hocus outta focus

Make This Her Best Mother's Day Ever!

Fellas, I've got your back. Ladies, I've got yours, too.

Make this her best Mother's Day ever! Give the gift of portraits. 

And ladies, I don't know about you, but I'm not above dropping those not-so-subtle hints. There's one sure way to get exactly what you want for Mother's Day... JUST ASK FOR IT! 

Are you on facebook? Be sure to like our facebook page and suggest it to your friends. You'll receive an additional $50 print credit for each friend who purchases a Mother's Day gift certificate.

Call or email us to purchase your gift certificate today! This special offer ends April 27, 2011.

Eye Candy Overload

I love my winter break! It's the time of year when I unwind, reorganize, recharge and fill my heart and soul with inspiration. You all know I love vintage shopping and I've done my share of that this winter.

My latest obsession - Pinterest. Unlike other social media, it's mostly visual rather than 'who's doing what'. Pinterest lets you create virtual bulletin/inspiration boards, follow the boards of others and "re-pin" what they've pinned to their boards. Not only can you create and follow these inspiration boards you'll find the links to where it all comes from. I've discovered so many new blogs and sites I've never ever heard of. My head is spinning. In a good way. I've got boards for photography, food, fashion, interior design, quotes, do-it-yourself projects and more.

Here are just a few of the visual treasures I've found on Pinterest.

via so adorable

via casasugar

(source unknown-bummer)

via etsy

via the life of polarn per

And I've just barely dug in. The eye candy is un-ending. Follow me on Pinterest to see what catches my eye next! But don't say I didn't warn you.

Happy pinning!

H

Spread The Message

I came across this link today and shared it on facebook, but thought it was well worth posting here too. Blogger Vicky Bell shared the letter she wrote to her daughter in the wake of a senseless tragedy. A New Jersey college student killed himself last week because his room-mate had posted videotape of him having sex with another guy.

Vicky's words ring true for all of us. Whether your children are 18 or 8, there's a message to be shared. A very important one. I will be writing to my daughters this weekend and I hope you, too, will share with yours. Whether it's a written letter or a simple discussion, this message needs to be delivered.

Bullying. Must. Stop. 

(Don't forget you can share any of our posts on twitter or facebook with just the click of a button.  Like what you see?  Leave some love in the comment section...we love hearing from you!)

Dance It Out, Player

For years my gangster shirt has been a favorite - a real conversation starter.  Especially when I forget I have it on and show up to help out at my daughter's school.  Nice, huh?  Where's my mom of the year award?  I also have a DAMN, IT FEELS GOOD TO BE A GANGSTER sticker on my laptop.  It gets quite a few giggles and smiles and an occasional thumbs up from across the coffee shop when I'm out and people stop to read it.  

A while back The Smash Site changed their name to Raygun and they have a couple of news shirts that might just be my new faves.

Dance It Out, Bitch. 

I'm Not A Player, I Just Blog A Lot.

I think I'll be ordering these soon!

I Hate Goodbyes

If I've photographed you in the past year, you've likely met her.  She's a client, turned intern, turned dear, dear friend.  I was thrilled to get to photograph Genna in the summer of 2009 and even more thrilled to learn she had an interest in photography. 


 

It wasn't long into her senior portrait session when I offered her my 2009-2010 intern position.  She's been invaluable to me this last year, taking time to join me for so many sessions.  She's a very talented photographer an absolutely incredible young woman. 

We've spent a lot of time shooting, editing, grabbing late-night dinners, chatting about photography and our love of food, fashion, music, iPhone apps and....just life in general.  We've got a lot in common and we've had a great time getting to know one another.  I've been blessed to have her in my life and I'm not the only one who adores her.  My girls are simply crazy for her, too!  Genna and her mom are like family to us. 

The three of us had a lovely dinner tonight.

In a couple of days Genna will head off to college and while I will miss her dearly, I can't wait to see what life has in store for her.  She will do great things.  I just know she will.  

I hate goodbyes, so I'll just say this...Genna, you are amazing in every way.  You are wise and strong, you are beautiful and kind and you are a gift to those who have the privilege of knowing you.  Stay true to who you are and please, please stay in touch.  

With lots of love,
H

Finally, One for the Nikon Peeps

During the Vancouver Olympic Games, Canon gifted a few lucky ducks with this 70-200mm L series lens that's not really a lens.  It's actually a coffee mug.  And y'all know how much I love my coffee.  How cool is that? 

Image credit: Photograph by Josh Weisberg and via PDNPulse

It's definitely cool, but wait...it just got a little bit cooler.

Yeah, baby!  There's a Nikon version.  It's the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 ED mug available at 100 milligrams for $23.  While I'd like to have the real thing, I think I'll go for the $23 coffee cup version rather than the $1,700 real lens version.  Unless, of course...someone is in a gifting kinda mood.  Just let me know.  B&H has my address on file.

I'm a Numbers Girl

I'm a numbers girl.  Always have been.  It's my birthday.  Born in 1975, today my number is 35.  I love birthdays!  And I love gifts.  But this gift is for you. 

Call TODAY to book an August, September or October session and you'll receive $75 off your session fee and a $35 print credit.  Calls must be received no later than 11:59pm on July 17.  Call 913.722.3046.  You'll need to leave your name and a number where you can be reached.  Calls will be returned on Monday and Tuesday in the order they were received. 

This offer will be extended to new and returning clients.  Refer a friend who also calls on July 17 to book a session and you'll receive an additional $75 print credit.

Remember, calls must be received by 11:59pm on July 17 and they will be returned on Monday and Tuesday in the order they were received.

And because I hate to post without a picture, here's me at the age of 5.  (And really???  What the hell was my mother thinking putting me in that awful dress?)

Thank goodness I've developed my own sense of style over the last 35 years.  Sheesh, that thing is hideous!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

H

I'm a numbers girl.  Always have been.  It's my birthday.  Born in 1975, today my number is 35.  I love birthdays!  And I love gifts.  But this gift is for you. 

Call TODAY to book an August, September or October session and you'll receive $75 off your session fee and a $35 print credit.  Calls must be received no later than 11:59pm on July 17.  Call 913.722.3046.  You'll need to leave your name and a number where you can be reached.  Calls will be returned on Monday and Tuesday in the order they were received. 

This offer will be extended to new and returning clients.  Refer a friend who also calls on July 17 to book a session and you'll receive an additional $75 print credit.

Remember, calls must be received by 11:59pm on July 17 and they will be returned on Monday and Tuesday in the order they were received.

And because I hate to post without a picture, here's me at the age of 5.  (And really???  What the hell was my mother thinking putting me in that awful dress?)

Thank goodness I've developed my own sense of style over the last 35 years.  Sheesh, that thing is hideous!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

H

Love and Faith

Remember that facebook post from 4:25 this morning?  I can't sleep?  I want to blog, but I can't find the right words?  Yeah, that one. 

Well, I still haven't found the right words, but I've decided there just AREN'T words.  I assisted my dear friend Kathy Minor in photographing Ann and Hal's vow renewal ceremony.  No words can adequately describe the amazing love and faith of this beautiful family so I'll just let the images speak for themselves.

 



 

I wrote about Ann on the blog last summer.  She has bravely battled cancer for quite a few years now.  Her fight has been remarkable.  She has remained strong, positive and absolutely selfless through such a heart-wrenching journey.  I could only hope to be these things on even the best of my days.  Ann and her loving husband Hal are an inspiration to me and to many others. 

As one of Ann's friends said, "God is preparing his garden for one of his most vibrant and strong flowers."  Please visit Ann's blog and keep her and her beautiful family in your prayers.

Much love,

H

Brain Purge

So much on my mind tonight, but it's all just kind of running together so here goes...

Last week Chris and I celebrated our eighth anniversary.  We had lunch at Classic Cup where I really would have fought him for the last bite of Goat and Garlic (but being the great husband he is, he let me have it).  It's a roasting of goat cheese and garlic, served with a spicy tomato sauce and olive oil bruschetta.  It's one of our favorite appetizers in all of Kansas City.

After lunch we stopped by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

We both loved David Bates : The Katrina Paintings.  Admission is free and it's a great, little afternoon getaway to help you beat the heat.  

And speaking of beating the heat...we also visited Glacé Artisan Ice Cream, the newest venture of famed Kansas City chocolatier Christopher Elbow.  I could have sampled every flavor and I think they actually would have let me, but I settled on Fleur de Sel Caramel and Salted Pretzel.  Chris had the Venezuelan Dark Chocolate and the surprisingly sophisticated Peanut Butter and Jelly.  I wasn't expecting to like that one, but it was incredible! 

To celebrate Father's Day we spent a few days camping at Crawford State Park.  Stop trying to wipe the smudges from your screens, people.  This is not a typo.  I camp.  In a tent.  Outside.  For real.  And I'll swear on the last bite of Goat and Garlic.  It was crazy hot, but we had a good time.  It's always nice to get away and just spend time together.

My birthday is coming up and I like to start celebrating early.  What better way to celebrate than to buy myself an early birthday gift, right?  I ordered this gorgeous necklace from CuteAbility.  You can't tell in this image, but it's on a 24 inch chain and she's going to add two more chains to bulk it up a bit.  I've already started planning an outfit around the necklace.  Everyone knows the foundation of every great outfit is either shoes or jewelry!  Can't wait for it to arrive.  Will post a pic of the final piece when it comes. 

And tonight, I had my first Mexican Coke, which may explain why I'm so wound up.  How have I, Heather Morrow who speaks to NO ONE until she's had a Coke in the morning, never had a MEXICAN Coke?  Have you tried it?  It's like Heaven in a bottle.

Oh, and P.S. - I hate raccoons.  Before my fast, little fingers could click the publish button I heard a noise coming from my back yard.  I swear I heard my patio furniture moving around and then I heard glass break.  HELLO, FULL ON FREAK OUT!!!  The husband is on duty and the kids are at grandma's so I called 911.  The three officers that responded found two raccoons had moved a wrought iron table on the back porch to get to the glass jar where we keep our cat food.  They knocked the jar down the stairs and were enjoying a lovely, late night meal while I was inside having a heart attack.  EFFING RACCOONS! 

I'll be sharing a couple of recent sessions this week so stay tuned.

System Overload

o·ver·load  [v. oh-ver-lohd; n. oh-ver-lohd]

-verb (used with object)

1.  to load with excess; overburden: Don't overload the raft or it will sink.

-noun

2.  an excessive load.

So, you're probably wondering where I've been...why I haven't blogged in almost a year.  Blogging was something I used to love.  I mean really, really love.  It was something that lifted me up, not weighed me down.  But things shifted.  Business was beyond hectic.  Life was simply chaotic.  And I experienced a system overload.  A personal system overload.  My raft....it did indeed sink.

Then I met Judith.  When we met I had never even heard of a life coach.  She called me because she needed to update her headshots.  As we chatted about her needs and I got to know her it struck me that she was exactly what I needed to get my raft afloat.  And thus began a beautiful relationship.  Judith helped me fine tune my goals and re-align my priorities (and created practical solutions to actually make things happen), but more importantly, she helped me re-discover what I loved about life and how to enjoy it.

In my bathroom I still have a daily reminder of the two most important things she taught me.

My calendar needed white space.  And I had to stop killing myself in pursuit of perfection and learn to occasionally settle for what was good enough.  Those two things changed me.  In more ways than you could imagine.  Blogosphere, meet Judith Benson. 

Thanks to her my raft is sailing and I'm back to blogging. 

(To learn more about Judith and her mad coaching skills, check out the Life Works Coaching website.)