hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

I Heart Sparkly Stuff

Most of what I've been blogging lately is stuff I shot last fall, but never got around to posting during the madness of the holidays.  These were shot for Her Life Magazine. 

The jewels from Tivol, Especially Jewelry and The Polished Edge were TO DIE FOR!  And I got to shoot The Fabulous Wannette, from Exposure, Inc.  I'd been wanting to shoot her forever and we had a blast.  Can't wait to shoot her again.  (Call me next time you're in town, lady!)




I told you they were gorgeous!  Now wipe the drool from your chin and get back to what you were doing. 

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 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

Christmas in November?

Yep, I'm that girl who buys a Christmas present and gives it in November.  I have no patience.  I hate waiting for things and I can't stand keeping anything a surprise so you can imagine how hard it was not to share these images.  I would have to say that this issue of Her Life is my favorite ever.  First the fashion shoot and now the cover shoot.  I loved 'em both! 

I was so excited when I found out I'd be shooting Emily Baldwin of Standard Style.  Clearly, she's got the style thing down.  In addition to being ridiculously beautiful she's an incredible business woman and we instantly bonded over talk of our children.  With two little boys at home and a rapidly growing business that relies heavily on technology we have a lot in common.  You can read Emily's story (written by my dear friend, Kristen Doyle) in the October issue of Her Life, which is now one year old...can you believe it?

And here are some of my favorite images from our shoot at Mosaic Lounge in the Kansas City Power & Light District.  As soon as I heard we were shooting Emily I knew I wanted to shoot at Mosaic.  It's a gorgeous space filled with vibrant color...a photographer's dream!





Isn't she stunning?

Oh, how I loved this purple wall!

Emily, thanks for giving up an afternoon to shoot with us.  It was such a pleasure to meet you! 

Until next time,
H  

It's Killing Me

By the time you read this post it will be October, but I'm writing this in September.  I'm so flipping excited to share these images.  This was one of my all-time favorite fashion shoots. 

Kelly Littmann of Farmstead Lifestyle graced the cover of Her Life Magazine in December 2007.  This month her clothes are featured as the magazine's Trendsetter.  We shot on Kelly's gorgeous farm and had an incredible time.  Kelly exudes such a fabulous energy (and if you've ever met her you know EXACTLY what I mean).  It's just not possible to be around her and not be energized and inspired.  She'll be at the Junior League Holiday Mart this year.  Her booth is one you WON'T want to miss!

We were lucky enough to have Kelli Hansen of Exposure, Inc. model for us and she is PHENOMENAL.  One of my favorite models ever.  I hope to work with her again, soon. 

One would never guess from these images that Kelli is deathly afraid of horses.  Did she ROCK IT?  Or did she ROCK IT?




Ummmmmm...I'd say SHE ROCKED IT!

And this next series was probably my favorite of the day.  It was one of those shoots where everything just comes together perfectly.

Our hair and makeup team for this shoot was Robert McCain of blo salon in Westport and Rebecca and Sara of In The Makeup.  They did a fantastic job.  And I owe a big, huge thank you to Kelly Littmann's handsome cowboy husband, Ron for hauling this beautiful (and incredibly heavy) sofa out into the middle of a field for us.  It made for one of my favorite shots.   I've got a lot of favorites here, huh?  I just can't help it.

Stay tuned for more Her Life shoots coming soon.

Until next time,
H

It's August and I Haven't Blogged Yet!

I'll just start by saying that summer is KICKING MY ASS!  And I'm afraid if I don't blog something soon a few of you might track me down and do the same thing (Monica).  Oh!  Ummmm, did I just blog that outloud? 

The August issue of Her Life Magazine is here.  I saw this issue in print for the first time at our pediatrician's office the other day.  That was kind of a trip!

Our GORGEOUS cover girl Jennifer Vannatta-Fisher is someone I'm lucky enough to call a client and a friend.  I've shot her family twice before and just adore them all.  Not only is Jennifer beautiful (and rockin' that teeny tiny little baby bump of hers), but she's an incredibly inspiration gal.  She and two of her brothers own VANBROS and Associates.  They run the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants in five states.  Jen is a former Miss Kansas herself and has made a career out of inspiring and motivating young women do to great things.  We had such a blast shooting this whole series.  Click to see it bigger.  I still haven't figured out what the heck is up with Typepad...


Seriously!  Who looks this good when they're preggers?  Three words for ya.  SO.  NOT.  FAIR.  Love ya, Jen!

Also shot for the August issue are clothes from the fabulous Girl Boutique, in Hawthorne Plaza.   I had the pleasure of meeting owner Megan Albers at a Her Life party this week.  She's such a doll and has an amazing sense of style.

 

Some of these images were shot at Shine Spa, which is so beautifully decorated I could almost move in!  (Or just open a studio there.)  I think I may have posted a few of these before so forgive me for any repeats. Not only were the clothes and the location gorgeous, but so was our model, Cassie of Exposure, Inc.  Cassie is probably one of my all time favorite models.  She's just so naturally beautiful.   Thanks for an amazing shoot, Cassie.  I hope to work with you again soon!

Stay tuned...a few portrait sessions are coming up next.  (SIGH - I'm so behind on blogging!) 

Have a great weekend, everyone!
H

Coming Up For Air

WHEW!  Last week will go down in the record books as one of the craziest weeks of my life.  I won't bore you with all the details, but let me just say that my poor five year old had to have a tooth pulled.  UGH!  And she was such a trooper.  She did pretty well, but there were a few days I wasn't able to work so I'm running a bit behind.  I'm coming up for air long enough to blog and let everyone know I'm still alive. 

Here's a quick peek at a few things I've been working on.

A fashion shoot...
 

 

A super hot engagement session...

And a ridiculously fun kid session...

Now, back to work I go.  Have a terrific Monday!
H

Style and Grace

There are two things I love.  Photography and Fashion.  Well, technically I love more than two things, but I really love these two things combined.  I've had so much fun doing the fashion shoots for Her Life Magazine.  The most recent was Style and Grace. 

I first found out about Style and Grace at the Junior League Holiday Mart when I bought one of my favorite outfits ever.  A Twisted Heart hoodie and sweats.  The fabric is so soft you never want to take it off.  The detail is so fabulous you could get lost in it.  And the comfort level...don't even get me started.  My point is that if you've never been to Style and Grace you MUST go!  And it's not just hoodies and sweats.  Check out some of the amazing pieces we shot for Her Life. 
 
Oh, how I loved that orange bag!  I could so take her home and love her forever!  This bag is the sole reason I'm now obsessed with orange.

Thanks to Carmen from Exposure who totally rocked it out for us.  She was amazing!  This next shot is by far my favorite.

Check out these images in the July issue of Her Life.  And be sure to check out Style and Grace in
Hawthorne Plaza.  They're located at 4837 West 119th Street in Overland Park. 

It's July!

And the newest issue of Her Life Magazine is out.

 
(UGH!  What's with TypePad?  Some of these images look a little crunchy!  Click on them to see how they're supposed to look and I'll try to get it figured out.)

I've been fortunate enough to work with our cover girl more than once.  Cindy McClain, along with her husband Ken, are the force behind the revival of the Independence Square.  In addition to owning over a dozen businesses Cindy and Ken are the parents of six children, which is why we call her our jack of all trades.


Not only did I photograph Cindy for the magazine, but I shot a look book for her this spring featuring several of her businesses.  I posted a few images here.   And below are a few more favorites from the look book shoot.

So, who wants to go bowling?  :o}

 
I had a blast working with Cindy.  She's a beautiful woman with a creative mind and she's so unbelievably driven.  Her story, written by my dear friend Kristen Doyle, is one you don't want to miss.  If you don't see the magazine when you're out and about you can download it directly from the Her Life website.

And be sure to check out the Independence Square.  It's literally a hop, skip and a jump from the Plaza.  It's a wonderful place for an afternoon of shopping with your girlfriends, a fun night out with friends or a romantic date with you man.  (Hint...Hint...Mr. Morrow!  Ophelia's is calling my name.) 

The Return of the Fairy Godmother

I had the TV on in the other room this afternoon when I heard someone say, "Kansas City's Fairy Godmother".  I raced to the remote to turn it up and saw none other than Miss Pam DiCapo of Lauren Alexandra.  The Her Life Magazine June cover girl was on Fox 4 News at Noon. 

Seeing Pam on the news reminded me that I forgot to blog the rest of our session.  It seems like we shoot so far in advance that by the time the magazine is actually out I've forgotten to blog the rest of the images.   And we have some great ones! 

Here's the image from the cover. 

How ridiculously cute is this little sofa?  It sits at Pam's dining room table and I want it sooooooo bad.  Pam, if it ever turns up missing, don't come looking at my blog, okay, honey?  I love that she let me drag it out in the middle of the street.  (Thanks to Kevin from Tivol for his help lugging it around.  He also brought the amazing jewels Pam wore.  Can you say TO DIE FOR?)

At one point during the shoot we were setting something up and Pam turns to me and says, "Do you think that's too much?  Is it too over the top?"  Okay...seriously.  You're Pam DiCapo and you're asking Heather Morrow if something is too over the top?  UH...HELLO!  Is that even a question?  We just looked at each other, grinned and busted out laughing.  Too over the top, puh-lease...

And can you believe the overload of adorableness that is this baby?  When Pam told me she was "borrowing a baby" from one of her favorite customers I knew we'd have a great time.  Thanks to Anna for bringing Mary Jane out for some afternoon fun.  She's a little doll!

Pam is one of the only adults I know who can get away with wearing a tutu.  TO WORK!  She's got a cool job, doesn't she? 


So, if you've got a baby, know someone who's having a baby or just plain love babies you MUST visit Lauren Alexandra in either Brookside or Briarcliff Village.  And Moms, it's a great place to shop for photo shoot clothing!  Be sure to tell Pam you're shooting with me and she'll put together THE PERFECT outfit for your wee one.

And don't forget you can download the entire magazine by visiting the Her Life website.

Until next time, have a terrific day!
H