hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

Claire {Senior Portraits}

Claire is one of my all-time favorite seniors.  Look up the word style in the dictionary and you'll likely find a picture of Claire.  Seriously, is she amazing or is she amazing? 

Check out Mom and little sister Grace.  Could they BE any more beautiful?  

 

The whole family's got mad style, don't they?

Oh, how I loved this dress!  Claire calls this the Post-It dress.  (One of my favorite photographers, Jasmine Star, has a serious obsession with Post-It Notes and shopping so this dress would be like a dream come true for her.)

Another of my faves...

And this one made the homepage of my website so you know it's my absolute fave!

Now back to editing.  I'm working like CRAZY to finish up in time to actually enjoy the holidays myself.  A novel concept, I know...

Until next time,
H

The Interns

So, I was lucky enough to find not one, but two, interns this past summer.  They're both fabulous and I swear I did not state that being beautiful was a requirement for the job.  They just are. 

Meet Ashley.



And Claire.


I've had a great time getting to know the girls.  They're both really good photographers and are a huge help to me at photo shoots.  Stay tuned because Claire's actual senior portrait session is coming tomorrow.

Until next time,
H 

ROCK ON Update : Beth Foraker on Fox 4

For some reason I always miss the Her Life Magazine segments that air on Fox 4 News at noon on Mondays, but I'm so thankful for the genius that is the internet.

Fox 4 put today's segment on their website so check out the interview with Beth Foraker (also known as David Cook's mom).

It's so crazy to see my cover shots on TV!  Beth looked amazing and gave a great interview.  I admire her so much for her dedication to her children.  She's such a loving, supportive mom. 

Rock The Vote!

No, not THAT vote!  I do know what day it is.....I think?

My high school friend and client, Kelly Carlson is a finalist in the Dell We Mean Business contest.  Dell is giving one struggling small business owner a $25,000 technology upgrade and Kelly needs our help to win.

Your vote will help Kelly's business (KLC Accounting, LLC) get the technology upgrade she so desperately needs and every time you vote you increase the chances that you will be one of three winners of a $5,000 Dell gift card.  You can vote every day until December 11, 2008. 

I have awesome blog readers with really big hearts and I would love to see Kelly win so ROCK THE VOTE, people.  ROCK.  THAT.  VOTE.

And what's a post without a pic?  Here's a shot from the last time I shot Kelly's adorable son, Brody.

Until next time,
H

ROCK ON!

I don't know many people in Kansas City that weren't completely hooked on the last season of American Idol.  And for very, very good reason.  Two words, people.  DAVID. COOK.

My family and I were parked in front of the TV twice a week rooting for Kansas City's own as he sang his heart out to become the next American Idol.  Both Rilee and Lucee were completely smitten with him.  It was not unusual to see them walking around the house jamming with their toy guitar and microphones pretending to be David Cook.

So, naturally when I got the call that I would be shooting David and Andrew Cook and their mom, Beth Foraker for Her Life Magazine the first thing I did was call my kids.  I spoke to Rilee and this was our conversation.

ME:  Hey, Roo!  Guess who I get to take pictures of? 

ROO: (silence)

ME:  I'll give you a hint. He was on a TV show.  On a show that we....

ROO:  Uh, I knooooooooow mom.  David Cook.  

She tried to act all un-impressed, but deep down I knew she was.  In fact, when I picked her up at Grandma's house after the shoot the first thing she said when I walked in the door was, "Mom, can I see the pictures you took of David Cook?"

So, here they are.   This first series was shot right after an enormous wall mural was dedicated to David in downtown Blue Springs.  It was such a cool thing to see - a very emotional day for David and his family.  David took time to talk to so many fans and friends and sign autographs that day.  We had just a few minutes to shoot, but both David and Andrew turned it on for the camera.  They were quite comical and so, so sweet to their mom who is clearly so proud of both of her boys.

 
And a few images from Beth's cover shoot.  Isn't she gorgeous?  And how perfect is this Rock and Roll Mom tee she found at Style and Grace? 


Check out the November issue of Her Life Magazine for the full story on Beth Foraker and her family's American Idol journey. 

And be sure to grab a copy of David Cook's new CD available at Amazon.com. 

ROCK ON!
H

Calling Mrs. Focus

Hi, all!  A quick note to let you know my phone line is down.  (This is when living in an old house in an old neighborhood really sucks.)  It's been off and on this week so the second service call is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.  No whammies!  No whammies!  Mrs. Focus* needs her phone, people.

You'll be able to leave voice messages, but I won't know they're there.  In the meantime, please use my cell phone or email heather@hocusfocusphoto.com.

*I don't think I ever blogged the story about Mrs. Focus.  A few years ago after dinner with some girlfriends our waiter brought back each of our credit cards and as he passed out receipts for us to sign he called each one of us by our last name.  "Mrs. Minor, Mrs. Penegar, Mrs. Haack, Mrs. Uhhhhh - Focus?"  He had the funniest look on his face.  I think the poor fool really thought my first name was Hocus.

Have a wonderful day!
H

The Power of a Picture

I've started and deleted this post a dozen times because words simply escape me.  I wrote about the importance of taking pictures after my Papa passed away but I felt the need to say it again. 

A little over a week ago while at a birthday party for a firefighter Chris works with we got the call that another member of their crew had suddenly passed away at the young age of 30.  He leaves behind a girlfriend who we all knew would someday be his wife and over a hundred brothers and sisters within the fire department.  Throughout the week that would follow I saw more strength, support, honor and tradition than some people witness in a lifetime.  The fire department gives new meaning to the word family and I could not be more proud to be a fireman's wife. 

Just three short days later I also received word that a client and friend had lost her 37 year old husband unexpectedly.  She and her incredible husband have two beautiful daughters and another child on the way.  While I didn't know him well, he is the kind of man you never forget and I feel honored to have known him at all.  Jodie, you're on my mind and in my prayers.   The world is a better place because of Thor.

Photographs were such an important part of both of these funerals.  A photo can instantly take you back to a time and place where you couldn't otherwise go.  They keep our memories fresh and allow us to relive the special moments in our lives.  They tell a story - not just of what someone did or where they went, but of who they were.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  They don't have to be perfect.  They don't have to be professional.  Just take pictures.  And take them often.  Someday they may be all you have.

As a photographer we often take for granted what our images mean to our clients.  Day in, day out we go through the motions of doing our job, sometimes forgetting the effect our work can have on a family, especially in times of tragedy.  It's a big reminder to all of us photographers to never take for granted how lucky we are to do what we do. 

I will hug my loved ones a little tighter today and hope you'll do the same.
H

Ferriss {Senior Session}

When this senior's mom called me all she had to say were three little words and I was totally willing to squeeze her in to the already jam packed schedule.

RED HAIR and FRECKLES. 

I absolutely love shooting red heads and when you add freckles to it that just seals the deal for me.  Ferriss is such a natural beauty.  She's super sweet, has impeccable taste in clothes and I hear she kicks some serious ass on the soccer field, too.

Loved this blue!

 

And you know me, gotta work in a fire hydrant now and then. 

And a little something funky to finish it off.

Ferriss, I'm so glad we were able to work you in.  I had a fabulous time shooting and getting to know you.  Enjoy the rest of your senior year!

Until next time,
H

That Pesky Little Obsession

That pesky little obsession I have with denim is all for a good cause now.  Well, at least now through Thanksgiving. 

My friends at Standard Style have an amazing promotion going on so be sure to shop it out, uh, I mean check it out!

Happy Shopping!
H

Happy Birthday, Leah!

By the time she gets this blog post in her inbox it will no longer be her birthday, but I just HAD to give a little birthday shout to one of my very loyal blog readers, Miss Leah Lowry. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, girl!  Hope you had a fantastic day!

(Gotta love facebook for telling when everyone's birthday is...)