cbYatesphotography

6 months of cuteness

I got to visit baby B recently for her 6 month photo shoot. I don't think I've ever met a more smiley baby! She certainly makes my job easy since she's so happy. I always enjoy visiting with her parents too.
I'm so glad we got to go outside and take some photos in their front yard. The last time I visited it was winter time and the outdoors were simply not an option.
Look how green their front yard was!

This baby's blue eyes are spectacular! Her Mama found the perfect outfit to show them off.

Love these photos of Dad and daughter interacting. No wonder she's such a happy baby!
Take care guys, I'll have her entire 6 month gallery done and posted by tomorrow. Watch for your email with the link.
:)

From not yet 1 month to 1 year . . .

I've had the privilege to photograph Miss "K" lots of times this past year. I got to watch mom and dad snuggle her while I photographed them just a few short weeks after she was born. Now she's toddling around, flashing her beautiful smile and pointing at all the interesting things she can find.
We had a "trash the cake" session in honor of her first birthday. I so enjoyed watching her dive in and then squish the frosting through her fingers. I'm sure glad we got some "pre-cake" shots before she dug in!

So glad her pal Max got in on the photo action!

It's clearly evident how much she loves him. You don't share cake frosting with just anyone!

I LOVE her little tummy in this one!

Such a little beauty!
:)

Now that the weather is turning nice . . .

I'll post some engagement photos I took back in February when the weather wasn't quite as pleasing! Don't get me wrong, I was thankful we had sun and that the temperature was above 20 degrees. I'm just used to it being a little warmer when I spend time outside photographing couples. :)

It sure did make for some interesting photos though! I've had an idea in my head for awhile now and the white stuff on the ground gave me my opportunity to use it. I've seen such great family shots with hearts drawn in the sand from one of my favorite photographers Tara Whitney. So I wanted to try it but with a *Nebraska climate* twist . . . in the snow.

I'd say even though we all were a little chilly it proved to be great in getting some good cuddled up shots. T & J, you guys were troopers and your photos turned out beautiful. And just think, when I photograph your wedding in July it'll be much warmer!
Also, thanks for scouting out this unique location you two. All the photos were taken at the May Museum in Fremont, NE.

a lil' Valentine cutie

I wanted to post a couple photos of the cutest little Valentine I got to to meet a couple weeks ago. Such a beauty! I was so happy that she gave me great eye contact with those pretty blue eyes.

One special thing to note about this session, back in the fall of 2006 I photographed the little valentine's parents wedding day! I'm so honored that they called me back to see the new joy in their life.
:)

What a way to start off the New Year

New Year, new clean slate, and a new calendar! As we near the end of January I'm sure you all have picked one up and have it hanging in a prominent place. I wanted to share with you two custom calendars I created for two of my favorite customers. (M and L, I'm glad you're as thrilled with them as I am!

Each easel frame can be viewed horizontally or vertically. There are twelve 5 x 7 photos that can be changed with each new month. The calendar is printed directly on the photo and after each month is through, the calendar part can be cut off and you still can decide what to do with the photo.

I really enjoyed putting these together. I got to go through the their various photoshoots from 2007 and literally watch their little girls grow up. What a difference a year makes and how incredibly fast it goes. I'm not a mama myself yet but I know it will go even faster when it's my own kids!

Hands down . . .

my favorite gift I gave this year was this 16 x 24" canvas I had made for my brother and his girlfriend. I couldn't wait for them to open this package.
This photo is so *them*. It was taken after an afternoon of raking leaves down at the cabin. Nothing fancy about it . . . just a true and genuine moment I was happy to capture.

Edited: I don't have to keep it under wraps anymore . . . THEY'RE ENGAGED!!
I was honored when Matt asked me to help him pick out *the ring* at the end of November. We had fun looking at all the bling and Matt made a beautiful choice. My favorite part of the night was him thanking me as we walked out to our cars. Squeezed tight in a big bear hug, he told me he couldn't have done it without me. I was sure glad to help.

I can't even tell you how excited I am that Ashlie is joining our family. She's so good for my brother!

Excuse the goofy smile from Matt in the second photo, I think he was done with picture taking at that point. Just like a young kid he was probably ready to open another package!

Sorry for such a lapse in between blog posts. I plan to have a "catch-up" post very soon. Can't wait to show you what I was working on in Nov. & Dec.!

Another engagement in the Omaha O!

I got to scout out another giant "O" for this engagement shoot! I was happy to hear that the couple was as excited as I was to get their picture taken with this funky art monument. I think the Omaha O! Public Art Project is such a cool idea. Here's the one we found at the 60th & Dodge location.

Like this shot taken on the pedestrian walkway above Dodge Street? We had to park a couple blocks away and walk to get to this cool looking "O".

This last photo is one of my favorites I've taken lately. So much expression and closeness between these two. I had a great time with Elise and Doug. We were pretty much laughing the entire afternoon! They were a little late getting getting to our location because they had some trouble finding it. (so they said!) I kept teasing Doug that it was because he wanted to drive around awhile longer and listen to the Nebraska game on the radio! :)

Take care you guys. Your online gallery is up and ready to be viewed. I just emailed your invitation. And be sure to let me now when you close on your new house 'cause I'd love to take your first "official homeowners" photo!

It's that time of year. . .

time to order Holiday cards. Here are a couple from last year. I love that these cards can be double-sided giving them room for lots of photos. It's like a mini collage for all your friends and family.
The thing I really like about these cards is that once they're designed I eagerly wait for them to arrive from the printer. It's great to open them up and see the final end product. So from there all I have to do is address the envelopes and they're off in the mail.

Right now I'm working on some custom designed cards for a couple different families. I can't wait to see them printed! To all clients who have had a session with me in the last year drop me a line if you want to order Holiday cards.

Here's the info:
Ordered in increments of 25
Pricing includes envelopes
$1.75 each
(Minimum order 25 cards)

oh and P.S. the photographer loves be included on your Holiday card list! You just might be featured on next year's Holiday card blog post.

Engaged in the Omaha O!

I'm so excited to share these photos of a very special couple I photographed recently. Our photoshoot was cancelled twice because of weather but in the end I'm glad it worked out that way. The day we took photos ended up exactly like we needed, perfect mild temperature and no rain!

I had a great time with these two. They are without a doubt in love and perfect for each other. The whole shoot was comfortable and so casual just the way I like it. I feel I really captured their personalities and their relationship. These types of photoshoots make me love what I'm doing even more.
I can't wait to attend their wedding next May. After hanging out with these two I know it will be one heck of a party!

We went to two different areas to photograph in. One being the Old Market. There are so many cool little niches to photograph down there. Do you love the giant "O" that's part of the Omaha O! Public Art Project? Here's a video showing all the different "O" locations. hmmm, I just got an idea. How cool would it be to have every engagement session have at least one photo snapped at one of these locations? I have a couple more engagement sessions coming up. I may have to run it by them and see what they think.

One more cool thing about this couple . . . I share the same name as the bride-to-be. She even spells it the same! I don't run into that very often. I love the way Cara told me how she explained me to her friends. "Her name is Cara and she even spells it correctly!" Love it, meaning there's only one RIGHT way to spell it. :)
Well, take care Zach and Cara! I will have your online gallery setup and ready to be viewed before the weekend. Thanks for such a fun photoshoot.

Happy birthday to my good friend Amanda aka "mama"

My buddy Amanda celebrated her birthday a couple weekends ago and she asked me to come down and take pictures of her and the boys at the zoo. Well the weather didn't really cooperate that day so we ended up at the Lincoln Children's Museum instead. Wow, what a fun, colorful place! I wanted to be a little kid again so I could play on all the cool exhibits.

I thought it was so special that Amanda wanted to celebrate her birthday by taking her boys out and enjoying time with them. She is really a wonderful, loving mama. I always have a good time with her little guys. Amanda has even referred to me as "Aunt Cara". Even though I'm not actually related she sure makes me feel like it and I love it!

So thanks for letting me spend the day with your family Amanda. I've got more pictures where these came from but I wanted to get a couple posted as a "sneek peek". Can't wait to see you and the boys next time!