Welcome to the Green Apple Photography Blog. By viewing my stories and images, you will get a glimpse into my shooting style and personal experiences. My mission is to get you excited about your family portraits, about the moments I capture of your gorgeous children and the beauty of your pregnant body. I want you to share them with your friends and family and to see quality and artistry in every image.

For the many people who share their comments, stories, and lives with me, thank you!

Friday, November 29, 2013

Elmira Photographer. Cyber Monday

For all my clients who will be on their computer saving some money with cyber monday deals, You can also add some digital downloads of your images to that list.

All single image downloads (for personal use only) will be 66% off (only $10) on Monday December 2nd.

Just visit your gallery, click "Add to card".  From there you can click "change product" and then the "downloads" tab.  Click as many different images as you want and follow the check out process.
Easy Peasy!




Monday, November 25, 2013

Elmira Family Photographer. Growth in every sense of the word

I have the pleasure of photographing this family nearly every year and I love working with them.  They bring their best to every session and it makes me happy to have that level of commitment from them.  Some people would say that it's only photographs - but they realize that we're doing more than capturing the likeness of their children.  We are capturing their true selves - their spunky, independent nature, their fun relationship with dad, their gravitation towards mom at this age, and their beautiful smiley faces.  We don't say cheese in my world - we actually laugh. 

Jeremy and Kelly,  Thank you for bringing me into your world and for allowing me to capture your kids - Jamie's reserved cuteness and Kate's complete takeover of her world.  It makes me happy to see your family displayed on the walls of your home and the way you value it as art - they truly are pieces of art in every sense of the word.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from our session.










Click here to see more from this Elmira Family Photography Session.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Elmira Family Photographer. Fall's beauty

This session took place at the beautiful Gibson Park in Elmira.  The trees were wonderful with their yellowed leaves and the weather finally held out for me and my client.  The fall is definitely the most popular family photo time, but can be hit or miss with weather. 

Jill and Paul,  Thank you for having me photograph your family once again.  The girls were wonderful and cute and perfect.  Your love of my work makes my heart sing and I'm so happy with the results from our session.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from the session.






click here to see more from this Elmira Family Photography session

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Elmira Family Photographer. Thankful at Thanksgiving

The fall is by far my busiest season, but it's also my favourite.  The warm sun, colourful leaves and gorgeous light!  I love photographing families and children, but when I get the opportunity to witness families like this, it really takes my breath away!  This family's connection is really amazing!

Tonja and Lawrence,  Thank you for welcoming me on Thanksgiving day.  It truly was a wonderful way to spend some time on the holiday.  Your children are wonderful, sweet and just plain beautiful.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from our session.







Click here to see more from this Elmira Family Photography Session.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Elmira Children's Photographer. Christmas Card Special

It has been a couple years since I last offered my Christmas Card Special.  A great weekend where I offer a free mini session with the purchase of a custom designed Christmas Card.  This year I will be hosting these at a new location at St. Jacob's Country Gardens.  I'm very excited to partner with them and can't wait to show you some new card designs.  Here are all the details.



And the best part - all proceeds are going to Kate's Kause!


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Elmira Children's Photographer. "The kids had so much fun!"

These kids are AWESOME!  We had so much fun at our Kissing Bridge Trail session in Elmira.  The weather was perfect (which was amazing considering the temperature these days), the light was ideal and the kiddos were ready for fun.  I was over the moon when mom told me the next day (after bumping into her at school) that the kids had such a great time and loved getting their photos taken.  Plus at the session, Mom and Dad were patient and let the kids lead the session.  It made it oh-so-wonderful!  I love when parents step back a bit, in fact I recommend it.  The session runs so much smoother!

Sheri and Brian, Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your Thanksgiving and for not laughing at my bad jokes, silly noises and toilet humor - It makes the kids laugh and I'm happy to make a fool of myself for "the shot".  Can't wait to see the canvas up on your wall!  Please enjoy a few of my faves from the session.









 Click here to see more from this Elmira Children's Photography Session.










Friday, October 18, 2013

Elmira Children's Photography - Why a pro is important

I've been in the business of photography a long time and love to learn about my clients and their plans for the images I create for them.  As I've mentioned I try to steer people away from "just the digital files" to doing more with the beautiful photographs of their family and children - in a stage of life that will never be again.  The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) posted a blog in 2010 about why investing in a professional photographer is so important and why it costs more.  You can check out more from that post here: http://www.napcp.com/blog.php/2010/05/18/what-type-of-investment-should-i-expect-in-my-session-and-portraits/








Friday, October 4, 2013

Elmira Teen Photographer. Sisters at sunset

These girls are stunning.  They were so wonderful to photograph and an absolute blast to hang out with.  We met for a sibling session in Elmira and the minute we met, I knew we would have fun.  There was lots of laughs, silliness and absolute beauty.  I know it can be hard to get photographed at ages 11 and 13. I remember what it was like to wonder if I would look the way I hoped, but honestly felt I wouldn't.  So I hoped these girls not only had fun with me during their session, but can see how absolutely beautiful they are everyday.

Stephanie, thank you for bringing your girls to me.  I feel so honoured to have photographed them. Please enjoy a few of my favourites.





Click here to see more from this Elmira Teen Photography session.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Elmira Children's Photographer. Siblings

I love this family.  These kids are fun and spunky and downright adorable.  But they did pose a bit of a challenge too.  I've known them all since they were born, I was in their parents' wedding and I see them a lot.  So this wasn't a typical children's session for me.  This was {almost} like photographing my own children.  They don't respond to me the same way a new client would.  When I get silly, they don't laugh - allowing me to capture their awesome, natural smiles - they copy me and get silly too.  When I stick my tongue out - they do it to.  So this presented a new challenge and I'm so happy with the results.  oh...did I mention they rarely stood still.  If one wasn't running away, someone else was.  But we did it and despite the full on craziness we got some amazing images.

Melissa and Brian, thank you for allowing me to capture your adorable children. They are wonderful and fun and they looked perfect.  Thanks for taking the time to sort through their clothes and come up with some great choices.  Brian- I can't promise the "turn the house upside down to find a coordinating shirt" won't happen again sometime, but I think you'll agree it was worth it ;)  Anyway, please enjoy a few of my faves from the session.







For more favourites from this Elmira family photography session, click here.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Elmira Children's Photographer. mom+camera

Another tip on taking great photos of your children.  If you submit your email address to the right, you are guaranteed to never miss another post again. 

So here is probably one of the easiest, yet hardest things I will ask you to do: Use your camera everyday.  Not your phone camera, but your real, big, bulky camera.  Practice Practice Practice.  Chase your kids around with it for 20 minutes each day.  Become a mama paparazzi.  Try to perfect the tips I set out for you.  It won't be easy and at first you will probably forget, but as you go it will get easier and easier and you will get better and better at capturing your children as they grow.  At the end of the week choose your favourite image and print it.  Small or big, it doesn't matter, but get it printed and share it with your kids.  They will love to see them selves in print.  Also, feel free to tag me in images you post to facebook from challenges or tips I set out for you.  I love to see your progress.

In case you are just joining now, here is what you've missed so far:
Lesson 1 - getting your kids excited about being photographed
Lesson 2 - Focusing tips and tricks



Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Winterberry's Design & Decor - Elmira. Elmira Photographer

Hey friends, If you need a new place to shop - I've found it. Winterberry's Designs & Decor in Elmira.  It's a beautiful shop with beautiful staff and beautiful products.  I easily wandered through (with Charlie in the stroller) to check out the small furniture pieces, jewellery, home decor items, purses, throw pillows, scarves and my fave item - recycled woven plastic bags.  The price point is reasonable and I didn't feel like my little man was going to pull something off the shelf, or I was going to knock over an expensive item with the stroller. It was airy and fresh and it didn't feel cramped or crowded. What a wonderful gem in downtown Elmira.

Judy, the shop's owner was warm and friendly and her adventures in Vietnam brought back some amazing bags - I couldn't resist buying one.  The bags are handmade in Ho Chi Minh City from reused plastic pieces.  They are a part of everyday life in Vietnam, carrying anything from fresh produce from market to spare motorcycle parts.  Their durability is crucial to their functionality, but their personality and colour is what makes them so wonderful.

I also purchased a beautiful, delicate small scarf which you may very well see wrapped around a snug newborn soon.




If you need some new inspiration for your home or yourself, then this is the place.

Winterberry Design & Decor Inc
5 Church Street East
Elmira
519-210-7770


Monday, September 9, 2013

Elmira Children's Photographer. mom + camera: focus tips and tricks

Focusing can actually be quite difficult to master with little moving people.  For this reason, I recommend that anyone who really loves photography invest in an SLR (single lens reflex) camera.  There is no delay when trying to take an image of your children.  You know, when they finally sit still and you have the camera ready and the moment you push the shutter, they move!  You end up with a blurry mess or a very bizarre facial expression and you end up with something like this pic from my camera phone.

Back to my focusing tips and tricks.
1. Focus on the eye.  
When we look at people we look at their eyes.  If the image doesn't have sharp eyes (in focus), then it just doesn't look right.

2. Focus on the eye that is closest to you.
If your child is slighting turned, then you will want to focus on the eye that is closest to the camera.  Our cameras focus on the point that we tell them to, and then slightly behind.  If you focus on the farther eye, the front one won't be in focus.

3. Use a slightly smaller fstop (larger number).
The best lenses offer apertures of 1.8, 1.4 and even 1.2.  This means that only a small portion of our image is in focus and this is how we get that amazing blurred background.  But when you are first learning to focus, having a smaller aperture allows a greater plain of focus if you kids are moving.  I rarely shoot larger than f3.2 when I'm photographing little people.  If your kids are older and more likely to stay put for longer, then you can practice with a larger aperture.

4. Delete images that aren't in proper focus.
When you get the images onto your computer and the eyes aren't in focus - delete the image.  I know but it was the cutest, most adorable picture ever.  But honestly, you won't get better if you don't force yourself to nail that focus every time.   Ok - so keep it for a bit, but try again to get a similar shot the next day with your focus bang on - you won't regret it.

Here are some images of my 2 boys where their eyes are in sharp focus and it is glorious!

If you are new to your DSLR and don't know what I'm talking about in #3, I do offer limited 1-on-1 mentor sessions for moms who want to take better images.  I also have a group course that I will be offering in the new year (or sooner).  So get a group of your girlfriends together, a bottle of wine and I will come to your place and teach you how to take better images of your little people!

Also, check my facebook page for info on a mom + camera Thursday evening Q&A session.  I will help answer your questions!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Elmira Newborn Photographer - my beautiful niece

It's always an honour to photograph newborns and their families, but it's especially wonderful when it's your own sister and her brand new baby that you are photographing.  Little A was one week old when I arrived for her newborn session.  And it was a dream session.  Even her big sister J cooperated and we got some wonderful images of the two of them together.  I even had some time to snap a few of J while A had a feeding.

Cindy,  Thank you for allowing me to capture such amazing moments for your family.  I'm so excited for you, Joe and your house of girls!  Please enjoy a few of my faves.









Please check out more Elmira newborn session images here!