cbYatesphotography

Go on and check out . . .

the brand new blog!   

Update your bookmarks to

http://www.cbyatesphotography.com/blog/

I've been working on this for awhile this summer and I'm so proud to introduce it! Photos will be posted larger show I can show off my beautiful clients! There's still some kinks to be worked out and I have a couple other ideas I want to implement but I didn't want to hold out on you any longer.

So check out the new digs and I'll see you on the other side! :)

Check out these brown eyes

oh my is this little guy handsome! And he was so good at lookin' cute! He didn't even have to try. I had a ball photographing this family even though the humidity was close to unbearable. Thanks for working with me even though I know you were a little uncomfortable!

I sure hope Grandma Shari likes these images as much as I do.

Isn't this last one of mom and dad alone romantic? Love it!

I will have the rest of your online gallery up in a day or two. You're going to love your images!

:)

Wordle

Wanna see the content of my blog in a slightly different way?

See below . . . I especially like the grouping "just good love". Is that what I capture while photographing people? hmmm, sure hope so!

Check it out yourself at wordle

Doug & Elise

…I am so incredibly thankful. Thankful to call you friends, and thankful to have documented your wedding day. Your friends and family are incredible and getting to know them was so much fun. We sure had a good time together. I loved how you all jumped outta the limo at the park and were immediately ready for pictures. You didn't scoff once when my assistant and I suggested you jump on the old wooden merry-go-round. I love that about you two . . . always ready to have a little fun!

There's probably too many photos for a blog post but I don't care. There are just that many I LOVE from your day.

Sit back and have a look,

(Love how you call her "mama marble"! :)

These girls were pros at workin' it for the camera. And I get to photograph one of the bridesmaids (hi, Ashley!) upcoming wedding on New Years Eve! 

Does anyone know how old the merry-go-round at Peterson Park is? I remember playing on it when I was a kid!

Gotta love this last shot of you two together. Off to your reception and your new life together as husband and wife!

I wish you joy, happiness, and lots of love!

-C

Family Session

This family was so much fun to work with! Take that back, it wasn't work . . . it was play. These girls were absolutely darling and such good sisters to each other. They played and shared and held hands just like mama asked them to.

We started off in the back yard and then went over to the lake for some more scenic shots. I'm glad they had as much fun as I did. These are the sessions when I realize how happy I am to be doing what I'm doing. These are the type of photos I want to capture everyday! We got photos of them loving each other, laughing, hugging . . . being together.

I was very happy to hear the parents comment on "this is how family photos should be, skipping rocks in the lake together and cuddling in the grass." 

Yea! This is absolutely what I want to do. Now I'm not by any means criticizing posed studio portraits. They're beautiful shots and I admire these talented photographers, but sometimes they don't always portray the *real* family relationship. I'm not saying all studio shots are this way but I just wonder how comfortable the subjects are in this environment. I like to know that my clients are completely relaxed bearing their best "this is ME smile". If I can provide these real images of laughter and love in a stress free & FUN environment . . . well then I'm pleased as punch.

:)

Engagement Sneak Peek

Wanted to post a quick peek at my brother and Ashlie's engagement photos. Trust me guys, there's lots more I want to share from this shoot! I'm so glad we were able to use this location. When I first saw it covered in snow a long time ago I knew it'd be the perfect place to shoot. After tracking down who we had to ask for permission I was ecstatic to be heading down there.

Don't even ask about how much convincing it took to get him to go shirtless in the above photo. I kept telling him how cool it would look if he'd just try it. What do you think?

So stay tuned . . . I'll show more of this great shoot and these cute soon to be married folk. September will be here faster than you think!

Love ya two!

-C

“Any man can be a father . . .

but it takes a special person to be a Dad.

I've always loved this quote. So simple and true. This Father's day was a good one for my family. Beautiful weather, good company, and of course good food. We spent part of the day with my husband's dad and the other part with mine. I always try and make unique cards for special occasions like these. So this year I thought I'd post my Father's Day creations to highlight all the wonderful Dads in my life. Not only do we celebrate our own Fathers, we also share with Chuck's step-dad and Grandpa.

Here they are, a little highlight to each of them:

Grandpa Les Andy

Jr. (giving his famous over the glasses look) and my Dad, aka Bob-O

I joked with my Dad on the inside of his card saying how he always looks so tough yet I know deep down he's just a teddybear. It's true, he would do anything to help me or anyone else I know.

Here's just another quick photo I took at our dinner at the lake. I kind of have to take what I get. Don't know very many men that will "work it" for the camera. I have to catch him off guard and that's what I love about this one. I can tell he's relaxed and just soakin' it in. And if you look close you can see my brother and I in the reflection of his sunglasses.

Love ya Papa,

You're my best friend.

-Cayda

More engagement scenery

I'm happy to share these new engagement pics because I got to shoot somewhere completely different . . . by the Elkhorn River. It was such a nice day out, the temp. was just right, not terribly muggy, and the sky was so blue with not too many clouds. 

They have the perfect spot! I loved all the foliage and the view. I'd seriously like to come back for one of their bonfires. Kate and Rich are a really cool couple. So glad we got in touch with each other thanks to her mom. On the way down we traveled through some bumpy gravel roads and the instant we got to our destination Kate joked about "making sure my Jeep would make it through the conditions". Gotta love a girl that jokes about 4-wheelin'.

Here are the photos of our evening down by the river. (no Chris Farley pun intended!)

Thanks again for sharing your unique spot. I loved it and you never know, I may be calling asking to use it again. I had a good time getting to know you a little better and meeting your dog! Everyone knows how much I love spending time with animals. :)

Take care and I'll be seeing you in August!

Cara & Zach

Although C&Z's wedding took place on a rather rainy day it sure didn't put a damper on their spirits. This was one of the coolest weddings I've been to lately. Their colors were turquoise and brown with little accents of peacock feathers. On the back of their programs they had an image of a peacock with the following verbiage: "The peacock symbolizes benevolence, patience, kindness, compassion and luck." 

How fitting for their theme since these are all things that are important in a marriage.

I was very excited to be a part of this wedding. From our very first meeting I could tell that these guys were special. My feelings continued when we got together for their  engagement session. Not only is their relationship and how much they love each other unique but also how kind they are to others. They have always been wonderful to work with and every time I get together I feel like I'm meeting friends.

And without further adu, here's a sneak peek of your wedding photos,

This first shot is so emotional. I love it when grooms send their brides special gifts with handwritten cards before the ceremony.

It's not just the girls that get all spiffed up on the wedding day. 

Cara was a beautiful bride!

  

I love this shot of them admiring their new wedding bands side by side.

They rented the Excalibur from Accent Limousine which was the *perfect* backdrop despite the rainy weather.

Don't ya love the turquoise umbrellas? They fit in perfect with the brown and turquoise/peacock color scheme.

Their first dance was choreographed! They didn't miss a step once, it was perfect! Seriously, I was getting jealous. I'd love for Chuck and I to be able to dance that way.

And one more shot at the reception as they enjoyed dinner. 

Thanks you two for choosing me to be there with you on your day. I had THE BEST time with you guys. Your family and friends were wonderful to be around. I can see why you're all so close.

Take care and I'll be talking with you soon!

One year later

I'm really excited to share some new images on this post. Especially since the photos are of some very special people. Let me backtrack a little and explain . . . I photographed this couple a year ago at their May Wedding. I've known the groom since my freshman year of college out at good ole' UNK. He's always been such a good friend to me and I felt lucky to get to photograph his wedding day. Well fast forward to a couple weeks ago when he called to set up a photoshoot as an anniversary gift to his wife. He asked if I thought it'd be a good idea and I was impressed . . . of course it's a good idea! Photos are a perfect and memorable gift and I'm not just saying that because I'm a photographer! ha ha

C and J have a bunch to celebrate this past year. They've built a beautiful new house out in the country and have added a new pup to their family. I couldn't wait to incorporate them into our photoshoot.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed my evening at the "Lee" farm! Gotta love the Green John Deere tractor and our interpretation of "American Gothic", which was totally Casey's idea by the way. He mentioned it jokingly on on the first phone call. Don't know if he thought I'd really attempt it or not!

Oh and as we were chatting after the photos were done Jessica looked up the traditional Anniversary gifts and for one year it's *paper*. So Casey had the right idea after all! So for all my couples getting married this summer . . . maybe I'll see ya again in a year if you take this route. hmmm, I see a new marketing campaign on the horizon!

:)