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

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

A Wickedly Creative Family

I just love this family!  One of the many reasons is that they're all super creative...including the kids.  They give me such creative freedom and they're not afraid to think outside the box.  We recently sat down for their ordering session and this was the wall collection we came up with.  I'm dying to do one of these in my house.  It's definitely not your typical cookie cutter photo wall.

Three vertical 10x20s.  Most of the time I do a 10x20 as a horizontal storyboard, rather than a single image.  Not every image will work as a 10x20, but when it does you'll get a very modern feel from it.  I can't wait to see the finished product once they're hung on the wall.   I just might have to do one of those in my house.

And while I'm at it, here are a few other faves from their session.



I loved this old bus we stumbled upon.  Wish it was still there!










I had a blast shooting you guys  and can't wait to do it again.  It was great to see you last weekend and thanks for the Chef Burger recommendation.  We loved it! 

Chef Burger is located at 1350 Walnut in the Power and Light District.  If you've never been you've GOT TO GO!  Awesome gourmet burgers (I had the Hawaiian and Chris had the Texan), they make killer sweet potato fries and milkshakes.  We didn't have time for a milkshake (God forbid we show up late for Disney on Ice), but we're definitely going back because Bryan and Felice told me they do spiked milkshakes for grownups.  WOO!  HOO!

 

Happy Friday, everyone!
H

It Really is a Small World...

On a trip to Dallas last year I had drinks with a girlfriend and one of her friends.  Turns out she's from Kansas City and has family here.  Family with super cute kids!  She ended up buying them a gift certificate for a photo session with me.  This fall I had the pleasure of spending a beautiful morning with them and it turns out Dad knows a few golf pros I used to work with when I worked summers at the Overland Park Golf Course.  (Boy, was that a long time ago!  Ahhhhh, the good ol' days!)  Told ya it was a small world. 

Meet Myles and Libby and their awesome parents. 


Myles was a little unsure of me in the beginning, but it made for some wonderful images.  This is one of my faves.


And Miss Libby - no hesitation whatsoever.  Isn't she just a doll?


Libby loved playing on Mommy's lap.



While Myles was more into being like Daddy.   I love how his face just lit up at the mere sight of a golf ball. 


And the boy truly has a great swing.  Wonder where he gets that???

And after a quick round of golf he stopped for a refreshing snack. 

While his sister hung out with her dolly and continued to look cute for me.



And a little later Myles decided to conquer the playground.



Jeff and Kristen, thanks for a lovely morning!  I enjoyed getting to know your family and I look forward to seeing you again soon. 

With the holidays quickly approaching and our calendar completely full I want to remind everyone that we offer gift certificates.  The gift of portraits is always a great choice.  Gift amounts begin at $500 and include a session fee and prints.   Know someone who already had a photo session?  Post-session gift certificates begin at $150 and can be applied toward prints, fine art canvas and other specialty items.  Contact us for more information on purchasing a gift certificate.

Wishing everyone a fantastic day!
H

Another Fun Family

Another family that could be poster children for "How to Dress for Family Portraits".  The perfect example of coordinating, but not matchy-matchy.  Y'all know I'm not a white shirt and jeans kind of photographer.  I'd much rather see my clients go against the grain and be who they are.  Love all these grays together.  And how seriously cute are these kids???

I shot the littlest guy at Spoil Me Rotten when he was just learning to sit up.  Now he's toddling all over the place.  And such a lady killer! 

Big brother.  Oh, how I love freckle-faced kids! 

And big sister with her gorgeous smile (and adorable freckles, too).

Mom and Dad.  Totally in love and such great parents, too. 

And one more of the littlest guy because I just love his big ol' proud smile!   

Stacey, it was great to see you again and so nice to meet the whole family this time. 

Until next time, have a terrific day!
H

A Special Place

Last month I had the opportunity to shoot one of my favorite families in a very special place.  Little Guy wasn't exactly gung-ho for the photo opp that day, but like always, we made the best of it.  And we got some great shots in the process.  Thanks for a great day, guys!   










And here's a fun fact for you.  Kauffman Stadium is undergoing some major renovations during the off-season and the trademark Kansas City Royals scoreboard you see here is no longer standing.  Just a couple of weeks after our shoot it came down.  Check out this MLB video of some of the demolition, including the tear-down of the scoreboard and jumbotron.  WOW!  And wait until you see what's going up in place of the old one.  It's going to be amazing! 

My grandpa took me to my first Royals game when I was a kid (and to lots more after that).  He was a huge baseball fan and taught me a lot about the game so naturally, I couldn't help but think of him while I was shooting at The K.  Wish I could have taken him with me... 

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend,
H

For Monica...

Miss Monica is a self proclaimed blog stalker who has been so, so patient while I finish her images.  This was our second time working together, but the first time I shot the whole fam and I'm so glad she and hubby decided to be in the pics this time. 

These guys are poster children for "How To Dress for Family Portraits".  (I was so inspired by Monica's red heels I ran out and grabbed a funky pair for myself shortly after our session.)  She and Chad are super cool parents, totally in love with each other and so much fun to be around.   Chad surprised Monica with a gift certificate for a photo session last Mother's Day so we decided to do a fall family session. 

And speaking of family, their boys - OH THEIR BOYS!  We're talking about stop you in your tracks and melt your heart faster than Paula Deen melts a stick of butter cuteness, here people.  I won't torture Monica any longer.  Here you are lady, just a handful of my faves.  ENJOY!

 

Happy Friday, all!  Have a terrific weekend!
H

More, More, More

I loved this session.  It's another family that I've worked with for two plus years and they know how much I adore them so I'll just shut up and post. 

Big Brother.  (One of the funniest little guys I've ever met!)

Little Sis didn't exactly want to participate at this moment. 









And my absolute favorite.  Isn't she just the sweetest!!!

It's Thursday.  The kids are headed to grandma's this morning and I'll be parked in front of the computer all day editing like a mad woman all day.  Rockin' through the madness, stopping occasionally to grab another coke or another box of strawberry NERDS.  Damn, that leftover Halloween candy. 

Happy Thursday!
H

Like Family to Me

By know most of my readers know Cooper.  His mom I have known each other for years....since junior high.  (And don't even think about asking how many years ago that was.  You'll be swiftly kicked in the pants if you do.)  After school we had lost touch, but re-connected through another of my clients and quickly picked up where we left off.  Today she is one of my best friends and biggest supporters as well as my lovely assistant.  Basically, she's keeping my ass in check.  It IS INDEED a rough job, but somebody's got to do it, right Beth?

It's been a great honor to document their family journey over the last year.  They're like family to me.  Cooper is 14 months old now and toddling all over the place.  Don't ya just love him?  I sure do. 

He loves his Mommy.

He loves his Daddy.

He loves to snuggle.

He loves to crawl around and look cute.

He loves to giggle. 

He loves to play.

He loves to pose for me.

He loves to show off his strength.

He loves to suck his thumb.

And he loves to be cool.

And how could I not love him? 

Photographing the Photographer

As a photographer you're always the one BEHIND the camera and family photos with you IN them are few and far between.  Late last year I had the pleasure of working with Laura Siebert, an amazing photographer from the St. Louis area.  She came to Kansas City for a photo session with me and also photographed my family while she was here.  We had such a fabulous time working and playing together.  We have so much in common, even our husband's occupations are the same.  The only difference is that I have two girls and she has two boys.  Two very beautiful, very fun boys.