Albert park lifestyle baby session | Auckland newborn photographer

Babies are so gorgeous and its a great pleasure to do photo shoot with newborns and their parents.

Last weekend I been doing photography session at Auckland CBD at Katya's and Daniel's home. We captured some lifestyle moments with baby awake, sleeping, feeding, laying in his cot and on Mummy's bed (best place ever for babies). He is so adorable, and I just love his hair and little fingers and toes!  We captured all these special moments and then took this baby for a walk to Albert park, and walked around Auckland Uni and Clock Tower. Beautiful place!

Baby is so sweet when he sleeps, we really don't want disturb his dreams, so took some shots while he was in the pram and put him down to the mat in his car seat. It was beautiful colours around, with all this leaves on the ground!

At the end of our walking Daniel woke up (of course) and we got some shots with awake baby.

What an amazing day and beautiful weather with great people. Katya is a gorgeous Mama, and I just love to capture the connection between them, such special moments. Hope to see Daniel in the future and see how he grows up, this strong little boy!

This video is beautifully shows atmosphere and all these moments. Some pictures coming too

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Giveaway - family and wedding photographer LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

We really excited to announce our Winter Giveaway:

ENTRY IS SIMPLE:

• Go to my Facebook page LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY and hit Like.
• Leave a comment on this blog post telling me why you would like to win
• Share with your friends on Facebook

The deadline to enter is Sunday June 21th, 2015. 

The winner will be announced on Monday June 22th, 2015.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The closing date for entries is Sunday June 21th, 2015 at 12:00 AM

2. The prize is one free portrait session with LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY and the session must take place within Auckland, New Zealand.

3. To be eligible to win you must Like LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook, comment on the blog post with why you want to win and share with your friends on Facebook.

4. No purchase is necessary to enter this prize draw.

5. Winner(s) will be drawn at random on Monday June 22th, 2015 and will be notified on Facebook. A direct response to confirm the winner’s details is required by email to info@levienphotography.com by July 1st, 2015 with their full name, email address and a contact telephone number. If the winner is unreachable or they fail to respond to LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY’s winner notification within the above time, LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY reserves the right to randomly draw another winner from entries.

6. The winner agrees to their name being published as the identified winner in LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY’s Facebook status.

7. The prize as stated is non-negotiable, non-transferable and there is no cash alternative or different option.

8. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

9. The promoter of this competition is LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

10. You will be supplied with high res images under personal licencee/print release only.

11. LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY holds the irrevocable right to use the photographs in all forms and in all media and in all manners, without any restriction as to changes or alterations, for advertising, trade, promotion, exhibition, or any other lawful purposes.

Mama and me Mission Bay beach photography session {Auckland Family Photographer}

What nice sunny weather and freezing temperature! Thats how we met Thursday morning photo shoot at Auckland City Kohimarama | St. Heliers beach. Lucky enough no rain, but bright sun which is not the best friend for great pictures :)

But I can work in any conditions. We met again with Lena and Yarik for their second family session. Its a big pleasure to work with old friends/clients (last time it was really rainy weather for family session but we manage to handle it :)

Yarik just turned 2 years old. What a big boy, lucky parents. He was really good, full of smiles, had a lot of fun at the session: played with the sand, rolled ball at the beach, played with mummy hide and seek and pi-ca-bu , climbed up to the stairs and run around! Boys always active!

Enjoy these pictures:

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Capturing kids activities. Creativity exercise by LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY. Lifestyle pictures.

Capturing kids is not an easy task - they are always on the move and really active. They make you move fast, be creative and capture joyful moments in lifestyle photography.

Today I will give you creativity exercise for capturing kids activities. Lets practice and progress in photography together!

Creativity exercise: Try to capture one child's activity from different angles and sides. It makes the picture more interesting and allows attention on details. It could be anything that a child loves to do. Be creative and think outside the box - shoot from different sides, from the top, move down to child's level and shoot from the bottom, shoot wide angle or close up. See results!

Here is just few shots of my daughter playing in the park, she is really interested of big tree and branches at the top. I can't help myself and took some shots from different positions and angles. You could see variety, but clicks been done just during 1-2 minutes. And I love her impression, her curious eyes and her movement and still moments. Enjoy this lifestyle series: 

One little girl and a big tree!

Lifestyle photography

Contact me info@levienphotography.com

Casting Call. Auckland photographer - LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Casting Call!

I am looking for:

- Three girls: a blonde with long hair (preferred) + a brunette with short/medium hair + a redhead (with long crazy curly hair) between the ages of 16 and 24. If you have dancing skills (good stretching and flexibilities) definitely note that in your message!

- A pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks along between ages of 22 and 32. Long hair preferred.

- Two fun loving family with 1-3 kids or crazy in-love couples who are comfortable being photographed in their own home. If you have with lots of windows definitely note that in your message! 

No modelling experience necessary. Sessions will take place in Auckland. Send me a message or email me at info@levienphotography.com if you are interested :)

One little day at Nana's place. Lifestyle photography Auckland

My everyday moments full of positive moments with kids photography, documentary lifestyle moments and doing family storytelling, mostly outdoor photography at natural light (and sometimes indoor). I want to share with you today my personal little moments with kids visiting grandmother just before Mother's Day. 

Kids just love to go to Nana's place. They wake up at morning and ask to go there. You can't just put them down and say No :) So we decide to drive over to North Shore to visit Grandmother. I took some lifestyle pictures at the house, around the place, at little playground and on the way back home. 

What a lovely day and beautiful light!

Lifestyle photography

Contact for book your family session - info@levienphotography.com

Everyday moments. Playcentre. Lifestyle photographer Auckland

My personal photography project: capture everyday moments - 365 days a year, family storytelling and documentary lifestyle moments.

I took kids to Playcentre for the first time today. It's a great opportunity for kids to play with a lot of different toys, painting, play role games, put costumes on and have fun outside at fully fenced playground; and parents can just relax and watch kids having fun, explore and develop their skills. Love this atmosphere!

Its been rainy today but my little ones still explore everything around inside and outside and I had the opportunity to take some pictures, capture fun lifestyle moments. 

Lifestyle photography

Contact me for book your lifestyle session info@levienphotography.com

Princess tea party {Auckland children lifestyle photographer}

How do you like to spend your family time with children? What do you love doing together?

We could capture these treasured lifestyle moments during your family photo shoot while you and your loved ones have fun outdoors!

That is what we did with Anya, Ben, Alice and Annie at their family session in the park: climbing trees, stone walls, picking up autumn leaves, running around, having a picnic, sitting in a princess tent, having a tea party with teddy bears and so much more.

It was an amazing time with this active and fun family. Girls were so gorgeous! And their parents love them so much! It was a real pleasure to capture these special family moments, their relationship, fun, freedom and spirit. We really enjoyed this time together and the little ones have been happy to play and explore everything around. Pictures turned out just amazing! 

Thank you so much for these moments!

Contact me with any questions!

Autumn special - $85 Mini Sessions! Auckland family, couples, kids photographer

Autumn Colours are here, and it's warm! A perfect chance to have some stunning portraits taken with us at three Auckland locations: Waiake beach, Cornwall Park, Kariotahi beach. Its a great opportunity to have special present on Mother's Day too!

30min mini sessions available over the next couple of weeks. Email us for details.

info@levienphotography.com

5 month Baby-girl pictures {Auckland-Hamilton newborn lifestyle photography}

I just love taking pictures of babies. They are so small and so gorgeous! They have their own personalities and cute smiles.

I had an honour to photograph a 5 month old Mariam and her mama Sofi and grandmother Khatuna. This session was full of amazing moments!

We started our photoshoot at their place where we set up a little studio with some props - blankets, soft toys, necklaces (all girls love jewellery, even little ones! :), and also a few different outfits (every girl needs it too).

Mariam was just a perfect model: sometimes serious, sometimes ready to give a lot of smiles! What a cutie pie! After a while Mariam needed a break and we all happily followed suit and had a cup of tea with the most delicious hachaputi I have ever tasted. Hachapuri is a traditional Georgian bread baked with cheese and Khatuna made it nothing short of perfect. I will never forget that melt-in-the-mouth taste and most friendly and delightful company!

Then we moved to the closest beach for some shots in the nature. I just love all these ocean views, waves and the wind, great sunny weather and healthy fresh air for our little princess! She became really tired at the end, almost ready to sleep at mummy's shoulder. What a sweet little girl!

Thank you Sofi, Mariam and Khatuna for this amazing time together!

Have a look at this gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

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Lets have some fun! Family and kids photographer Auckland

Let Kids been kids! They always doing unexpected things and ready to find something interesting in our usual life and have  fun with it!

So much surprises, mess, cleaning work, fun moments!

My little one sneak outside and I found him playing with leaves, through them up in the air, having fun and doing leaves rain what drops in his hair, under the clothes and nappies as well.

Big fun - big bath afterwards!

I love to capture these real life moments what brings some magic in.

Who love to play outside, have fun and made a mess? Guess! :)

Here our lifestyle moments!

Kids portraits

One little girl and a Big hat. Lifestyle children photography

I just want to share with you my everyday moments with kids. Its great to capture all these little moments what we will treasure in future when kids grow up. Sometimes its really handy to have a camera beside.

I been with kids at playgroup today and did some shots with their play and craft.

Brother and sister

But then my daughter found big hat, and I just follow her with camera (lucky I had it with me) :) Its looks so gorgeous and cute! I just can't help myself :) So here big picture share. I like this old style retro feeling what give us these pictures:

Its shows how many interesting moments you could capture for shot moment with kids :) Just have camera ready :)

Lifestyle photography

Kids Portrait

Romantic retro couples photo shoot {Auckland engagement photographer}

Portrait session sometimes could turns into the couples photo shoot, really unexpected way :)

We did portrait session with beautiful Juliette at Cornwall park with a lot of move, fun, ideas. And then Jonny arrive to wait while its all done.

But we decide keep shooting and made couple of shots with guys together. It was interesting experience with couple's dance, hug, kisses, real tender and love.

So hope you enjoy our results as we do. Hope soon we will heard from guys some announcement (fingers crossed :)

Contact me with any questions!

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Girl with violin {Auckland NZ portrait photographer}

Passions - music, dance, sport, craft .... We gave all our time and pawer to these passions. Its made us happier, healthier, and wishing to do more.

But sometimes passion stayed somewhere behind, in other period of our life, when we too busy, or too tired, or just concentrated on other stuff. Its pity but its a life! And a real pleasure just take a picture what capture our favourite things to do. For beautiful Juliette its playing music, create wonderful sound with violin.

She had this passion during all her childhood, violin been her best friend, but then with growing and having other busy things in her life, violin been left behind, in the case. Moved out just sometimes at special cases. So now time for take it out and remember all these magical moments, when music sounds in your heart with graceful violin.

Im so happy to be part of this photo shoot! We had a lot ideas to create, but slightly rainy weather changed our rout a little bit, but helped create atmosphere. We still happy with pictures what we been lucky to took in time :)

So meet Juliette - Girl with Violin:

Contact me with any questions!

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Make-Up - secret of good portrait. Tips. Auckland wedding photographer

You planning your portrait or family shoot and you spend a lot of time to think about location, accessories, clothes to wear etc. But sometimes one moment missing - hair and make-up.

Its looks like a small detail but believe me - it worth your attention. Its made such a big difference for clear natural or glamour fashion look what you what to get. Looks stunning, amazing, and professional. 

And not to much work for me with retouching pictures :)

So at one of my last shoot I invited my friend and professional make-up artist Jessy. Such a magic professional job in a hard field conditions! Well done! Thank you for your great help!

What a big difference for pictures - natural look!

So I highly recommend to think about make-up and hair done (you could do it yourself if you have enough skills or we could invite a professional MUA - make up artist). Always happy to help!

Make Up should match your style and character, connect with result what you want to get from pictures and no need be too bright - unless its show shoot or special costume dressed set. Sometimes bad colour lipstick or bright (blue-red) shadows could destroed all session pictures (unless its spatial theme shoot - like 70-90th or retro, disco etc). Natural style always winning (from my experience).

What about hair? Thats your personal choice (they should be brushed and tidy - Sounds funny but I had some pictures where not tidy hair looks really not nice. But probably sometimes messy hair could be part of the style for show freedom spirit :)

If you have long hair you can play with different variants and made a lot different atmosphere shots - hair up-down, on the side, pony tale etc Good to have choice :)

So be prepared, think about these small details and don't forget about nails too (chipped ones or with colour off could be noticed on the pictures)

Attention to details - best rule! And it will be paid off when you look through your amazing pictures :)

About details - here we made make-up and other professional stuff but miss to put attention on hand - where still black hair tight what you could easy notice!

Summer Beach Sunset {Portrait photographer Auckland}

Beach, sand, waves, fun! taking photos on the beach at sunset even more fun!

Today I continue post pictures with beautiful Lauren. After photo shoot in park we been fast driving to the beach for catch last light of the day.

We choose place near Mission Bay with nice views and not too busy (we still wait at some moments for take our shots while people passing but manage to get a good ones. Funny been standing on the rocks just next to man fishing (he took the best spot by the way :)

We really enjoyed this session with some lyric and romance, go with flow and enjoy every moment.

Hope you enjoy this pictures as much as we do!

Contact me with any questions!

Enchanted Princess Park Portrait session {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

Sometimes we all waiting for miracle and believe in magic around us.

And today, at Christmas Eve I decided share with you some pictures from my last Portrait Senior Session in Auckland Cornwall park with Lauren. She been amazing, working in front of camera, show her young beauty and personality, a little bit fun and lyric moments.

I brought net from my daughter bed and we created enchanted place under old tree at Cornwall park. Lauren even brought a rabbit! We wanted create something like 'Alice in Wonderland", but rabbit was really fast, what we not expected :) It was fun, try put him in needs position and try catch this moment with camera! (I definatly need assistant, ha-ha)

And here you can see our sessions result :)

Enchanted princess, magic forest and little bunny (rabbit)... Let dreams come true.

Contact me with any question!

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Moving subjects. How to take shots. Tips. Sport photographer Auckland

Hello!

Here we start our series with tips 'How to take best shot (picture) ..."

So moving subjects - running playing kids, dancing people, sport competition, airplanes, trained, cars etc...

Its could be a little bit tricky. But with knowing few simple tips all became easier!

1. Shutter Speed. For catch the moment, fix move you need fast shutter speed (minimum 1/250, better faster, depends of light conditions. If you want your pictures been a little more blurry with showing slow move you could make shutter speed slower (around 1/60 or so, try change and see whats happened with picture.

If lights conditions (inside) not allow you have fast shutter speed put down aperture (2, 2.8 etc) and ISO up (at some competitions I use ISO 400)

2, Continuos focusing. Great thing what modern cameras can do - focusing continuously (A-C mode in Nikon). So you focus, take a shot, keep finger on focusing button fast take another shot and you camera keep follow subject, so you not lost all these beautiful move, or fast running child :)

3. Think before. If you doing dance shot or figure skating (what i love to do), you need learn the subject, know exactly what gonna happened in next moment for take you brilliant shot. If I doing ice skating shoot I know what next - is it spey for jump, or entrance to spin, or beautiful spiral (so i not continuously taking shots, I know exactly what the best moment for show this beauty :) So think ahed, learn you subject move, and take a shot!

4. Subject fix, background blurry. That shot you can get with camera following the subject the same rhythm. So object moving, you move camera parallel to him, and then boom...shot you moment.

5. Show flow. If you want show flow water (waterfall, river, etc) or lights, or other long term moving subjects you can you really slow shutter speed - like few seconds or even more. You could practice in dark room - put camera on 10 sec shutter speed and move light on the wall (crow some picture or word, or shape_  - and camera easy fix all your artwork. You could practice near waterfall (start from few seconds shutter speed and then change and see whats happen with picture. Main advice- use tripod or stable surface, so you not get shaky hands and shaky pictures :)

Thats the main advices. If you know more, leave a comment please, or ask question!

And practice-practice-practice!!!

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running child

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Dance shoot at door step | Portrait-event photographer Auckland

Each of us having own passion. And for Maria this passion is dance. For me its one of the best thing ever too. You listen beautiful music, move your body in unison, enjoying rhythm and melody.

I love jazz, contemporary, modern and classical dance, all styles and directions. and Maria's favourite is belly dance.

We tried created something special just at her doorsteps, using her favourite costumes and accessories. It was not so easy found the best picture in small location, but i hope we done our best, and go with flow :)

Moving, flying, laying on the grass, having big dog around (hmmm...its not a first time for me at photo shoots :) )

Maria done great with her dancing, moving around, repeating all over again with new instructions from me, realising all my ideas and creating her dance world.

Here results of our shot:

Contact me with any questions!