“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” – Roy Croft

Yesterday one of my best friends got married.  I was honoured to stand beside her as her Maid of Honour - or as Joe insists - Matron of Honour (that made me feel old for some reason).  Trisha and Jerry have known each other for 20 years.  They were childhood classmates turned friends and now they walk beside each other as husband and wife.  I was happy to shoot some of the wedding day preparations - before the hired photographer from One 2 One Photography arrived, and between my own hair and make up.  It was a relaxed, casual morning which in my experience is rare in wedding preparations.  A big thanks to Michelle Rojas for the make-up and Rebecca McDonald for the hair.  I hope you enjoy a few of my favourites from the morning.

To see all my photos from Trisha & Jerry's Rehearsal dinner, our adventures in flower arranging and more from the wedding morning, please visit

http://www.greenapplephotography.ca/event/Trisha-Jerry/X3hU6BH20zTJY

A great joy is coming. -- Author Unknown

Our photo session had been postponed twice already due to the weather.  I wanted it perfect and so did Cindy.  Pregnant with her first, she was excited and nervous for her photos (and the new baby on the way).  We decided on the West Montrose covered bridge.  It was perfect.  The light, the mom-to-be, the mood.

We stopped at the side of the road because I went...:"oh here's a good spot".  Cindy looked at me with a question mark on her face.  This spot was complete with road signs, neighbours mowing their lawn and hydro wires.  But I had a vision.  A vision for Cindy's maternity photos from the moment we first spoke about them.  It was the tall grasses and peeeerfect light that caused me to abruptly pull my car to the side of the road.  We then moved onto the bridge and after an outfit change in the car (convenient timing for when a family of 5 arrived to go canoeing), we got some amazing shots under the bridge. 

Good luck to you Cindy...you looked gorgeous- as usual!  Can't wait to meet the little one in a few weeks.

To see more of my favourites, please visit Cindy's event page

http://www.greenapplephotography.ca/event/The-Golleks/U2TNQWutIFS82 

“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.” ~ Melba Colgrove

The light was perfect.  Kate looked absolutely adorable.  I couldn't wait to spend some time with my niece for her Tutus and Sundresses session.  A portion of the proceeds from every Tutu and Sundress booking go to Kate's Kause.  Kate is a beautiful soul.  She can look right into your heart and make it smile - along with your mouth.  She has taught me tolerance, and what real joy is.  It's not the value of your bank account.  Or the accomplishments on your resume.  Joy is about being near the people you love.  It's about laughing (and snorting, if you must) at just about anything.  It's about teaching others to see the joy in their lives.  Thank you Kate for showing me these things!

To see more of my favourites from this shoot.  Please visit 

http://www.greenapplephotography.ca/event/Jeremy-and-K/E96o91y9D5ZEs

How is it that one match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box of matches to start a campfire? ~Christy Whitehead

Saturday we set out to our trailer.  Joe on his bike, the kids and I in the new van.  Its amazing to take the kids out there...they play well - together, they stay where they are supposed to, and they sleep really well.  Joe is a regular outdoors-man (with a trailer).  He loves the fresh air, making a campfire and um...well...peeing outdoors (sorry Joe).  We had told Maria that she could stay up for a campfire and a s'more or 2.  So on Saturday night, she patiently sat in her little lawn chair next to Joe, who was attempting to start the fire.  It took a while.  The twigs were wet...very wet and didn't want to light.  Maria, who was beginning to get tired, decided it was time.  "Mom", she says, "I think Daddy might need some help.  He said he's fine, but can you just come over and help a bit?"  I laughed, Joe put his head down and continued to throw newspaper into the smoldering twigs.  That night we had a great fire. A big fire.  Here's a few shots I took on the weekend.

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich."

As I walked into the back patio of Nancy and Fred Kinsie's gorgeous home, I was greeted by a table full of family and an offering for some cake and a drink.  I accepted the cake, but regretfully turned down the drink...after all I was working. The family had gathered to celebrate father's day and 2 family birthdays.  The mood was all about fun, I felt right at home.  In runs shy, sweet little G, who hid her face in dad's chest and whispered in his ear.  G is the same age as my Maria and just as shy.  When the opportunity came up, I asked her if she wanted to take some special pictures all by herself.  I was hoping to bring her out of her shell, quietly - just the 2 of us.  Mom and dad were only a few feet away, but it made all the difference.  We discussed Dora and the new Disney movie Tangled - and I managed to snap a few adorable shots of her.

The last few shots of the evening were of Nancy and Fred.  I asked them about their family - they all seemed so close.  They responded " we don't know how we did it".  Darn...I was looking for some answers.  How do you keep a family so close all these years later?  I suppose it has something to do with dinners on the back patio and creating a mood of love, energy and fun.  It was a pleasure to photograph this wonderful family. 

To see a few more of my favourites, please visit the Kinsie family page

"A little girl is a day brightener and a heart warmer."

I'm super excited to finally offer the details of my next special promotion.  "Tutus & Sundresses".  I was inspired after I spent an hour with my 3 year old daughter, playing in the grass on Mother's Day.  I captured some amazing "little girl" moments and can't wait to do it again...but let's be real, Maria won't be interested in being chased by the camera again for a while.  I also connected with Jackie from My Little Sweet Pea Boutique to see if we could work together on this one.  Yay! She's just as excited as I am.  So here are the details:

Saturday July 9 & Sunday July 10

45 minute photo session

1 free tutu (custom colour & size)*

$10.00 print credit

For only $75.  It's an amazing deal!

*please book 2 weeks in advance to ensure your tutu size and colour are available.  

*Additional tutus can be purchased for $25.

For more information please check out my special events page on my website.

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. ~Michael Leunig

They met in the school cafeteria in grade nine.  Although she knows he doesn't remember her, he made an impact on her.  Not a romantic one, it was just a meeting she always remembered.  They had classes together throughout high school including an OAC (grade 13) Kinesiology class during grade 12.  And since they didn't know a lot of people in the class, they stuck together.  A strong friendship developed over sharing notes and note paper.  As they entered University, they ended up in the same program, at the same University and even as lab partners in first year Chemistry.  She heavily relied on him for Chemistry help - and for laughs. But since each of them had a significant other at one point or another, they never connected on a romantic level.  But for both of them something was definitely there.  Years later that strong friendship and that 'something' grew into an amazing relationship.  It just fit for the two of them.  It still does.

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