D.A YATES PHOTOGRAPHY + Design : blog

Welcome to the first steps in the love story of Kieran and Kathleen. I was very honored to be chosen to document their Engagement party after an extensive search for a photographer. Kathleen, who is a keen blogger documented the whole process of finding someone to capture their special party. So with this in mind and the fact that she owns more cameras than me, I didn’t want to disappoint. The only disappointing thing about the day was the weather, so out the window went all of our careful location planning. Lucky they live in a fab apartment at Dockside with this very glamorous foyer which worked so well with our gorgeous lady’s dress. Red, the colour of luck and love.

Kathleen warned me she hates having her photo taken………Oh sure!

A bit of cheek and spunk is always welcome with me.

We headed across the river the beautiful Siggis restaurant in Brisbane City.

Now the reason for my blog title is this. Every guest at the party received a little red box with Chinese symbols for love and luck cut into the walls of the box and inside were these two little wooden dolls (Little Kathleen and Kierans) I love these!

So little Kathleen and Kieran went for a wander with me all around the restaurant.

I did take the real two outside for some great night shots.

Ha Ha.

Everyone had a wonderful time and their were cameras everywhere.

Cheers to you both to new beginnings, luck and a long, happy life together. That vacant seat was for me which was so lovely of you both to let me join the celebrations and the fabulous food. I look forward to our next project together. To finish I found a lovely Chinese Proverb for you “Kissing is like drinking salted water, you drink and your thirst increases”

x Denise (And thank you for giving Lila a little Kathleen and Kieran to play with she carries them around all the time!)

Most of us experience one ceremony during a typical wedding celebration but Vanessa and Dimitri are not your typical Bride and Groom. So family and friends were treated to two stunning and moving ceremonies. Talk about cementing your love for each other! We started our day at Dimitri’s parents place withe best view I have ever seen of Brisbane City. High up in the Aurora tower we caught up with the lads giving Dimitri a helping hand.

Dimitri looking sharp and below with his lovely Dad giving him a few words of advice…Which I won’t repeat here.

We left the boys as they were inundated with visitors before the ceremony and headed over to Vanessa’s family home. I love this shot of the dress with one of Vanessa’s relatives guarding it.

Now I saw Vanessa tonight and can I say she looks like this all the time. Completely stunning night or day. Dimitri even told me she wakes up like this. You are a lucky man.

And what a gorgeous gown, so different, feminine and fun. It kind of sums up Vanessa completely.

Oh I love this picture. So fabulous to photograph.

Our first ceremony was at St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Red Hill.

I thought the priest was looking for a bit of divine guidance here.

Vanessa’s grandparents and Father below.

We moved on to our next celebration at the Greek Orthodox Church St George at West End. WOW.

Dimitri looking super happy and so is Father Anastasios.

I couldn’t help but take this photo, such stunning work and detail.

We took some beautiful couple shots around the church before heading off to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs for some chill out time and a few more shots. These guys are just so relaxed with each other.

And this would be without a doubt my favorite picture. Summing up the very passionate and beautiful relationship they have, and two ceremonies to prove it! Vanessa and Dimitri continued their celebrations at Hillstone St Lucia. Thank you for letting me capture this incredible celebration.

x Denise

The first blog of 2010. A New Year and a New Beginning for Kirsty and Ian. A little background of this epic love story – Kirsty and Ian have been together for quite sometime and have 3 beautiful little men and another bump on the way. Many have been waiting for this day to arrive to make everything official. So a fine late November day high up in the hills of Beechmont was the setting for this union. But believe me love like this needs no piece of paper. Enjoy.

The boys were on hand to help Mum get ready. She needs no help lads, take a look.

Kirsty you look incredible. I left the girls and the little boys to see how the big boys were going in the heat.

Ian looking sharp and maybe a little bit nervous.

This is such a beautiful moment, Kirsty was so cool and calm and then she saw Ian and burst into tears.

We are family.

We had a wander over to the old dairy on the property for some photos.

Gosh it is just a magical setting, made for a bride and groom.

I had to stop and say hello to some old friends.

Look at these two.

Guys,  Mickey and I had a fantastic day celebrating with you (and into the night). It was incredible to see your bond grow even stronger, even if the flies were trying to carry you away! Seriously we wish you many more years of happiness and a safe arrival of your new baby.

Hello all and welcome to my last post of the decade! What a great way to end the year with my blog featuring Natasha. Tash received a lovely gift voucher from a beautiful couple Sean and Natasha whom I had the pleasure of photographing at their wedding in Brisbane a year ago now. I am sure Natasha had no idea what she was in for when I suggested we do a cool portrait starting at 4.30am to capture the dawn light. She knows now that I am not a total loony and 4.30am is totally worth it.

Tash wanted something a little different and arty so I suggested we head to the Gabba antiques area that provides so many groovy back drops.

How does she manage to look this great in the morning? Dedication!

We both are totally in love with this silhouette shot which I shot a series of.

A quick change in the car and time for some fun.

Tash now has a huge print of this in her wall. I love it.

We headed back to Studio Yates for a coffee and for some more portraits with a different feel. Look at these shoes (Oh Jimmy Choos)…I was green with envy

3 hours later we had amassed quite a collection of photos and each one reflecting what an amazing person Natasha is. It was an honour to have such a creative input and document how incredible Natasha is. Thank you so much for an inspiring morning.

Happy New Year

x Denise ( Crazy creative photographer at weird hours in the morning)