Facebook Session Giveaway | Kansas City, Missouri Photographer

Here we are at over 1,000 like's on Facebook and I could not be more thankful or excited!

I filmed myself reading this blog post...and I just hit play and saw that it was a little funked up with sound. I look like a bad cartoon, haha. However, you are more than welcomed to read along with me! :)

We are giving away a Free Creative Session and 15 image DVD to show our love for you guys. You'll have the rights to 15 of your favorite images and a one hour session with me, all completely free! To submit, follow the directions from the photo included in this blog post. In case you can't read it, share the image above from our Facebook page in your newsfeed (if you click on the image, it should pull it up on Facebook), then comment on it. You are then entered into the contest! If you have questions, let me know! There are only a few days left to enter!


There are a few things that I would like to say actually, if you'll let me. You don't have to read it... but you can if you want to! :)

Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!! 

Thank you to my wonderful clients for choosing me as the person to capture a little of who you are! I am so happy that you've welcomed me into you and/or your family's story! You've changed mine in ways I can't even begin to describe. Wether you're in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Washington, New Mexico, wherever you are that I've been with my camera, thank you so much. You guys are a blessing to me and I really do love each and every one of you!

Thank you to ALL my beautiful friends whom I love, that modeled for me hours on end and just let me have my way with them when I was just starting out. You know who you are! And you know how amazing you are! But I'm going to tell you again-YOU ARE AMAZING! Without you being beautiful, wonderful, handsome, and so loving towards me, I don't know where I'd be!

Thank you to my Mary Kay ladies!!! You guys are a constant positive thread in my life! I wouldn't know what to do without having my MK makeup on hand for pinups. I also wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have you guys in my life! Kelli-you have influenced me in ways that have only made me better. I love you and am so glad that God put me in your fantastic unit! It's so awesome how my MK business has only made my photography business better. Thank you guys for being in my life, being my friends, encouraging me, supporting my services, and for having so much fun with me all the time wherever we go! I love you all!

A very special thank you to Katie Michelle Lundberg and Sam Vicari, who modeled with me for my promo video in 50 degree weather back in May! You guys are simply fantastic. All I can say, without getting teary, is that I love you guys so much. Katie-gosh I love you! Your face is all over the place in my house! Anytime I miss you, I just look at your adorable pinup face and there you are! You literally are one of the most creative people on the planet. I'm so thankful for you sitting for me, even outside of this video, because I know without you, I wouldn't have the confidence I have to do what I do. You are what I call full circle beautiful. Not only are you a model, but your heart just gives and gives. I'm honored to know you and even more honored to call you my friend! Sam-you rock, both literally and in spirit. Without my constant worried phone calls being soothed by your "it's going to be okay, Hilary" I don't know where I'd be! Seriously, I can be a little neurotic and I'm so glad and blessed to have you as a friend! And when I asked you to be in the video, I got the happiest, "if you need me, Hilary, I'm there for you!" Man, you have the best attitude. Seriously, I try to copy it, haha. I wuv you, Sam!

Thank you to other photographers, who have always been so quick to help me out! Stephanie Pana, for recommending bludomain to me for website use, for always helping to answer my questions, and for just being completely amazing! Kim Anne and Staff, for being GREAT examples to a future photography studio owner, letting me ask questions about products and giving advice to my open ears! Danielle Eileen for just being so cheerful, and always being a positive voice in my head! Breanna Bloomquist, my beautiful sister-in-law, whom I love bouncing ideas off of and who is always encouraging me! And a BIG BIG Thank you to Anna Thielen, the lady that I look up to and the best wedding photographer I have ever seen. You are so fantastic Anna! Thank you for letting me tag along with you and for being the most amazing wedding photographer at my own wedding!

Thank you to my office assistants, Madalyn (whom I'll go into more detail about later) and Natalie! :D Natalie, you're so happy all the time and you are just a pleasure to be around! I'm so glad that you have helped me out with getting organized, addressing labels, filing folders, and making newsletters. We hung a mirror together-that means we are like sisters! haha. You are fantastic in every way! And so hot right now hansel, hahah. I appreciate you and Love You So Much!!!

Of course, thank you to Amanda!!!! Pinups would not be ANYWHERE NEAR as beautiful if it wasn't for you. God blessed me when you answered that pinup advert on Craigslist. He really, really did! I couldn't ask for someone with a better heart for people and for more talent then you. You are it!!! Thank you for doing what you do, having a great attitude, and for just lovin' on everyone that walks through our door! You. Are. Amazing. I love you!!!! <3

Okay, so here this goes. I want to thank my family...

Thank you Cody, for letting me get in your face with my camera lens. You, the cutest little kiddo that ever walked the earth, are a fantastic model! Fantastic singer! Fantastic little brother! I miss you so much and I just am so happy that when I'm around, you let me take a few photos of you! ;) And you give me a big hug! You are loving, handsome, and so so talented! Seriously, you rock. I love you and let the holiday of Codini begin!!!!

Jacob, thank you! You are my friend, my little broski! Thank you for, even though you completely 100% hated it, posing for me all through high school and into present day. (Jake and Natalie are pictured above in our awesome giveaway flyer!) You know you look good!!! I know you know, hahah. You always are thinking about me and ways you can help me and my business. Whether it's a random, "Hil-I just got a google adwords coupon in the mail" or a "hey I know a guy who might know a guy..." I appreciate your awesome networking skills and support. I love you so much and am so glad we finally live in the same state!

Thank you to my most beautiful, wonderful, amazing, talent and joy filled sister, Madalyn. Ever since you were a little baby, I just wanted to capture you from the inside out on film. From my first photography project that won at my first art show, to present day, I love taking your picture. In high school, I would have the worst days and look at Madalyn and she would just be beautiful! I would ask her if I could take her picture that day and we would. Suddenly, everything would be better. That's still the case! A day photographing Madalyn is a day in heaven for me. That is because you are special, and wonderful, Maddy. You are a gift to everyone you come in contact with and an even bigger gift to me! I love you so much!

Dad, thank you so much for being you!!! You're so great with color, design and follow through. You're an even better teacher! I noticed all the projects you would have around the house and I saw everything you did to make sure you finished whatever it was that you were working on. You are so creative and great at seeing something that isn't there yet and making it come alive. I try to do that with my photography because of the way I saw you do it with rooms, lighting and design. Do you remember the pinewood derby cars we used to make? And how you would have me sand the wood with sandpaper and then you would let me paint the cars? That, seriously, was so amazing to me. I loved being able to make something with you!  I look up to you so much! But you already know that when I call you and say, "hey dad, can you look at this photo for me?" or "hey dad, what do you think of this project?" I am so happy to be your daughter! God gave me the perfect dad who loves me and supports me, knows exactly the right thing to say, and always has something positive to contribute to my life. Thank you for sticking with me!

Mom, you are so so so so so fantastic!!! Seriously-the most amazing mom anyone can ask for. Your people skills and sweet attitude are by far the best of the best. I learned from watching you that life is always, always about your choices. I remember in high school, you'd always shout to me and my friends "make good choices!" as we'd leave the house. Even though that embarrassed the crap out of me, I have always tried my best at choosing the right path! You taught me that you are only in control of yourself and your attitude-that you can't control other's behavior and that you have to be okay with that. Without that being taught to me, I know my business and my life wouldn't be shaped the way that it is. What a strong, faithful lady you are, momma! Seriously, what better example do I have in my life of a more strong, courageous woman? Everyday you give everything you do to your family, everything you are to God and all your love to everyone you meet, even throughout what you have to struggle with daily. I love you so much and I am just so super duper blessed to have you as my mommy. Thank you for believing in me and for always encouraging me to be the best that I can be!

And so, without further adu...

ALAN!!!!! :D You know that without you, none of this would ever have happened for me. You believed in me with all of your heart that I could do this. It was your belief that gave me the momentum I needed to chase even harder after this dream of owning my own photography business. You gave of your time, invested money and sacrificed just as much as I have by helping this business become a reality for me. Thank you for all of it! For being you for me!! You are the reason that I breathe, the reason that my heart beats, and the reason that I do this. Your constant support throughout my startup process, your light hearted humor when I jokingly photoshop something terribly (like your photo on lazers), your loving and kind attitude-these are the things that keep me going. I love you so much! I can't even begin to say how much, actually. You're my husband, my life partner, fellow vintage and ice cream lover, and you're my Love! God must really love me to give me you, sir. Seriously. I'm so glad I made a checklist way back when because I know exactly how lucky I am to have you, everything on my list that I wanted in a man. You're strong, hardworking, courageous, loving and faithful. Thank you so much for loving me, through me being stupid. Thank you so much for believing in me, even when I didn't. Most importantly, thank you for having faith for me, even when I was consumed with doubt. You believed this into existence right along side my heart. I am so in love with you! So thankful for you! So happy to be your wife! I'll end with Rock Chalk Jayhawk...all for you baby!



Lots of love,

h i l a r y  h o p e 

Foxy Pinup (Pin-up) Sessions | Kansas City, Missouri Pinup and Boudoir Photographer

This is the email you receive when you book your Foxy Pinup Session! Just thought I'd post a copy here for all you guys to see. Also, this video might put you in the Pinup Mood. The Satin Dolls on Youtube.

Hilary Hope's Foxy Pinups
Thank you for booking your Foxy Pinup Session with Hilary Hope Photography! We are so excited for your session, and we know that you are too! Here are some things to remember for your shoot: We are located at 914 E 29th St. Apt 3. This is about 5 minutes driving time from the Crown Center. For parking, drive past the apartment building and then make a left before Harrison Street into the parking lot. We are located on the third floor. If you get lost, please call Hilary at either 708.498.HOPE or 509.859.3388. Ring us when you get here and we will walk you upstairs! Each appointment lasts about 3 hours, with a good portion of those 3 hours being prep time. We've got all the clothes, including undergarments, for you to wear. However, if you have anything that you would like to wear, bring it with! Your sessions includes 1 Pinup outfit and 1 Lingerie outfit. If you'd like to do any additional outfits, you may do so for $25. We ask for you to wear a pair of your own underwear under our undergarments for your photographs. If you own nude or black panties/thongs, these work best. If you are a well endowed women, please bring a brazier that you feel pretty in to wear as well. Come with a clean face! If you forget, don't worry. We have awesome Mary Kay products for you to wash your face with. All our makeup and facial products are hypoallergenic. You must have clean and dry hair on the day of your pinup shoot. This makes it easy for our stylist Amanda to curl and pin-up up your hair. She is fantastic, so please don't forget to acknowledge her superb styling skills with a gratuity if you feel so inclined. Our genre of pinup is called "cheesecake," and it's just as cute and tasty as it sounds! This means that we are a no nudity studio. We take photos of implied nudity only, like in the heart photo above. We coach you the whole way through your session, so there is no need to worry! If you have any questions on pinup poses or if you have ideas that you'd like to try, feel free to email us before your session, or just make sure you tell us your ideas the day of. We love collaborating creatively! Please remember, all the poses we select are true to the era. We are all about being cute, sweet, and of course, sexy. All three together is what makes Foxy Pinups so unique and fun!  If you are a Groupon Appointment, Don't Forget Your Groupon! We cannot photograph your session if you are without your Groupon. Visit our "foxy pinup sessions" tab on our website to clarify any further questions. If you still have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Like us on Facebook and post on our wall, give us a ring, or drop us a line. We love talking to our Foxy Pinup Gals! In the meantime, set your mind to our pinup vibe! Channel some of these awesome Pinup Girls by one of the greats (Gil Elvgren) and feel inspired. See you soon, kitten! ;) ___ Hilary Hope Photography 708.498.HOPE hilary@hilaryhopephoto.com facebook...twitter...blog

Marilyn & Madalyn | Vintage Photography in Chicagoland, Kansas City Photographer

When Marilyn came over to visit my sister on Friday, she had no idea she would be modeling in a session with my sister. In fact, I had no idea it was happening either! Madalyn (my favorite little model ever) came up to me and asked me for a photoshoot of her and Marilyn-which NEVER happens. Madalyn-though gorgeous as ever, claims to hate to have her picture taken...


ALL LIES!

...So, as soon as she asked, I knew this was going to be simply the most amazing session ever! Marilyn loves everything vintage (and so do I! and so does Maddy!) Marilyn went home and grabbed some awesome stuff, like her grandpa's old camera and her pretty white dress. We raided Maddy's closet for some shoes, which of course, perfectly coordinated with Marilyn's outfit. Then we raided my suitcase for shoes for Maddy, which worked perfectly with the dress Liz Medema had just gave me for pinups. I did both Maddy and Marilyn's makeup and hair and we went to town!

Believe it or not, the area in the photographs is behind my parents' fence. When we were little (and when Madalyn was a baby) my dad had planted these teeny tiny trees in the backyard there. Now they're huge and are the perfect backdrop for this kind of photo session.

I completely love photographing Madalyn's friends and Maddy. I'm not sure if this is because I'm still a 15 year old girl at heart or if they're just all the most beautiful girls ever, but really-it's probably both reasons. Marilyn and Madalyn shined throughout this shoot and I had the best time there. Here are a few of the photographs! Feel free to listen while you look <3

The Cocokios Siblings | Kansas City Photographer in Chicagoland

I've known Marisa for quite awhile actually, since I've been 15. We were in the same youth group together! Both Marisa and Christian attend Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, which is the same church I went to when I lived in Orland Park. It was so awesome when Marisa asked me to take her and Christian's pictures for their parents' fiftieth birthdays. I'm so glad that this worked out! I couldn't wait to photograph these cuties!!!

Our session last Friday was completely amazing. We had the perfect lighting and a fantastic backdrop for their sibling shoot. The barn on 139th St. and Wolf Rd. really worked well with their outfit choices. I loved how the brown barn wall brought out the Cocokios's beautiful brown eyes! (Seriously-what AMAZING eyes you guys have!) I especially loved the photos in the field with the silo behind the two.  

The second set of outfits was great as well! Christian's olive green shirt perfectly blended into the country scene, and Marisa's beautiful floral maxi dress with hints of that same green really brought the two together. We had so much fun doing all different kinds of poses! The two were naturals at "the model" and at "be serious." 

My favorite part during the shoot was when Marisa said, "knock it off Christian!" He was making faces at her for the next three frames of photos. It was simply brotherly.

I had the hardest time picking favorites from Christian and Marisa shoot. They literally were ALL fantastic. I went through to star my 20 favorite images and ended up with 40! Then the hard part from there was bringing the number down. These are obviously just a few of the favorites.  Feel free to listen and browse!

The Strid Sisters | Kansas City Photographer in Chicagoland

The Strid Sisters are absolutely fantastic people! We had the best time last Thursday evening during their sibling session in Orland Park. I know Stephanie, the oldest of the three, through Winter One Acts at Lewis University. When she contacted me about doing photos of her and her sisters for a family gift, I jumped at the chance!

Stephanie, Penelope and Victoria looked fantastic the whole session through, even in the extremely hot weather. These girls were all vogue! Seriously, anyone of them could be models. I really mean that! They're gorgeous! They were coming up with the best posing ideas and so great at communicating what they wanted. It made my job easy! They even brought props. Seriously, this session was all creativity, on both the girls end and on mine! I absolutely LOVED all the photos! Below are just a few of my favorites :)

If you'll notice, there is a pretty sweet tea set in the picnic photos. The tea cups belonged to the girls' Aunt who recently passed away. I loved that they used them in their photographs! I also loved how each of the girls was wearing a color coordinating hue! They thought out everything-it was completely awesome.

(I have to say, probably one of my favorite things that happened during the session, besides our awesome photo-ing, was when I put my sunglasses on over my nerdy glasses and Stephanie said she did the same exact thing. Yessssss!!! Hahah. )

I know the girls like Taylor Swift, so without further a-du, feel free to listen and browse!