Category Archives: weddings

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The Inspirador | Chandler Wedding Venue

Inspirador Chandler: Two Thumbs Up!

We’ve clearly established two things here in the last month:

  1. I’m not all that great at staying on top of this blogging thing.
  2. I’m a tiny bit behind.  Like waaaaaay behind. Terribly, horribly, procrastinating-ly behind.

So, it should come as no great shocker that I’m about to post an event that happened in March (she ducks her head sheepishly and hopes this comes off as endearingly honest rather than hopelessly outdated).

About a hundred years ago (or March 24th to be exact) I happened to be in Chandler for a portrait session.  I had been hearing quite a bit of buzz about the Inspirador, a way cool wedding venue in Historic Downtown Chandler.   It seemed serendipitous when I checked their facebook page and found out that they had an open house planned for that very night.  Not being one to ignore a lovely coincidence, I headed over to check out the action just as soon as I wrapped up my session.

First thought: This place rocks!
Second thought: Damn, nice peeps too!
Third thought: OMG – they have a display of framed GRASS on the wall outside.  I’m officially in love.

chandler wedding venue - inspirador

The Inspirador is a truly unique option for your Arizona wedding, with an urban vibe and modern style.  The Poet’s Lounge is a dreamy, candle lit spot for your romantic wedding ceremony, while the Tryst Art Gallery, Courtyard and Symphony Hall provide numerous options for cocktail hour, mingling with guests or a sit down reception.  Beyond the amazing venue, downtown Chandler provides numerous fantastic spots for killer urban portraits before or after your ceremony.  Bonus!

The Inspirador has also partnered with some of the most fabulous wedding vendors in the valley to bring together regular open house events, which are beneficial for engaged couples and wedding professionals alike.

Inspirador Chandler, Wedding Photography

I connected with several people during my visit, including event planners Rebecca Coberly and Jessica Martinez of Embellish, Design For Entertaining.  These two super cool (and incredibly sweet) Phoenix wedding coordinators created the beautiful white on white buffet and table display featured below.   Check out their website and blog for more information and images of their inspirational work.

phoenix wedding coordinator Embellish @ inspirador chandler

My attention was immediately captured by the floral arrangements on one table.  Phoenix Floral Designer Jan Dekker created this bold bouquet and I had to snatch it and run outside to take some photos.  I love the intensity of the color combo and can just imagine it being carried by a bride who was looking forward to stepping outside the box a little and working with a rich, deep color scheme.   I do so love a bouquet with a bit of attitude!

inspirador wedding flowers by jan dekker

To make a long (and late!) story short(ish):

If you are a stylish modern couple looking for something a little different for your wedding venue –  add the Inspirador in Chandler to your short list of places to check out in person.  They are having their next Open House next week on the 23rd (remember what I said about not ignoring lovely coincidences?) so make sure you drop by.

Unfortunately, I won’t be there (I’ll be cooling off in Nova Scotia) but you’d better not miss it!  To sweeten the deal (beyond the free food and fabulous vendors) they are also offering a gift bag to the first 25 brides, and a chance to win over $1000.00 in prizes!  Check out their facebook  page for details!

Featured: Southwestern Bride

A few months ago (which translates to about 857 years in internet time, if you’re counting) I was thrilled to be contacted by the fine folks at Southwestern Bride (the wedding guide for the modern Southwest Bride).  They wanted to feature my bridal session from the incredible Scottsdale wedding venue the Boojum Tree.  Of course I was tickled pink and flattered as all heck*, so I said yes right away.

Boojum Tree Scottsdale Wedding Photography

Southwestern Bride is an awesome wedding resource for Phoenix brides, as it focuses solely on weddings in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas – so  you’ll be sure to find lots of area (and climate!) appropriate ideas and inspiration.   If you are planning a wedding in Phoenix, make sure you check out this website!    And while you’re in the planning stages, take the time to visit The Boojum Tree – it’s an oasis in the middle of the desert, with beautiful light and countless tucked away spots for private moments (and amazing photos)!

From the Boojum Tree Website:

Boojum Tree is Arizona’s most unique and exotic wedding, reception and corporate event destination.  While you enjoy your stroll through our property, you’ll be in awe of the thousands of tropical plants, multiple water features and our new Palm Forest.  Imagine your special day in our hidden gardens.

From the Southwestern Bride Blog:

“The Southwestern U.S. is a unique mixture of colors, tastes and textures that sets itself apart from anywhere else in the world. It is a land of enchantment, adventure and the spirit of days gone by. It is also an area of thriving cities and the perfect blend of contemporary and classic styles.

Southwestern Bride celebrates this area and was created as a resource for brides in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas that would give them access to the very best professionals the Southwest has to offer them.”


*Yes, although I am now a big city girl, I sometimes slip up a talk like a country bumpkin.  I also two-step (and I’m not ashamed to admit it).

Where on earth have I been? {crazy busy phoenix wedding photographer}

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.

Wedding, Portrait and Fashion images by Jeanette LeBlancCollection of wedding and portrait images from Jeanette LeBlanc Photographyrecent client images from Jeanette LeBlanc Photography, Phoenix Wedding Photographer

Featured | Swatchbook Weddings | Phoenix Wedding Photography

It was such a delightful surprise to discover that the lovely Angela of Swatchbook Weddings – a Phoenix-based wedding invitation design firm -  had featured my bridal shoot at the amazing Phoenix wedding venue the Boojum Tree on her  blog.

Jeanette LeBlanc Photography featured on Swatchhbook Weddings Blog

We connected on Twitter and Facebook and then discovered, by total coincidence, that we already had clients in common.  Angela just happened to be the designer Andrea and Andrew had chosen for their beautiful yellow, white and grey wedding invitations.

Jeanette LeBlanc Photography featured on Swatchhbook Weddings Blog

Here is a closer look at the fabulous invitations:

Wedding Invitation designed by Angela at Swatchbook Weddings

Make sure you add the Swatchbook Weddings blog to your RSS reader – Angela posts all kinds of inspiration, from jewelry to makeup to photography – not to mention samples of her amazing designs – and my favorite feature Tuesday Shoes-day (seriously – check out this weeks shoes.  I’m not getting married, but I so need those)!

Bridal Shoot at The Boojum Tree | Phoenix Wedding Photography

Location.  Location.  Location.

It’s as important to wedding planning as it is to real estate.   Every bride and groom want to find the perfect backdrop for their wedding day – and in a city the size of Phoenix, there are plenty of options for an amazing wedding venue.  Although a good photographer can create a beautiful image just about anywhere, the right location can bring your photographs to an entirely different level.

I was thrilled when the lovely Keri Doolittle invited me to join awesome local wedding photographers Kimberly Bee and Tina Burnham, along with some beautiful models, for an afternoon at one of the valley’s most stunning wedding venues.    The Boojum Tree is a hidden jewel, tucked away at the end of a little street, and full of more photographic yumminess than we could possibly capture.  Every time I turned a corner I stumbled upon yet another deliciously vintage, lush, romantic spot.  Tremendous variety, quirky, unexpected touches, private hideaways…

It was, quite seriously, a little slice of photography heaven.

Image taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlanc

I saw this phone booth and thought ‘Are you kidding me?’.   How to make a wedding photographer happy….give her a stunning model, a beautiful dress and a vintage red phone booth.  I tell you, I was giddy!

Image taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlanc

The flowers were BEAUTIFUL!

Image taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlanc

One of the things that matters most to wedding photographers is light, and The Boojum Tree has the most beautiful light almost everywhere – it’s like magic!

Image taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlanc

Oh – the shoes!  The hoes!  I leave almost all bridal sessions and weddings with the inexplicable urge to go shoe shopping!

Image taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedidng venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlancImage taken at The Boojum Tree, Scottsdale Arizona wedding venue by Phoenix-based wedding and portrait photographer Jeanette LeBlanc

Credits:

Many thanks to all the amazing vendors who made this session so incredible!  You all ROCK!

Venue:

The Boojum Tree – Phoenix

Flowers:

Endearing Floral Design @ Thee Wedding Warehouse

Dresses:

Jennyvi Dizon

Jewelry:

Two Sisters Jewelry Boutique

Hair/Makeup:

Tina Burnham

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