LUCA

This lucky little man landed in a house full of girls! With three sisters and his gorgeous mama to dote on him, it's no surprise that this was one of the most sweet and serene newborn sessions I've ever done. At 7 days old, baby Luca was just totally calm and collected, enjoying the attention, giving me a chance to shoot while he was awake, and then soon enough, sound asleep.

Just dreamy.

Snooze away little Luca! We are happy to just pass you around and around. We'll even let Papa have a turn. 

<3

Family circle

Family circle

tiny gazelle

This family has a special place in my heart. Photo producer, child wrangler and former magazine editor Sarah gave me one of my first career "big breaks" when she hired me for an American Baby magazine shoot many years ago, and has been a cheerful sounding board, super-supporter and beautiful friend ever since. 

When she married her hilarious and hunky husband Ethan, ("...yes, you can mention me on your blog, but only about the obvious stuff... like how I am built like a tree, yet move like a gazelle...") I was thrilled, and when little Bennett came along, I floored it out to Connecticut to meet him!

Little Bennett was so happy and smiley... I feel like he is already creating his first one-liners in that sweet little developing brain of his.

Norwalk, CT

Norwalk, CT

I'll be here all week! Tip your waitress.

I'll be here all week! Tip your waitress.

What would you do with a drunken (sleeping!) sailor? (one eye isn't sleeping!)

What would you do with a drunken (sleeping!) sailor? (one eye isn't sleeping!)

stifling a laugh... why's the lady flying over my crib? I think she's gonna fall.

stifling a laugh... why's the lady flying over my crib? I think she's gonna fall.

Look! Bennett has a tiny toupee!

Look! Bennett has a tiny toupee!

Bennett, I can't wait until you learn to talk. Oh, the things you will say!

<3

my nephew, learning to walk

This little dude really makes my day. Learning to walk is just days away! 

Wheee!

hang on, buddy. I got ya.

California Dreamin'... Kuester Style!

Well, my love affair with 8-month old Jesse was love at first raspberry, so imagine the fun I had frolicking around SLO and Grover Beach with this wonderful family! I got to see the California poppies I've missed since moving to the east coast, I ate great fish tacos in the open shade with a warm breeze, and I ate one GIANT caramel apple (in about 43 seconds!) Here's a little snapshot of our day, with an emphasis on the star of the moment--and the apple of my friend Jen's eyes--JESSE! <3

Baby Rain, Part 2: ALL SMILES and on the move!

As you might be able to tell, I was SO inspired by this little tot, I truly was. Can you believe how many gleeful, soulful smiles I got? Wheeee!! Rain was itching to get movin', kickin his feet and dreaming of crawling... and he would do the CUTEST little revving-up move when he was getting ready to roll over: He would lie on his back, carefully clasp his hands and concentrate really hard... and then with a determined little twitch--FOOMP! From back to tummy! SUCCESS! Go Rain Go! 

Presenting Baby Derek! (And WELCOME to the NEW ANAPHOTO blog!)

Welcome to my new ANAPHOTO Wordpress blog! Wow. So much time and effort went into the creation of this blog, it's amazing to finally present it--and I was incredibly lucky to have such amazing collaborators. (Here's lookin' at you Westi and Betsy!) So what's the name of the blog all about? Well, I love to shoot portraits of people in their tiny years, that part is clear.  But also, RFTV...it's a... a worldview, an outlook, a meditation.

Every time reach into your pocket or blink open your eyes in the morning, Root for Tiny Victories. Savor the commonplace. Blinks. Exclamations. Little poofs of space and time that can be wrapped up in your memory like little twinkling nuggets, little stars that don't ever fade out. Glances, fragrances, little nothingness moments with someone wonderful you encounter, each little lesson put into your path, it's all worth rooting for.  That's how I feel! Who's with me?

Root toot!

Here's a most incredible Tiny Victory... the brand-new 2 week old baby Derek Lobron! He was SO good for the camera today, so serene. He was still and alert for many, many minutes on end... an incredible gift to a photographer, so rare in a newborn. Thank you for having me over to your house Derek! See you soon!