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!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Blue Mountain family photographer. Sisters!

I would consider this family my friends - and yes, that may seem weird considering that I've likely only talked with them a handful of times.  But they are quite literally awesome!
They welcomed these 2 beautiful girls into their lives in the last couple of years and created a family.  The girls are fun, spunky and so kind!  They love each other the way any 2 sisters would and I don't think that could ever change.  Please help them celebrate  adoption awareness month with 30 ways to celebrate adoption.

Amanda and Ken, thank you for allowing me to photograph your family at Blue Mountain.  What an amazing time we had! Please enjoy a few of my favourites from your session!  And enjoy them with your new{ish} family.










Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Guelph Family Photographer. From belly to baby

Ahhh!  I just love this family.  They are so kind, friendly, and pretty much wonderful.  I was so honoured to photograph baby H when he was still inside mommy's tummy (and it wasn't known whether he was a boy or girl - at least to me) and then again once he arrived!

We spent an evening at Riverside Park in Guelph and ran around in the grass and played on the playground and I found a beautiful spot along the trail to photograph sweet little S - those curls!

Then I came back to their home for H's newborn session when he was less than 2 weeks old.  He needed lots of feeding and cuddling and so I had some time to photograph their 9 year old lab and of course sweet S again.  We also needed some time for clean up when, not once, but twice, H decided to wee on daddy.

Rebecca and Chris,  Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home.  I really appreciate your kind words about my photography, my business and listening to my sometimes crazy ideas.  Your feedback is invaluable and I will continue to use the word "artistic-ey" and credit you, Chris.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from our 2 sessions.








Monday, October 6, 2014

Kitchener Photographer. The Generous Host

I'm so excited to partner with The Generous Host for this years Christmas Card Special.  I had a chance to meet with Renee Peers (who is as generous as her business name) and visit her shop  on Saturday.  She is located just steps from the Kitchener Market and she offers adorable single serve desserts, custom hand painted pillows and beautiful home accents and gift ideas. 

Although I only had my phone when I went to meet with her, I couldn't resist capturing a few of the items in her shop.  Also, you may notice I don't have a photo of those desserts I mentioned...well I ate my sample up pretty quickly!  But you should go check her out and have a taste!







If you like what you see, please visit her at 18 Eby street south in Kitchener.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Elmira Family Photographer. Rain, Rain, Go Away

I didn't just get to photograph this family once but twice.  We can thank mother nature (and a tornado watch) for causing us to cut our first session short.  And we were working on a time frame because some of the family was visiting from beautiful British Columbia.  But rain it did, so we met a few evenings later to catch some sunshine and more great photographs. 

Humes, not only are you an awesome family, but an easy one to photograph.  Thank you so much for the fun evenings.  The kids were great - the big kids too.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites.






Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Elmira Family Photographer. Special gift

This family is pretty much awesome.  They have come together because of love and I couldn't be prouder to photograph them.  I think it's pretty apparent how much fun they have together.

E and D, thank you so much for trusting me to photograph these very important moments for you.  I was a pleasure to chase your sweet girl around.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites.




Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Elmira Newborn Photographer. Big Brothers

To say I've neglected, forgotten paused from the blog over the last couple months is a huge understatement.  Honestly, just like all of you, my August and September are very busy prepping and starting the back to school routine again.  But here I am, back at the blogging and with two gorgeous newborn sessions.And both with older brothers!

I love newborns and being able to create stunning wall pieces for my clients.  These sessions were just as fun to capture the baby as it was to capture the older, and very energetic brothers.

Please enjoy a few of my favourites.








Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Waterloo Family Photographer. Grandma's Experience.

What do you give someone who has everything? Someone who doesn't have the space to have "stuff"?  Someone who you love so dearly?  These were the questions that Lydia had when her grandmother turned 90 years young. 

Lydia contacted me and we made a plan to give her grandmother a great experience and some amazing photos of her with her great-granddaughter.  Lydia, Steve, Abigail and Grandma visited at her retirement residence and spent some time in the lovely patio area and in her room. 

Honestly Grandma was fun and so sweet.  She reminded me of my great grandmother.  I wish I had thought to have that experience with her before she past away. 

Lydia and Steve, thank you for sharing your wonderful family with me.  I was so honoured to meet your grandmother and little Abigail was the sweetest.  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from your session.










Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Elmira Children's Photographer. Mommy boost

I've seen a lot of posts on social media which are meant to boost moms up and I kinda like it.  And I think that if more people share, the more moms will feel ok with stuff like this. 

I don't know where it comes from, exactly, but sometimes we feel self conscious, uncomfortable or downright ugly.  We all feel it sometimes.  But I think it is important that we don't pass that on to our kids.  It is important that they don't see the anxiety about wearing a bathing suit, or the way we describe that photo of ourselves.  We can stop the cycle if we just stop. 

So if you are in for a few moments of mommy boosting - check out these articles here:

Moms- Put on the swimsuit
The Mom Stays in the Picture

Feel free to add more of your favourite articles in the comments below.



Friday, June 20, 2014

Elmira Family Photographer. bravery beads

I met this family in Elmira's South Park Woods.  One of my new fave places to photograph families.  It has a woodsy feel and a few places for kids to run around.  There are lots of sticks to collect, stumps to jump off of and leaves to throw around.

This family was selected as one of my 33rd birthday winners and they were nominated by 2 different people.  Their daughter Ella - at only 10 months old - has been through a lot in her very young life.  And her parents and big brother have gone through it with her.  You can see from the exceptionally large number of bravery beads that this girl is pretty much amazing.  So we celebrated her and her amazing family with photos!

Kristen,  thank you so much for inviting me to capture your family.  You are a wonderful bunch - full of love and support and very much due for a relaxing summer!  Please enjoy a few of my favourites from our session!






Friday, June 6, 2014

Elmira Children's Photographer. Why not the disk of images

As a mom, I'm busy.  Busy taking care of my family, running my business, my house and my life.  And I know you are too.  You're racing to daycare or school, heading to work,  thinking about what to make for dinner (ugh!! my least favourite part of the day), making dinner, getting the kids into bed and then (hopefully) enjoying a few moments of peace and quiet.  We do it every. single. day.  Run here, there and everywhere.  Even on the days we take it easy or pamper ourselves, it still feels like we don't have a spare second. 
So when you invest in family photography - I know you want the disk of images.  I know that it is valuable and I know you have big plans.  You want to create a scrapbook, a family wall grouping, a printed album for grandma.  You want to share on facebook, and print a few to replace the outdated ones on the side table.  You have beautiful, big plans.  And your family doesn't deserve any less.

A few years ago, I recognized that those things just weren't getting done.  The to-do list was not getting shorter, it was getting longer.  That the "every day" was prolonging the "some day..." And yes, I still have a dozen (or so) frames under my bed that I planned to use for a big family gallery wall.  But the truth (and reality) is that it isn't getting done.

And I began to recognize the same in my clients.  They don't have time to order a print, find a frame, put image in the frame, plan the wall grouping, and finally hang the images.  They would rather spend their free moments playing with the kids, enjoying time with friends and family, going out on a date with their spouse and enjoying their lives. 

So is it really the disk of images you want?  or is it the finished product?  The gorgeous canvas showing that moment between your kids, the grouping above the fireplace telling a story about your family or that feeling you get when you walk past your family up on the wall.  That's what you really want!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Elmira Children's Photographer. NAPCP Challenge

The warm weather has finally arrived and I'm happy to say I've been busy behind (and a little in front of the camera) lately. 

Leading up to Mother's Day NAPCP (National Association of Professional Child Photographers) posted a challenge to its members and beyond about putting ourselves in front of the camera with our kids...I put the challenge out too and the results were beautiful.  But don't stop now - put yourself in the images with your cute kiddos....and selfies count!!  If you are using social media, post them with #mompluscamera and we can all share!

Here is one of my fave recent shots with the Charlie.



Also - side note - I'm now a proud member of NAPCP!  Yay!


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Elmira Children's Photographer. Instagram

I joined instragram when I bought my new phone - It has a much better camera and I can actually download the app for instagram (tells you how old my last phone was).  Anyway, thought I would share a little preview of what I've been snapping lately.  Enjoy.  And if you wish to follow me, you can find me here: http://instagram.com/karen_meissner#



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Summer. Elmira Children's Photographer. Summer?!?!

Yesterday I wore flip flops to drop the kids off at school and today the kids had to wear their full snow garb!  I won't get into how this crazy weather is likely a symptom of global warming (but I think it is), however I feel I need to say this: I really missed flip flops.  I miss sunscreen and warmth on my face.  I miss sun-kissed noses and big sun hats.  I dream about my feet in warm sand and long walks after dinner (where the walk is longer than the getting ready).  I'm so excited for summer that I went out and got the kids summer hats and sandals and T-shirts yesterday.  And I guessed on shoe sizes because they weren't with me and I'm quite proud to say I chose the right size (until they grow out of them).  So what is your favourite summer footwear for kids?  what lasts, what looks cute, but I don't have to worry if they get too dirty? What do you love on their cute little feet?


Thursday, April 10, 2014

Elmira Children's Photographer. I heart faces

I've been drawn more to black and white lately and when I Heart Faces announced it's latest contest: Black and White - I knew I had to enter.  This is a shot that I took last year in October of a cute little lady.  Her eyes were so striking!


I heart faces photo challenges & tutorials 

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