At Jasmine’s House: Part 1

What can I possibly say about my afternoon at Casa Jasmine? How do you describe a group of friends so lovely, kind and totally rad that they defy definition... who not only welcomed me into their home like family but who let me instigate a major pillow fight with their kids--just so I could get the picture I wanted? Who cooked me the best crispy kale and moroccan rice I've EVER HAD?! I guess I don't have the words! You'll just have to take a peek below. You will soon see how I am speechless with gratitude to this group, and most of all--LOOK HOW MUCH FUN WE HAD! This is only part 1 of MULTIPLE parts, so definitely stay tuned for the rest... the BEST is yet to come! Thank you Jasmine, Jesse and Sarah! <3

Rocker-baby Bella Bear is 8 months old!

Oh, this little face--she gets me every time. I have literally NEVER had a baby react to the flash with such a long string of IMMEDIATE mega-watt smiles! This little rocker chick is really coming into her own, she just loves being the center of attention and turns on the charm ON DEMAND for an audience! From the first time I met Bella, (at age 4 months, sporting a Wu-Tang onesie) she has been one of my absolute FAVES, and I'm so thrilled to share our latest afternoon together... rainy and stormy outside--warm and playful inside! <3

Tori and Carly present: The New TORLY KID Store!

I'm so thrilled to report that the Grand Opening of the Torly Kid: From Tot to Tween store at 51 Hudson Street was a smash success! Everyone had a terrific time and the crowd was thick with revelers at the amazing jungle-themed re-model. To honor the family at this exciting time, here's my picture of Tori and Carly, the two little ones who inspired the store, who are also featured on the TorlyKid walls on a fantastic 30x40 inch canvas! WELL DONE CAROL and girls!

My life as a Photographer: WHY

The following is a GUEST POST I did on the awesome lbobi (little blog of big ideas), which is the killer blog of photographers Jeff and Allison Rodgers. (Check them out!) The following story is ALL TRUE. And, Photographers--I KNOW you'll relate.

PREFACE: Girl falls in love with photography at age 8, spends all of high school and college with a camera at her side, and then gleefully makes it her livelyhood, career and daily source of continuing education, learning something new about it (and thus, herself) each and every day with the wholehearted understanding that her craft is a lifelong evolution, refining itself and improving itself with every single click, for the duration of an art-filled life. [or, insert similar backstory]
Fast forward to today. Phone rings (or Facebook dings) and you have the voice of your smug client/stagemom/grandma-thrice-removed on the line, and she's just seen your latest portrait sesh on the interwebz. Feels the need to weigh in. Great! Your heart soars, getting ready for the inevitable compliment on your clearly genius photographic wizardry (what other conclusion could she possibly come to!) But instead she says, "Those pictures are so nice. I really need a new camera. Please send me the name of your camera so I can buy it, I'm so excited to take pictures just like you."
wiza-wiza-HALT. (The DJ in your head that creates the soundtrack to your life-movie scratches to a stop with a Ffffft.)
UM.
LADY.
It 'AINT the camera!!!!
It 'aint the CAMERA who took that picture that you love! It is ME who takes that cool picture! ME who conceived of the idea, ME who sees the angle, ME who chose this time of day specifically for the perfect light, ME who sets the shutterspeed and aperture for desired effect, ME who directs the subject matter or catches it on the fly (just so), ME who knows how to process the film or file, ME who manages the color, contrast, grain and output, ME who picks the best way to honor the picture with the appropriate art/print/product/medium. It's ME! ME and MY peepers that I SEE with! But, of COURSE, you don't say that, at least not out loud.
To take offense at my Step-Aunt-Cousin-in-Law's ignorance would be to MISS THE WHOLE POINT of choosing a life as a photographer. Which (finally) brings me the POINT of my rant. When this happens, I instead quickly remember to giggle good-naturedly, and take her proverbial hand. I begin to walk her through the process of the art I love so much, and why her pictures will look differently from mine, though they'll be no less "good". I teach her that if she too embraces the process of using photography as an expression--the humblest and most beautiful yet cathartic art form--then she TOO can take pictures that make others go "WOW!" but it won't be because they look like my pictures, it will be because they look completely and utterly HER. As image-makers, it is KEY to remember this every single day.
If you can forget trying to out-do or be jealous of your peers and focus on the way your photography showcases what YOU see through YOUR unique peepers, you will be overjoyed and tremendously fulfilled by everything you produce.
This is why we COLLABORATE and inspire each other. This is why we share and gab! This is why we tweet to each other! This is why I dial in lbobi.com every day! THIS IS THE WHOLE POINT! Isn't that fantastic? I'm so grateful for every one of my fellow photographers! You guys KICK a**.

SUNSILK + Teddy Charles = Insane Hair Perfection!

Take a gander at THESE babes... what do they all have in common? YES! You said it. Fabulous hair! Thanks to the expertise of world-renown hairstylist Teddy Charles and his newly designed line for SUNSILK, these beauty bloggers and Beauty Experts have got it GOIN' ON. I had SO much fun photographing this event, and I think it shows. Scroll down, and prepare to ooh and ahhh at those locks! <3, Ana

Sass & Spunk: A tale of Three Sisters!

I could barely believe my luck, a few weeks ago, when the gorgeous Chiaravalle Family strolled into my studio! This gorgeous mom and her three little stunners just knocked my socks of with their playfulness, and we just spent our time spinning, climbing, singing and playing--everything BUT posing! I just love how they interact with each other, each so unique and independent, but each with always a hand on the other, so used to being together. BIG LOVE to these girls! <3

Behind the Scenes of an ANAPHOTO shoot: JOOR Access

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be at an ANAPHOTO photoshoot? Like, to really be there? Well, thanks to fave client/sweet girl/cunning entrepreneur Mona Bijoor of JOOR ACCESS , you can have a peek! This fashion lookbook shoot took place in December 2009, and we were lucky enough to have 2 stunners from Fusion Models, Aubrey and Julia, along with incredible hair and makeup artists Emily Kate Warren and Erica Whelan! We were fast and furious, tackling nineteen looks from amazing designers, all in one day. Check it out! ANAPHOTO for JOOR: Behind-The-Scenes

Ode to St. Martin

I woke up this morning after a lovely sleep-in, and though I felt happy, I found myself lacking in something important... what is it... OH YEAH. A beach! I miss the sun. I miss the sand. And although I'd take pretty much any beach at this point, I'd REALLY love to be on the beach on the island of St. Martin! Here's a little photo meditation I did this morning with some of the shells I brought back from St. Martin... grab a Mai Tai and enjoy!

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!