schuller.

Schuller who lives NW of Hythe is an on-location lifestyle photographer serving all of Alberta and Northern B.C. Her forte in photographing animals does not exclude their human counterparts, though Schuller admits her lifetime being around animals adds to her suitability for photographing animals – everything from domestic pets to livestock and farmyard animals. She prides herself on providing quality images from a session that never includes placing pets or people in unnatural, uncomfortable poses and no saying, “cheese!”

In 2008 Schuller took on her first paying photography assignments although prior to then she had her photographs published in national magazines, primarily accompanying articles she wrote for the publications. This spring Schuller began the process of building her photography business and on May 11, 2009 launched her official photography website, Diane Schuller Photography [www.dianeschuller.com].

Schuller’s website has a clean, modern, user-friendly design. The website includes Diane’s portfolio presented in large format in a series of galleries, together with information about the photography sessions, her involvement with animals, and what to expect in an on-location creative session.

During 2009 Schuller is offering a special introductory rate in Grande Prairie and surrounding areas to build her client base and portfolio. Schuller plans some recession buster specials over the summer and offers her services to animal-related non-profit organizations for their fund-raising endeavours, with details on her website.

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Contact: Diane Schuller
Phone: 780-3 5 6 – 2 3 5 5
Email: dianeschuller @ gmail.com
Website: www.dianeschuller.com

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.

Taking pictures of your dog, cat, or other pets are often similar to taking photos of your children. As promised here are a few simple, yet basic, aspects to keep in mind when taking pictures of your family dog(s). If there is interest, in future I can provide information to address more advanced approaches. These six tips will form a good base to get you started taking better snapshots of your family pet.

1. Have an assistant, whenever possible. If you have a friend or family member you can put them to work in playing with the dog or pup or by acting as a distraction with a toy, for instance. Squeaky toys are good for getting dogs to perk their ears at attention and for directing which direction the dog faces.
2. Turn off the flash and turn the beep feature off on your camera. Take your photos in a brightly lit room or outdoors so the flash is not necessary. Many animals become leary of cameras when the beep goes off every time the shutter is released. You don’t want your pet worried about the camera — you want him/her relaxed.
3. Forget about posing! Attempting to pose a dog, especially with the dog looking straight at the camera, most times is so lifeless and lacks personality. The best photos are those where you capture your dog (or your kids) at play, concentrating or showing curiosity over something, or even relaxing after a long run or playtime. As mentioned, if you have some toys or treats with you, you can toss it out to get the dog moving or playing. When you forget about posing and simply allow your pet to be itself, not only will you capture personality but you’ll also find you enjoy these the  most because the real essence of your dog/pet is captured.
4. Turn your camera’s setting to continuous mode. Whether you have a point-and-shoot, a DSLR or a 35mm film camera, you will have that capability. This allows the camera to take a continuous stream of photos while keeping the shutter pressed, hopefully so you don’t miss some unexpected shots especially if your pet is moving.
5. Take lots and lots of pictures! Don’t worry so much about perfection. Be more concerned about capturing special moments. If you have a digital camera, you have the luxury of taking all kinds of shots without having to pay for developing/processing. Simply delete the rejects after downloading them to your computer and hang on to the good ones (be sure to get them printed).
6. Get down! This one is key. When you get down to the pet’s level (again, this is important for photos of children too) and preferably the closer the better, your images will immediately improve. If you have a DSLR, you can get even better results by attaching your zoom lens. This will allow you to be further away (out of their face), less intimidating, and to still capture those close up shots. Ideally, you want to nearly (or fully) fill the frame with your subject. You don’t want your subject to be a blob or dot in the frame.

The dog's face fills the frame, concentrating on his eyes. He's not looking directly at the camera (distracted) and the camera is not in his face because a zoom lens was used.

it doesn't matter that this dog is not facing the camera -- the image tells a story: she is hanging back while the other two are off hunting (typical of this dog). Taken down at the dog's level and she nearly fills the frame.

Here the dog is captured playing in the snow (with snow flying). It doesn't matter that the other dog's head snuck in -- it shows curiosity. Again, the dog mostly fills the frame.

Here's a shot taken after the dog had sufficient time to play and wear off energy. He's keeping still yet his attention is elsewhere (a distraction) and has that 'posed' look.

{These photos are untouched, uncropped, straight out of the camera (SOOC), and are intended to demonstrate what is possible when applying some of the basic points suggested above.} 

PhoDOGraphy: How to Get Great Pictures of Your Dog

How to Take Great Pet Pictures: Recipes for Outstanding Results with Any Camera

Copyright © 2009 Diane Schuller. All Rights Reserved. It is illegal to copy any part of this post or the photos without the written permission of the author. You may link to this page from your blog or website.

It’s been some time since I’ve shared photos of my dogs. Rather than inundate you with multiple photos, I did a pair of mosaics. Since I did these at BigHugeLabs, I can not control the positioning of their body/head in the thin strips. Here is the first mosaic:

Far Left: Austin, our male Australian Shepherd resting after lots of exercise (ol’ blue eyes)

Second from Left: a sepia of Pearl, also an Australian Shepherd — she is leaping against the tree to ‘try’ and get to an annoying squirrel

Third from Left: Austin again — intent on a squirrel (nice clean teeth)

Far Right: Austin doing one of his favourite activities: leaping in the air to catch snow when my husband is shoveling.

Below: the second mosaic that includes all three …

Maggie, Pearl & Austin

I also have a ‘dog blog’ for anyone who may be interested. It’s mostly about natural canine health and wellness plus a few other things tossed in now and again. Visit Dogs Naturally to see what it’s about. Have a fun filled weekend — head outside, soak up the fresh air, and have fun with your family and dog (if you have one). Dog gone it’s bound to be good!

One of the things I love photographing are animals, whether domestic or wild. I’ve mentioned before how much I appreciate that animals live in the moment so they’re not worried about how they look, what angle you’re wanting, or whether their hair is mussed!

This lovely gal didn’t have to worry about mussed hair did she? Though you will see a bit of mussed hair in a photo of another beauty a bit further down in this post.

In the case of dogs and cats, I do my photo shoots on location: either in the client’s home or at a park or other outdoor area. The important thing is for me to blend in so I can catch those quiet moments or the ones where they’re being frisky and full of spunk.

I love the way Henry’s lip is caught in this shot. He was continually on the go and had the most wonderful expressions every time he’d stop and re-assess his surroundings.

Of course, I love photographing other beautiful creatures equally as well.

If you’d like to see more photos of dogs, horses, other critters, and wildlife, click those links to view a small sample I have posted at Flickr. If you live in Alberta or British Columbia and would like for me to come take photos of your pets, please contact me (see the sidebar for my ‘coordinates’). Enjoy!