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.

When my first daughter came along I recorded her life in agonizing detail.  Every breath, every burp, every cry was documented for posterity.   Album after album was filled with snapshots of her eating, bathing, crawling, walking, drooling and sleeping.  Like clockwork we schlepped to the mall every single month to get her portraits taken.  This was pre-doula career, pre-photography business.  Heck – for the first nine months of her life, I didn’t even have a car.  It was just Bella and I most of the time, and I quite imagined that the rest of the world found her as fascinating as I did.

Of course, I promised myself, I’ll do exactly the same for my second baby.  But by then I was working as a doula, running a non-profit, and had been bitten by the photography bug.  I didn’t write too much, I have not printed a single snapshot past the six month mark, and you’d better believe I didn’t take her to the mall for portraits (the horror!).   As far as historical records are concerned, Julie has suffered a fate that has befallen many a subsequent child – complete and utter under representation in all known forms of family memorabilia.

Ah –such fodder for mommy-guilt.

I was the first born, not just in my immediate family, but for both sets of grandparents and great-grandparents.  First of my generation, I accepted all the focus and attention as my due.  I didn’t think too much about how little time my busy mother had to log the delicious and mundane details of my sibling’s existence.  But now that I’m a mother of two,  I’m sure that she did.   Obviously, I cannot make up for almost four years of benign but undeniable neglectful behavior toward my role as family historian, but I can start now.

This is Julianna Amelie Grace.  Julie.  Jules.  Julianna-Bananna. My little Amelie. A girl with the most sparkly chocolate brown eyes, and the fullest lips.  A girl with a mind of her own, and the volume to make her opinion known.  My second daughter, my old soul.  Always my teacher, her lesson surrender, her spirit full of conviction and her heart bursting with love.

I was going to tell you all about her, but then I figured I’d let her do the talking.  So, in the format of my own ‘about’  page on {peace.love.free}.   I gave her the questions and let her fill in the blanks.  (My additions are in italics, the rest are her words)

About:
4 1/2 . Silly. Sweet. Impertinent.  Fun. A force to be reckoned with. Leo.  NOT a morning person. Quintessential girlie-girl.  Cuddler. Kisser. Dancer.   Music in Her Soul, Her Bones,  Her Spirit. Messy. Loud.  Screamer. Whiner. Crier.  Wants to Be Carried. Lover. Back Rubber. Generous.  Alpha.  Make-Believer.  Tightest Hugger. Hair that forms massive dreads about two hours after brushing.

Likes:
Lucy, Frankie, Sadie and Maggie (our dogs), Things in my room. Princess things. Mama’s High Heels.  Barbies.  Going on a Bear Hunt. The Treat Table at Fresh-n- Easy.  Caesar Salad and Carrot Cake at Paradise Bakery. My Soft Princess Blanket. Dress Up. Playing House.  Cherry Tomatoes. Rice. Lemon Cake. Chai Tea with Honey. Dresses and Skirts and Sparkly Shoes. Pink, Red and Purple.  Dora and Sponge Bob.

Then she said “Actually, I love everything in the world, and I’m going to steal it all!” followed by peals of maniacal laughter.

Dislike:
Boy stuff. Cooked Tomatoes. Sticky Stuff on my Hands*. Green.  Jeans and Leggings. Tennis Shoes. Boy TV. Spiderman. Tracing Letters at School.

*She can’t eat without a wet cloth napkin, and she wipes her hands after every bite.

Good At:
Tracing Letters. Making Art for Mommy. Painting with Mary. Makeup.  Writing My Name. Helping Mommy and Mary Do Laundry.  Helping Mommy Bake.  Eating All My Food.

Not so good at:
Cleaning My Room. Putting On Socks.

Dream Of:
Being a Mommy. Growing Up. Doing work.  Pushing Buttons on the Computer. Being a Princess.  Having lots of Money in My Flower Bank.

Wish I could:
Fly a Unicorn. Turn things into pretty.  Make everything beautiful.  Have a rule where you can eat whatever you want.

Sweet girl – you turn things into pretty wherever you go.  I love you.

{For more information about my 2010 Nova Scotia Photography Sessions, please visit my facebook event page, or this blog post.  Contact me for information on special rates and packages for Nova Scotia Photography Clients}

She lived in the suburbs, but that didn’t matter.   Her mother owned a super cool bright yellow Sunbird, and wonder of wonders, Mandy was allowed to drive it into the city.  It doesn’t really matter where you live, we figured, as long as you have wheels.

A small town girl, newly arrived in the big city, I was making do with more primitive modes of transportation – the bus, and my own two feet.   But when Mandy came in for the weekend, my status was instantly elevated.   Not only did we have a ride, but it was cool enough to get us attention and  - when you are 17 and ready to take on the world – what else really matters?

We circled through the downtown streets, windows down, taking in the energy and life that was only just becoming available to us. Up and down, round and around Mandy drove, through maze of narrow one way streets.  We’d park to stroll the waterfront or peek in the doors of bars that didn’t yet offer us admission and then hop back in the car to look for people (known, cute or otherwise intriguing).   We were about to start university, high on the possibility of life.  In that bright yellow car, the world was at our feet.

We lost touch, Mandy and I, for more than a decade.  But then came the miracle that is Facebook, and we reconnected to share memories, stories of our kids and our lives thus far.  Then I announced that I would be doing Mini Sessions while I was back East last summer, and was so excited when Mandy decided to reserve a spot.  I couldn’t wait to see her and meet her kids.

She pulled up in a maroon minivan – that yellow two-door long gone –  and my old friend stepped out.  While the kids played, and I snapped photos, Mandy and I realized that even when time passes, the people you know well don’t really change all that much at all.   There we were, in the same field where we had first met – over twenty years ago -  as gangly teenagers.  Cliché or not and children aside, it seemed as if no time had passed.

We might be driving different vehicles now, but best as I can tell, the world is still at our feet.

Cheverie, Nova Scotia is – quite literally – a photographer’s paradise.  I take thousands upon thousands of photographs every summer i spend at home.

Note: I am currently booking limited sessions and weddings in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for summer 2010.  Please contact me at info@jeanetteleblanc.com to be placed on my announcement list for finalized dates.

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!

I love my job!

Yesterday morning – while I imagine most sensible, responsible employed adults were stuck in their offices wearing sensible, responsible business casual clothing and doing sensible, responsible, employed adult things – I got to go play and get dirty in my favorite junkyard.  My lovely photog friend Maggie and her family are leaving Phoenix (moving to Dallas! so far away!)  and she wanted some pictures of her uber-cute children before she left.

We stacked colorful old soda crates, we climbed between dumpsters, we examined discarded collections of nuts and bolts and beads and wires.  We talked about bugs, and school and we laughed ourselves silly.  And I get to call this work!

Jake and Kate are sweet, silly, charming, bubbly, loving and articulate children (much like their mama, come to think of it).  Kate is an impish little pixie with an irrepressible sparkle in her eye, while Jack is a utterly darling, serious,  soft spoken boy with a great imagination.  Although we had only met once before yesterday’s session, we were immediate buddies, and had a grand time during our junkyard adventure.

Afterward  – to make a fun morning even better -  we headed to my favorite gelato spot (chocolate hazelnut gelato + blackberry sorbet = yum).  I’m starting to think that all Phoenix photo sessions should end with some sort of icy treat

Maggie – I’m going to miss you, and I wish you and your family all the best in Dallas.  I’m so totally coming to visit (now that Dallas has both you AND Brenda – nothing could keep me away)!

(note to my other wonderful clients: based on Maggie’s departure in less than 24 hours – I made an executive decision to bump her to the head of the sneak peek line   Don’t worry, I’m still working away on all your sessions and should have several to post over the week, so keep checking back!)

Gotta love a little lens distortion – kids can’t resist it when say I can show them a picture of themselves with a giant head!

Maggie was behind me for this one, creating some sort of crazy ‘movie’ for her kiddos.  That lady has energy and enthusiasm enough for ten people! As for me, I just wanted to take that theater seat home with me.

And last but not least, this one is my favorite from the entire session.  I couldn’t decide if I should post color or black and white, because I love them both for different reasons, so don’t be surprised if I add the color one some time soon!

I’ve wanted to take photos of this handsome little man for quite a while now, and finally got a chance.  Dylan had just woken up from a long, long nap, and wasn’t too sure about the whole picture taking process, but there is something to be said for the opportunity to capture a sense of peaceful stillness in an otherwise active and busy toddler.  Sometimes I think those shy, quiet moments lead to some of the most beautiful photos…and the way Dylan gazed directly into my lens (with those dreamy brown eyes, no less) left me utterly captivated.  Honestly, I don’t know how his mama ever manages to say no to him…