hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

Pedicures for Ann

This morning I received an email from my dear friend Kathy Minor.  I've known Kathy for several years and through her I met Ann Schierts.  I don't know Ann well, but I know her well enough to be able to say she is without a doubt one of the strongest, most faithful, beautiful women I've ever met.  You'll be hard pressed to find someone with a heart like hers.

I believe it was in 2002 that Ann was first diagnosed with breast cancer and last year she began to chronicle her journey on her blog.  No matter what life throws at her, Ann remains positive and is absolutely selfless. 

I know I've got fabulous blog readers with kind hearts who also happen to love a good pedicure.  I'm sure you're wondering how all this relates.  To assist the Schierts family with their mounding medical expenses, the lovely people at Nails Mirage in Shawnee are kindly donating a portion of the proceeds from the pedicures given to "friends of Ann" from July 21 through July 24.

Nails Mirage will take walk-ins, but for staffing purposes would love for you to call ahead and make an appointment.  Be sure to mention "Pedicure for Ann" when you're there so they can keep an accurate count.    Mark the calendar, round up your girlfriends and go!  As the email said, fun, fellowship and fabulous feet are just a call away!

Nails Mirage is located near K-7 and Johnson Drive.

5432 Roberts Street, Shawnee, KS 66226  913.422.4471  

Us

Oops!  I've facebooked this and I've flickr'd it, but I just realized I've never actually blogged it.  Being a photographer you'd think I would have oodles and oodles of family photos, right? 

WRONG. 

I'm always behind the camera and never in front of it, but my best friend is a photographer so you'd think we would just get together and shoot each other's familys, right? 

WRONG. 

Misty Bull and I have been friends for over five years and every year we say we're going to get together and shoot each other's families, but we never do.  We both get so busy shooting clients that we never make time for ourselves, but last fall we finally decided to practice what we preach.  I shot her and she shot me.  (Sounds painful, huh?)  Here is the result of Misty's hard work...and trust me when I say she WORKED to get this shot.  My clients are always worried about whether or not their kids will cooperate for photos.  Sometimes they do.  Sometimes they don't.  And mine are no different.  Misty worked her magic while my kids cooperated for a split second and then they just wanted to play with Richard and The Bull Boys because that's way more fun than being photographed. 

So, this is us.  The Morrows.  We're all punks.  But I finally have a family portrait to go in the empty frame that has hung in my living room for oh, I don't know....EIGHT MONTHS!  I found the frame at a vintage shop and instantly knew what would go in it.  It just took me a little while to fill it, but that frame now holds a gorgeous 24x36 canvas that I will forever be grateful to Misty for.  Not only because it's beautiful, but also because my mother-in-law has stopped harassing me about getting her a family photo that actually has Lucee in it.  ZOIKS!!! 

Now that I've got my family on canvas I think everyone should so we're running a canvas sale!  All fine art canvas prints will be 20% off from now until June 30.  This includes past sessions, too, so email me to have a past gallery re-activated. 

Happy Monday!
H

WHEW!

WHEW!  I have seen the light at the end of this incredibly long tunnel.  Thank you to all of my amazing clients for another fabulous (although insanely busy) year. 

In order to re-charge my batteries and re-connect with my family I'll be taking some much needed time off for the holidays and what I like to call my winter hibernation/vacation. 

The office will be closed through February 28.   We will be scheduling sessions beginning in March.   To have your name added to the list for 2009 sessions please email us with your contact information, the type of shoot you desire (senior, maternity, newborn, etc.) and the month in which you would like to shoot.  You will be contacted in February to secure your date.

Stay tuned to the blog.  I've got lots of posts set to go up over the next couple of months.  So many sessions from this year to blog and I'll be blogging some personal stuff during my hibernation/vacation as well.   

I look forward to working with all of you in 2009 and wish you and yours the happiest of holidays!

Much love,
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

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

Lost, But Not Found.

Just a note to let everyone know that if you're expecting a phone call from me today it won't be happening.  I lost my voice over the weekend and still haven't "found" it.  I'm heading to the doctor in about 30 minutes and hope to get a really good antibiotic for this nasty, nasty cold I've got.

Anybody have any good remedies for a sore throat? 

When It Rains It Pours...

A few weeks and a few meds later I'm finally starting to feel better.  Thank goodness!  I really don't know how people live with chronic pain.  Mine only lasted a few weeks, but MAN....it seriously kicked my butt. 

I'm getting back at it and editing like a mad woman.  Several galleries will be going up over the next few days and into the weekend.  I've got some major blogging to do so stay tuned for the massive blogging spree that's about to begin. 

Thank you so much for all the well wishes.  It's just amazing to me how much love I get from my clients, friends and blog readers and it means the world to me! 

Much love,
H

Why Me?

Don't mind me.  I'm just having a pity party.  I woke up this morning in excruciating pain.  My back (near my left shoulder blade) had been bugging me for about four days but today it was really, really bad.  Unbearable.  I was almost in tears.  With Chris on duty I had to take Rilee to school and I dropped Lucee off at Grandma's house before I headed to the doctor where I was diagnosed with subscapular bursitis. 

Huh?  Sub-what?  Bur-who?  We're waiting on x-rays results to rule out anything else, but my doctor is pretty certain this is what it is.  It's basically the inflammation of a fluid filled sac located between tissues such as bone, muscle, tendons and skin, that decreases rubbing, friction and irritation.  Being on the computer is incredibly painful as is shooting.  (You've all seen the crazy positions I stand in when I shoot...)

Seriously?  Haven't I paid my dues this year?  Bells Palsy sucked.  BIG TIME.  And now this?  I don't have time to be out of commission like this.  I've been told it should just be temporary and hopefully the meds I have will kick in soon.  Today was miserable so I guess it can only get better tomorrow. 

Thanks for letting me whine.  I hope to be blogging a bunch of sessions soon.  I've been editing like mad and can't wait to share.