Yes kittens, I’ve been MIA again.  I know, I know – it’s not exactly a surprise.  Despite all my good intentions and my frequent promises, it seems I am an inherently bad blogger.   I think I’ve had “Blog.  Just Blog, Dammit!” on my to-do list every day for the last several months…and if you look at my posting record you’ll know just how well that is going for me.

So where have I been?  Living in crazy-busy land – that’s where, and somehow this blog seems to be the first thing to slide.  It’s been go-go-go for months now, culminating in four weddings+one charity brunch+ a one year old session in downtown Phoenix in an eight day span last week. Whew. Who knew wedding photography was an endurance sport?!

I’m starting to realize that it’s not going to slow down any time soon.   I’m also admitting that I’m unlikely to get caught up in the foreseeable future (do you know I have weddings from last year that have not been blogged?  Last year, people!).   So, instead of waiting till I invent a time expansion machine that miraculously converts each day to 48 hours while simultaneously maintaining my sleep needs at a solid eight hours (how you like that run on sentence?)  I figured I’d better take the opportunity and splash up a few random images while I have the chance.

Here’s just a slice of my life over the last few months – weddings, weddings, weddings (both my own and second shooting for the amazing Justine Miller and Keri Doolittle at amazing Phoenix wedding venues like  Sassi, Firesky, Wigwam as well as Oasis Ranch in Tucson), miles upon miles of location scouting, gorgeous seniors, three beautiful girls under the age of three (with tutus! and ice cream!), glorious glowing mama’s-to-be,  edgy urban fashion shoots in downtown Phoenix, crazy-cool families, spunky-silly- up-for-(almost)-anything engaged couples, fiesty photographers/branding gurus, off camera flash on the roof of the Orpheum Penthouse and the most knock your socks off beautiful mother-daughter combo I’ve ever laid eyes on.  And of course, just enough downtown, urban, grungy, junkyard shots to keep me happy.

Valentines Day has come and gone, but LOVE is definitely still in the air!

Did you recently ask the girl (or boy) of your dreams to marry you and want the world to join you on cloud nine?  Did you just get engaged and are beaming with pride over the shiny ring on your finger?  Want to flaunt it some more? In honor of all the love Jeanette LeBlanc Photography is holding a contest for you newly engaged love birds.

What do you get for flaunting that shiny ring? The winner will receive a full engagement session and a $100 print credit ($400 value). In addition the winners of each local Flaunt Your Rock contest will be placed in a national contest to win a grand prize worth more than $450. The grand prize includes custom invites from Paper and Ink Studio, a wedding cake topper from Goose Grease, a custom clutch from Clutch That and a wedding accessory from Little White Chapel Accessories!

Of course, if you know me, you’ll know I like to throw my own little twist into everything.  So let’s be totally clear:

This contest is:

• All about creativity.  You’re gonna have to think outside the box and show me your personality.  You get two images and 140 characters to set yourself apart, so work it – you fabulous lovebirds, you.
• Totally inclusive – younger couples, older couples, second time around couples, same sex couples, tattooed and mohawk-ed couples, sit on the couch and watch reality TV couples…all are welcome and encouraged to enter.

This contest is not:

• About who has the biggest, shiniest or most expensive ring.  If you got your engagement ring from a gumball machine but you can show it off in your own divine style – you just might win.

What You Gotta Do:

• Fill out the entry form completely and send it in with all required information on or before midnight March 5^th, 2010. (Engaged Couples Only)
• Submit : One photograph of your ring & one photograph of yourselves*.  Have fun with this.  You can certainly submit the cheesy headshot from your Great Aunt Edna’s 65^th birthday party, but I’ll give you extra points if you get creative with it.  Images don’t have to be perfect, and they don’t need to be taken with a fancy camera (rock your iphone if you wanna).  Just be you, and I’m sure to fall in love.
• Tell me your love story, Twitter style.  I’ve given you a whole 140 characters with which to share your happily ever after.  Choose your words wisely.  Write in rhyme if you want.  Or in French.  Just be sincere, and I promise I’ll be impressed.
• Encourage all of your friends and family to vote for you. Facebook it.  Tweet it.  Send snail mail post cards to your entire graduating class.  The ring with the most votes wins!

*please do not submit images taken by another professional photographer.  You must own full rights to all submitted photographs.  Images taken by a professional photographer will be disqualified.

All submissions must be received by midnight March 5th, 2010.

The Fine Print:
The contest winner will be determined by public vote.  Although there are many different voting methods available, public vote was determined to be the best option for this contest.  If this option is not a good fit for you, we respectfully accept your decision to decline participation.  We will also actively monitor IP addresses and voting participation to ensure fair and reliable results.  We reserve the right to disqualify any entry or vote that appears to be suspicious.

All participants must agree to sign a model release allowing images to be displayed on Jeanette LeBlanc Photography’s blog. Winning participants must sign a release allowing images taken by Jeanette LeBlanc Photography to be displayed on web site, blog, Facebook and print advertising sources. Participants must also agree to all standard Terms & Conditions of Jeanette LeBlanc Photography

Regular session terms and conditions apply.

We require an electronically marked consent that you are entering this contest voluntarily and that Jeanette LeBlanc Photography is not promising any winnings or other compensation for participation.

Entries will be judged by a panel of photographers who will narrow down the selection to 3 rings. The finalists will be posted on Jeanette LeBlanc’s blog and the winner will be chosen via a public voting poll. Voting will occur between March 7-March 13, 2010. There are specific rules around voting that will be clarified during the voting round of the contest.

Winners will be announced on March 15th, 2010. Winning session must take place between March 22-May 1st.

Session will take place within metropolitan Phoenix.  Travel outside of the immediate Phoenix area will be subject to additional travel fees.

Don’t live in the Phoenix area? Have friends across the country? Check out these photographers who have Flaunt Your Rock contests running in other cities!

UNITED STATES

Boise, Idaho: Lucid Deisgn and Photo
Boston, Massachusetts: Helen Makadia Photography
Denver, Colorado: Keri Doolittle Photography
Columbia, Missouri: Ashley Turner Photography
Seattle, Washington: Susan of Whimsical Photo Design
Philadelphia and Main Line, Pennsylvania: April Ziegler Photography
Grand Rapids, Michigan: K. Holly Studios
Spokane, Washington: Cameron Glass Photography
Phoenix, Arizona: Jeanette LeBlanc Photography
Ft. Smith, Arkansas: Beaty Photography
San Jose, California: V and J Photography
Tampa/St. Petersburg: Stephanie Smith Photography

CANADA

Edmonton/Vancouver Canada: Jen Williams Photographer
Fort McMurray/Northern Alberta: Leslie Brown Photography
Powell River BC/Vancouver Island: Jennifer Kennedy
Central Interior, BC: Andrea Blair Photography
Langley, BC: Cathy Empey Photography

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Whew! Now that all of that is over, click on this link to enter the  Flaunt Your Rock Contest!

{scroll down, or click here for Part 1}

I got the sweetest email from Andrea after the last post, saying the first post of photos from her engagement photography session made her cry at work.  I told her not to worry; there was a dang good chance I’d make it up to her by crying at her wedding.

Honestly, I probably will.  Yes, I’m the worse kind of cliche – the wedding photographer who will cry at your wedding.

Sometimes I get misty during the first look, other times I’m overcome by the emotion behind the vows.  If you, your mother or your cousin Eileen happen to cry – at any point and for any reason – I’m almost certainly a goner.   There is almost no chance I’ll make it through the father-daughter dance dry eyed (I admit it; I have a soft spot for Butterfly Kisses).   Seriously, I’m a huge sap and I’m not afraid to admit it.  However,  I have persevered and I can now shoot straight through a veil of tears (patting myself on the back for this one – it’s not easy).

Andrea and Andrew – I hereby promise not to turn into a blubbering mess on your big day.  I’ll keep it together.  But when a couple loves each other with emotion this sweet and true – it’s awfully hard not to feel it too.

~~~

We headed to my favorite phoenix junkyard to find some urban texture.  There’s nothing like rusted metal to get my muse inspired.

I love these next ones so much because they clearly show just how much fun these two are!

And then these ones give you a hint of their romantic side….

Eegads, isn’t this building amazing?  Every time I go to this place I find something new.

This one has a total silver screen, movie star look to me…the next Bogie and Bacall…  My favorite engagement photo ever!

Andrew went back to the car to change, so I took the opportunity to snap these pics of the lovely Andrea.  Honestly folks, next to no editing on these  – her skin really is that perfect!

We even found some bales of hay – and Andrea had the perfect shirt to get a little country!

The way every good fairy tale photoshoot ends – they walk off into the sunset together….

Okay, you see now why these two deserved two whole blog posts?!

Somedays (like this one!) I swear that engagement photography sessions are my absolute favorite….I mean, with a urban backdrop like this and a couple as beautiful as Andrea and Andrew…how could I not be inspired?!

FYI:  A² are getting married at the amazing North Scottsdale wedding venue Sassi.  I got to check it out with the couple a few weeks back when they went for their tasting appointment, and it is going to be truly stunning.  So many possibilities for amazing photographs – I get giddy just thinking about it!  If you are looking for a great Phoenix wedding venue, you should definitely add Sassi to your list.

Dirtbags. It doesn’t sound like the name of a place where you’re likely to meet the love of your life, does it?  Yet sometimes unexpected things happen in unexpected places.

It was Andrew’s senior year of college.  After a few years of single fun and living abroad, he decided it was time for a serious girlfriend.  Still, when he headed out to the bar that night he wasn’t planning on finding his future wife.  He was going out for a drink, not planning a wedding.

But then he saw Andrea and somehow, in that first moment, he just knew.

With her long blonde hair and beautiful smile, she was undeniably gorgeous – but there was something more that really captured Andrew’s attention.  Despite her petite stature, she exuded an easy confidence that intimidated his friends.  Andrew was captivated.

Before meeting Andrew, Andrea had her eyes set on a semester of stress free single living.  After a busy term as president of her sorority, Andrea was ready to take it easy.  But sometimes fate steps in – in the form of a round of drinks and a gentlemanly kiss on the cheek in a bar with an unlikely name – and plans change.

When Andrew was ready to propose, he knew it had to be special.  He took Andrea for an early birthday treat – dinner at  The Royal Palms.  He left nothing to chance; even her outfit was taken care of.  Just after he popped the question, her two best friends (flown in from out-of-town and waiting in the wings) ran in with champagne.  Amazing enough, but Andrew didn’t stop there.  He followed the proposal with an engagement party for 30 of their closest friends and family, including Andrea’s sister Kate, who had traveled from St. Louis to Phoenix just to be a part of the night.  The evening was overwhelming, an emotional blur, a high of family and friendship and amazing, once in a lifetime love.

He loves her sarcasm and wit.  She loves his inherent goodness and knows that he makes her a better person.  Andrea says Andrew pushes her to pursue her dreams, supports her choices and is her biggest fan.  Andrew knows that Andrea’s patience and understanding have been the glue that has held their relationship together (and he’s quick to add that her sexy face and butt don’t hurt either).  As a couple they are the best bad dancers on the dance floor, and have built a partnership that continues to get stronger with time.

From Dirtbags to Soul Mates.  Works for me.

Andrew and Andrea – I am so glad you chose me to capture your love and to be present as you speak the vows that join your life together.  You are both beautiful people, inside and out, but it’s your infectious (and sometimes goofy) energy and love of life and of each other that make you shine.  I hope you enjoy the images we captured at your engagement photography session and  I cannot wait for your wedding day!

(Oh, I got a little carried away choosing images for this post, so I’m gonna have to do this in two parts!)

~~~

Andrea and Andrew are wine connoisseurs, so we began their engagement photography session by heading to Bomberos. Bomberos is an awesome Phoenix wine bar (you have to try their bruschettas and paninis) with an fantastic outdoor patio.  Because it was early Sunday afternoon – right before close – we had the place to ourselves.

(Andrea is wearing the outfit she wore the night she got engaged – love it!  Such a fabulous, fashionable couple!  And the yellow heels?  I die!  If it were not considered poor form to steal clothing from your clients, I totally would have made off with the shoes!)

When the restaurant closed we headed downtown, in search of texture and color.  Nothing says love to me like urban decay!

Stay tuned later this week for even more images from this fabulous engagement photo session…next up – my favorite junkyard!

Things I know for sure

1. I am the worst blogger ever. Period. End of story.
2. I would apologize and say I’m going to change.  But I might not probably won’t, and I’d hate to tell you a lie.
3. I’ve been so busy my head is spinning, but holiday order deadline is almost here so I’ll be coming up for air soon.
4. My family will be VERY glad to have me back.
5. I’ve got the coolest, most beautiful, utterly stylish,  totally inspirational, utterly incredible clients in the world.
6. They make it worth staring at the computer for hours upon hours at a time.
7. I’m a photographer. I get to pay my bills with my camera.  How cool is that? I still get giddy thinking about it.
8. Big changes ahead in 2010 – a new assistant, studio manager, new products, new partnerships, new direction.  Watch out Phoenix – ya’ll should stay tuned.  Seriously.
9. It’ll probably be June by the time I get around to blogging about it, unless you nag me.
10. Life is good.  Very good.

And since no blog post is complete without pictures, here’s just a bit of what has kept me busy over the past few months.  Check these out, and then re-read #5 above….see what I mean?

This family was amazing!  I was so in love with these girls!

Little girls in pink rain boots…. Who wouldn’t be utterly charmed?

Um…so I probably don’t have to tell you that I was totally giddy when I saw this one.  Did a little happy dance…for reals.

Happy Mama-baby shots always make me smile.

Ah, baby Max….I melt.

A beautiful bride in a vintage phone booth at an incredible location….What more could any photographer want?

These kids were a RIOT.  The first year of my annual summer Nova Scotia Photography Sessions (yes – I’m a Snow Bird….once the temp gets over 100 degrees…I am OUTTA here!)

Oh, sweet little Lucy – those lips…those eyes, and a rare quiet moment.

My wee nephew Hayden.  I miss him so much!

Tamara rocks her urban maternity photography session in downtown Glendale… so much fun!

I love kids.  The sillier and goofier the better.  Alex and I got along wonderfully

This wedding at the Anthem Country Club was so beautiful.  Thanks to Keri Doolittle for inviting me to second shoot!