SamoanCuban Photo-Journal

Colleen + David Wedding

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:06:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we packed our bags and traveled to Hunter Mountain, NY to celebrate Colleen and David's wedding. You may remember them from their engagement shoot that we did in August just outside of New York City. They picked another amazing spot for their wedding in the middle of the Catskills. The fall colors were just incredible at this time of year and it was such a special day with all of their family and friends traveling to the resort to celebrate their wedding. Here are a few from the day.

David S.
(the S is for super)

The light snow on the eve of the wedding brightened the Catskills' signature fall colors.

The dress.

Colleen was unbelievably relaxed as she got ready.

Gorgeous!

David and the boys.

Opening a pre-wedding gift from David.

Colleen, David, and the Catskill Mountains. Colleen and David opted to see each other before the wedding to take their portraits, so we did a little sightseeing and found this scenic spot.

We had quite a few cars honk their horns while shooting this series :)

Love the veil!

Colleen and her ladies.

Walking down the aisle.

Rings!

The guest book from their engagement shoot.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Bobble Head.

The first dance as husband and wife.

Cake eating time.

There were laughs all around during the maid of honor's toast.

This had to be one of the most active dance floors we've ever seen at a wedding!

Dancing is hard work!

Even Colleen's grandmother was cutting it loose on the dance floor!

And the band was fantastic!

Congratulations again Colleen and David!

Tracy + Adam + Carter

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:44:00 +0000

This weekend we had a family session with 16 month old Carter and his lovely parents. Their family came up from Richmond for the shoot and we found the most amazing landscape just north of Baltimore City where we could relax and have fun. The leaves on the trees are just gorgeous this time of year and the weather cooperated just perfectly for a fall shoot. We had such a great time running around in the grass with Carter- he had so much energy, it was tough to keep up with him!

The family.

Look at this big boy!

The late afternoon light was just perfect for this spot.

We stopped by a horse farm...here Carter is busy picking grass again.

Making horse sounds.

Thank you Tracy, Adam, and Carter for a wonderful afternoon! You have a lovely family and such a sweet little boy!

Quynh & Kyle Married!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:47:00 +0000

Quynh and Kyle were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. (very fitting for two Notre Dame alums). After a traditional Catholic Mass, we headed over to the National Mall followed by the reception at the Key Bridge Marriott- where the food was absolutely delicious and dancing was a riot! We had some pretty amazing backdrops to work with, and the wedding party was up for just about anything we suggested (including a football huddle or two in honer of the Notre Dame football game that was happening that day). The stunning floral design was the work of Twin Brook Floral Design and the dance floor was hopping thanks to DJ Craig Sopo. Congratulations Quynh and Kyle! We are honored to have worked with you!

St. Patrick Catholic Church.

The groomsmen.

The rings on the shamrock at St. Patrick.

The dress.

The Church's domed architecture was incredible.

In the limo.

A kiss in front of the Capitol Building.

Quynh looking beautiful in the warm sunlight.

Love it!

Did we already mention how delicious the food was? It was absolutely *wonderful!*

A traditional Chinese Lion Dance- performed by the Chinese Youth Club of Washington, D.C. It was frightening how realistic these lions were!

Quynh during her very moving thank you to her family, friends and guests.

On the dance floor.

These two were so happy to be married! Look at them go! Congratulations to you both again! We had a wonderful time with the two of you!

One last summer jaunt...

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Gabriel's been in Indonesia and China for work, so I traveled solo with the boys to Wilmington for one last dip in the ocean. Here are a few snaps that I took last week at Wrightsville Beach...we can now sadly say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.

Levi looking slightly distressed.

Just kidding!

Hey Soleil! She's looking more and more like her mama every time we come home.

Running around with the big kids...

Little Mike isn't so little anymore. Bets are on if he's gonna be as big as 'big' Mike.

Sand coated apple anyone?

Simon was so happy to see Papa...how we love Wilmington! Until our next visit in a few weeks.

More Albums!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:16:00 +0000

We just got another batch of Heirloom Albums in from Renaissance! We're so impressed with the quality of these albums and this order is no exception. Julie and Rob were married back in May and we really love the green cover color they chose! Recently, we've had quite a few brides ask advice for what size album they should order. While the 11'' x 14'' album is absolutely beautiful, it isn't the most portable :) Keep in mind if your album is going to be making a few trips longer than to the coffee table, the 9''x9'' is the way to go! If you're looking for something that's a little more portable and still very impressive it is the happy medium! Take a look at a few of the details of Julie and Rob's album:

Colleen & David: Engaged

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:22:00 +0000

When we first discussed locations for their engagement session, Colleen and David suggested doing the shoot off of Boulevard East in Weehawken, NJ. If you've ever been there, you know that it has one of the most amazing views of New York City's skyline, so we were immediately crazy about the idea. We'd been looking forward to it for months and were extremely lucky to catch one of the weekend's few dry spells. Here are a few highlights from an amazing shoot!

The bell where David proposed.

Bright eyes.

Colleen's ring.

The rain clouds looming above Manhattan.

David loosening up a bit..."You want me to do what?"

The Roosevelt Memorial.

I love this series!

Down at Port Imperial.

Congratulations again Colleen and David. You guys are fantastic!

Janelle & Nick are Married!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:15:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, we had the great pleasure of photographing Janelle and Nick's wedding right here in Baltimore City. Have we mentioned how much we love shooting in Baltimore- there are so many hidden treasures here! The ceremony and reception were held at Chase Court, a lovely gem right in the heart of Charm City. Janelle and Nick even rented a trolley to transport their wedding guests, and we ended the day with a quick tour of Federal Hill and Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore City Orioles. The day was an emotional one for all of their close family and friends, and there were so many personal touches. Janelle and Nick, you did an awesome job with the wedding! Here are a few images from the day.

Pinning a flower on the mother of the bride.

The rings!

Father and son.

Argyle socks peeking out of Nick's seersucker suit- now that's class!

Waiting for his bride.

Mario on guitar.

The ceremony.

I love this one of Janelle's stepfather at the ceremony. Janelle's mother is on the left, and Nick's mother is on the right.

A quiet moment after the ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Marple.

Bloody Marys with Old Bay- classic Baltimore.

All the guests had flip flops awaiting them for the reception.

A view of the guest book- these windows were perfect!

Nick's dad.

Janelle's sister giving a toast.

Whoa! Is that Nick jumping rope?

Last dance.

On Federal Hill.

One last kiss in front of Camden Yards- the perfect end to a perfect day for two Orioles fans!

Summertime in Baltimore

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:02:00 +0000

This summer has been hectic (to put it mildly), so we haven't had a chance to post much on the personal side of things. Here are a few images to get you up to speed on what the Baltimore Tootoo's were up to this summer.

This was Apia and Simon's first go at strawberry picking...we must have picked on one of the hottest days of the summer, but it was so worth the trip to Larriland Farms!

Scoping out his next plan of attack. Notice the red ring around Apia's mouth? He must have eaten his weight (all 20 pounds of it!) in strawberries by the time we left.

Apia was thrilled to climb on this tractor- of course, they kicked us off immediately after this picture was taken. Oh the lengths we go through to get the shot we want!

Hanging out with the LaFrance cousins in PA!

What says summertime better than a lemonade stand, well, in this case, an orange juice stand- they were even giving it out for free!

On the playground with Papa!

Apia was so enthralled with the musings of his cousins, Rachel and Samuel, who paid us a visit from Florida!

Two beauties!

The Tootoo cousins gathering at Wrightsville Beach, pre-Megan's wedding. This group just keeps growing!

Chilling with Armando.

Summertime stroll on Acacia Drive.

Mama with her precious baby!

We had some awesome treats in the garden this year!

Heirlooms tomatoes -delish!

And of course, our crazy trip to Mexico! Here we were taking a hike through the National Park of Uruapan, aka: Parque Nacional de Uruapan. Apia was so excited about the "agua-fall." We can already tell we are going to have some language issues in our house!

Squash flowers? We didn't dare taste them, but apparently they are a big hit when deep fried.

Apparently, tortillas are also another hit when deep-fried! Those we ate!

Downtime at the Hotel Regis. Yes, that is our baby sleeping in a suitcase and yes Apia TKO'ed his dad with a pillow :)

Pre-wedding photo at the hotel.

"When in Rome..." Let's just say Johns Hopkins and Baltimore have had their influence on Apia. He loves his Lacrosse stick!

This is trouble!

Hawaiian plumerias in bloom in Baltimore?! Only if you are a lunatic!
It's definitely abnormal to see them this far north! And don't breath on them because Gabriel will have a cow! You can't imagine the trouble he goes through to keep those plants alive!

The newly renovated pool in Hampden's Roosevelt Park. This place is over-the-top!

Ready to head home.

Digging into a fresh batch of new Under Armour loot!

And of course, Apia thinks the laptop is there for his own personal use.

On Beech Ave...with duckie. This boy loves his stuffed animals! I wonder where he got that from? :)

Simon is now officially able to smile for the camera. Say cheese!

We can't believe our little boy turns 2 years old this week!

Oh, Simon!

Liam!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:46:00 +0000

Last week, we had a casual shoot with our friends Jim and Jeanne, and their little boy Liam. Jim and Jeanne live right down the street, so we literally did the shoot right outside of our house. It was so convenient and so much fun to do. Here are a few from the shoot. Liam is such a ham in front of the camera- he was all smiles for us!

On their front stoop.

Look at those eyes!

And who isn't curious about stinky feet?!

I love this one.

Keys are so much fun!

Jim must have said something hilarious here.

Thanks Jim, Jeanne, and Liam! You all were great!

Arlette- Bridal Portraits

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:15:00 +0000

Two weeks ago, we packed up the kids and headed off to the "avocado capital of the world," Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico for my brother's wedding. What an adventure that was (you know what I mean if you've ever traveled internationally with a 2 year old and a 3 month old!)! While we were south of the border, we had the great opportunity to take some impromptu bridal portraits of his fiance, Arlette.

Arlette, you were stunning! Congratulations again to you both. Here are a few of our favorites from the shoot. More from the Baltimore Tootoo's in Mexico coming soon!

Arlette's parents' backyard was amazing- so green and lush.

The proud parents looking quite regal!

Loosening up a bit.

Just before things got started.

Authentic Mexico. Saturday night outside the Immaculate Conception Church was bustling.

Janelle & Nick- Engaged

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:21:00 +0000

The weekend of the 4th of July, we had an engagement session with Janelle and Nick, and boy, were they ready for us! They met us at the door with two glasses of freshly brewed iced tea- complete with a sprig of mint, and slice of lemon. We lounged on their back deck for a while, then headed over to O'Donnell Square where they've spent many a night chatting in the circle and having drinks at Mama's on the Half Shell. After that we ventured over to the Inner Harbor and revisited the location where Nick proposed a month ago. You'll notice that Gabriel added a few subtle overlays of the cement texture from the dock where they stood that day!
It was a beautiful morning and we had a great time visiting some spots that we had yet to explore in Baltimore. Janelle and Nick, congratulations!

Here's to the future Mr. and Mrs. Marple.

On Nick's front stoop.

A view in front of O'Donnell Square.

Inside Mama's on the Half Shell.

The spot where Nick proposed. We'd never even been to this spot on the Inner Harbor. What a great view!

I love the classic Baltimore skyline in the background.

Congratulations again! We're looking forward to August!

Alison & Brian- Engaged

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:34:00 +0000

Last weekend we had the pleasure of shooting Alison and Brian's engagement photos up in Collegeville, PA. We met them at Alison's Alma Mater, Ursinus College. It was our first visit to the campus, but we knew that they had chosen the perfect location from the moment we arrived. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous trees looming above us, and the grounds of the campus were immaculate (not to mention the awesome athletic facilities where Gabriel had a blast!) There were miscellaneous pieces of artwork strewn throughout the campus, including a giant replica of the Love Statue in Philadelphia. How awesome is that for an engagement session?! Alison and Brian were great to work with, and we're excited to shoot their wedding in November! Thanks to you both for a great session! Here's a little glimpse of what we were up to.

Having fun inside an unusual-looking gazebo on the front lawn.

Alison and Brian playing the stare game...

Getting wet for the camera.

The sandals were a huge hit!

Striking a pose with more campus art.

Brian is a huge baseball fan so of course we spend some time in the dugout...

...and on the infield grass.

From the 50 yard line.

L.O.V.E.

Alison has the most amazing eyes!

Acting sassy.

Congratulations again guys. Until November!

Business Cards Are In!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:21:00 +0000

We recently got our first official business cards in and what a beauty they are! We had them custom made by the nice folks at Dolce Press. Letterpressed on the heaviest card stock available each one feels like a unique piece of art. We also splurged and got edge-printing to add some flare. Check out some of the images below (taken in our side alley!).

Sheri & Will Engaged!

gabriel.tootoo@gmail.com (Gabriel Tootoo) — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:58:00 +0000

Last week I had an engagement session with Sheri and Will in Baltimore's Historic Fells Point. I ventured out solo this time, because Ana was home with 'the boys' I felt a little naked at first, but I think I managed just fine once I got warmed up. Ana will be back in action very soon so stay tuned!

Sheri and Will were really a great couple to photograph! They get the award for the most prepared couple for an engagement shoot. From their color-coordinated outfits, to the freshly cleaned engagement ring, no detail was overlooked! (In Under Armour speak they were hard-core, performance engagement models!)

This very cool couple met several years ago on a jean shopping excursion :) while they were both in med school at Hopkins. Will's been doing his residency in Ann Arbor, MI the last 2 years and on Friday, Sheri graduated! That definitely deserves a double congratulations!

In only a few short days they'll both be leaving the city that they have grown fond of over the last several years. The concept of their engagement session was to help them remember the place where their relationship began. After some serious planning on Tuesday, we decided to meet at the Crescent at Fells Point (to all the Phelps fans -no we didn't bump into him). From there we wandered the streets of Fells and came across a few city landmarks and quintessential views of the Harbor. Here are a few of the highlights from the afternoon session. Congratulations again Sheri and Will! Good luck!

Baltimore's famous Domino Sugar Factory in the background.

Sheri glowing on a sunny afternoon in Baltimore.

Will used to be a cheerleader :)

One of my favorites from the shoot...

Foot action...

Perfect light.

Announcing Simon Tavita Tootoo!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Life has been so crazy since Simon was born three weeks ago that we are just now getting around to posting some photos of our new little boy.

Simon Tavita Tootoo was born on May 3rd, 2009 at 12:55 am, weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 21 inches long. Apia is absolutely in love with him and can't wait until Simon is running around on his own (we keep promising Apia that this will eventually happen).

Here are some images from our morning outing to Druid Hill Park (Baltimore's best kept secret in our opinion). Enjoy!

Checking it all out.

Apia explores a new playground.

Mama with her two boys!

Apia holding his new baby.

Now giving him a kiss.

Making faces with Dada.

Enough already!

Acting sneaky...

Getting some help with those laces.

Apia getting a boost from Dada...wait, is that Simon strapped to Gabriel? (Have we mentioned how much we love the Moby Wrap?)

This is why we love Druid Hill Park...

Getting re-charged.

Checking out the b-ball game with Dada.

Getting a closer look.

Heading home.

Julie and Rob are Married!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of photographing Julie and Rob's wedding at Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. It turned out to be quite an eventful evening with Ana going into labor and having to rush to the hospital to have our baby (photos of that adventure are coming soon)!

Julie and Rob had an elegant outdoor ceremony with touches of Jewish tradition. Julie's father was the celebrant and the guests were all long-time friends and close family. Julie and Rob were just radiating joy- and ready to party- all night long. We were so thrilled to have been a part of this special occasion. Thank you both for letting us share in your wonderful day.

Swan Harbor Farm in the spirit of Spring.

The shoes.

Julie was shocked by how done-up she was...she looked gorgeous!

The boys room.

Getting ready to walk down the aisle.

One of Rob's beautiful daughters singing before the ceremony started.

Some details on the huppa.

There were hugs all around.

The whole gang. This crowd sure knew how to make some funny faces!

I've never seen a more genuinely happy bride and groom!

I love this one!

Gabriel taking the previous shot.

Wildflower seeds for the guests.

Another of Rob's daughters gets a touch-up before the reception.

Dancing the night away! Go Rob!

The perfect spring night at Swan Harbor.

Quynh and Kyle's Engagement Session

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:44:00 +0000

-

Last weekend, we made the drive into Washington, D.C. to shoot Quynh and Kyle's engagement photos. They are getting married in October and we're really looking forward to their big day, so stay tuned. We started the session in Dupont Circle, and from there made our way to Old Town Alexandria- two locations that we were thrilled to be shooting, and that have special meaning to Quynh and Kyle. The session was actually held on the eve of the anniversary of their engagement, and we were able to make it back to the restaurant in Old Town where they were engaged...Bistrot Lafayette. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather...blue skies and sunny all around. Congratulations to both of you and we can't wait for the big day!

Taking in some sun at Dupont Circle.

As the story goes, this ring is so perfect that Kyle is exempt from buying any more jewelery for Quynh for the rest of her life!

Last Saturday was absolutely gorgeous, meaning that Dupont Circle was packed...but that didn't bother Kyle and Quynh!

These two were happy as larks just being together.

Kissing in the streets.

The very photogenic engagement ring :)

On to Old Town...

These two were so much fun to photograph!

They are both incognito comedians too!

I love this one of Quynh.

Who's that sassy figure in the background?!

The warm, alley light was so nice!

The only piece of jewelry he'll ever buy!

Here's Kyle with Quynh in hot pursuit! His expressions tell the story.

Down by the water.

Quynh whispering sweet nothings...

The French bistro where it all started...

Thanks again Quynh and Kyle! You guys are full of fun! Until October!

Amy's Maternity Session

gabriel.tootoo@gmail.com (Gabriel Tootoo) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:12:00 +0000

With only one month left until the new baby's arrival, and a toddler running around full speed, blogging has been low on our priority list during the last few weeks! (we promise to get back on track this Spring) This winter in Baltimore has been long, so Ana and I were so excited to go 'home' to Wilmington, North Carolina for a long Easter weekend! In between all the eating, egg-dying, surfing, more eating, and visiting with family, we were able to catch up with Mel and Amy for a very late maternity shoot (Amy's due date was less than 2 days away). After Mel flashed some of his grilling skills, we set out for some sweet sunset light at Greenfield Lake -and the Azalea blossoms that put Wilmington on the map. Amy and Mel were both so cool, and that made taking pictures of them pretty painless. Amy's energy was impressive too! She was such a great sport and was open to whatever we suggested. In true local fashion, we took advantage of everything Greenfield Park has to offer (...I kind of made her climb a locked fence for a few shots). We always have fun in Wilmington :) On top of having a great time, Ana and I were extremely pleased with the shoot. Amy and Melvin, thanks again for letting us be a part of such a special time in your lives. Much love and congratulations.

The bright road ahead.

Ana and I were thrilled when these two Wilmingtonians suggested we do the shoot at Greenfield Lake. Forget the beach or downtown, Greenfield Lake is about as Wilmington as it gets.

Amy's suggestion to go barefoot was absolutely genius! It was the perfect touch that helped set off the azaleas and wisteria that were in full bloom. The entire session has a warm, natural-earthy feel.

It's all about body language.

The proud parents.

Greenfield Lake is idyllic this time of year.

We loved the azalea's vibrant colors.

A maternity shoot with 2 days until the due date? Easy-breezy for Amy. She did it with class and personality.

Absolutely radiant.

This shot made climbing the fence all worth it.

Having some fun with the sunlight on its way out.

A final couple of shots on the Greenfield Lake Bridge. Congratulations again to you both. We can't wait to meet little Paulo!

Ana's Maternity Session...er, Apia's field trip.

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:53:00 +0000

.

This weekend, instead of sanding and painting the new nursery like we probably should have done, we decided to explore the B & O Railroad Museum right here in downtown Baltimore. What an awesome place! The B & O Railroad was America's first railroad (1830), and at one point in its history it connected 13 out of the (then) 24 United States! We thought it would be a pretty cool place for an impromptu maternity shoot, but Apia had other plans. He kept us on our toes the entire visit! Since Aunt Helen hooked us up with a hand-me-down train set a couple of months ago, Apia's been obsessive about "choo-choos". He was in heaven from the moment we stepped foot in the door, which made the morning that much more fun. Here are some highlights from our jaunt.

The classic B & O boxcar.

Mama with her two babies!

Apia just could not stay out of the frame.

Finally...a genuine maternity shot!

30 weeks down...10 to go!

Super old school.

We love this one.

He's got quick hands.

Engine #25.

Checking out the dome on the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse.

Apia's turn.

...now with "da-da."

Gabriel likes to be dramatic.

The classic B & O Engine.

We had plans to set up a tripod for this mural on the back side of the museum, but the wind-chill was about 20 degrees too cold. Maybe we'll be back here in the Spring for an engagement shoot.

Our New Wedding Albums!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 02:19:00 +0000

SamoanCuban Photography has gotten quite a few inquiries from brides about our photo albums so we are very pleased to present our studio's new offering for 2009! We did our homework and compared several of the best album printers in the industry and in the end we fell in love with the Renaissance Soho album! They are absolutely exquisite!

The leather covers are rich and buttery. Each thick page is clean and crisp. The archival inks are vibrant and the binding is absolute high-quality craftsmanship guaranteed to last for generations. We wanted to partner with the best and Renaissance is it.

You might remember Heather and Patrick's engagement from last March, and their wedding in August. We decided to use their Tobacco Road wedding for our first studio sample. If you're interested in seeing more or exploring how you can customize an album of your own, we'd be happy to show off our new albums in person. Enjoy.

The front of the album, shown in the Deluxe Presentation Box.

A detailed shot of the imprinting on the black Chelsea leather cover. (the leather's grain is sooo soft!)

A view of the 30 page, 11'' x 14'' book.

Each page is printed on archival paper, using archival inks.

Here you can feel the quality craftsmanship of the the flush-mount binding.

A side view of the book.

Here are a few of our digital page layouts...

...and how they translate printed in the book.

Digital image...

...on the page.

Here you can see the center spine on a full spread...the pages lay completely flat.

Larger size images look stunning!

There's something very special about an 11''x14'' full-bleed print!

We Have Snow!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:59:00 +0000

We had our first real snow yesterday in Baltimore. Apia was so amused with watching the snow fall, but he wanted even more to dig his hands and face into it (which we did not let him do, of course). We did, however, take him down to Wyman Park to see all the kids in the neighborhood making use of their sleds. He was just thrilled by it all, although I think we'll wait until next year to let him have a go at it.

All bundled up and ready for a trek in the snow.

Hampden in the snow.

So excited!

Trying to see what all the fuss is about.

"Look at them go!"

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:11:00 +0000

We're finally back in Baltimore after a relaxing Christmas with our families in Wilmington, North Carolina. SamoanCuban Photography had an eventful year in '08 and we're looking forward to 2009 with a new baby boy (due in May) and a couple more weddings on the docket- even one in Mexico this summer! We've got a few more exciting changes up our sleeves -so stay tuned for details. Many thanks to all of our blog subscribers and viewers!

Some highlights from our holidays...

Apia having a good ol' time.

Checking out his cousin Levi.

Everyone's a photographer with a documentary-style these days.

As usual most of our vacation centered around babies (and food...of course)!

Andrei shows off some of his Christmas loot.

Going for a stroll downtown.

Grabbing at his dad's face!

Apia finally learned how to use his pockets!

Big lips giving a kiss...

Dominic smiles for the camera.

Meanwhile, Gianna tries to scare the camera.

Mary sportin' some shades.

Every year, Gabriel's 40-some odd cousins get together for a massive cousin's day celebration at Wrightsville Beach Park. This year there was a friendly game of dodge ball and leisurely game of kickball ( ie: no broken bones or bleeding) We were quite the spectacle to say the least!

Jessica and Megan showing some Team 2-spirit.

Bernard out for blood!

Gabriel just before being knocked off his feet by Micah's throw.

Flower children.

The New Prototype! A year and a half old and this kid's already doing pull ups.

Daniel and Kris compose their interpretive life-sculpture.

The Tootoo family's got all the colors of the rainbow...

Ready to go home. It was great to see everyone in Wilmington! Here's to a healthy and happy 2009! Manuia tausaga fou i lo'u aiga. Talosia ma manatua pea outou i talosana. Alofa tele's from Bmore.

The Lights on 34th Avenue

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:55:00 +0000

We finally got into the Christmas spirit this weekend and put our Christmas tree up(Apia is fascinated with the lights, and is a hazard to the ornaments, of course!). We also took a stroll up to 34th Avenue with some friends. Despite the snow and freezing temperatures, we managed to get some nice family pictures of them with all the lights. The icy weather really made it feel like Christmas!

The McManus' got all bundled up for our walk.

Aiden was all smiles!

Scoping out the decorations on 34th Avenue.

Only in Hampden!

Making our way back home...Merry Christmas!

It's Getting Cold in Baltimore!

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:08:00 +0000

We finally had to pull out our winter coats this afternoon for a stroll around the neighborhood (and a little basketball at the park down the street). Apia's stylish coat was a gift from his cousin, Megan last Christmas- we think it's great!

Here Apia's chillin' in front of the Seven Eleven. You gotta love Baltimore!

Not so sure about this basketball thing...or just inhibited by the eskimo suit!

Sportin' a runny nose too! It's definitely wintertime!

Weekend in Wilmington

ana.tootoo@gmail.com (Ana) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:04:00 +0000

We finally made it down to Wilmington last weekend after a nearly 6-month hiatus. It was so nice to be back down South, and we definitely made the most of the weekend. Apia got the chance to trick-or-treat with his Wrightsville Beach cousins and we celebrated Gabriel's birthday (he's 29 now!). We also attended a wedding -not as photographers, but as guests which is always a nice break for us! Apia already misses the salty beach air and can't wait until our next visit! We didn't have the camera out much, but here are a few of the snaps from the weekend.

A little bit of the Wilmington skyline taken from Page and Papa's new boat.

Apia throwin' hi-fives in downtown Wilmington!

On the stairs at the Hoge-Wood House B&B.

A mouthful of birthday dinner.

Gabriel takes in his birthday pound cake.

Soleil romping around!

Abuelita looking beautiful.

At Caroline's Arlie Garden wedding: a house built from recycled bottles...the light shining through the different color bottles was pretty cool. We'd love to shoot a wedding here someday.