Lizzy Yates Photography: Little Rock Newborn , Child and Family Photographer » Little Rock Photographer Lizzy Yates {Newborn, Children, Seniors and Families}

People often ask me, “How long have you been doing this?”  I’m not really sure how to answer them.  It was about five years ago that I filled out all the paperwork  that brought Lizzy Yates Photography into existence.  How long has photography been a part of what I do and who I am?  Well,  I didn’t fill out any paperwork to make that official, but there are boxes and albums full of prints that show it has been a very long time.

In retrospect it seems fairly obvious that I would end up as a photographer.  I have always loved pictures.  Throughout high school and college I was known for always have my camera with me.  I documented every event, each friendship (sometimes to the point of being slightly annoying, I’ll have a few high school friends who will “like” this fact) .   I filled my walls with cork boards covered with snapshots.  I clearly remember going to the 1 hour film developer and waiting to the minute to pick up prints from dances and all sorts of other events.

At least once a week someone says to me, “You’ve got the best job.”  And despite the fact that it can seem cheesy, I have to agree.  I get to meet babies in the first days that they are a part of this world and I get to capture that look parents have when they realize that nothing can prepare you for THAT feeling.  I get to give little kids candy and play chase and make stupid jokes and make them laugh.  I get to take pictures of women that make them feel GOOD about themselves.

It was during a recent trip home that I saw a picture that my mom had framed in the house.  It was her and my sister. When I was about the age my daughter is now (almost 10) I set up my first studio. It was my closet and my backdrops were my mom’s sheets.   I convinced them to let me do their pictures.  While I was (obviously =) no photographic prodigy, these pictures are proof that I have ended up right where I should be.

**A big shout out to my mom and my sister who, I’m sure, will be so glad to have these pictures shared!**

I was so excited to attend the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Convention. First it is a week  full of sessions taught by the top of the industry.  A chance to learn from the best from across the country.  It was also a chance to see one of my best friends who is a great photographer in Denver.  Oh, yeah….and it was in Vegas.  We surrounded by excess, largess, noise and fun.  Just deciding where to eat presented us with more options than we cared to entertain!

One night we went to  a Joel Robuchon restaurant.  Now, to be honest, I am not the most adventurous eater, I don’t even eat seafood.   At first the menu was daunting.  Beef cheek, for example, is not something I was going to order.   I shared my timidness with our server who graciously did not laugh in my face.  With help I decided what I would have.  My more adventurous companion Eliza ordered the tasting menu.

In what turned out to be an unexpected treat, we were seated at the bar where we had a direct view into the open kitchen.  We spent the majority of the evening watching the chefs as they meticulously assembled each dish.  We ooo-ed and awed as we watched  one salad take almost 10 minutes to prepare… It involved tweezers.  Each piece was placed exactly where it should be. They would step back and examine the dish, then adjust, replace, add, delete.  The result was that each and every dish was beautiful, artistic.  In fact, we were in the majority as we (dorkily) photographed each plate placed before us.  You could not help but be struck by how lovely each dish was.  Below you will see my onion tart with asparagus, bacon and a quail egg.

There are so many creative people in this world who make things that are beautiful in all sorts of ways.  I totally enjoyed watching the creative process happen in that kitchen.

In a town of over-the-top it was these small,  beautiful, one of a kind creations that struck me the most.

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