happy wednesday! as spring is coming to an end and summer begins on friday we would like to share with you a quick tutorial from nordstrom beauty stylist sarah dilks.

HOCUS FOCUS | The Style Files – Episode 1 from heather morrow on Vimeo.

thanks to our lovely model ashley and to jordan and jon haiduk for all their hard work on the video!

and a few behind the scenes shots – doesn’t sarah have the most amazing smile? it’s quite contagious, too.

whether you’re ready to update your entire beauty regimen, searching for the perfect fragrance or just a new lip color for a night on the town, call (913) 492-8111 to book an appointment with sarah and know that you’re in good hands! beauty styling is a complimentary service that nordstrom offers so don’t wait to take advantage of sarah’s expertise!

you can also stay connected with sarah on facebook and twitter.

happy wednesday!

have you seen the june issue of her life magazine? it features a fashion shoot i’m really proud of. the stars were most definitely aligned on this one and it all came together just the way i wanted.

 the impeccable wardrobe is from clique boutique in prairie village. i was able to book model angela lyman from exposure, inc.. we had our usual dream team of makeup artist melissa evans and hair stylist crystal wisniewski from soffia via. we shot at what is seriously the cutest little coffee shop in all of kansas city - hi hat coffee in westwood. and i even sweet talked my friend tricia in to assisting me. thanks, tricia!

here’s a little breakdown of each look.

on the left is a white + warren sleeveless dress with a turquoise necklace (that i’m coveting so hard) by jetcouture jewels, formerly known as jet lag jewels. (my anniversary is coming up…hint, hint, mr. morrow!) and on the right is the trina turk sangria dress with vintage pearl hoops and a bracelet, both from 74 harley street.

jetcouture jewels and 74 harley street are lines i adore and both are designed and produced right here in kansas city!

how can you not love this pink tartan polka dot dress paired with the 74 harley street necklace?

black cardigan by isda & co, alice by temperley sovereign silk top and paige verdugo skinny.

one of my favorite looks from this shoot is the paige lydia boyfriend jean paired with the christopher fischer slouchy top and elie tahari orange belt. the look is compeleted with the maddy nash indian summer clutch, another great accessory made by my friend charity ohlund here in kansas city. you have to admit, we’ve got some amazing things coming out of our town, don’t we?

another of my favorite looks from this shoot – a harvey faircloth striped dress accessorized with a jetcouture jewels carnelian necklace with a turquoise clasp.

on the left is the elie tahari peyton jacket, neely knit top and gretchen skirt paired with a jetcouture jewels salmon shell pearl necklace with a vintage clasp and on the right is the elie tahari neesa dress and a jetcouture jewels necklace of swarovski crystal and seed pearls.

i loved this shoot and i love that clique also supports so many local designers. speaking of local designers – they’re having a maddy nash trunk show on wednesday, june 26 from 4pm-7pm. i’ll be there. and you should join me.

clique is located at 6951 tomahawk road, prairie village, ks 66208 in the village shopping center. (913) 362-3030

until next time,

H

]]> http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/06/10/clique-boutique-for-her-life-magazine/feed/ 1 http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/06/10/clique-boutique-for-her-life-magazine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clique-boutique-for-her-life-magazine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hocusfocusphotoblog/~3/9IYwD39sQo4/ http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/15/on-the-other-side-of-the-camera-girls-on-the-run-for-her-life-magazine/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 13:37:18 +0000 heather morrow http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/?p=2669 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

the may issue of her life magazine features five kansas city girls on the run coaches and their daughters and for this issue i had the chance to be on both sides of the camera. i photographed four amazing women and their daughters and then had the camera turned on me.

i can’t think of a better mother’s day gift than to be featured on the cover of a magazine with my two favorite girls.

this week i will wrap up my fourth season as a girls on the run coach and i’m more passionate about the program than ever before. an experience based running program for 3rd – 8th grade girls founded by molly barker in 1996, the mission is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. girls on the run is building strong young women from the inside out. a year ago, thanks to one of the girls on the run activities our team completed, we discovered that rilee was being bullied and it was devastating. i can honestly say that if it weren’t for this program we most likely wouldn’t have known it was happening. girls on the run gave us both the tools to handle this really tough situation and i’ll be forever grateful. to be able to help spread the word and share the girls on the run message with kansas city was such an honor. i loved meeting my fellow coaches and their daughters and learning what they love about the program.

coach sharon mcdonald and her darling daughter brooklyn

coach sara elmore and her adorable daughter sydney

 coach jill cavanaugh and her lovely daughters isabella and olivia

and me with my very own girls on the run, rilee and lucee

this saturday, my team of 30 girls and the amazing coaches at our school will join sharon, april, sara, jill and almost 70 other teams in the kansas city area as we celebrate the end of our spring season by running a 5K. after 10 weeks of sharing, learning and growing i love to see our girls cross the finish line and achieve a goal they’ve worked so hard for.

to read more about my incredible fellow coaches and their girls pick up a copy of the may issue of her life. click here for a list of locations where you can find the magazine.

for more information about girls on the run, including season and 5K registration, sponsorship or becoming a volunteer, visit the girls on the run of greater kansas city website.

i want to give an extra big thank you to the crew that made this shoot happen – lindsay aydelotte and chandra blackwell of her life magazine for telling the story so well, hair stylists carli cunningham and alli cox of double take salon and day spa, makeup artists melissa evans, drew proud and heidi bowles and my dear friend tracy routh for photographing me and my girls.

i’m usually not a fan of being on the other side of the camera, but doing so with all these strong, confident, encouraging girls was so much fun!

]]> http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/15/on-the-other-side-of-the-camera-girls-on-the-run-for-her-life-magazine/feed/ 0 http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/15/on-the-other-side-of-the-camera-girls-on-the-run-for-her-life-magazine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=on-the-other-side-of-the-camera-girls-on-the-run-for-her-life-magazine http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hocusfocusphotoblog/~3/9pLPTOiUTrQ/ http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/14/the-mankameyer-family-kansas-city-family-photographer/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 03:50:51 +0000 heather morrow http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/?p=2653 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

from erin and brian’s engagement session to their wedding to reese’s newborn session and now her two year session i’ve fallen in love with this adorable family.

reese has literally grown up in front of my camera. in fact, i’ve photographed her every six months since she was born. her mama, being an amazing interior designer, came up with the idea to do a series of super close up 14×14 square canvases. she created a gorgeous gallery wall in their living room and i love how it’s come together.

i love that my clients choose to decorate their home with my work. erin has a beautiful mix of art and family portraits in her home. she pulls it all together flawlessly and i can’t wait to add to the collection!

our summer schedule is filling up fast so email or call us today to schedule your next family portrait session!

it’s been so fun to watch these kids grow up and to watch their family grow. we’ve formed such a special friendship and i’m honored that they’ve chosen to have me continue to document their family. it’s a good thing there’s an empty wall across from this one because we’ll be adding to it very soon!

whether you’ve moved away from kansas city or you’re taking a trip and want a portrait session in a different city, don’t hesitate to call me. travel sessions are so much fun!

]]> http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/09/dallas-family-photographer-how-to-decorate-with-family-photos/feed/ 0 http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/09/dallas-family-photographer-how-to-decorate-with-family-photos/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dallas-family-photographer-how-to-decorate-with-family-photos http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hocusfocusphotoblog/~3/hLv1ieqi_AY/ http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/07/the-hocus-focus-senior-spokesmodel-search/#comments Tue, 07 May 2013 15:25:31 +0000 heather morrow http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/?p=2631 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

it’s that time of year! we’ve begun our annual senior spokesmodel search. we’re looking for female kansas city area high school seniors who are confident, well-connected, have a unique sense of style and are willing to help promote our senior portrait business.

spokesmodels receive exclusive discounts, amazing perks for themselves and their friends and have the opportunity to save over $300 on the senior portraits.

what are you waiting for? visit our spokesmodel page for details and APPLY TODAY!

this sweet little girl is the tiniest newborn i’ve ever photographed and she was so good to me! i had the privilege of photographing her gorgeous mama and daddy’s engagement and maternity sessions and i loved seeing them in their new role as parents. they’re madly in love with their precious little girl and it just melts my heart!

the look of awe on daddy’s face says it all. she’s officially got him wrapped around her tiny little finger.

her tiny little thumb between her two fingers is just as sweet as can be.

this beautiful mama shares an amazing bond with her own mama and her grandma and i was so happy that we were able to get them to the studio to create a four generation portrait. i have a four generation portrait with rilee on my side of the family and chris’ and they’re such special photos to me.

are you expecting? our calendar fills up quickly so it’s best to reach out to us early on in your pregnancy so we can scheduled a maternity session and pencil in your newborn session as well.

know someone who’s expecting? a gift certificate for a newborn session is the perfect shower gift! email or call us at 913.787.2527 for details.

]]> http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/06/tiny-little-one-kansas-city-newborn-photographer/feed/ 0 http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/06/tiny-little-one-kansas-city-newborn-photographer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tiny-little-one-kansas-city-newborn-photographer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hocusfocusphotoblog/~3/hROZKnIkrb8/ http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/2013/05/02/alexa-kansas-city-senior-portrait-photographer/#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 03:31:14 +0000 heather morrow http://hocusfocusphoto.com/blog/?p=2563 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

i love my high school seniors, especially this one. she also happens to be one of my cousins. we had a great time creating her senior portraits. shooting alexa was like looking back at myself in high school, without the hideous 90s hair and bad fashion.

after melissa evans did hair and makeup we started with some studio portraits. i love our crisp white wall. it makes for such a clean, classic photo.

the recycled pallet wall is always a hit.

we also snuck it a few urban shots, which i love.

and then we braved the wind and headed out to her family farm where we created some of my all-time favorite senior portraits. alexa had such a great wardrobe that we couldn’t narrow it down. our seniors love that we offer unlimited outfit changes.

and this, my friends, is what we call the golden hour. that delicious sunset light just makes me squeal!

now don’t let our genes fool you. i call myself a runner but alexa – she is a RUNNER. as in 5:30 mile RUNNER so i was really happy that she wanted to shoot in her cross country uniform.

alexa is beautiful, smart, talented, driven and focused and i can’t wait to see where the road leads her. congratulations on your upcoming graduation, alexa!

lots of love,

H

if you’re a 2013 or 2014 senior and haven’t booked your senior portraits yet email or call us at 913.787.2527 to find out how you can save up to $200 on your own session! our summer and fall schedule fills up fast so be sure to contact us today!

with graduation just around the corner for our 2013 seniors, we’re offering a print sale you don’t want to miss.

stock up on wallets to have at your graduation party!

buy three sheets, get the fourth one free.

sale ends may 12, 2013

email or call us at 913.787.2527 to place your order!

it’s finally friday! the weather in kansas city has included everything from snow to sunshine to rain this week. i can’t quite pack up my fall/winter clothes yet but i’m dying to bust out my spring wardrobe and this shoot for the april issue of her life magazine didn’t help. seeing everything lavish boutique has for spring and summer just made me long for warmer weather even more.

i’m loving all the bright colors and i’m so happy to see that the neon craze isn’t over yet.

i’m slightly obsessed with this darling cream dress and the way we accessorized it. i can’t get enough of bright colors paired with animal prints. and the high curly ponytail…such a fresh look for spring.

and can we just talk about this stunning statement necklace for a minute? i was at lavish working with angel to pull wardrobe for the shoot when i spotted it from across the store. it stopped me in my tracks. (you know me…easily distracted by all things shiny.) i told angel we simply HAD to photograph this necklace and that she might as well tell me the price because once i photographed it i had no intention of returning it. i’ve already worn it a few times and gotten some great compliments on it. when it comes to jewelry, my motto has always been go big or go home.

i’m also loving the unexpected pairing of pearls with camo. what a fun way to dress up a casual pair of pants!

thanks to the great crew we had for this shoot! be sure to grab a copy of the april issue (click here for a list of locations that carry the magazine) and stop by lavish to see what’s new!

model : samantha carpenter of exposure, inc.

hair: crystal wisniewski of soffia via

makeup: melissa evans

lavish – a boutique marketplace – 6411 north antioch road, gladstone, mo 64119

cheers to a weekend filled with style!

H