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

Little Tot, Big City

Though this is little Zayne's last week in NYC, he'll never forget where he came from after our fun frolic in Central Park! These are your ROOTS little Z! NYC, baby!

I was extra thrilled to meet this little tyke after realizing he was a friend of a friend of my family's, and wouldn't you know it--they were the cutest family ever. I should have known! Three cheers for Zayne and his parents as they embark on a new life in a different city... Best Wishes from ANAPHOTO! <3

Here's Zayne's Collage and a sample Custom-designed 8x8 book cover and book page. No two books are the same! Have you inquired about a custom book yet from your shoot? Give us a buzz!

Harlow's Magical Seaside Kingdom, Part 1

Uf--wow! Buh..amazing! Ahhhhhhh... These are my reactions as I stare at this most incredible little girl. Harlow is the precious cargo of one of my best friends from childhood, and I absolutely could not be more enchanted by her little voice, little imagination, her whole little self. And, I'm not at ALL surprised that she's such a clever munchkin--after all, she comes from Ellise & Steve! Hold onto your hats and magic wands... here's Harlow! <3

Quote of the Day

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." -Mary Anne Radmacher

I know what this means to me... what does it mean to you? For me it's just knowing that through highs and lows, you've done the best you can do. That's a tiny victory right there!

(photo taken at Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz, CA, April 2010)

May Contest WINNER!

After a TERRIFIC outpouring of comments, Facebook hits and tweets, my May 2010 contest has come to a close. I amassed all the names into a hat, (an actual hat, a BIG mexican party hat, obvs!) and pulled out the winner!

It's ELINA FURMAN! Congratulations!

This is not only good news for her, being that's she's won a free sitting and a stack of complimentary prints, but good news for me since little Julian is completely ADORABLE! Let's chat soon to arrange Elina!

Also, I do have to shout out to my girl Jennifer of Double Duty Mommy, as she tireless tweeted for me DAILY throughout the whole month of May, unprovoked, to promote this contest--J, you get a special treat from me, email me for details!

Sending love, hugs and days full of Tiny Victories to ALL my supporters who participated. THANK YOU! :)

Welcome to my yard! Would you like a tomato?

OH, how to describe the spunk of little Ella? She just bounced around this gorgeous back yard for the entire time I visited! She loves to chase bubbles, eat tomatoes (and ONLY tomatoes!) and was so adorably inquisitive about my camera! She loved how she could see her reflection in the big glass face of my lens, and peered into it every chance she got. I can't wait to see this one grow! P.S. My friends Julie and Matt are the proud (and LUCKY, i might add!) parents of this most delicious little peanut! <3

Lakeside at Failthe, Part 2!

With our friend Clark Griswold (I mean, Scott) at the wheel, we were sure to get to the lake safely, so after 42 stops for snacks, we managed to arrive safe and sound (through fields of green ferns!) and then jet back out to scoot around the surrounding towns for coffee and dinner after sunning! We took the scenic route a few times. On purpose. We literally spent the entire trip giggling at silly personal jokes and made up words, it was SUCH A FUN TRIP! <3

Lakeside at Failthe, Part 1

They say the things that come together at the last minute are often the most memorable, and this Memorial Day weekend is a perfect example of that rule. A fine group of friends and I visited a MOST fine lake, and had a DIVINE time splashing, canoeing and sunning our way through the weekend. It was my first time to the lakes of PA, and I will DEFINITELY be returning, STAT. The water was clear, warm and still, and weather was so fair that we opted to sleep on the floating dock in the middle of the lake!

Hey kitty cat, would you like to play?

I loved chasing around Christian and Gabriel on the gorgeous April day  at Wilder Ranch, a state park in CA that I remember visiting in my childhood. These spritely twins definitely though that this cat was their long-lost triplet, and were intent on bringing him home! I love the BIG smiles on these boys, they each impart such a twinkle in their expressions... <3

Twins are a blessing! Wait, where'd he go...?

This little set of peanuts is one very close to my heart, the double-trouble-double-fun children of a great friend and awesome mom in Santa Cruz, CA. At 16 months, when they both run in opposite directions, it's very easy to lose one or the other, at any given time, but thanks to these pro parents, I can proudly say I did NOT lose any twinsies on my photo shoot! TINY VICTORY!! <3

Crawfish for Cancer event, 2010!

I had the BEST afternoon photographing the Crawfish for Cancer event yesterday at the Boat Basin on the Upper West Side! This event always goes off like a rocket, and this year has a record amount of attendees! Crawfish and mint juleps were enjoyed by all, and I'm a proud, proud sponsor. Though it was supposed to rain this weekend, it sure didn't! As creator Jimmy Crowell always says, "God smiles on Crawfish day!" since it is ALWAYS due to rain on the day of the event, but never does! ? Here's the rest of the photos, but of course my faves are below!

May 2010 CONTEST!!

Here's the deal. You like delish-looking photos, I like making new friends! We pool our resources during the month of May, and VOILA! You get to WIN BIG. Sound good? I thought so. Let's get to work! <3

The scoop: Enter an unlimited amount of times, via all methods!

The prize: A FREE photo shoot with me, including the session, online proofing gallery and three 5x7 linen-finish prints, delivered in my signature ANAPHOTO packaging, ready for gifting!

To Enter:

1. Post a comment on this here very blog, ANYWHERE, on any post at all and be automatically entered to win! If you forward the Rooting For Tiny Victories blog link to your pals, and they look around and leave a comment mentioning you, YOU get entered AGAIN!

2. Become a fan of ANAPHOTO on Facebook here, and then share the ANAPHOTO page on your profile encouraging others to become a fan! If you do this one, email me at anaphoto@gmail.com to let me know!

3.  Follow me on Twitter here and then Re-Tweet this (or something similar!): Hey Hot Mamas! You HAVE to check out @anaphoto's May Contest, where you and your kiddos can WIN BIG! Details at http://bit.ly/dbZULM

And that's that! THANK YOU for your support of ANAPHOTO, and thank you for joining me in Rooting For Tiny Victories! Stay tuned for June 1, when the BIG WINNER will be announced, right here on the blog! TINY VICTORY!