Richard Yates Photography

IML or International Mr Leather

2012-07-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

This was my first year attending the International Mr Leather competition in Chicago the weekend of May 25th 2012.

It was ... an Amazing trip. For a photographer I was on sensory overload for 5 days.

So many attractive men in all shapes and sizes and not nearly enough time to photograph even a tiny fraction of them. There are "Thousands" that attend this event every year!

Next year I'll have to stay longer!

Till then... here are just a few of what I was able to capture!!

Enjoy!

Men of CLAW

2012-05-13T11:38:00.000-07:00

I went to CLAW (Cleveland Leather Awareness Week) to do some photoshoots and to also be a part of the BDSM Art Show. Stopped off in Chicago first to photograph my friend Tim and a new friend Jack!

I won "Best of show" for my images in the art show and one would think that this was the highlight of my trip but nothing, and i mean NOTHING beat the photoshoots of some of the hottest Men I know and also had the pleasure of meeting for the first time!

Say "Hello" to a few of the Men of CLAW!

Enjoy!

Woofy Eric

2012-04-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

There is no other word to describe him.

Plain and simple .... "WOOF"

Enjoy!

Back with a Vengence!

2012-04-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

I'm Baaaack!

It's been a really long time since my last post. I apologize for that!
What's been going on?

Lot's of photo-shoots and pushing some of my boundaries! Mainly in the full frontal nude shoots.
I've always been afraid to shoot full frontal for fear of it looking like porn and not artistic.

I'm not afraid anymore! :)

Let's just get right to it and start off with Jason!

I've worked with him once before and he was amazing then and even more amazing now! Not only is he beautiful on the outside but even more so on the inside. It's a Killer combination!

Wouldn't you agree!!??

Enjoy!

A Few Great Men!!

2011-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to photograph some Amazing Men!

This was one of those "Epiphany" photo shoots that will forever change the way I photograph.

Words simply cannot describe the magic and chemistry that went on that day. I'm not even going to try!

Here are a few of the "Magical" shots that I was allowed to capture. More will follow at a later date so I'll end this by simply saying....

Enjoy!

Facebook strikes again!

2011-06-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

So I was warned by a friend that the latest image I posted on FB wouldn't last long.
I mentioned that the images that were taken down before in the past only happened on my Personal page and not the Fan page so apparently the person reporting was not a fan.

I was wrong.

I think I also now know what the main problem is. While I now have my personal page looked down completely that is not the case with the fan page. I have that open so those who are not fans can become so by seeing the image. I don't want to change that as I reach more people that way.

Facebook has now given me a final warning and blocked my uploading images for 30 days!

It's time now to bring back the blog and find time to redesign the webpage to include all my works. Hopefully I'll have time soon to do this.

Here are two of the images that were reported as offensive. The first is the image I posted last night!

Enjoy!

Artistic or Offensive?

2010-12-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

So I recently posted the below image on Facebook and someone reported it as being, in their eyes, as offensive.

I'm the first person to believe that people can judge for themselves what is and what is not offensive to them. We are, after all, individuals and can decide things for ourselves.

At first I was mad, then confused. Why? I just wish the person would step forth and simply tell me why they thought it was offensive! Why hide? Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm about as open as they come even to negative feedback. I love criticism good or bad. It's hearing both sides that make me a better photographer.

Why was this considered offensive? Is it because he is naked? Yes, he is naked but it's not like you can see his "privates". You can actually see a whole lot more in some paintings hanging in an at museum. How is this different from a cover of Rolling Stone or Vanity Fair? I was careful to NOT show the "privates" as that I can believe to be offensive to some. This is just a human body, tastefully done! It doesn't depict a lewd act or show an erection or even a little butt crack! It's confusing to me and I hope to create a thoughtful and inspiring adult conversation about this on Facebook.

I'm not perfect! I don't have all the answers and never will, I welcome my friends and even non friends to openly and honestly communicate with me regarding ANY of my images.

I value your opinion. I may not agree with it but I certainly won't discount it, in fact, I may even end up agreeing with you! It's happened!

For those of you who don't find this offensive, as always....

Enjoy!

Closing one door but opening another!

2010-11-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

It's been about a month since my last post. I apologize for that. It's been an Amazing Spring, Summer and Fall and an incredibly busy one at that! I needed a bit of a break as we near the end of the year.

Over the next 6 months ( wow why does winter need to be so long) I'll have far fewer outdoor shoots and will be concentrating more on in-studio work and trying out some new lighting techniques. Keep your eye out for some exciting new work!

Until then here are some shots you may have already seen and some I know that you haven't!

I am so very fortunate to have had the pleasure in photographing so many truly amazing men!

I couldn't have done it without any of you and am so very thankful for the incredible friendships I have made along the way!

As always...Enjoy!

Mark

2010-09-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

So this is Mark!

I wanna be a Cowboy! How often did we say that in our childhoods?

Mark has been photographed many times before in the past by other photographers so when he stated he wanted to work with me I was more than a bit ecstatic!

We chatted many times prior to the shoot and discussed what type/look he wanted for his images. I'm not sure which of us came up with the "Cowboy" but I am so happy we did this. I've wanted to do this type of shoot before but I was always concerned it would look cheesy or staged. That was something I did NOT want to happen. This was going to be a challenge!

Since he is not new to doing photo shoots I had to make sure that not only was it done right but that I also gave him something he could be proud of! His only request was to see if it would be possible for him to be photographed with a Horse!As it happens I knew just the place to go for his shoot as my Partner Steven and my Sister Teresa have connections to stables! This was going to be good!

Mark is one of those rare individuals. You meet him once and you instantly like him. Meet him a second time and you feel like you have been friends for years! Mark is...The list of positive things that I could say to describe Mark would be too long here. Trust me when I say that if you ever get the opportunity to meet him you will walk away a better person for it! I know I have! Many many times!

Enjoy!

Joshua

2010-09-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

So this is Joshua,

Handsome, killer body, infectious smile and simply an overall Amazing Man who also knows when to be serious and when to have a good time! An exceptional, healthy balance we all should strive for!

Josh has done this before in the past and it shows! He instinctively knew what to do and when I gave him direction he was spot on!

While he has been photographed before, he expressed his excitement to be photographed in his Leather Gear and to have that happen outside. Two things that he really hasn't done before on shoots.

We had a blast and I'll be photographing him again in the future! No doubt about that!

Enjoy!

Del

2010-08-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

So....This is Del!

So many things to say about Del.

His BF encouraged him to do the shoot,

Why would someone this attractive need encouragement?

First of all Del has been on his own personal journey. He used to be somewhat overweight and is now at a point in his program that he feels so comfortable in his skin and so proud of his current accomplishments that he felt it was time to do something he hadn't before and have some images captured of were he is at in that journey!

Suffice it to say I couldn't have been luckier! As most people like to say when looking at him he is DELicious! Sorry Del....I HAD to say it!

An IT guy, a Rugby Player for the Mpls Mayhem team and involved in his community Del is the complete package! I know that his BF feels lucky that Del is a part of his life and really, wouldn't you!?

Enjoy!

George Part 2

2010-08-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

So....This again is George!

What else can I say about George that I haven't already said?

Great guy, Funny, sweet, intelligent, sexy as all.... Said it before and I can say it again! He is just Amazing!

George is just all around AMAZING! I love working with him as he knows what my limits are in images, has no issue with those limits and he just lets me creative and instinctively knows now where I am going with a shot and makes it happen!

Some of my best images come from my sessions with him. Take a look and judge for yourself!

Enjoy!

Allen

2010-07-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

So this is Allen,

"Amazingly Positive!" Two of the best words to use to describe this Man.

I'm not sure what it is but I have been very blessed that the Men I have photographed so far have been such great guys and Allen certainly ranks right up there!

Business man by day and Boxer at night! Yes I said Boxer! Strange, when you first meet him you wouldn't think that. Oh the obvious is there. Loves to work out and keep his body in great shape, hits the gym on a regular basis, mature, kind and caring, but to hear he loves to spar and duke it out with his trainer? That took me by surprise and I don't mean that in a bad way! When you think about it what a great way to not only keep your body in shape but also what a great way to release some tension!

Allen simply rocks and I hope you think so as well!

Enjoy!

Chris

2010-07-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

So, this is Chris!

I've said this phrase before and it fits Chris best of all......"He has such a gentle soul!"

He may look rough and tough on the outside but he is far from that on the inside!

I guess maybe I should also use to describe Chris what I have said about Daniel!

"You can't judge a book by it's cover!"

Stop down to The Eagle and find out for yourself. Chris is a Bartender there. After chatting with him for just a few moments you'll quickly agree what a truly great guy he is!

Enjoy!

Nate

2010-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

So this is Nate!

Nate is...well, Nate is just Amazing! Striking good looks, Amazing eyes, a heart of gold!

He has this very intriguing way of grabbing hold of you with just his eyes and you just dont want to look away from them! They truly ensnare you! Did I mention his striking good looks!?

See for yourself and you decide!

Enjoy!

Daniel Part 2

2010-07-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

So this is Daniel...part 2!

First I need to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! This is our day of freedom and independence. We all should stop and take a moment to thank all of the soldiers past and present that fight for our freedom.
If not for them I wouldn't be able to do what I love to do most and have the freedom to post these and upcoming images! We may not always like what they are fighting for but we do need to remember that without them our lives would be much different and I don't believe it would be in a good way.

On to Daniel!

The images below are from a second shoot with him. It amazes me how one man can have so man different looks and all of them are damn sexy!

When I first met Daniel I was blown away by how easy it was to talk to him. He makes you feel like you have been friends for years. Not a trait you come by very often. It takes a strong, kind, outgoing and confidant man to make you feel that way. He is all of those things and more. Oh, and he does have a bit of a naughty side to him as well which is displayed in the first image below. Business and responsibility on the outside and a party on the inside!

Remember last time with Daniel I said "You can't judge a book by it's cover". He just proved that again!

Enjoy!

Doug

2010-06-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

So this is Doug!

He was a little hesitant at first to let me photograph him but a mutual friend (Daniel from a recent shoot) gave him that extra push and told him to "Go for it!"

I was unsure how to go about photographing him. He was a little nervous and yet at the same time also excited to be doing something out of his comfort zone that I didn't want to push his limits too far.

Then it hit me...again!

I know that this blog is for viewing semi-nudes but men are photographed in a sexy way all the time in and out of their clothes. After all, my last 3 shoots just proves that so why not just keep doing what I have been doing and not worry about how much skin is showing in the image. I always seem to forget this simple fact!

While I found Doug to be quiet and somewhat reserved, I knew that underneath his outward appearance that with-in there was a mass of emotion and passion and it was all wrapped up in the most beautiful yet extremely masculine face and body and I needed to capture that in the images I took.

For someone who had never done this before, Doug was simply AMAZING not to mention sexy as hell on a whole new level!

I will never be able to thank Daniel enough for giving Doug that little extra push my way!

Enjoy!

George

2010-06-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

So this is George.

Handsome, polite, kind and one of the most amazing models I have worked with!

Rarely did I ever have to tell him how to pose. Natural through and through and willing
to let me just be creative!

It was a late night shooting but so worth the lack of sleep!

Wouldn't you agree!?

Enjoy!

Prints for sale at "COCKPIT MINNEAPOLIS"

2010-05-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

The 6 Select Limited Edition prints below are available for purchase exclusively at

2321 Hennepin Ave S, Minneapolis
612-824-1377 or toll-free 877-824-1377

$175.00 framed
$75.00 print only

There are only 10 prints of each for sale!

Once they're gone that's it. No more will be printed!

Daniel proves you can't judge a book by it's cover!

2010-05-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is Daniel,

Daniel was so much fun to work with and such a gentle soul.

He could carry a variety of different looks and the images below prove it!

My favorites are the "Leather" look. It fit him so well that I had a hard time moving on to other looks.

You'll see what I mean and remember "You can't judge a book by it's Cover"!

Enjoy!

ps If you like the Leather Gear Daniel is wearing you can find this and many other amazing leather items at "The Cockpit Project".

March 2009 brought new ownership and a new location, The Cockpit Project has continued to be the premier destination for luxury leather and BDSM products in Minneapolis.

Check them out at:
http://www.cockpitmn.com
or visit the store located at:

2321 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55405
ph: 612-824-1377
alt: 877-824-1377
party@cockpitproject.com

Owner Scott Larson

Nick

2010-05-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

So......This, is Nick!

Nuff said!?

Enjoy :)

New Style

2010-04-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Back again and in a shorter time span than what I have been posting earlier!

I recently got together with this Model. Great guy and an even Greater Photo Shoot!

He was amazing to work with and suggested I do some different types of shots that I had not done in awhile or that I was not really all that comfortable with. No backdrop and natural lighting were key for these.

I have, of course, shot images with Natural lighting but I have always preferred the control I get with studio lighting shots. Working without a paper backdrop was also refreshing. I felt like a lot of my images were becoming repetitive because of my heavy use of them. Maybe this is all because Spring is here and the studio gets Amazing natural light. I like to think, and truly believe, that this model greatly inspired me. He has now become my Muse and I will definitely be photographing him again in the near future to which he has Graciously agreed!

Enjoy the new images! I sure have!

One last look

2010-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it has been a really long time since my last post and I apologize for that!

I decided to take a bit of time off from the semi-nudes to focus on other areas of photography but I am back on board again!

I have some future clients booked for some new semi-nude shots so I promise to have some new stuff up with-in the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime here are a few that you haven't seen yet.

Enjoy!

One Guy - 3 Looks

2010-03-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

Usually when I photograph a model for a semi-nude I find that I need to try several different "Looks". One might work better than the other or they all might look great. Take the below 3 images for example.

One Guy - 3 Looks

Take the below 3 images for example. I love it when I can get 3 different looks with the same model while at the same time each image can project a different feeling or emotion from the viewer.

I know what each one makes me think or feel. I would love to hear what you think!

1st attempt at a Artistic Full Frontal Nude Image

2010-02-26T14:29:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone that it has taken so long for me to get a new post on here! Life has been a bit busy! I'll just have to work harder at being more proactive!

So, this model wanted to have his image captured in a semi-nude shot and he was quite open to having a full frontal shot done as well. In fact, it was his hope and idea to have that done.

He told me that for his age (approaching his mid-40's) he was quite happy and comfortable with the way his body looked and has always wanted to have photos taken of himself this way. He also wanted to have this done before he got any older and his body went completely to hell!

While I think he has a long way to go before that happens I was more than happy to take a shot (pun intended) at it!

He mentioned that he really liked his Black Cowboy hat and asked if he should bring it.

I said, "Sure, I can work with that!"

I suggested that we go with the whole "Cowboy" theme and to also bring jeans and preferably and button-up shirt with the sleeves cut off along with cowboy boots to complete the outfit.

He also stated that he is a big fan of darker/shadowy images. I was more than happy to go with that as well.

The below is one if the first images I captured. I think it turned out quite well and he was more than
pleased with it,

While communicating with him about the "Cowboy" look he asked if he should bring along his
Riding Chaps!

Again, I said "Sure! I can work with that too!"

The below image was the result of combining the use of the Chaps in a full frontal shot.

I was concerned that, for sure I had now crossed over into the dark side "Porn" but after doing
some post processing work to the image I no longer thought so.

Again, the model loved the shot and stated that the images were turning out exactly the way he hoped that they would.

Who am I to argue with that!? What do you all think?

Did you know that if you click on the image it will open up in a new window at a bigger size?

Try it!