Paula Yates Photography

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Paula Yates Photography Specializing in Wedding & Portrait Photography
Grayson and surrounding areas! For more information, visit www.paulayatesphotography.com

Once upon a time became forever.✨Introducing, The Bonuras. More of their magical storybook day at SunsetRidge Farm Weddi...
09/15/2026

Once upon a time became forever.✨Introducing, The Bonuras. More of their magical storybook day at SunsetRidge Farm Wedding Venue coming soon!!! Congratulations Kristine & Kevin! 💒

Class of 2027… yes, it’s already time to start thinking about senior portraits! 🎓✨I know… it’s “only August,” and classe...
08/06/2026

Class of 2027… yes, it’s already time to start thinking about senior portraits! 🎓✨

I know… it’s “only August,” and classes haven’t even started yet. But here’s what I’ve learned, first as a senior and later as a senior parent: senior year has a way of flying by. Before you know it, your calendar is filled with football games, homecoming, school events, college applications, work, weekends with friends, and all the moments that make senior year so special.

The seniors who love their portraits most are usually the ones who plan ahead. Booking now doesn’t mean your session has to happen right away. It simply reserves your spot on my calendar ...and one thing you can check off the senior to-do list!

Planning ahead gives you:
✨ The best selection of session dates
✨ Plenty of time for yearbook deadlines
✨ The freedom to choose your favorite season
✨ Time to plan personalized locations and outfits
✨ A relaxed, stress free experience from start to finish

Whether you’re dreaming of the last days of summer, golden September fields, or colorful October leaves, every season has its own beauty, and each one only comes around once.

Your senior session should feel like you. Whether that’s a downtown coffee shop, your favorite record store, a creek, open fields, or somewhere that’s meaningful to you, we’ll create a session that’s as unique as this exciting season of life.

Comment “SENIOR” below or send me a message, and I’ll send you my Senior Experience Guide with all the details! 📸💛🎓

One of the biggest misconceptions about those beautiful, natural photos? That they happen because the people in them are...
08/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about those beautiful, natural photos? That they happen because the people in them are naturally relaxed, know exactly what to do, or are somehow just "good" in front of the camera.

The truth is... almost every family starts out saying the same thing:
"We're awkward."
"We have no idea what we're doing."

And that's completely okay... because they don't have to.

There's a lot more going on behind the scenes (or in a photographer's brain) than most people realize. During a session, I'm constantly thinking ahead. More than a decade of photographing weddings and families have taught me to watch the light, anticipate moments, notice distractions, and gently guide when needed.

But we also have a limited amount of time to create an entire gallery you'll love. If I simply stood back and waited for every perfect moment to happen naturally, we'd likely miss so many beautiful images. That's why those photo worthy candid moments aren't just about observing... it's about knowing when to gently create opportunities for those moments to unfold.

If you're feeling a little nervous, I'll give you simple direction to help you relax. If the moment isn't naturally unfolding, I'll gently guide you into an activity that creates genuine connection. If the light needs a slight adjustment, I'll make it. My goal isn't to control every moment. It's to remove anything that might keep you from simply enjoying the people you're with.

Then, when I see those real moments unfolding... the laughter, the hugs, the little in-between glances... I get quiet. I step back and let those moments happen naturally.
The goal isn't to direct every second of your session. It's to create an experience that feels easy, comfortable, and genuine so you can focus on each other instead of the camera.

Because the photos you'll love the most are almost always the ones where you forgot I was even there.

The result? Photos that feel completely natural without leaving everything up to chance.

One day, these little moments will be the big memories.🤍A little sneak of the Weddington family💕Jordan Weddington
08/03/2026

One day, these little moments will be the big memories.🤍
A little sneak of the Weddington family💕

Jordan Weddington

07/20/2026

WANT THAT PERFECT
DIP KISS? 💋

PRACTICE IT FIRST. 👏

During your first look… At your engagement session… Or even in your living room! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Learn where to stand, where your hands go & what feels natural.
(a lot of this will be determined by the bride's dress)

Then when the REAL moment comes…

You don’t have to think about it.

You already know what to do.🙌🏼

COMING DOWN THE AISLE?
NAILED IT. 💋

SPARKLER EXIT?
DO IT AGAIN. ✨

In case you missed it:
HOW TO NAIL THE DIP 💋

⭐️ Groom faces the photographer directly.

✨ Bride faces groom + tosses bouquet over his shoulder, passing it from right hand to left.

✨ Bride’s right arm stays around groom for support.

⭐️ Groom supports her back with his left arm + places his right hand at her hip/thigh. (Hip if no slit, thigh if you wanna show leg)

✨⭐️ DIP + KISS! 💋

Then reverse the steps to come up smoothly.

✨ TIP: You don’t need a dramatic dip!
Small dips photograph beautifully too.

Bride: Kara Beth Webb groom: Tyson Webb

Engagement Session → Wedding Day Flow 💍📷One of my biggest goals is to make this whole experience feel easy. You don’t ha...
07/19/2026

Engagement Session → Wedding Day Flow 💍📷

One of my biggest goals is to make this whole experience feel easy. You don’t have to know how to plan an engagement session, what to wear, how to pose, or what you’re supposed to do. That’s what I’m here for! I’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.

✨You'll also receive your Engagement Experience Guide prior to session day to help you prepare it all!✨

We’ll start with the kind of look and feel you love. You’ll send me information about what inspires you, who you are as a couple, and what photo style you love best. From there, I’ll help with location ideas, outfits, and planning a session that actually feels like you two. From choosing the look, location, and outfits to figuring out what in the world to do with your hands haha, I help you through all of it.

And when session day comes, you don’t need to be experienced in front of the camera. I have a posing system and flow that we’ll work through together with movement and fun interaction, so everything feels natural instead of stiff or overly posed. I promise it doesn't matter how awkward you think you are! 😊

And grooms… if you’re already dreading pictures, you’re not alone. 😂 Most are surprised by how easy it is and usually leave saying some version of, “Okay, that was kinda fun!” (If I had a dime for every time this happened lol)

But engagement sessions are more than pretty pictures. They’re rehearsal for your wedding day. You’ll learn the same posing flow and cues we’ll use again, and I’ll learn what feels most natural for YOU as a couple. So when wedding day comes, and your day is moving 100 miles a minute, we’ve already practiced.🤍

And the best part? A complimentary engagement session is included with every wedding collection.

Beautiful photos, a little fun date night, and wedding day practice all in one.🤍

07/19/2026

I just wanted to quickly say thank you all SO much for your help! We went from 1% to 20% that fast🫶🏻 This shows that just quickly clicking the like button or engaging on a post as you are scrolling helps more than you realize!

Any future engagement on content as my posts show up on your feed would be so much appreciated. If you would just quickly tap the like button as you see it! It will help me support my family, and continue to keep things rolling to ensure that others see my posts in the case they need someone going forward! I truly couldn't do this without you and appreciate your support!🥰

Hi friends! If you are seeing this, I would greatly appreciate the read on this one. Before this break, I never really t...
07/19/2026

Hi friends! If you are seeing this, I would greatly appreciate the read on this one.

Before this break, I never really took time away from posting or working because I was always afraid if I did, the algorithm would basically forget I existed. Aaaand it did.😅 Right now, only about 1% of my followers are actually seeing and interacting with my posts; that means 99% of people are NOT... which makes it reallyyy tricky to get things rolling again.

Supporting a small business means more than you probably realize, especially in a small town. It gives me the opportunity to give back to the town, pour into other small businesses, and help raise the next generation of those coming after us.

And one of the easiest ways to help is completely free… interacting with & sharing posts, tagging friends, or just spreading the word.

So I just wanted to say that if you see one of my posts come across your feed, I would be SO grateful if you’d interact, give it a share, tag someone who might be looking for a photographer, or just help spread the word.

Even interacting with and sharing this post would mean a lot. Or even just drop a heart in the comments!❤️ So that I can continue capturing beautiful memories for even more beautiful people. It truly does make so much difference. I can't do any of this without YOU and I don't take that for granted.

I appreciate you all so much! Thank you🤍

If you’re planning a 2027 wedding, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.🤍After 10 years of photographing weddings, I’ve...
07/18/2026

If you’re planning a 2027 wedding, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.🤍

After 10 years of photographing weddings, I’ve learned that it’s not always just the big moments that end up meaning the most.

It’s all the little things too. The details you spent forever picking out. Getting ready with your favorite people. Your mom helping with your dress. The look on his face when he sees you. All the people you love in one place for one day.

Those are the little things we don’t always remember years later, but photos have a way of bringing them right back.

That’s what I want your wedding photos to do. Not just show you what your day looked like, but remind you how it felt.

I’m booking 2027 weddings now, and if you’re looking for timeless, true to life photos and someone who will help you through the whole process, I’d love to chat and see if we’re a good fit!

You can find wedding info, inquire about your date, and tell me a little about your wedding here💍

https://paulayatesphotography.com/contact

It’s a stormy Saturday here today, and I can’t help but think about all the brides who’ve spent this week watching the f...
07/18/2026

It’s a stormy Saturday here today, and I can’t help but think about all the brides who’ve spent this week watching the forecast, worried sick about rain. So if you are a soon to be bride, I want to share something that may ease your mind...

You’re planning one of the biggest days of your life, and of course you’re thinking about your photos. But what many couples don’t realize is how big of a role their photographer plays in keeping the day running smoothly. So beyond loving their images, here are a few things you may not think to ask:

What’s the backup plan if it rains?
What if the timeline gets pushed back or that beautiful golden-hour light disappears? (Bc we all love a good sunset moment.)

I know these probably feel like worst case scenarios, but for an experienced wedding photographer, they’re challenges we’ve faced many times before... and now rain is just a normal part of shooting weddings. Because a seasoned photographer has already thought through these possibilities way before your wedding day. Not to mention, we watch the weather as much as you do.😉

I carry backup gear… for my backup gear. I bring dozens of clear umbrellas, have rain plans for each moment, watch the radar, and build flexibility into your timeline so that you can enjoy your day instead of worrying about the weather.

When things change, experience means knowing how to adjust quickly, technically and mentally. Like when a downpour rolls in right when ceremony starts, there is no time to panic or guess. You stay calm, think fast, and adjust where needed to keep creating beautiful images.

Because great wedding photography isn’t just about knowing how to use a camera or having an artistic eye. It’s about being calm and prepared, so you guys can stay present in each moment and trust that your memories are taken care of, no matter what the day brings.

After all, rain on your wedding day is good luck. 👰🏼‍♀️☔️🤵🏼‍♂️

Address

Grayson, KY
41143

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

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