Oceania International Figure Skating Competitions (Auckland NZ sport-event photographer)

Sport—and figure skating in particular—has always been one of my greatest passions alongside photography. When those two worlds come together, magic happens.

In many ways, it's not so different from photographing weddings. What draws me to both is connection—the emotions, the energy, and those fleeting moments that tell a story. Whether it's a couple sharing a quiet glance on their wedding day or a skater expressing emotion through movement on the ice, the challenge is the same: finding that perfect moment when everything comes together.

Connection can be communicated in so many ways, from body language and eye contact to movement and expression. That's one of the reasons figure skating fascinates me. Every performance tells a story, and every movement carries meaning. As a photographer, I love capturing those moments when technique, emotion, and artistry align to create something unforgettable.

Photographing the Oceania International Figure Skating Competition was an exciting next step in my journey as a sports photographer in Auckland. Over the years, I've covered many local skating events, including club championships, North Island competitions, and New Zealand Nationals. Being invited to photograph an international event as an official photographer was truly an honour.

The competition brought together incredible athletes from around the world, including Josefin Taljegård from Sweden, Dimitra Korri from Greece, and Skye Frances Patenia from the Philippines, alongside many talented skaters from Australia and New Zealand. Over three days, the rink was filled with extraordinary performances, emotion, and world-class skating—a true celebration of the sport.

It was a privilege to witness and capture these moments on the ice. As the winter skating season gets underway, I'm looking forward to photographing even more beautiful, emotional, and unforgettable performances in the months ahead. It's the perfect way to stay inspired during the quieter months after wedding season, while continuing to tell stories through my lens.

Enjoy some of my favourite highlights from this incredible event!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year | 2025 Highlights (Auckland family-wedding-couples photographer)

As another year comes to a close, it's time to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

It's hard to believe how quickly this year has flown by. Looking back through my galleries, I'm reminded of just how many incredible people I've had the privilege of photographing. From family sessions, maternity and newborn photography to graduations, couples, surprise proposals, elopements, and weddings, this year has been filled with beautiful stories and unforgettable moments.

One family even booked three sessions with me this year—a personal record! It is always such an honour when families continue to trust me to document different chapters of their lives.

What I love most about photography is the opportunity to meet amazing people and preserve memories that will be treasured for years to come. Every session is unique, and every family, couple, and celebration brings its own story.

This year also brought incredible variety beyond weddings and family photography. I was fortunate to continue working as an official photographer for New Zealand Ice Figure Skating, covering major competitions throughout the season, including the North Island Championships and New Zealand Nationals. Watching athletes from across the country come together to share their passion for the sport is always inspiring, and photographing those moments remains one of my favourite challenges.

Many of you know that figure skating is not only something I photograph- it's also one of my personal passions. As an adult skater, I was incredibly grateful to enjoy one of my most successful competitive seasons to date. Highlights included placing second at the ISU Adult Competition in Oberstdorf, Germany, first at WinterSun in Brisbane, third at the Hollins Trophy in Sydney, and fourth at the Crystal Challenge in Melbourne.

These experiences created memories I will cherish forever and allowed me to spend time with wonderful friends from around the world who share the same love for the sport.

It has also been a big year for my own family. My son earned a place in the Auckland United development football programme, while my daughter worked tirelessly on her skating, mastering all of her double jumps and earning a silver medal at the New Zealand National Championships in the Basic Novice Under-12 division. Watching their hard work and dedication pay off has been incredibly rewarding.

As always, balancing work, sport, travel, and family life remains a challenge, and I know there are times when I wish I could spend even more time with those closest to me. But I am deeply grateful for every moment shared with my family, friends, and the wonderful clients who invite me into some of the most important days of their lives.

Another highlight of the year was continuing to teach my online photography workshop, Love, Light & Laughter, through Click Photo School. Since launching the course in 2018, it has been a privilege to help photographers develop not only their technical skills but also discover their own voice, purpose, and passion behind the camera.

As I reflect on the year, I feel incredibly thankful for every couple, family, athlete, student, and friend who has been part of this journey. Your trust, support, and friendship mean more than words can express.

Below is a collection of some favourite moments from the past season - a mix of weddings, couples, families, and events. Messy, real, emotional, and full of life - just the way I like it.

Thank you for following along and supporting my work.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas, a safe holiday season, and a New Year filled with happiness, adventure, and beautiful memories.

I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Contact me with any questions!

New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships 2025 | Auckland Highlights (sport-event photographers)

It was a true honour to be invited as an official photographer for the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships 2025, held in Auckland this year.

This major national event brings together skaters from both the North and South Islands, as well as competitors from overseas, all coming together to showcase their passion, dedication, and artistry on the ice.

Over four incredible days, the rink was filled with energy, emotion, and outstanding athletic performances. From powerful jumps to elegant spins and expressive choreography, every program told its own story. It is always a privilege to capture these fleeting moments where strength, precision, and grace come together in such a visually striking sport.

What makes this event even more meaningful for me personally is my own connection to figure skating. As an adult skater myself, and with my daughter competing in the Basic Novice category, this sport holds a very special place in our lives. Watching her commitment and progress throughout the season has been incredibly rewarding - she worked extremely hard and was proud to finish the year with a silver medal in her category. A wonderful achievement that reflects her dedication and perseverance.

Being on both sides of the sport - both as a photographer and as a skating parent - gives me a deeper appreciation of every performance, every training session, and every moment behind the scenes.

This year’s championships featured many talented skaters representing New Zealand and beyond, including Yahao - Dwayn Li, Petra Lahti, Renee Tsai, and many other inspiring athletes who are shaping the future of the sport.

A huge thank you to New Zealand Ice Figure Skating for the opportunity to document such an important event in the skating calendar. It is always inspiring to witness the passion and community that surrounds this sport.

Enjoy highlights from the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships 2025.

Allegro Championships (sport photography in Auckland)

Winter in New Zealand often brings quieter months for weddings and outdoor couple sessions, with unpredictable weather and frequent rain. However, it also creates the perfect opportunity for indoor events and sports photography—especially figure skating competitions.

I’m always incredibly grateful for the chance to stay connected to the skating community and to continue documenting ice figure skating events across Auckland. As both a skater myself and a parent of a young skater, this sport holds a very special place in my heart. It’s always inspiring to witness the dedication, discipline, and artistry that skaters bring to the ice. Every program is a blend of strength, grace, and emotion, and capturing those fleeting moments is something I truly love.

The Allegro Championships is one of the highlights of the winter skating calendar. These club competitions bring together skaters of all ages and levels, each performing with passion and commitment in front of their coaches, families, and supporters.

This year’s event was once again filled with beautiful performances, emotional moments, and incredible progress from skaters who have worked tirelessly throughout the season. It’s always rewarding to see not only the big technical elements, but also the small expressions and personal achievements that make each performance unique.

For me personally, this season feels like a natural transition point. As the winter skating competitions wrap up, wedding season is just around the corner - bringing a completely different kind of storytelling. From icy arenas to outdoor celebrations, it’s a shift I always look forward to.

It’s a privilege to move between these two worlds - sports and weddings - both filled with emotion, movement, and meaningful moments worth preserving.

Enjoy highlights from another wonderful winter event at the Allegro Championships.

Glenburn Championship Highlights - Ice Figure Skating Photography New Zealand

It has been a little quiet here on the blog recently, as I’ve been away in Europe taking part in adult ice skating competitions in Oberstdorf, Germany - one of the most special events in the adult skating calendar.

The conditions were certainly a surprise, with summer heat reaching 30–35°C. It felt almost surreal to step out of the rink and into such extreme warmth, where the best place to be was either inside the ice arena or high up in the mountains. Thankfully, the gondolas to Nebelhorn were running, and we managed to escape the heat a few times, even taking photos in our skating dresses at the top with breathtaking alpine views.

Beyond the competition, it was a wonderful time filled with training camps, reconnecting with old friends, meeting new skating communities, and of course, enjoying all the amazing European cakes and food along the way.

I was incredibly happy to come home with some beautiful memories from the event, including 2nd place in my free skating program and the opportunity to perform my artistic program for the first time at an international level. It was truly a rewarding and inspiring experience.

If you'd like to see more from the trip, you can also find highlights on my Instagram: @olgalevien.

Shortly after returning home (and slightly battling jetlag), it was straight back into my usual role behind the camera—this time photographing another exciting local competition in Auckland.

The Glenburn Championships brought together skaters of all ages and levels for a weekend full of passion, energy, and beautiful performances. From the youngest beginners to experienced adult skaters, everyone shared the same love for the sport, creating an incredible atmosphere on the ice.

It’s always inspiring to witness the dedication and progress within the skating community here in New Zealand. Every program tells a story - of hard work, persistence, and joy for skating.

After the intensity and inspiration of Europe, it felt very special to return straight into this local competition environment, continuing to capture those powerful, fleeting moments on the ice.

Enjoy highlights from the Glenburn Championships - another beautiful weekend of skating in Auckland.

Clucas Cup - Ice figure skating photography

As many of you already know, ice skating is one of my greatest passions - alongside photography - and whenever those two worlds come together, it truly feels like a dream job.

It was a real honour to be invited by the New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Association to photograph the Clucas Cup, one of the selection competitions marking the start of the new skating season in New Zealand.

This event brings together some of the country’s top skaters, opening the season with powerful performances, technical precision, and beautiful artistry on the ice. It’s always exciting to see athletes returning to competition after the off-season, bringing fresh programs, energy, and ambition to the rink.

Among the competitors were many incredibly talented skaters, including Dwayne Li, Petra Lahti, Renee Tsai, Cara Tang, Mirika Armstrong, Nicca Wu, and Mia Chen, along with many other inspiring New Zealand skaters- including my own daughter, Anna-Bella.

The rink was full of energy from the very first warm-up to the final performance. It was truly “fire on ice”—a combination of passion, grace, determination, and artistry that makes this sport so special to witness and capture.

What I love most about photographing competitions like this is the variety of emotions and moments happening in a split second: focus before a jump, relief after a clean landing, joy in performance, and the connection between skaters, coaches, and families.

It was such a privilege to document the start of the season and to be part of such an important event in the New Zealand skating calendar.

I’m already looking forward to photographing more competitions throughout the season, especially the upcoming Nationals in October.

Exciting times ahead!

Enjoy highlights from the Clucas Cup.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (Auckland engagement and wedding photographer)

Its this time of the year again, celebrating special events and success of the year, looking forward to next year exciting and making plans!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the couples and families! It was such a pleasure to share with you all the beautiful, emotional and real moments in Auckland: engagement, pre-wedding photo shoots in stunning locations, family sessions on the beach, business branding headshots, gorgeous weddings with close friends and family! So many memories for years to come!

Enjoy these quick highlights of the year and Im looking forward to capture more meaningful moments next year - 2025! Exciting times ahead!

From my personal achievements - I been in World Winter Master Games in Italy and took 5th place in ice figure skating, also had skating trips in Oberstdorf (Germany), Sydney (Aus), Melbourne (Aus), and New Zealand Nationals in Christchurch (taking 2nd place). It was a honour to be an official photographer for few skating competitions through the season and capture all the moments of power and grace (from beginner to senior level, including Dwayne Yahao Li, first NZ Youth Olympics medalist)! It’s great when my personal sport hobby connects to professional - photography! Love my work!

Also my kids are finished primary and intermediate school, so new beginnings for our family next year!

I can not wait to see what future brings!

Merry Christmas to you and your family and a Happy New Year!

Sports Event Photography (Auckland photographer) - Ice Figure Skating

If you are wondering what Im up to in between of wedding seasons. The answer is simple - I’m not only skating myself as an adult ice skater (and have my daughter skating), but also happy to help skating community and capture sports event photography in Auckland (and experienced event photographer by now shooting over 10 seasons) - my favourite ice figure skating competitions during the skating season (which falls perfectly in between of my favourite couples and weddings, family photo shoots). When weather not so nice with big chance of rain, and wind on the beach, great to spent time inside to enjoy warm atmosphere at competitions.

Perfect for me to put together two of my passions - photography and skating!

This year I been asked to be an official photographer for three sport events - competitions in Auckland: Skate Academy Competitions, Allegro Championship and North Island Championships.

Enjoy these moments of beauty, power and grace in photo gallery highlights:

Allegro Artistic Competitions (Auckland event photographer)

As some of you may know I love figure skating, figure skater myself, and often get asked to capture ice skating competitions, which Im happy to do to give back to skating community and enjoy all the beauty, power and grace on the ice.

This time it was Allegro Artistic competitions in Auckland - very last competitions of the year and skating season.

Skaters get the opportunity to relax, have fun and choose any character and create a fun or emotional routine specially for this competitions.

Our team (me and my husband) get chance to photograph all these moments, as I been skating performing my new program myself and then switched into shooting mode!

Enjoy highlights of Allegro Artistic Competitions! Happy New Year!

Hopefully this year brings lots of positive emotions, love and laughter!

Such a great way to finish the year on the high!

North Island Ice Figure Skating Championship (Sport photography in Auckland)

As some of you may know I recently been asked to photograph ice skating competitions, and it was a pleasure to see all the power and grace on the ice. This time I been asked to be an official photographer for North Island Ice Figure Skating Championship, last competitions of the season in Auckland.

Such a beautiful and graceful sport, that I love to do myself!

Enjoy highlights of this amazing competitions!

Good luck all skaters participating in Nationals in Dunedin. Not long to go now!

Allegro Ice Figure Skating Competitions highlights (sport photography in Auckland)

Some of you may know I love ice figure skating and doing it myself as an adult skater and participating in various competitions around the world.

Thats why when figure skating community asked me to be an official photographer for upcoming Allegro competitions, I can’t say no, and truly enjoyed to capture all the moments of beauty, power and grace,

Enjoy highlights of this year Allegro competitions!

European holidays

If you noticed its been a bit quiet here as I just spent a few weeks in Europe - traveling and participating in ISU Adult Ice Figure Skating competitions in Oberstdorf (Germany). Perfect timing at the end of the busy season with so many weddings and sessions! I needed to change the atmoosphere! :)

It was a fun time full of positive emotions, fulfilled with beautiful connections with people, making old and new friends, supporting each other in a warm and welcoming atmosphere; connecting to the beautiful nature of Bavarian Alpine village - can you imagine cows walking on the street waking everyone up at mornings with their bells.

Place to be surrounded by gorgeous mountains!

Enjoy highlights of the trip and a few photos from the competitions! Its always fun to be creative and express yourself in a different way. I didnt had much time to take photos, so here only a few :)

Skating photos by Luca Tonegutti.

New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships {Sports Photography}

As you may know Im not only a photographer, but also adult skater and been fortunate to be asked to became an Official Photographer for New Zealand Ice Figure Skating Championships, Nationals competitions in Auckland, NZ {18-21 October 2022}. It was a pleasure to dive in sports photography, so similar to events/wedding photography when you need to keep focused at all times and watch for the right moment to happen, putting attention on lines, composition, body language, emotions - passion and grace that skaters express in their programs.

You need to be on point, pre-view the moment that just about ro happen. Knowledge of figure skating and all the skating elements, programs requirements and layouts definitely a bonus for ability to get things right in camera. It was a challenging task with many thousands of photos captured over 4 days, but also very rewarding.

So much beauty, grace and talent!

Enjoy this quick sneak peek! Final galleries will be ready in 3-4 weeks {not late to make your order at www.levienphotography.com/new-zealand-nationals

Let me know if you have any questions!