the hocus focus photo blog

Inspiring Moms

I recently attended a Her Life Magazine cocktail party at Cafe Trio where I was introduced to Amy Davis of Inspiring Moms.

Last week Amy graciously invited me to attend her Inspiring Moms seminar. 

A mother of seven children, Amy realized after having her first child that college prepared her for lots of careers, but motherhood was not one of them.  Amy said she remembers her friends and family telling her she would be a great mother and that she was bound to be "a natural".  Amy also says that good wishes and best intentions only take you so far and that most people's natural instincts don't tell them how to juggle real situations like trying to wrangle a toddler on the go and comfort a baby who screams every time you put her down for a nap.

Amy began to think of motherhood as a profession.  Her practical parenting experience, extensive research and education have led her to what she calls her "eighth child".  Inspiring Moms - Raising Success & Happiness.  Amy says that when you approach motherhood like a profession, you will grow in confidence, control and happiness.  And Heather says, "when Momma's happy, everybody's happy."

Amy points out in her seminar that Starbucks provides something like 3 weeks of training for their baristas.  We're talking about people who make coffee for a living.  And you all know how serious I am about my coffee so I'm NOT knocking that profession AT ALL, but I do think it's a bit easier to screw up a child than my non-fat caramel latte.  Being a mother is THE most important job a woman can have.  And what kind of training do we get?   It's kind of a joke if you really think about it.

What is no joke is the amazing information and motivation I got from the Inspiring Moms seminar.  Amy has an amazing energy with which she approaches life and motherhood and it's contagious.  I walked away from that seminar with a new outlook on motherhood and even more important - practical ways to effect change in my family.  What I love about Inspiring Moms is that isn't not just another motivational speech where you get all hyped up and then do nothing about it.  Before the seminar you take a quick online assessment test.  Those results are given to you at the seminar and based on your personal results Amy works with you to create a plan of action finding simple, effective ways to enjoy your "career" as a mom and raise a happier family.

Whether you have children or you're expecting them Amy's seminar is a MUST!  Once you've attended the seminar you can attend one of Amy's Best Practice Workshops, where you and Amy, along with other moms, discuss simple, yet effective ways to make your job as a mother easier and more enjoyable.  And let me tell you Amy is a GENIUS when it comes to raising children with success and happiness (and not pulling her hair out along the way).  Now that I've taken the seminar I can't wait to participate in one of the workshops. 

Amy, thank you from the bottom of my heart for having me at this seminar.  (My husband and daughters thank you, too!)  I feel blessed to have met you and will definitely see you soon at a Best Practice Workshop.  Success and Happiness, here I come! 

Much love,
H

What the French, Toast?

So, as you know it's been a long, chaotic holiday season for me.  And what do I do to unwind?  I sit on the couch with my husband and laugh my ass off at funny commercials like this one.

We Tivo'd Funniest Commercials of the Year 2007 and  OMG!  We've watched this Orbit Gum commercial about 863 times and haven't gone more than 2.4 minutes without saying, "What the French, Toast?" or calling each other a "Lint Licker".

Ahhhh.  Good times.

And by the way, if you haven't had that Raspberry Mint gum, you MUST try it.  It's one of my faves!

Move Over Betty Jayne!

A couple of months ago Beth came over for my regular manicure.  She pulls in the driveway, comes running, no make that sprinting, into the house and says, "Grab your wallet.  Get in the car.  We gotta go.  NOW!"  Chris just looks at me and says, "Oh, no.  This CAN'T be good."  Beth repeats herself and this time I know SHE AIN'T PLAYIN'.  The situation was urgent...whatever it was.  So I did as she demanded.  I grab my wallet.  I get in the car.  And we go. 

We head down my street and around the corner like we're in turn four of the last lap of the Indy 500.  While I'm holding on for dear life, wondering if I should have told my husband and kids I loved them one last time we make another turn and as Beth begins to pull over I catch a little glimpse of what the hell was just so damn important to her.  I looked at it.  I looked at Beth.  She looked at me and at that moment words were just not necessary.  It was love at first sight.  And when I heard those three little words I thought I'd died and gone to Heaven.  I know what you're thinking, but this was way better than "I love you".  It was even sweeter.  And way more powerful.  Life changing, in fact.  We're talking three little words to stop you in your tracks, take your breath away and melt. your. heart.

TWENTY.  FIVE.  DOLLARS.

SHUT!  UP!  You heard me.  TWENTY!  FIVE!  DOLLARS!  Do you people KNOW how excited I am? 

And how much I love Beth (Her Royal Highness, Queen of the Garage Sale Find) for finding it for me?

And how excited I was to finally use it on a photo shoot?  We're going to chop off the legs and get something a little more funky, but in the mean time I had to give it a whirl. 

You've all seen Betty Jayne (the black leather trunk I love so much).  I got her for $60 at a local thrift shop and don't know how I ever lived without her.  I'm always on the lookout for cool furniture (that will fit in the back of my Jeep) so if you're ever out and about and see something you think I might not be able to live without call me or send me a picture and if I love it I'll hook you up with a sweet deal on your next photo shoot. 

Oh, and in case you're wondering how Betty Jayne got her name I found an old shipping label on the side trunk that was addressed to Miss Betty Jayne Frass.  Doesn't she just sound too sweet for words?   

I guess maybe we should name the zebra chair.  Any suggestions?

Another One from the Archives

YOU'RE GETTING HUNGRY.  YOU'RE GETTING VERRRRRRRRY, VERRRRRRRRRY HUNGRY.  (You'll just have to imagine me using my best hypnotist voice here.)



These were shot for The Doughnut Factory in celebration of their fifth decade in business.  I spent the day with the Whitney and "The Nicks".  No, not the Knicks - The Nicks.  Whitney is a dear friend and a portrait client of mine.  The Doughnut Factory was started by her grandfather, Poppa Nick and later taken over by her dad, Nick, who now works along side his son Nick (aka Nicky).  The Nicks were so much fun and I swear they make THE BEST doughnuts in town.  From scratch.  By hand.  Every day.  And these days, that's rare.

So after shooting these images and consuming almost every doughnut you see here Whitney and I got a little slap happy from the massive sugar rush and decided to make these. 


It's been over a year since I shot these, but I ran across them while raiding a hard drive for some other old files and I couldn't resist the urge to share.  And tomorrow morning I'll be making a trip to The Doughnut Factory to get my fix!   Seriously, you have no idea the power a hot, fresh doughnut has over me, especially the old fashioned sour cream kind.  Now, you'll have to excuse me while I'll wipe the drool from my keyboard. 

Visit the Doughnut Factory at the following locations and tell them Hocus Focus Heather sent you:

9408 Johnson Drive in Merriam
11916 Strang Line Road in Olathe

ENJOY!
H  

Favorite Things

With the holidays right around the corner I've been thinking about what I'll give all the special peeps on my list.  Here are some of my favorite things.

Superstar Candles by The Tyler Candle Co. from Sue Patrick
Holy Crap Eraser from Paper Source
Flocked Wallpaper Journals from See Jane Work 
Home/Work/Play Notepad from Knock Knock
Tiered Long Sleeve Coat from Free People
French Manicure Pen from Sephora
Keurig Platinum B70 Coffee Maker from Amazon.com
All Wrapped Up Cardigan from Anthropologie
Gift Certificates from Piperlime
Beach Glass Inspired Rings from Waterfall
White Sapphire Ring from Pineapple Seed
Circle Earrings from Pineapple Seed
Magazine Subscriptions from Domino, Blueprint, Real Simple, Spaces, Wondertime and KC Magazine

And for my photographer friends:
Custom Camera Straps from My Funky Camera

 

She Does What?

So, Beth just left my house.  Most of you know Beth as my assistant, but she also owns her own business.  A business that I think is utterly brilliant. 

After working so hard for the last few months I took a break today to have a manicure.  On my couch.  With a mug of hot chocolate (that included lots of marshmallows and a candy cane, because I'm all out of vodka).  All while watching our first snow fall of the year.  Let me just say that if I were any more relaxed I'd likely slip into a coma and not wake up until after the New Year. 

Beth is the owner of A Perfect Ten (or Twenty), which is Kansas City's most kick butt (okay - I'm really supposed to say PREMIER, even though kick butt sounded better and I don't know why she doesn't put that on her brochures) mobile nail salon.   She comes to YOU!  Not only are my nails in better shape than ever before (those of you who saw me last week when I had skipped my bi-weekly appointment might dispute this statement, but I swear it's true) and I don't even have to leave my house.

Beth was recently featured in Kansas City Small Business Monthly and you may have heard about her on Mix 93.3.  DJ Jenny Matthews another big fan.  Check out Beth's website and her blog, The News at 10.  She's got some holiday specials and her services make a great gift.  It's especially nice when you've got kids and you can't find a sitter and don't want to drag your little nuggets to the salon with you.

Also, stay tuned for an upcoming contest for which we'll have a fabulous giveaway!

Until then, Happy Thursday!
H 

What Makes Me a Night Owl

Most of my clients know I'm a night owl.  It's rare that I go to bed before 2am.  That's when I do my best work.  Everyone else in the house is sound asleep.  It's just me, my coffee and my computer (and usually my iPod or some bad late night TV) and I'm working away.  Many of you have gotten those late night (or should I say early morning) emails that are so typical of me, and now you know why...I consume WAY TOO MUCH coffee!

I've been doing a bit of commercial and editorial work lately and I'm just LOVING IT!  I recently shot for one of my favorite local spots, Black Dog Coffeehouse.  Becki and the crew there are just amazing.  I've displayed my work there in the past and it's just a great place to hang out.  Here are a few from our most recent shoot.

The House Specialties.

The tools of the trade.

Patience, Heather.  Patience.

Ahhhh, the sweet ingredient.

And the finished product.

And I dug these up while I was searching for some old files on an external hard drive.  We shot these in 2005.   

I've got these last two shots framed as 18x24s in my dining room and I'm thinking I'll print a few of the new ones as well.  (Fine Art prints are available.  Just email me for details.)

Counting Her Blessings

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Miss Kelly Littmann of Farmstead Lifestyle.  Kelly has an amazing story and I feel like a better person for having met her.  In just the small amount of time I spent with her I learned a very important lesson.  Count your blessings.  And count them one day at a time. 

Kelly owns Farmstead Lifestyle, a boutique in the historic Liberty Square.  Farmstead is filled with interiors, antiquities, jewels, clothing, inspiration and more (and a pair of cowboy boots I'm dying to bring home - just as soon as she gets them in my size). 

I photographed Kelly for Her Life Magazine at her Missouri farm house.  A lovely home, a barn and carriage house, a riding arena and lots of gorgeous trees filled Kelly and her husband's 30 plus acre estate, which would not be complete without Kelly's beautiful horses.  I won't spill too much of Kelly's story because I want you to read about her in the magazine, but let me just say I'm honored to now call her a friend.  She's a beautiful woman - inside and out, so full of energy, passion and love.

Meet my friend Kelly.

We also had the pleasure of working with makeup artist Karin Barragato of KAE Makeup, who did a fabulous job of making Kelly look her best.  Even if you're just having family portraits done I would highly recommend using a makeup artist.  Not only will you feel fantastic after being pampered but you'll look like a million bucks, too!  There's a big difference between everyday makeup and camera makeup and Karin is AMAZING!  I plan to use her for our family portraits this fall. 

Wishing you all a day filled with more blessings than you can count.
H

Garage Sale Freebie

You gotta love those random garage sale finds.  Especially when they're FREE! 

Oh, and I'm talking about the umbrella.  Not the kid.  :o)

Happy Monday!
H

Denim, Envy and This Really Small World

If you haven't been to Envy yet, you need to run.  Don't walk. 

Run. 

Fast.

I stumbled upon this darling women's boutique the other day and snatched up an amazing pair of jeans they had on sale.  For those of you who don't know, I have a serious addiction to designer jeans.  It's a slightly unhealthy addiction/obsession, but it IS legal so I keep telling myself that things could be worse.

Envy is currently located in Historic Downtown Overland Park but will be relocating to Park Place in Leawood sometime in the future.  Established in February of 2006 Envy is owned by Susan Wilson and her daughters Lindsey Wilson and Courtney Kopmeyer. 

While I've only met Lindsey (and she's as sweet as can be) I did find out that her sister Courtney is married to the nephew of Brenda Kopmeyer-Kasper of ie Handmade, who I did some work for a few years ago.  I shot Brenda's daughter Whitney for the ie Handmade website and I've also been shooting Whitney's boys for a couple of years now.  Both of them are on the website and the youngest is also here on the blog.  What a small world! 

Envy is now one of my favorite boutiques.  For you moms and seniors searching for the perfect wardrobe for your photo shoot, you've got to stop by Envy.  There you just can't go wrong!  You can shop in the store, online and you'll also find them at the Junior League Holiday Mart October 18-21 along with myself and tons of fabulous other vendors.