About Me...
My life has been entwined with the art of photography
since childhood. My favorite aunt, Ann Becker, kindly and
patiently taught me how to use her 35 mm camera while
we travelled to Siegburg, Germany to visit my Grandma
Becker's homeland. We toured Europe for six weeks, my
least favorite spot being Beethoven's house, where I took
a picture of the composer's piano. A large, German
security guard suddenly loomed over me, a skinny little
American kid , and shouted "Achtung!" I think I cried the
rest of the day.
For the next two years, I saved all of my babysitting
earnings, and finally, the summer before eighth grade, I
went with my aunt and mom and purchased my first 35
mm camera, a Minolta XG1, just like the one my aunt had.
I shot rolls and rolls of film all summer long, and relatives
quickly became annoyed, whispering, "Here comes Annie
with her camera, again!"
In high school, at Cor Jesu Academy, I met Sr. Jude. She
quickly realized I had talent and drafted me to be the
youngest yearbook photographer thus far. I spent many
hours after school working in that small, fume-filled
darkroom, developing film and printing pictures. I adored
every minute of it!
since childhood. My favorite aunt, Ann Becker, kindly and
patiently taught me how to use her 35 mm camera while
we travelled to Siegburg, Germany to visit my Grandma
Becker's homeland. We toured Europe for six weeks, my
least favorite spot being Beethoven's house, where I took
a picture of the composer's piano. A large, German
security guard suddenly loomed over me, a skinny little
American kid , and shouted "Achtung!" I think I cried the
rest of the day.
For the next two years, I saved all of my babysitting
earnings, and finally, the summer before eighth grade, I
went with my aunt and mom and purchased my first 35
mm camera, a Minolta XG1, just like the one my aunt had.
I shot rolls and rolls of film all summer long, and relatives
quickly became annoyed, whispering, "Here comes Annie
with her camera, again!"
In high school, at Cor Jesu Academy, I met Sr. Jude. She
quickly realized I had talent and drafted me to be the
youngest yearbook photographer thus far. I spent many
hours after school working in that small, fume-filled
darkroom, developing film and printing pictures. I adored
every minute of it!
I attended Webster University and majored in Media
Communications with an emphasis in photography.
I kept learning and growing and honing my skills,
meeting many nurturing people along the way,
including my photojournalism teacher. He was
another one who recognized that truly "seeing" is a
integral part of who I am.
After graduating, I did a three-week stint at a local
department store portrait studio. It was a disaster!
Finally, after many other adventures and lots of ups
and downs, but always with the very best of friends
surrounding me and encouraging me, I began
Appel-Tree Photographics. (Appelbaum, meaning
"apple tree", being my maiden name.) I met so
many wonderful and interesting people, and I
learned and grew so much during the eight years I
ran my photo business.
Now my love is back - with a new addition - my
photo jewelry! God and my family and friends, and
especially the most important person in my life,
Greg, have brought me here. We'll see what comes
next...
Communications with an emphasis in photography.
I kept learning and growing and honing my skills,
meeting many nurturing people along the way,
including my photojournalism teacher. He was
another one who recognized that truly "seeing" is a
integral part of who I am.
After graduating, I did a three-week stint at a local
department store portrait studio. It was a disaster!
Finally, after many other adventures and lots of ups
and downs, but always with the very best of friends
surrounding me and encouraging me, I began
Appel-Tree Photographics. (Appelbaum, meaning
"apple tree", being my maiden name.) I met so
many wonderful and interesting people, and I
learned and grew so much during the eight years I
ran my photo business.
Now my love is back - with a new addition - my
photo jewelry! God and my family and friends, and
especially the most important person in my life,
Greg, have brought me here. We'll see what comes
next...
