photography

Congratulations to our 2016 graduates!

We had so much fun with the class of 2016, we decided to create a magazine called Higher Focus Seniors.  The first issue is dedicated to the class of 2016!  This magazine will be put out quarterly with a featured senior and articles about college preparation from college planning expert and best selling author, Kevin Anderson.  You’ll get tips and tricks from our makeup artist, Carly, and much more.

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If you would like to be one of the first to get a sneak peak of our magazine, go Here.

Curious about what happens during a session at our studio?  Here’s an example of what we do:

We look forward to photographing the class of 2017.  We still have a few openings for the new senior class this summer.  Call 636-273-6600 to book your session or click HERE to contact us online.

Stay Focused,

 

Tim and Jill

 

Our weekend at Northwestern U with the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega

The weather was perfect and these ladies were ready to have fun!  We spent two days going to various places around and near Northwestern.  What a blast!

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These ladies certainly know how to play and have fun!  However, academics are also very important to the women of Alpha Chi Omega.

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There are a lot of places to hang out around Northwestern.  Chances are you will spot some of these girls wherever you go.

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There is definitely a sisterhood these ladies share that is something special!

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Next time you’re at Northwestern and you run into the women of Alpha Chi Omega, tell them Tim and Jill say hello.

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Thank you, Annie Nielsen, for reaching out to us and asking us to be your photographers for the weekend.  We had so much fun!

You can see the behind the scenes video here:

To learn more about our on location shoots go HERE.

Stay Focused,

Tim and Jill Gray

Celebrate your Mom

Ever wonder how your life would be without your mom?

Think about all the times she has been there for you: skinned knees, tears, laughs, broken hearts, and fun times. The moments are probably too numerous to count. How many times do you hear your mother’s voice inside your head giving you advice? Maybe it’s your grandmother, a step-mom, or all three. For me, there are moments where I look back and realize my life would be completely different if it weren’t for my mother. I’d be a different person without her guiding influence. I’ve gotta say, there have been a few, “I told you so” moments too. I’m glad for all of them. Thank you mom for all that you did and still do to help me be a better daughter, mother, wife, and overall human being.
We want to help you say, “Thanks” to the moms in your life too. We are launching the “Celebrate Moms Project” at Higher Focus Photography on April 23rd from 10am to 2pm.

When you book your session:

  • We’ll send you a short personal questionnaire for you and your children (or your mom) to answer which will be incorporated into your art work.  These heartwarming question and answer pages give your and your children the opportunity to show you much you mean to each other.  You can also show your mom how much she means to you.
  • You’ll get a 20 minute portrait session of you and your children or you and your mom showing off your warm, loving relationship.
  • You receive a complimentary 8×10 word & image collage of beautiful photographs and handwritten words from you or your children to save those tender moments of life when you look back.
  • You get a $47 portrait credit toward your artwork of choice.  This is great for ordering gift prints or putting it towards the purchase of an art piece.
  • Early Bird Pricing $97 if you book before April 16th, $127 afterward.

Call 636-273-6600 to book your session or click here and we will contact you right away.

*Sessions are non-refundable.
**$97/$127 is the session retainer.
***Portrait credit must be used for this order only at the time of ordering.

Remember when…

…you were at that age of 11 to 13?  It was hard to see where you fit into the world.  You wanted to be perceived as cool and likable, but you just weren’t sure how.

I was one of those kids, stuck in the world of middle school, comic books, and hanging out with friends.  I liked my Star Wars stuff and playing in the back yard, but I also wanted to go to school mixers and the mall.  I needed rides to those kind of things but I didn’t want my friends seeing my mom drop me off.  Sound familiar? It’s probably one of the most pivotal times in your child’s life.

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Jill and I watched our kids go through it too.  In a flash, they quickly go from being your best friend to hardly being around.  They start spending more time with friends; hanging out, doing school activities, and going to games. The stuff they used to like doing with you is suddenly boring and you are the nerdiest person on the planet.  We’ve been there.  I just wish we would have captured more moments of them when they still wanted to be around us.  Now that they are older and doing their own thing, it’s hard to remember them so young.

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That’s why we have launched the Who I am session at Higher Focus.  We want to help you celebrate who your child is before they become a teenager and life dramatically changes.  Our goal is to make your pre-teen look and feel amazing and be confident in who they are.  Imagine what that can do for them as they enter into Jr. High.

For a limited time we are offering complimentary 30 minute sessions for your middle schooler on February 27th from 10am to 2pm. We will ask you and your child a few questions about them, then combine the text and photographs to create one impactful piece of art.  After the 27th, this session will be offered at normal session pricing.

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How to participate: Please e-mail jill@higherfocus.net or call 314-623-1587 by Friday February 26th if you are interested in having your child participate in the complimentary session.  Bring 2 outfits that really represents your child (sports, scouts, art, music, etc.).    We will have a number of different backgrounds to use.  There is a $50 booking fee to hold your spot (which is credited toward your purchase).  Many people like to use these photos as birthday, Mothers Day, and “just because” gifts.

Call or email us soon.

Stay Focused,

Tim and Jill

‘Tis the season to inspire

One of the things we love to do is take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

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We like to say, “Take life and make it into art.”  We believe the pictures hanging on your walls should be more than just pictures.  It should be as beautiful and amazing as your family.  Many of our athletes love having an artistic print on their wall.  It’s a way to celebrate their sport and make their athletic career memorable.  Click here to find out how we can create art for your walls.

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Many people have a wall, room, or a bar area in their home dedicated to their favorite player or team.  Why not add your son or daughter to your sports wall? Surprise your favorite athlete with a photo session that celebrates their sport.

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It’s a great way to add inspiration and feature your favorite athletes at the same time.

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Go HERE to learn more about how we can make an inspiring print for your son or daughter today.

 

Stay Focused,

Tim and Jill

More than an athlete

Brooke Barton is always on the go!  She not only plays soccer and futsol, she also swims.  In addition to all that, she has two little sisters that she spends a lot of time with.  There’s something else.  When she’s not playing sports or spending time with family, you can find her spending her free time at the Valley Park Firehouse where she is training to become a First Responder.  It’s Brooke’s dream to be a firefighter.

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Higher Focus had the privilege of photographing Brooke for her High School Senior Session.  We had so much fun!  Here is a behind the scenes look at our session with Brooke:

Thanks Brooke for allowing us to be your photographer.  A special thank you goes to the Valley Park Firehouse for allowing us to come in with our cameras and photograph Brooke.  We had a blast!  Thanks guys!

If you would like to learn more about having a personalized photo session for your High School Senior, simply click here or you can call us direct at 636-273-6600.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Stay Focused,

Tim and Jill

Professional Head Shots vs Selfies: How do you brand yourself?

More and more people are doing research online before they make a decision to do business.  When it comes to your social media profile, does your personal picture reflect your professionalism? Would people take you seriously if they looked at your profile before they picked up the phone to call you? First impressions are extremely important in business. The picture you post on your profile can ultimately lead you to making money or losing money.

Go here to view examples of professional head shots.

There are many advantages to having a professional photographer take your profile picture: proper lighting, posing, highlighting, photoshop, etc. However, the most important reason is because it communicates to your clients and prospects, “I’m a professional”.

If you schedule your professional headshot with Higher Focus Photography before Labor Day, you can save $24. Call us to book now: 636-273-6600 or contact us online by clicking here and selecting Contact Us.

Stay Focused,

Tim and Jill