hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

Hey, Mamacita!

Oh, to be pregnant with TWINS and look this good!  Oh, to look this good PERIOD!  This gorgeous mama to be was referred to me by another photographer (thanks, Julie!) and I'm so glad I got the chance to meet and work with her.  She was on modified bed rest at the time of our shoot but she was such a trooper!





I just found out she's been scheduled for a c-section next week.  Best of luck, Mamacita.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the news of their arrival!

Hugs,
H

Something I Always Wanted

"How do people make it through life without a sister?"  - Sara Corpening

Miss Norah welcomed her baby sister Lola this month and already loves her to pieces.  Congratulations to Norah and her Mommy and Daddy.

Meet Lola.  She's sweet as can be and yet another reason for my raging baby fever.  (Thanks a lot, Christen!)  I can't wait to watch her grow.

I always wanted a sister, but instead I have two little girls of my own and watching their sisterhood grow is amazing.  They laugh.  They cry.  They play.  They fight.  They love.  They learn.  And every second is precious.  It may seem as though life is a juggling act in the beginning, but I promise you, Christen, you're going to love watching these two together.  It's AMAZING! 

Congrats and much love,
H

Phone Trouble

Our phones are down today.  We're waiting on the phone company to come out, but in the meantime email will be the best way to reach us.

Sorry for the inconvenience!  Hopefully we'll be back up and running soon.  Me without a phone is like two all beef patties without the special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.  (Ducking like the dork I am and getting back to work now!)

UPDATE:  We're back in business and working our way through the messages now. 

Have a terrific day!
H

The Crazies

I've got a mad case of the crazies.  I've been crazy busy with shoots and I'm working like crazy to get caught up.  Holiday Mart was a huge success!  I want to thank everyone who stopped by to say hi and check out our booth.  We met so many wonderful women (and a few men who were dragged along as well) and I can't wait to work with them and their kiddos.  If you came to see us at Holiday Mart stay tuned for an email with a little special offer just for you. 

And in no particular order here are some random and recent shots that I've been meaning to share.

Some of you may remember this little pumpkin.  She's the 12 day old yawning babe on the website.  Here she is a little over two years later.  Wow, time flies! 

And her fantastically funny big brother.  This kid has THE MOST contagious laugh!

This little guy and his parents came all the way from Topeka for our shoot.  And his auntie and cousins flew in from South Carolina just a few weeks later.  Okay, okay, so they didn't come from South Carolina just for our photo shoot, but hey, they did come and I'll have some sneak peeks from that session soon. 

Miss Ava.  I could shoot this kid all day! 

And Zeke.  Such a little stud muffin! 

More to come soon!

Happy Friday!
H

WHEW!

First of all let me start by saying that I certainly wasn't wearing my genius hat when I decided to wear my new red heels to Holiday Mart Friday. I can do fashion over function just like the next gal but there are limits to how long I can hang. After about five hours a girl's gotta have some flats! I mean really! What the heck was I thinking?

Thank you to those who have already come out to see us at The Mart! I've seen so many past clients and met some fabulous new ones who I'm really eager to work with. The 2008 calendar is already filling up and I'm just beside myself.

Can you believe that in the last 24 hours we've had visits to the website and blog from 31 states and 9 countries. WOW! I'm just amazed. I'd love to know who you all are. Drop us a note in the comment section and introduce youself!

Two more days of Holiday Mart! We've been super busy in our booth but I'm hoping to sneak in a little shopping time tomorrow or Sunday. I did manage to hit the Farmstead booth yesterday and found an awesome tee that I seriously couldn't resist, but there are lots more booths I'm dying to shop! A couple that I've spotted and plan to hit are Frankie and Jules and Sitzmark. I'll keep adding to the list of must shop booths throughout the weekend. Stop by and say hi! Can't wait to see you all there! Just don't forget your flats!!!

Hugs,
H

What Are You Waiting For?

This shopping is to die for!  Come see us at Holiday Mart now through Sunday.  We're in Booth 703 - just to the right when you enter the exhibition hall.  We're booking sessions for spring and summer of 2008.  Book your next session at Holiday Mart and mention this blog post to receive $25 off your session fee.

Happy Shopping!
H

Back To My Denim Obsession...

I've made no secret of my obsession with designer jeans.  Some of my favorites are Kasil, J & Company, Grass, AG and 575.  I've had my eye on a pair of Rock & Republic for a while now and am sure it won't be long before Mama brings them home to the loving, caring family they so dearly deserve. 

What are some of your favorites?  Anything I absolutely HAVE to go try on?  Anywhere you particularly love to shop for jeans?

Enable me, people.  Enable me. 

Super Husband/Super Dad

Here he is.  The most wonderful man in the world.  He's totally picking up the household and parenting slack right now as I'm in the midst of my insanely busy season.  I'm shooting way more than usual right now, proofing sessions like a mad woman and also getting ready for Holiday Mart next week, which has left me with little time for anything else including sleep.  He's doing his share of work around the house and and most of mine.  He's always supported me in my business (and everything else I do for that matter) and that means so much to me.  I couldn't do what I do without him.  The late nights on the computer, the rushed meals because I have to dart out the door to a shoot...he just takes it all in stride and with a smile on his face.  You're looking at the most patient and un-selfish person I've ever known and I love him with all my heart. 

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.  Stay tuned for a MAJOR announcement in the next two weeks.  BIG CHANGES are in store around here and I can't wait to share what I've been working on with all of you. 

On another note, if you're subscribed to our blog but haven't been receiving emails when there's a new post, please let me know.  I think something might be a little screwy with the subscriptions.  And if you're not subscribed to our blog, what the heck is the matter with you?  Just kidding.  But you really should sign up.  You'll receive no more than one email per day that contains all the new blog posts which makes it quick and easy for you to keep up with what's going on around here.  And I pinkie promise not to share your email address with anyone.  I hate spam! 

Have a terrific day!
H

Apparently, I Crack Her Up!

I recently got one of my cameras back from repair and needed to test it out.  My first thought?  My own kids.  My second thought (which came about a millisecond later)?  Yeah, right!

Both of my kids suffer from a condition called PKS - otherwise known as Photographer's Kid Syndrome.  You know, I grab the camera.  They run.  Or I grab the camera.  They cry.  Or I grab the camera.  They look in any direction but mine.  The list of symptoms goes on and on.  And so far, there is no cure.  I really should get my act together and start a foundation to raise money for research.   But, I'll climb that mountain another day. 

Back to this issue of needing to test the camera.  With no one around but Chris and the kids (and don't even get me started on him) all I could think of was the old saying, "less is more".  Why not just take one of them with me?  Together, those two are T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

Since Lucee chose the option of going to Home Depot with Dad (we knew she would be the less cooperative of the two so he secretly bribed her with a trip to BR.  Told ya it always comes back to ice cream with this family) that left me with Rilee.  Ever the diva these days I was worried about what I might be getting into, but apparently, I crack her up.




And my absolute favorite.....

I'm telling you this kid's laughter has got to be the sweetest sound in the whole world. 

I LOVE MATERNITY SESSIONS!

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I LOVE MATERNITY SESSIONS!  This session was especially fun because of the amount of creative freedom I was given.  I feel like I produce my best work when I'm allowed to work this way.  Nick and Christina put a lot of faith in me and I was delighted to hear that she was thrilled with the outcome.  We worked together to create these images and I'm so excited to share them with all of you. 

While Christina could totally work it super model style, Nick had his GQ game on, too!

Probably my favorite shot from the whole session.  Love that hair blowing in the wind and how it frames her eye just so.  And how awesome is Christina still working it even with a mass of hair in her face!!

She's got less than four weeks to go now.  Hang in there, Christina!  I can't wait to meet the baby!