the hocus focus photo blog

Stops Along The Way

Misty and I made a few stops along the way to Michigan.  You all know I rarely post pictures of myself, but I couldn't NOT share this one.  Misty shot this somewhere in Missouri.  I don't remember what town we were in, but never in all my travels have I seen a town that so clearly marks where you'll find a restroom.  If you're ever headed North on I-35 from Kansas City and you're in need of a restroom just look for this sign.

And if you would have heard the British guy who lives inside my GPS telling us to take a right on Missouri PP, you'd have PP'd your pants like we almost did.  (Really, it doesn't take much to entertain the two of us.)

We're having an amazing time in Michigan.  The workshop is unbelievable!  A lot has changed since the last one we attended.  We've learned so, so much from Patrick and Brianna and we've met some super cool photographers who traveled from all over the US, Canada and even Australia.  I can't wait to get back to Kansas City and start using what I've learned.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll find some time to post a few workshop images. 

Stay tuned.  Who knows what we might find on our way home! 
H

Road Trip!

This weekend, Misty and I are road tripping it to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend the Brianna Graham workshop.  It's a ten hour drive and we're looking forward to actually being able to carry on a conversation that lasts more than 60 seconds.  Between the two of us we've got six kids and an uninterrupted phone conversation is practically unheard of for us. 

This will be our second time attending the workshop and we couldn't be more excited.  Partly because there have been some changes to the content since we went, but even more importantly because we're so excited to hang out with Brianna and her husband, Patrick.  They are amazing people.  Wickedly talented, incredibly giving, so down to earth and just plain fun to be around.  The workshop last year was seriously amazing.  Life changing.  I've said before that I would have paid double the price because I learned so much and I still think that today. 

I'll have very limited access to email and voicemail.  Messages will be returned when I return on Thursday, May 1.  (Is it seriously almost May?  Seriously?  Where the heck did April go?)

Several print orders (Kelly, Kristina, Mary Anne) will be arriving while I'm gone.  I'll get those prepped and ready for delivery on Friday, May 2.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!
H 

Me and My Snotty Nose

I'm still fighting this nasty cold, but me and my snotty nose had a busy weekend.  I made my second trip to the Kansas City Power and Light District, which is amazing.   My first trip was with Chris and the girls to see the Disney Princesses on Ice, which was great and all, but this time it was just the grown ups so I really got to take it all in. 

I joined Lindsay and Brandy for dinner Friday at Tango Sed Cantina, which was awesome!  We chatted with the crew from Mix 93 while we were there.  Jenny Matthews was broadcasting live while Rocket and Ponch were celebrating Ponch's birthday weekend.   {Happy Birthday, Ponch!}

After dinner we headed to the not yet open Mosaic Lounge for an incredible party hosted by Will Gregory Public Relations.  Mosaic was amazing...very South Beach - fantastic decor, great music and an unbelievable outdoor balcony.  (And of course I couldn't go to a party without something new and fabulous to wear so I made a little pit stop beforehand at The Uptown Boutique on The Independence Square.  Thanks to Courtney, who helped me find the perfect Lewis Cho dress...and it was practically a steal!)

Stay tuned for some exciting news about The Independence Square.  I'm bursting at the seams, but not quite ready to let it all out yet.

Wishing you a wonderful day!
H

 

Chalk & Awe

To quote ESPN.com it was pure CHALK and AWE, baby!

It's the eve of Lucee's fourth birthday so we spent most of the night watching Curious George (at the request of the birthday girl), but we were able to tune in for the last four minutes of regulation play and the killer OT in which the Kansas Jayhawks stomped on the Memphis Tigers. 

Chris is working tonight and was actually at Allen Field House during the game, which he said was absolutely insane.  He got the chance to call me shortly after the game and said Lawrence is going crazy right now!  KU canceled classes tomorrow to celebrate the victory.  I have a feeling the night is just getting started!  I hope you get some sleep, honey!  See you in the morning!

GO JAYHAWKS!

*Photo by Eric Gay/AP

Sniff Sniff

I'm fighting off the makings of a nasty cold today.  My head is pounding, my throat is killing me and my eyes feel like they're going to pop out of my head.  I'm gettin' crazy with the Vitamin C and trying to get lots of rest in hopes of feeling better soon. 

I'll be replying to emails and phone calls tomorrow.  Thanks for your patience! 
H

Are You Connected?

I'm a big believer in the power of networking and personal connections.  I've recently joined Facebook and LinkedIn and even MySpace (YIKES!) in an effort to be more connected.  If you're active on any of those networks I'd love to get connected.  Check out my profiles and add me to your connections!

Heather Morrow on Facebook
Heather Morrow on LinkedIn
Heather Morrow on MySpace 

(Now, keep in mind I have no idea what I'm doing on MySpace.  I'm a blogger but I joined because Lindsay and Brandy swear it's a great way to connect with other local businesses.)

And speaking of Brandy...

Brandy Barrish is the advertising sales guru for Her Life Magazine.  We met up on the Plaza last week to snap a few shots of her for the magazine's media kit.  Isn't she gorgeous?  I would seriously kill for that hair!

Oh, Yeah...

In case you hadn't noticed, WE HAVE A BRAND SPANKING NEW WEBSITE!  It's been a long time in the making and I can't take credit for it, but I'm beyond thrilled with the way it all came together.

I'd love to hear your thoughts so take a peek, see if you recognize anyone and drop me a line to let me know what you think.  And check back often as I'll be updating the galleries on a regular basis. 

Have a terrific weekend!
H

Talk About MUST SEE TV!

It's a small, small world, friends!  This is a long story and there's no way to make it short, so forgive me for being long winded.  But hey, it is MY blog, isn't it?  *wink*wink*   

April 2006 - I was at a local coffee shop with my girls.  Sitting next to us was a table of young women, a camera man and another woman sitting by herself just one table away.  I noticed the camera man moving around to shoot from different angles and I asked if we were in the way.  The woman sitting by herself spoke up and reassured us that we were fine and that there was no need to move.  She introduced herself as Sharon Liese and told me she was filming a documentary about 12 girls and their journey through high school.  I told her I was a photographer and we exchanged business cards.  Not sure where the documentary was headed, she offered to keep in touch and I told her I'd love to know what came of her work and would also love to be considered if they had a need for any publicity shots. 

April 2007 - Sharon emailed and said the documentary was in the editing phase and that my kids were actually in the background of a scene at the coffee shop.  She asked if I would be willing to sign a release allowing that footage to be used.  I signed it and she said she would keep me posted.

February 2008 - Sharon emailed again.  This time she had incredible news.  Her documentary, which had been named High School Confidential, was picked up by We TV!  (HOLY CRAP!  THAT'S FREAKING FANTASTIC!)  She wanted me to know the series premier would be on March 10, but that I might find particular interest in the episode on March 17 as my kids will be in a quick background scene.  It was filmed almost two years ago so the chances of them being recognized by now are slim to none, but still....how awesome is that! 

As soon as I read Sharon's email I immediately called Lindsay, the publisher of Her Life Magazine.  Lindsay is always in search of inspirational, Kansas City women to feature in the magazine and I just knew Sharon's story had to be told.  Her very first attempt at a documentary, which took more than four years, had been picked up by a national network!  That doesn't happen every day. 

A few phone calls and emails and we were all set.  Sharon and six out of the 12 girls would join us in Lawrence for the cover shoot.  We had scouted the most amazing locations to shoot and I was so excited to see this project come together.  For Sharon, for the magazine and for myself. 

The night before the shoot my vision rapidly declined to the point that I could hardly see ANYTHING out of my right eye, a condition due to that pesky case of Bell's Palsy I had come down with.  It was devastating to hear from my ophthalmologist that I couldn't shoot and that there was nothing he could do to fix it.  I had orchestrated this whole shoot.  I met Sharon.  I told Lindsay of the story and it's need to to published.  I scouted the locations.  I was ready.  I was more than ready.  I was flipping out.  Over the moon excited is more like it.  But I couldn't do the shoot.  I just couldn't see.  And obviously a photographer needs to see.  And no matter how sophisticated an auto focus system was, is wasn't good enough for my practically blind eye.  Even today I cannot find the words to explain how devastated I was to not be part of this project.  We found another photographer to do the shoot, but it was absolutely crushing for me. 

After I wallowed in self pity for a while several of my dear friends reminded me that when one door closes another one opens.  And you know what?  They were right. 

I recently had the chance to shoot Crystle, a High School Confidential cast member who also happens to be a model.  Crystle modeled clothes from Uptown Boutique for the Her Life Magazine fashion spread.  And she TOTALLY ROCKED IT OUT!  I had a great time getting to know Crystle, who will soon be heading to Singapore for three months on a modeling contract.  She was excited to finally get to shoot with me and I felt the same way about her.  We had a great time and are planning to shoot again before she leaves.  Check out a few images from our quick (cloudy and rainy) afternoon together.  (A big thanks to my girl Melissa at the MAC store on the Country Club Plaza for the killer makeup job!)

And be sure to tune in to HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL on Monday, March 10 at 9pm Central on WeTV!  Congratulations, Sharon!  I can't wait to see the show!

What A Long Month...

Even though February was only 29 days long I think it was officially the longest month of my life!  This Bell's Palsy kicked my ass.  But then I put on my big girl panties and kicked it right back.

I've been seeing Dr. Deb Bigogno of Inner Wisdom Healing Center and thanks to her I'm almost fully recovered.  I still have a few more weeks of treatment, but you would not believe the difference she's made in my condition...even after the very first visit.  She's amazing!  Dr. Deb, as most people call her, is a chiropractor who specializes in Network Spinal Analysis (NSA). 

I had the pleasure of photographing Dr. Deb for the first issue of Her Life Magazine, which is how I came to know her.  I had originally called her about acupuncture after hearing that it was helpful in the treatment of Bell's Palsy.  Dr. Deb told me that she didn't do acupuncture, but that she'd like to see me anyway as she thought NSA would help. 

We started with a scan of my spine that looked at nerve inflammation and irritation as well as muscle imbalances.  Then she began treatments based on the findings of my scan (which basically told her that in addition to my BP, my spine was WHACKED OUT!).  There was no yanking, jerking or popping - just a series of low force touches to the specific areas of the spine that dissipate tension from the spine and nerves.  After the very first treatment I showed major improvements with all of my symptoms.  My eye was closing more, my mouth began moving more, my neck and facial pain was gone and my vision has improved.  With each treatment I continue to improve and am so excited to say that I'm ready to get back to work.  Dr. Deb has made such a big difference with my Bell's Palsy, but also alleviated a lot of my pre-existing neck and back pain.  I've been sleeping better, which is so rare for me.  The first few times I saw her I came home and was ready for bed by 7:00.  And anyone who's ever read this blog knows that alone, is nothing short of miraculous.  Before seeing Dr. Deb I was more likely to go to bed at 7AM than at 7PM!

As you can imagine I have oodles and oodles of emails and phone calls to return.  Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me, sent well wishes, cards and flowers and even brought me cupcakes (Monica).  I cannot tell you what your support means to me.  I'll be working hard over the next few days to get emails and calls returned and will soon be opening up the calendar and booking.  YEAH!  You have no idea how excited I am to begin shooting again! 

Before I returned to shooting I had to have a test shoot so I grabbed my partner in crime and we headed out for what would be a super quick itty bitty mini-mini-mini session.  I think it lasted all of 20 minutes but, WOW, was she good to me or was she good to me!!!



While I love these in black and white they just don't do our location (or her outfit) justice.  Check them out in color!  These may end up on canvas in her room.  (If we can find the wall space...)


And one last shot of MY snuggle bug with HER snuggle bug. 

Told ya she was good to me!  It felt great to get out and shoot.  Even though it was quick I just needed my fix!  Now being on the computer is a whole 'nother story.  I really have to limit my time on the computer or my neck starts to bother me, but my between Dr. Deb and my awesome husband who never says no when I ask for a massage, we're working that out.   

Until next time...

Much love,
H

A Cupcake A Day...

A cupcake a day keeps the Bell's Palsy away.

Thanks to Monica, who brought me these amazingly delicious and absolutely adorable pink cupcakes!  I've eaten (at least) one a day since she brought them and against my will I've even shared a few with my family.  I tried to tell the girls the clear sugar sprinkled on top was "special medicine" just for mommy, but they insisted I was lying.  DAMN!  I hate it when they outsmart me.

But I love Monica for her thoughtfulness and her amazing friendship.  It was great to get out of the house and feel like a real live human again!  You're the best!

Have a terrific day, everyone!
H