My Website

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!

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...