Emily and Steve: May 2nd, 2009

Happy to be posting the first wedding of this summer’s wedding season. It was a beautiful day in Dodge, Nebraska. I couldn’t ask for better weather. Bright, blue sky with big, fluffy clouds and just the right temperature.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day. There were many to choose from!

The first image on the left is taken from their “first glance moment”. So glad when the bride and groom choose to see each other before the ceremony. It gives us much more time to get family/group images done in a non-rushed way. Plus I think it’s much more romantic. 

“There are many advantages to seeing each other before the wedding. Wedding photographers often suggest this approach because it makes their job easier, but this is also when the bride, groom, bridal party and family are at their best: the bride and bridesmaids’ hair and makeup are fresh, while the groom and groomsmen are not anxious to get out of their tuxes yet. Best of all, your family and wedding party are not at all distracted to rush to the reception, or to participate in the wedding day’s festivities. This healthy pre-ceremony atmosphere creates a smooth tempo to sound the drum of the event’s opening.” -written by  WPD Content Contributor: Heather Nelson. Original full length article is here.

Look at the support from all these beautiful bridesmaids. Love how they’re helping add to the excitement before Emily walks down the aisle.

And this next image tugs at the heartstrings for me. If you know me, you know how special my relationship with my Dad is. When it was time for him to walk me down the aisle at my own wedding we were both shaking with emotion. It was such a special moment that I’ll never forget.

I always look for this same moment when I’m photographing weddings. How special that Emily and her Dad turned and looked back at me with huge smiles right before they walked aisle together. This one’s definitely a fave for me. Hope you love it too Emily!

And this last image is a fun one too. Who knew Dodge had so many cool photo ops? I’d never been there before but was pleased to find this great old gas station with this good looking car out front. Hope they didn’t mind that we borrowed it for this shot!

Many Congratulations to you Emily and Steve! We had such a great day for the beginning of your life together. You two were so much fun to photograph together.

And thanks again for some of the best tasting wedding cake I’ve had in a long time. My assistants and I really enjoyed it!

I can make you smile

This title is so fitting. How can you look at this sweet baby and not smile? It’s like she’s already got you wrapped around her finger. Even when it’s late at night and she won’t sleep just look at her dressed in this cute outfit and you can almost hear her whisper “I’m really cute, you love me, and no matter how late it is . . . I can make you smile”.

Speaking of smiles, I was quick with my camera and look what I captured. It’s like finding a four leaf clover, you gotta keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. So happy I was able to get this baby’s smile on film. 

And I just had to show this cute set of images. When baby “L” was still in her Mama’s tummy we took some pictures with these little socks as a prop. I remembered the socks and wanted to show them on her tiny baby legs compared to when she was still growing inside.

How can I say these last couple images are my favorite? It just seems that every new shoot I go on lately I keep getting images that I want to call my favorite. I realize they can’t all be my favorite but still, I’m very pleased with them. So cool to see a family from the very beginning. I hope they look back on these photos years from now and remember what it felt like when they were parent newbies. They’re doing an amazing job with this little one.

Congratulations Christine and LeRoy, you two have a beautiful start to your family.

Charming baby “C”

I feel blessed to be able to photograph so many little ones lately. So fresh and new to the world and I get to be one of the the first people they meet. I was excited to meet baby “C” after talking with his mama. Their home was absolutely beautiful with big, bright windows to work with. I was definitely pleased with the light.

This new Mom definitely has a big reason to celebrate on Mother’s Day this weekend! A big thank you to you both for welcoming me into your home and sharing your little guy with me. And thanks for turning on the Fleetwood Mac while I was working. I think it calmed both me and baby C and made the morning even more fun.

And just a quick note to any last minute Mother’s Day gift givers-

Follow this link for the best gift idea yet . . . cb Yates Photography gift certificates. Drop me an email and I’ll be sure to get yours mailed out in time for this weekend. Perfect for Moms and Moms-to be!

A cabbage patch doll

is exactly what this sweet little thing reminds me of! Oh this little girl was such a pleasure to work with despite the somewhat cool weather. We wanted to photograph more outside but the weather took a dip last Saturday and didn’t allow us to be outside like we had wanted. Regardless I’m very happy with the way these turned out. Mom and Dad’s house had some amazing light and a cute little couch that was just the perfect place to photograph little miss “M”.

Her eyes are simply gorgeous! She’s such a lucky girl.

I told her mama that I wanted to clone her so I could have a baby as cute and sweet natured as her. 

Thanks for such a fun photoshoot you two. I enjoyed the morning we spent together.

Beautiful Night, Beautiful Mama

Before I go any further I just have to say, this session was amazing! The light, the laughter, the love between the soon to be parents . . . it was all in sync. Have you ever seen a more beautiful tummy? And the way mama radiates with love and excitement. Can’t wait to see her cuddling baby with the same glow.

Dad was a trooper on this photoshoot. Carrying clothes on hangers, holding up the makeshift changing curtain, and loving on his wife for these images, I think he did an excellent job!

Thanks to you both for a great shoot! Tif, thanks for not thinking I was crazy when I suggested some of these ideas. You gave me total freedom (which I love) and the images speak for themselves.

Baby “g” is very lucky to have you two as parents. Just look at how much laughing went on while we were taking pictures! I know you will give him a blessed life filled to the brim with love.