Nichole Smelter sees the Apple Festival a little differently than most of us—through the lens of her camera.

As owner of Whimsey Photography and the official photographer of the Murphysboro Apple Festival, Nichole has captured countless festival moments. But some of her favorites are the ones that happen when kids come face-to-face with a certain local celebrity.

Nichole also chairs Storytime with Captain Applesauce, and she loves seeing that unmistakable sparkle in a child’s eyes when Captain Applesauce walks into the room.

It’s the kind of moment a photographer notices—but you don’t need a camera to know it’s something special.

Thank you, Nichole, for sharing your Murphysboro Apple Festival story—and for capturing so many of the moments we want to remember.