natural Archives - Dezire Studios

Aaron & Vanessa’s Wedding album

By Brook Desmond Thursday, May 12, 2016 0 Blog, Travel, Weddings autumn, bride, ceremony, melbourne, natural Permalink 0

The Wedding album of Aaron & Vanessa Petaia

This Wedding album is the story of two very wonderful people. Vanessa is Filipino and Aaron is Samoan. She is Catholic and he is Mormon. Luckily they have a love of travelling in common. They are currently on their honeymoon, travelling through the Caribean and USA. When they return they will get to relive their amazing wedding day.

The 8th of April was a beautiful Autumn Friday in Melbourne. Aaron and his groomsmen prepared themselves for the Wedding at Hoppers Crossing while 10 minutes away Vanessa and her bridesmaids and her family were getting themselves ready for this momentous occasion.

The ceremony was in a lovely little catholic church and was conducted by the wonderful Father Paul. Family photographs were swift and to the point. This was a bonus considering the large contingent of family members from both sides travelling from many parts of the globe.

With the sun appearing and providing warm radiant light we set off for a series of bridal party photographs in Williamstown. The botanical gardens proved to be a great place to start things off. Our next location was the foreshore in Williamstown which provided a beautiful backdrop of Melbourne city. There was one more location on the way to the reception in Richmond, and that was along the winding South Yarra banks. As the light dimmed down we squeezed in one last set of wedding portraits of the bride & groom.

The reception was beautiful celebration embracing the coming together of 2 cultures. The lavish venue was finely decorated and the music from the live band was exceptional. Later during the night, Aaron showed us his talent in singing by joining the band on stage. Confidently he took the mic and in perfect key sang a cover of “My Girl” to his stunning new bride. His young nephews and cousins brought the house down with their synchronised dance moves, and even Vanessa joined in on the party.

As the night proceeded so to did the formalities. Parents of the bride and groom spoke highly of their children’s achievements and toasted them their best wishes during the speeches. This was followed by some heartfelt speeches from several members of the bridal party. Aaron capped off a memorable night with a beautiful speech and a tribute to some beautiful women in his life including his mother and his new wife.

A rush of blood erupted on the dance floor as bachelors and single ladies lined up for the traditional garter toss and the throwing of the bouquet. There is only ever one winner in these contests, and it was obvious who was after the mantle of the next Mr & Mr’s. Aaron and Vanessa celebrated their first dance as a husband and wife. This was followed by a traditional Samoan custom, with family dancing with the bride and groom and launching money at them.

The night quickly came to an end and it was time for the wedding couple to depart. They did this in fine style with a boat picking them up from the jetty at the bottom of their reception centre. As they walked down the stairs, their dear family and friends lit sparkler to guide them on the way out. And so ended the Petaia Wedding in Melbourne.

For me as the professional photographer, it was a big week. I had flown over from Perth a few days earlier to prepare for this beautiful wedding. A couple of days had been spent scouting out locations and meeting the bride and groom to be. Plans and timelines had to be finalised gear to prepare. After the Wedding, I was able to travel to Mount Gambier to attend to some other business. This included some glorious sight seeing along the way, stopping at the 12 apostles and several other magnificent sightings in rural Victoria.

The images for this Wedding album were photographed on the trusty Canon 5D Mk3. A variety of lenses were using including wide angle, prime and telephoto. Images were created using a combination of natural light and off camera flash. Images were processed in Camera raw/Photoshop and the album custom designed using Indesign.

Aaron and Vanessa have chosen one of our popular and contemporary “LifeArt” series for their Wedding album. This style of Wedding album is printed on archival photographic paper and flush mounted for a sleek and modern style. ‘The LifeArt’ Wedding album comes with a minimum 20 sides included as standard. As we photographed so many gorgeous images from the day, the lucky bride and groom will have over 70 sides to choose from to fill their wedding album. A complete “LifeArt album for our clients can contain anywhere from 20-80 sides. In larger wedding where more than 80 sides are available, our clients can consider adding a complete 2nd volume wedding album to compliment their main volume.

Pre Wedding portraits at the quarry

By Brook Desmond Saturday, April 2, 2016 0 Portraits, Pre Wedding beautiful. premier, natural, photographer Permalink 0

Your alarm goes off but its still so dark, in fact this morning its a bit chilly too. Being underneath the covers seems so much more inviting than getting out to turn off the alarm, let alone get out of bed and get ready. However you remember that this morning you have to meet someone. You question yourself on whether this was as good an idea as it was when you invited them to meet you.

After packing up the car I race up to the meeting place Statham’s quarry set in the hills of Perth. It was only a few days ago I was up there in the afternoon watching the sun set on a glorious day, which also happened to be the day that my brain came up with this crazy idea to come up here again. Today I’m not alone, my son and his mate are tagging along, they are going to do some cross country running before school. I’m also meeting a gorgeous couple who are planning for their upcoming Wedding. We are meeting to take some pre wedding portraits in preparation for their lovely Wedding day. Its always nice to do this as it helps an nerves settle before I get in their face with my camera at the Wedding.

Well this morning’s pre wedding shoot is a bit different, instead of going for the camera and clicking off some shots straight away, we have agreed to go extra early to watch the sun rise from atop of the quarry. The views up there are just simply stunning and fresh. We hike up the quarry and it would be approximately 2kms of moderate walking, which is lucky because the wind is very chilly and fresh today. As we rise to the top we wait for the sun to peak out from behind the clouds. And then we wait and wait and wait. The thick cloud set on the eastern horizon blocks any colour and lights of ray that we have been expecting.

Fortunately I have a couple Tom and Renee who are very much in love and very into each other, and although there is some initial camera shyness, they actually work well with the me their photographer so that we can create some very natural and magical photographs form the pre wedding experience. As I explain to them this is just to get accustomed to the camera, on the Wedding day it is a very different story. There is a very real, raw magic that you cannot recreate any other day and that is what makes Weddings for a photographer very special. And of course it makes a Wedding day for the couple even the more special. The countdown now begins until the Wedding of Tom and Renee.

photo sessions

By Brook Desmond Tuesday, March 17, 2015 0 Blog candid, natural, newborn, photo, photojournalistc Permalink 0

Dezire Studios most popular photo sessions

Timeless:

Set in the great outdoors our ‘TIMELESS’ portrait sessions are natural and fun photo sessions suitable for families and children.We create a series of images that are real to life and that captures the love and laughter that families share together. Our natural and candid style of photography ensures that the images will be treasures for life. Our approach to these sessions is more traditional, yet they are very natural, playful and fun.

Flare:

Fun, Fresh, adventurous.That is the best way to describe the FLARE portrait session. Everything is candid and photo journalistic. We follow you or your children around during the photo sessions and document the adventures you will get into. Take the clock back a few years to your silly days and let the kids roam wild. Enjoy being a kid again for the day, while we capture some gems for you to treasure for lifetime. Photo sessions are a total adventure.

Moments:

What is special about our MOMENTS sessions is that we will document the growth of your children over a period of time. That’s right! Here is the chance to book multiple sessions of your children’s including their sports events or musical performances or a timeline of your babies growth from a newborn to a toddler. The perfect photo sessions if seeking a portrait album or lifestyle book. Available in a collection of 2, 3 or 6 sessions.

Newlife:

Our new life session illustrates the story of life. Combining high quality images with High definition video footage,We will create for you an emotional and powerful audio visual production recorded onto DVD or BLU Ray. Especially moving is the footage of newborns and toddlers as they explore their own little world. Prints from the session are also available. Includes beautiful soundtracks and touching interviews with parents.

On location portraits

By Brook Desmond Monday, March 2, 2015 0 Blog, Portraits beautiful. premier, family, landscape, location, location portraits Permalink 0

On location portraits – finding the right one

There are a couple of key factors to consider when having your next family portrait. There are all the usual, what should I wear? what style should we go for? are we dressing formally or are we going for a casual look?

As a premier leading portrait studio in Western Australia, we will guide you through those important decisions. All our clients who book a portrait session with us receive their complimentary and comprehensive guide on what to wear to your portrait session, how much makeup to apply, whether to wear glasses or not, and what props work. We have guidelines and suggestions for colour co-ordinating clothing, how to get the tones right, whether or not to wear all the same images, and how to dress so you can achieve the look you are after, all the while remaining comfortable and looking natural.

The other key factors to consider are timing and location. Our studios specializes in natural family on location portraits, images that appear candid and unposed and show you naturally having fun. Our motto is Life, Love, Laughter and it takes a little preparation to get it right.

Our studios specialty is on location portraits. The reason for this is simple. You and the family will feel more comfortable, especially young children who may normally feel cooped up in a studio. The session becomes an experience, a happy and joyful family moment, an event that you will always remember together.

The most important thing to remember is even with on location portraits the focus is still about the people and not the landscape. In saying this, yes the landscape is important, the background is essential, but it is merely a way of complimenting the people that are in it. A nice background will not over power the people in the portrait, but will add taste and flavour.

The essential key in on location portraits is most definitely lighting the scene right. In a studio, the strobes or flash become the key to lighting the subject and the background. On location portraits are controlled by the ambient light from the sun. The sun is a powerful beast and has the ability to dominate the portrait if not used correctly. You would have seen these images before or even taken them on your own camera. Things like harsh shows under the eyes, nose and chin or to one side of the face. Similarly splotchy light making unattractive patched on the face will do the same thing. With the right lighting not only will you get the most flattering portrait, but you will also have a splendid background to compliment and add flavour to the portrait and enhance your already glowing self. Get the light wrong and you merely add age to you.

Light is a Photographers trick and mastering outdoor light that you cannot dial down or amp up is a specialized art. It takes years of training and hands on experience to master this and be ready for whatever comes your way. But what on location portraits sessions allow, is for individuality and uniqueness. Shooting the same on location portraits at different times or on different days will give different looks. You will have your own unique portrait that is totally personal to you.

Much better than having the same pose, same backdrop, same lighting and same clothes as the last client that came through. And with a wealth of amazing locations here in Perth Western Australia and throughout the nation and world you will have a much more rewarding and natural experience. In the next part of this post I will go into the types of locations and show you some samples of how to get you personal portrait experience.

Below are a quick sample of some different types of locations and as we share more on how to select the right location for your on location portraits, we will add more sample to help you select the right type of location for your next family portrait.

An example of a on location portraits in the bush

An example of on location portraits in the Urban architectural location

A Twilight session

An example of on location portraits in a Rural location . This was the clients actual farm

An example of on location portraits in the Park location

An example of on location portraits in a Beach location

Happy Mothers day

By Brook Desmond Sunday, May 12, 2013 0 Blog, Portraits, Weddings baby, daughter, family, family portraits, natural Permalink 0

Mothers Day a time to celebrate:

This Mothers day we ran a photography competition , and asked you all to pick an image that best resembles motherhood. We also asked you to share in your own words your personal feelings about your mother or about motherhood, and what is special about mothers day. Well firstly, happy mothers day to all the others out there, and thank you for your wonderful and amazing contribution to life. Also thank you for touching our hearts with you kind, uplifting and inspiring words about mothers, we really have felt the spirit of this mothers day.

Mothers day giving what you have

Mothers day love is devotion

This mothers day, I am thankful to my mother, she is so wonderful and special and has given everything so that we can be who we are. She still continues to be this amazing person

The Wedding day is almost here

By Brook Desmond Friday, May 10, 2013 0 Blog, Portraits, Weddings bridal party, bride, engaged, engagement, groom Permalink 0

The Wedding day of Ben & Laura is almost here

The Wedding day is almost here, only a day waits for this lovely couple. A few months back we did and engagement shoot for Ben & Laura, and tomorrow is their big day. Time has quickly come around for them to begin their eternal journey together, to start their new life as husband and wife. And I get to be there to witness all the amazing and special details that they have put together over the past few months in preparation for the wedding day.

Even though their pre wedding shoot was the first time I had photographed them together ( not that you can tell, they really are professionals and were so relaxed and easy to work with) we have crossed paths on the photography scene before. Laura, the bride in waiting and her creative sister form a talented duo of designers and party planners and operate a growing little business

Mothers day photography voucher – Mothers day competition

By Brook Desmond Wednesday, May 8, 2013 0 Blog, Booking, Portraits beach portraits, child, child portraits, daughter, family Permalink 0

Mothers day photography voucher – Mother’s day competition

We have decided that this Mothers day, we would run a competition so that some lucky people can win a photography voucher. As a Professional Photographer in Perth, I witness many wonderful moments and unforgettable memories. The love between a mother and her child, be it teenager or baby, is one of the most warming and lovely things I get to experience in my job. In this Mothers’s day competition You will need to select you favourite mothers day image. The image that typifies motherhood. The most natural picture of a mother interacting with her daughter or son.

Mothers day image 1

Mothers day image 2

Mothers day image 3

Mothers day is one of those special days that we love to celebrate. we truly are grateful for the mothers in our lives and honor and respect the challenges they have faced and the sacrifices they have made.
In my life I am blessed with a wonderful mother

Children’s parties: The wonderful joy of

By Brook Desmond Sunday, May 5, 2013 0 Blog, Personal, Weddings family, natural, personal, photograph, photographer Permalink 0

Children’s parties:

Children’s parties are certainly very special. One of the wonderful parts of children’s lives is the joy of attending their friends Birthday parties. On a warm sunny afternoon, our kids were involved in 3 parties. One of the children’s parties I was lucky enough to take out my camera and take some photographs. Yes even when I am not taking my camera out as a professional photographer I still get it out as photographer Dad. Luckily it was our day off and we had some energy to race in between the 3 parties.

Children’s parties at Whitemans park – a magic time

In the afternoon the kids went to a friend from schools celebration at Whitemans park. This a great location anytime of year and especially for a party,

Beach Portraits

By Brook Desmond Monday, April 29, 2013 0 Blog, Portraits beach portraits, cottesloe, daughter, family, family portraits Permalink 0

Beach Portraits in the school holidays:

School holidays is a fantastic time to catch up with your family and spend some time together. For me school holidays is an extremely busy time. Kids and parents are often on holiday together and many families take the opportunity to get some family portraits done. For sister Kim and Samantha, this was an ideal time to catch up with each other and have there precious daughters spend some time together. Samantha was on a break from Melbourne and arranged with her sister to get some prints for their parent Christmas gift – we have such thoughtful clients. We decided on a session at the iconic Cottesloe beach, a favourite for Beach portraits

The afternoon session was planned with the light in mind. This is a crucial part of being a photographer and choosing to shoot on location portraits without a full entourage of lighting assistants. The best way to prepare for a Beach portraits session is to get the timing right. Because there is no shade and only the clouds (not that there is any in Perth) provide some relief from the burning sun.

New Year portraits – Joanne & Ryan have an urban portrait session

By Brook Desmond Monday, January 28, 2013 0 Blog, Booking, Portraits beautiful. premier, natural, personal, photograph, photographer Permalink 0

New year portraits:

Well its been a super flat out end of the year and beginning to the new year. So much has happened, so many stories to tell, so many images to share, and so many blogs to catch up on. After a couple of huge months, it time to have a break and I’m just about to take a break with my wife to Bali. Its not purely holiday though as I’m going to be checking out some locations for some upcoming photographic workshops. So stay tuned. But it is a great time to get some new year portraits. The weather is lovely, we have hardly had any rain (Which is a little sad for the Farmers, but really good if you are a professional photographer.)

new year portraits at an urban location

To finish off I’m just sharing a few pics from an album from a new year portraits special done for a lovely couple who have just become engaged. They also printed some beautiful canvas prints to put in their new home,

Precious family portrait

By Brook Desmond Sunday, November 11, 2012 0 Blog, Booking, Portraits beach portraits, beautiful. premier, family, family portraits, natural Permalink 0

Last night I had the honor of taking some precious family portraits on the Beach at Ocean reef. As the sun began to go down and the light became glorious and perfect for portraits, A couple of little princess’s got to run around and have some fun with the wind blowing back their hair and their grins from ear to ear. They had a magic little experience and of course Mum and dad were right there to enjoy the moment. Shooting family photographs down on the beach is a a wonderful thing, but the timing is the key. Come too early and the light is harsh and bright, making it hard for the family to look around without being blinded. Location and timing are super important to getting the right look and level of comfort during the experience. On our blog there is information to help you decide what is the best time and location for you, and a couple of samples to help you decide. Here is the link to that post. This little sneek preview from the portrait session, is just a little taste of some of the stunning and amazing natural portraits taken on the night. With the beautiful summer light coming into action, now is the time to book your own portrait. The best way to do that with us is to see where we are shooting and be first in best dressed with the dates, times and locations available. Here is the Link to our booking page.

Tag Archives

Aaron & Vanessa’s Wedding album

The Wedding album of Aaron & Vanessa Petaia

Pre Wedding portraits at the quarry

photo sessions

Dezire Studios most popular photo sessions

On location portraits

On location portraits – finding the right one

Happy Mothers day

Mothers Day a time to celebrate:

The Wedding day is almost here

The Wedding day of Ben & Laura is almost here

Mothers day photography voucher – Mothers day competition

Mothers day photography voucher – Mother’s day competition

Children’s parties: The wonderful joy of

Children’s parties:

Beach Portraits

Beach Portraits in the school holidays:

New Year portraits – Joanne & Ryan have an urban portrait session

New year portraits:

Precious family portrait

Awards