I've moved the blog to a new neighborhood

Yes, it's true, I've moved but not far! Here's my new blog - http://robinmcquayandersonphotography.wordpress.com/

There's more information and a slicker format - check it out!

See you around the neighborhood...

Robin

The I Heart Faces Pet Photo Contest!

Fast - very fast.Loving - very loving.Grateful - very grateful.
Meet Star, our rescue Greyhound. He's funny, he's enthusiastic, and he lives for walks. He loves to be with people, preferring to be on the couch with anyone and everyone who allows it. He is my entry in this week's Pet Pictures Photo Contest at I Heart Faces.
Check out his eyes and savor the soul!

Enjoy our pup...Robin

An Angel Lives Next Door

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons.
~Author Unknown

"I don't like snakes," she stated without hesitation. Madison made it quite clear that no pictures were to be taken in the tall grass! No problem - I don't like snakes either! Even with this rule in place, I still had a great time shooting images of Madison and her three siblings.

Quite simply, this delightful little girl never stops smiling! Her moments were spent running, playing, and climbing trees, and boy we have fun! With an older brother and sister, Madison makes sure she is never left behind.

But, for the briefest of time she turned her 100 watt smile in my direction and lit up the world. The sun made a halo out of her blond curls and all was perfect!

Thanks Madison - you were giggly, charming, and totally sweet - all the things little girls should be!

Enjoy....Robin

I Heart Faces Contest - "Tooshies"

On the IHeartFaces blog, the photo contest this week is "Tooshies" - wow, that's different! I've never really focused (how 'bout that pun!) on tooshies before but this shot popped into my mind. It was taken of sweet little Kylie wearing one of the tutus her mom makes. I loved the way she would bend down to look at the shells - totally flexible with her little *bum* in the air.

Wish me luck....Robin

The Wedding of Trish and Dan

The highest happiness on earth is marriage.
~William Lyon Phelps

She was smiling from the moment she stepped out of her car. Trish was every inch the radiant and glamorous bride and she was heading to the altar to marry her prince. She knew Dan was her soulmate - afterall, he taught her to believe in fairy tales again - and this one has a happy ending.

They married over looking the beach where they met - the same beach where Dan proposed - the same beach where Trish said yes. And standing at the altar with them were his and her children - joining together with their parents in creating a new family.

There were toasts and dances; laughter and hugs - but mostly, there was Trish and Dan, never away from each other's side, never without the twinkle in their eyes. One only had to watch them for a moment to know they had found a rare and wonderful love - one made from the stuff of fairy tales.

Thank you for the opportunity to shoot your wedding Trish and Dan! It was an honor to share that time with you.

Enjoy.... Robin

Me and My Nana

Everyone is the age of their heart.

~Guatamalan Proverb

My Nana lives in a lovely sunny nursing facility in Florida – yep, I still have a Nana. At 94 years old, she still rises each day and dresses as if company is expected complete with earrings, necklace, bracelets, and rings. Her blue eyes still sparkle and her skin has the soft glow of one who never sat in the sun.

I surprised her with a visit this past Thanksgiving, watching her eyes light up at the recognition of my face – if not my name. She clapped her hands and held them out like a child longing for a hug.

My Nana has, in gentle terms, lost much of her memory. In nursing home terms, she has profound senile dementia.

I keep my visits on the short side as she fatigues quickly and conversation is not always fluid and easy. On this day, however, she was cheerful and eager to talk. After pleasant conversation about the weather, the quality of the food, and the lovely view from her window, I gingerly began to explore what tidbits of her memory still remained. I told her that my birthday was two days earlier and asked, “Nana, do you know how old I turned?” After the briefest perplexity crossed her brow, she excitedly shouted, “You turned 21!!”

Cute Nana, very cute.

But, seriously, that’s what she believed and that’s what she saw in her mind – a mind that lives somewhere between 1950 and 1985. There’s something quite sweet about a grandmother that still sees me as young woman just beginning her adult life. For a fraction of a second I could share a distant past with her and laugh as if I truly were 21 again.

Now, if only my bathroom mirror could develop a little senile dementia and show me the face of 21 year old!

The rest of the visit showed me a Nana that confused me with my mother and my own grown daughter, Connor. But in the end, isn’t that what I truly am? I have a bit of my grandmother, a bit of my mother, a good dose of me, and even a smidge of my daughters. I am all the women before me just as my daughters will be. To my Nana, that is enough to know us all by face if not by name.

Yes, maybe Nana has the way of it after all...

Robin

Friends...

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.

~ Douglas Pagels

When Katie knocked at the door, Lauren excitedly shouted, "It's Katie, my best friend in the whole world."

Suddenly, her brother Nicholas' birthday party paled in comparison to spending several hours with her delightful friend. The two girls ran inseperably inside and out, giggling non-stop.

Thank you little ones, for letting me peek into your playtime for just a few minutes - capturing great images and perfect smiles.

Enjoy... Robin

Lauren at the top and Katie on the bottom.

No matter what the excitement around him, Nicholas found the ice chest to be one of the best features of his birthday party.