Elmira Family Portraits. Boys, mud and fun!

When you are going to be a big brother and mom and dad take you out to tromp around in the woods, life is good.  This little man was not shy when it came to sticks, dirt, climbing and jumping.  I mean isn't that every little guys dream day?

He has some sweet moments with mom and day and when his new baby arrives, we'll be able to complete their family gallery wall.  Mom and I have been working on it and it will include wedding photos, newborn, family and a great mix of frames, canvas and more.

Here are a few faves from our wooded, muddy, family session

Waterloo Newborn Photographer. Collaboration

When Rebecca asked me if I would help her learn more about posing newborns, I couldn't say no.  After all she has helped me out several different times, from assisting to modelling for commercial shoots.  Plus she's so darn fun to work with.  And her kids...well gorgeous.  So here we are at her home, hot and sweaty from both the weather and the space heater keeping little E warm.  We walked through my "flow posing" with newborns and how I pose with older siblings and then Rebecca came up with this great concept for a breastfeeding photo - which turned out absolutely beautiful.

Thank you Rebecca for showing me a thing or two and for the awesome collaborative feel from this session.  You are a stunning, glowing mama and would love to teach or collaborate with you anytime!  Here are a few of my favourite images.

Waterloo Dance Photographer. Meet Saskia

I love photographing people who are passionate about what they do.  It speaks to me so deeply, and what could be more beautiful than another ballerina.  Meet Saskia, a wonderful, kind, friendly girl with a passion for ballet and dance.  She was so kind to tag along with me on another personal project while I created video for the first time.

Saskia - Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into choreography, the time at the session, and being so honest in our little interview.  I'm so happy with the way the whole thing turned out.  Thank you!  Please enjoy the video and images from our session.

A big thanks to my friend Grant, for providing the lovely space for our little adventure here.

To find the video right on youtube click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=807GgrF_UFk

Waterloo Family Portraits. Real Families

Seriously, I had such a fun time photographing this family.  Family portraits aren't just a chance to show how your family looks, it truly is a fun family experience too!  Get dressed up, cuddle, be silly. run around the pathways, and despite some pesky mosquitoes this families made the most of their session.  Melissa and I used to work together in what feels like another life....before we both had kids, careers and a crazy thing we call family.  We bonded again over our fight for our daughters, living up to our own expectations (whatever they are) and life with 3 kids under our feet.

Melissa and Sam, it was a pleasure to photograph your family.  Thank you for welcoming me into your lives and capturing your great relationships.  Please enjoy a few of your favourites.

Instagram Round-up. Elmira Family Photographer

Have I mentioned before how much I love instagram?  I've found myself enjoying the beautiful weather and pulling out my phone to capture everything spring!

Here are a few of my favourites.

You can find me @karen_meissner on instagram

Elmira Dance Photographer. Degas portraits

Each month I try to create photographs just for me.  I have a list of personal projects or ideas and with the help of some great people, I am able to create for the sake of creating.  In January I wanted to do a Edgar Degas inspired ballerina portrait.  If you haven't seen his work, here is a quick google image search to see what I mean. 

One of his most famous pieces is his Blue Dancers, which I think is absolutely lovely.  So I took my idea to facebook and got some great responses.  I was able to connect with Agata, my dancer and conveniently she owns a dance studio which we were able to use for the portraits.  Her and her fiance were so generous to allow me to come and do this.  They own Bringing Tap Back located in Kitchener and I truly appreciate their help in this.  They offer classes for kids to adults (even beginners)

Anyway, I couldn't wait to get home and edit the images.  I used a new technique which is shooting through a piece of tulle.  It helped me to create that blue feel for some of the images.

Please enjoy a few of my favourites.

To see more, please visit http://www.greenapplephotography.ca/Ballerina/i-k2KWSDX

Elmira Family Photographer.

I'm still catching up on all my fall sessions here on the blog.  It was a windy day, but the sun came out and the resulting images were gorgeous.  The Yun family are the sweetest people and so much fun to work with.

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.

Elmira Children's Photographer. South Park Woods Session

We met for this session in Elmira's South Park Woods.  It was a beautiful setting for this family and the light that day was amazing.  We had been holding out for the perfect day and the late October didn't provide many opportunities.  I've held off blogging this session since I knew some of the images were going to be framed in a beautiful recycled eco-frames I offer and given as Christmas gifts. They looked amazing when they arrived.  I had them wrapped and ready to give for my client!

Anyway, the session itself was a blast since these kids were little bundles of energy.  We ran, jumped, climbed trees and captured some amazing moments for this family.

Leigh and Grant, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to photograph your growing family.  And congrats on number 4 set to arrive later in 2014!