Random Fact Tuesday

Five random facts to spice up your Monday night :)

Random Facts about Hillary

1. I screen-shot EVERYTHING on my iPhone. It's like my own personal image based to-do list (leave it to a photographer to create a pretty, scrolling image-based way to list tasks). 

2. I hoard sunglasses. At any give time, I will have three pairs in my car, on my desk, on my dresser and in my purses (yes multiple). And, most of the time I will put them on my head and forget they are there. So, if you come in for a pre-consult or a premiere and I have glasses on the top of my head - no, I didn't just arrive, I likely don't even know they are up there.

3. Costumes freak me out. Especially in movies (and don't even get me started on Halloween). I don't know why, but if a movie includes face paint and costumes, I'm out. 

4. I collect magazines because I love the feel and look of them - I'd much rather read a physical magazine, than an online version. And I make notes in them and circle things I like or want. If my husband needs a gift idea, he'll go through my magazine stash for ideas - He's a smart man (and also my high school sweetheart :)). 

5. When I was a kid, I would invite my friends over for a slumber party, dress them up in my clothes or my sisters, fix their hair and make-up, pose them and photograph them with my mom's disposable cameras. My mom still has the pictures I took in her Kodak Memories Box. Maybe one day I'll do an entire blog about that ;) 
I've been doing this exact thing my entire life, only now, I do it as a professional and an adult. And I'm still calling my friends to model my new ideas. 

So, those are my five random facts for this week - Watch out next week for Amy, our Creative Director's 5 random facts :) 

xoxo,
-h

Lexi - Mater Dei High School - Clinton County Photographer

I am so glad that Lexi chose us for her senior portraits! She's such a beautiful girl and I knew when she walked into her pre-session consult with shopping bags of outfits, we were going to create something awesome. And, I think we did :) From the stacks of books, to the family dog, Kodi, to photographing in the rain, at the beach and in St. Louis - we did it all! And, to top if off, my favorite shot from the entire session was photographed in the rain, under the carport of a back of a funeral home. Hey, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade! The image I'm talking about is the first show below :) Be sure to check out her full experience video, here - https://vimeo.com/66603211

And, her sister, Shelby, came along to help us out [Hey, if you want to be behind the scenes, I might make you carry my reflector, fair warning ;)] - I actually know Shelby outside of work so when I told her I made this Outakes video, her first words were, "You have to post it to Facebook!" Check it out here : https://vimeo.com/66603210

Lexi, Laurie and Shelby - Thanks so much for choosing us for your senior experience and for going along with my craziness. I can't wait to deliver your album and prints!

xoxo, h

Sami - Central High School - Madison County Photographer

I know that Sami is waiting for her preview and I'm looking forward to her viewing premiere! I had so much fun with her from planning outfits, to hair and make-up at Perfectly Polished (they did incredible!!), to photographing in the studio and around Highland and finally ending the day in Saint Louis. We started out meeting beforehand and planning outfits for her shoot. She had plenty of ideas and different options to choose from and I think we pulled together some awesome stuff, like using all of her Cheerleading bows as props! We had a blast walking and finding interesting spots in Saint Louis. She was a total natural in front of the camera, barely needing any instruction from me! And believe me, I give lots of instruction usually ;) Brenda, Sami's Mom was a huge help here, holding the reflector for me and even though we may have blinded Sami a few times, it was worth it to get the shot ;) Plus, Brenda was always ready with jewelry and outfit swaps, which saved us lots of time!

Sami, I had a great time meeting and hanging out with you and I think your images turned out amazing! I can't wait to show you them all! xoxo, H

We love PhotogEdu! [St Louis Senior Photographer]

If there are two things I love (more than my hub and babe), it's photography education and southern california. When I heard I'd have the chance to combine the two, I jumped on it. And of course, the hubs decided to join me, even though he'd have two whole days by himself (Im pretty positive he found a golf course or two...) I'm always trying to find new and exciting educational opportunities because in the world of photography, there is always something to learn. The location was La Jolla, California - a cute little beach community located just barely north of San Diego and the workshop was held at the La Valencia Hotel. It focused on senior photography, which is perfect since that season is just around the corner! We learned so much and I absolutely can't wait to start implementing some of the new ideas! Check out our iphone images from the trip!

The Travel

The Location - La Jolla, California - La Valencia Hotel

The Workshop with mentors Michelle Moore, Meg Borders, Leslie Kerrigan and Sarah Lane.

Oh just self-portraits, you know...

Fun with the hubby at the beach and Little Italy in Downtown San Diego. We ate at a little place called Filippi's Pizza Grotto, located behind their Italian Deli. If we went off first impressions, we might have left - but given we were both recommended to go their from two separate people, we walked in. It was the best Italian food we've ever had!

And being that I'm the unofficial Queen of Sunglasses, I of course had to find two pairs while we were there.

xoxo, h

Kristin + Brandon [Engagement]

What I love about Kristin and Brandon is how laid back they are. They are so relaxed with each other and yet so, so sweet. Just the way he would do exactly what she wanted and with a smile was so perfect and she doesn't force him to be anything but himself. He wanted camo, she wanted a romantic picnic scene and so they compromised and did both. Kristin is so beautiful and down to earth and Brandon is just a downright sweet guy - plain and simple. The two met in high school and have been together since - they have a beautiful daughter who loves to "talk" [Even though she's super young, I was pretty such I could tell what she was saying at their viewing ;)] and I'm lucky enough to get to photograph these two again, with their daughter this time, coming up this month! And beyond that, I absolutely can't wait for their wedding in October - It's going to be perfect :)xoxo, h

Photo + Chaos = My Beautiful Life..... A Photography Workshop

FOTOCHAOS! Photographs + Chaos, yep that pretty much sums up my life. Such a good name for a workshop! Recently I was lucky enough to attend a workshop sponsered by Missouri PPA in St. Charles. It was a two day full of classes from multiple photographers/business owners and group shooting. I learned so much from fashion and dynamic posing for seniors with renowned fashion photographer Craig Stidham, more on video techniques and even some fun ideas that I can't wait to incorporate into the studio! The thing I love the most about education is that it means my clients' images and experience are just going to be that much better! Check out some of the images from my favorite class! Always moving, always improving!xoxo, h