hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

Doll Face

I have to say that I TRULY ADORE THIS FAMILY.  We've been working together for about three years now and I've loved watching their family grow.  First came Otto (aka Mantle Baby) and now his baby brother Hank who has yet to earn a nickname, but I'm sure it won't be long.  He's the sweetest little guy with the biggest, bluest eyes and he's just so yummy!  George and Melanie are beautiful people (inside and out).  They're great parents and they have been blessed with two beautiful boys.  Shooting with them is like hanging out with old friends.  I can hardly call it work - especially when my subjects are as cute as Otto and Hank. 




Oh, that face!!!  He's just a doll!  Maybe we'll just have to call him Doll Face for now...




Dude, I have feet! 



Hank is a spitting image of his big brother Otto.  We did a coffee table book of Otto's first year and when Mel got it out during this session we were amazed at how much the boys looked alike.  Good luck telling their baby pictures apart 30 years from now, Mel!

Until next time,
H

Five

Haven't you heard?  Five is the new four.

The Lu turned five this month and she's as spunky and quirky as ever.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LULA! 

Love,
Mom

My Fever Is Back

Don't worry.  I'm not sick.  It's just baby fever.  Thanks, George and Mel.  I knew I could count on the two of you.  Meet Hank, the latest addition to their family.

These next two are my faves.

And really, how can you not love a baby with such a killer faux-hawk? 

Such a sweet, little guy!  It's a shame he was too big to fit in my camera bag.  :o)

Birthday Wishes!

Earlier this year I photographed the family of my wonderful friend and fellow photographer, Jennifer Mullinax.   Not only is Jen a fantastic photographer and a dear friend, but she's one of the best moms I know.  She's super fun, she's got the patience of a saint and is raising four brilliant little kids (three of whom are triplets - WOO! HOO!)  Oh, and her husband is a pretty cool dude, too!  :o)

Meet Jen.

And Jared (who is a super cool dad).

How hot are they?

 Isabelle.

Samuel.

Grace.

All three of the triplets.

And Busy Body...uh, I mean Sophia (aka Little Bit).

The shot we all worked really, really hard to get.  

And what fun is being on a farm if you can't get a little (okay, a lot) dirty? (Told ya they were fun parents!)

And since Miss Sophia really didn't have time for me that day I got to spend another afternoon with just her and Mommy and this was one of the many, many shots we got.

Sophia is celebrating her second birthday tomorrow so have a HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY birthday, Little Bit!

XOXOX,
H

They Always Do It

Everytime I photograph a newborn I'm overwhelmed by that feeling that I NEED another baby.  And this little guy hit me hard.  He was such a sweet little thing.  He slept almost the entire time we shot and I ended up with some of my all time favorite baby/mommy and baby/daddy shots.  Meet Brody. 


Love those fuzzy shoulders! 








Must be having some really sweet dreams...




Until next time,
H

Three More Reasons

I'm catching up on blog posts this week.  I'm short on words today (because I have a nasty, nasty cold and no voice - heading to the doctor at 3:30), but here are three more reasons for people to ask if I only photograph beautiful people.  Meet Alexis, Mallory and Ellie.

 

More sessions coming soon.  Stay tuned!
H

I Love to Watch Them Grow

I've got quite a few clients I see several times a year and it's so fun to watch them grow.  This was the third time I'd shot Miss Gigi and we had a blast.  Mom is one of those people who just feels like an old friend so I always enjoy getting together with her.



Oh!  How I loved this one.  That sweet little head of hair!  WUB! 

And this one!  Definitely a fave.  This one just screams CANVAS!

 
More blogging soon.  Have a terrific weekend!
H

Celebrity Lookalike

I just posted Dylan, who I've decided is a future celebrity.  And this cutie pie, his little cousin Makenna, is a celebrity lookalike.  Who does she remind you of?


It took this next shot for me to figure it out.  She's a miniature Alicia Silverstone...only cuter!






 


And a few of the partners in crime together. 


Happy Monday, everyone!
H

Future Celebrity

I bet you all remember Dylan.  Well, we shot again this summer and I have to tell you this kid is destined to go places and do great things.  He's interested in acting/modeling and recently signed with a local agency (Congrats, D!), but more importantly he's just a seriously cool kid.  I've had so much fun getting to know him and his awesome mom.  I know I'm in for a day full of laughs when I've got Dylan on the calendar.
 

I could so see these next three as big prints stacked on top of one another.  So much personality in those gorgeous eyes!!!




Another MAJOR fave!




This year Dylan brought along his adorable little cousin, Makenna, who just like Dylan, I could have photographed all day.  Miss Makenna will be getting her own post and I can't wait for you to see her.  But for now, here are a few shots of Dylan's pal, Austin - one of the few four legged subjects I've had.  This clan is just full of photogenic  beings.

Until next time, ENJOY!
H

Then and Now

In the words of my photographer friend, Terrilyn O'Neil, that was then and this is now.  Although Terrilyn lives in Florida and I live in Kansas City (we've never actually met in person but we're online friends) we've both been fortunate enough to have photographed these little ones. 

Mom loves to have a beach session when they vacation and Terrilyn has been her photographer of choice (good choice, Maria!).  Quite a few of Terrilyn's images were recently published in the Big Book of Babies, including one of Sophia.  (Congrats, Terrilyn!)

I shot Sophia and Jack for the first time when Jack was just a few weeks old.

And here they are now.  I'm completely amazed at how they've grown!  And I'm such a sucker for those dark brown eyes...

Check out the bling on these Chucks!  Oh, how I love her style!

And one of my personal faves which reminds me so much of the shot above from last year.

And check out how much Jack has grown!  No more squishy, little baby.  He's all little boy now.

I just love that proud look on his face.  He's toddling all over the place and he's fast, too.  (You have no idea how many shots I took to get this one, but it was totally worth it.)

Maria, thanks for sweating it out with me on such a hot day!  It was great to see you guys again and I can't wait until next time.

Have a great Monday everyone!
H