hocus outta focus : the hocus focus blog

Dancing with the....

Interns???  You've seen Ashley on the blog before.  She's one of my 2008-2009 interns and she's just fabulous.  We had a blast shooting her senior portraits.  She holds the record for the most images I've ever shot in one session and it's definitely one of my all-time favorites (hence the new blog header).    
Inside and out, Ashley is a beautiful person and I'm so lucky to have gotten to know her.  Shortly after her senior portrait session Ashley cut and donated her hair to Locks of Love.  We'll have to grab a shot of the new 'do next time we get together.   

I'll have plenty more from Ashley's session to post this week, but for now I just had to share this.  It's how we ended the session.  Her laugh and her smile are so contagious and who doesn't want to start their Monday off with a smile? 

Happy Monday!
H

Molly {Senior Portraits}

Molly was one of those people I saw and I instantly knew I wanted to photograph her.  Her personality is larger than life and her smile is oh so contagious.  We teamed up with the uber-fab Melissa Blayton for hair and makeup.  My sessions with Melissa are always so much fun and Molly had us both laughing the entire time.  I actually had a hard time getting the serious looks from her...the girl literally couldn't stop smiling.  But I love that about her. 

Well, that and her killer Chucks.

I always love the super close headshots.  Isn't she flawless!!!

I brought everyone's favorite accessory...the zebra chair.  It normally resides in my living room, but you should see the looks I get from neighbors when I lug it out to my car every other week.  They must think I'm insane.  And Melissa totally nailed it with the hair for these shots.  She is sooooo good!

We used one from this series for Molly's graduation party invitation.  Seniors, don't forget to ask about custom invitations and announcements!  This was the front of Molly's invitation.  I had so much fun designing this one.

And the last of my favorites...these are just SO MOLLY!

Molly and Nancy, it was such a pleasure to work with you and get to know both of you.  Molly, you're an incredible young woman and your love of life inspires me.  You will do great things, I'm sure of it.  Best of luck to you, dear!

H

Haley {Senior Portraits}

Haley and her mom found me through Her Life Magazine.  They traveled from Manhattan to Kansas City for her senior portraits and we had an incredible time. 

We started off the day with my favorite stylist, Melissa Blayton, for hair and makeup.  Having a stylist is something I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY (did I say highly?) recommend for ALL of my senior girls.   Professional hair and makeup will make all the difference in the world at a photo shoot.  Melissa, who is the makeup artist for the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders and the Kansas City Brigade Stunt Crew, is wickedly talented and so creative.  We have a blast working together to bring out the best in our girls.  And the girls tell me it's so much fun to feel like a ROCK STAR!



I couldn't resist the red when she pulled out this gorgeous shirt.


One of my faves.  She's flawless!


And these were also tops on my list of faves.  I was practically drooling over the light in this spot.  No, really.  Ask Haley and Sharon.  I was squealing.  :o)


 


Loved all the colors here and I played around with a few textures which is always fun!


Haley and Sharon, I had so much fun getting to know you both.  What a wonderful day we had!  Thank you so much for making the trip to Kansas City!  Haley graduates next month and I know she'll find success in whatever path she takes.  She's an amazing young woman with a very bright future ahead of her.   

Until next time,
H

Claire {Senior Portraits}

Claire is one of my all-time favorite seniors.  Look up the word style in the dictionary and you'll likely find a picture of Claire.  Seriously, is she amazing or is she amazing? 

Check out Mom and little sister Grace.  Could they BE any more beautiful?  

 

The whole family's got mad style, don't they?

Oh, how I loved this dress!  Claire calls this the Post-It dress.  (One of my favorite photographers, Jasmine Star, has a serious obsession with Post-It Notes and shopping so this dress would be like a dream come true for her.)

Another of my faves...

And this one made the homepage of my website so you know it's my absolute fave!

Now back to editing.  I'm working like CRAZY to finish up in time to actually enjoy the holidays myself.  A novel concept, I know...

Until next time,
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 

Ferriss {Senior Session}

When this senior's mom called me all she had to say were three little words and I was totally willing to squeeze her in to the already jam packed schedule.

RED HAIR and FRECKLES. 

I absolutely love shooting red heads and when you add freckles to it that just seals the deal for me.  Ferriss is such a natural beauty.  She's super sweet, has impeccable taste in clothes and I hear she kicks some serious ass on the soccer field, too.

Loved this blue!

 

And you know me, gotta work in a fire hydrant now and then. 

And a little something funky to finish it off.

Ferriss, I'm so glad we were able to work you in.  I had a fabulous time shooting and getting to know you.  Enjoy the rest of your senior year!

Until next time,
H

Jamie {Senior Portraits}

I cannot tell you how much I love shooting seniors!  Even if it is 106 degrees out.  Right, Jamie?  We sweated it out (literally) on what I think was the hottest day of the year, but we got some killer images.  Here are just a few of my faves. 

 

Thanks for braving the heat with me, Jamie!  And for the great laugh I got from the You Tube video you told me about.  I swear I watched it ten times the day you sent it to me and I'm sure I'll watch it ten more today.  SO FREAKING FUNNY!

Determined - Part II

Now that Lauren has seen her images I can share some (okay...a lot) of my faves with the rest of you.  I just loved this session.  One of my all time favorites for sure!

2009 Seniors - it's not too early to book your session.  Fall is actually a great time to shoot and come August the calendar will be filling up FAST!

Determined.

There's one question I always ask my clients before we shoot.  This one question is the quickest way for me to get to know my subject.  I want to know how a parent sees their child.  I want to be able to capture what it is they love most about their child.  For most parents it's a difficult question.  One they have to think about for quite a while, but when I asked Lauren's mom, "What one word completely sums up your daughter?" her answer came quickly.  "Determined," she said. 

After spending the day with Lauren I see why her "one word" is determined.  Lauren will graduate high school in a matter of days but she's already running her own business.  Successfully.  Lauren is horse trainer and has known that's what she wanted to do since she was three years old.  THREE YEARS OLD!  At the age of three I couldn't decide between Legos, Barbies or picking my nose, let alone nail down what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. 

Here's a little sneak peek for Lauren and her mom, whom I had a wonderful time working with. 

Lauren actually borrowed my Converse for this shot, which meant I got to wear her killer cowboy boots.  She and her mom are SOOOOOO taking me boot shopping.  Mama needs a new pair of boots, baby!   

We also shot with two of Lauren's horses, but you know me.  I can't give away all the secrets.  I just love the element of surprise. 

Lauren, I can't wait for you to see the rest.  Congratulations on your graduation.  I'd wish you luck on the next chapter of your life, but I know you won't need it.  You're determined. 

Much love,
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!