Sunset engagement session - Muriwai forest and beach (Pre-wedding photographers Auckland): Jonathan & Sarah's Sunset Engagement Session at Muriwai

As many photographers will agree, sunset is one of the most beautiful times of day for an engagement session. The light becomes soft, warm, and flattering, creating a magical atmosphere that is perfect for capturing genuine moments between couples. When combined with a stunning location like Muriwai, the result is simply unforgettable.

Muriwai is one of my favourite places in Auckland for engagement and pre-wedding photography. The combination of peaceful forest trails and dramatic West Coast beaches offers incredible variety without requiring long travel times. Within just a few minutes' drive, couples can enjoy two completely different landscapes, making it the perfect setting for a relaxed two-hour photoshoot.

For Jonathan and Sarah's engagement session, we began in the forest, where beautiful golden light filtered through the trees and created the most incredible backdrop. We spent time walking, chatting, and getting to know each other while capturing natural and authentic moments along the way.

As the sun continued to drop, we headed to the beach. Muriwai's rugged coastline provided a spectacular setting, with dramatic rocks, rolling waves, and endless views creating a breathtaking backdrop for their photos. Nature truly put on a show for us that evening.

One of the things I love most about engagement sessions is that they give couples the opportunity to slow down, spend quality time together, and simply enjoy being in the moment. Jonathan and Sarah were so relaxed and easy-going, making the entire session a pleasure to photograph.

Congratulations to this beautiful couple on their engagement! I can't wait to see what the future holds for them.

Enjoy some highlights from their engagement session - a little sneak peek from a perfect evening at Muriwai.

More pictures coming soon!

A Surprise Proposal at Sanders Reserve (Auckland pre-wedding photographer)

Surprise proposals are always incredibly special to photograph, and Ishan’s thoughtful plan at Sanders Reserve in North Auckland was no exception.

Ishan got in touch with me ahead of time to help document his proposal and make sure everything unfolded smoothly. Together, we planned the details carefully so the moment could be captured naturally without raising any suspicion.

With the help of family and friends, a beautiful setup was created at a quiet spot on the edge of Sanders Reserve. A white carpet, framed couple photos, flowers, and a camera set up on a tripod for video all came together to create a stunning and intimate proposal scene.

My role was to blend into the surroundings and pose as a random passerby, quietly photographing the natural beauty of the reserve while waiting for the moment to unfold.

Everything went exactly as planned.

The bride-to-be had no idea what was coming. As they arrived at the location, the moment quickly became emotional and unforgettable. Ishan got down on one knee, and in an instant, joy and surprise filled the air. Moments later, their friends and family joined in to celebrate, many of them moved to tears.

It was one of those beautiful moments where everything feels real, emotional, and completely unforgettable.

After the excitement settled, we continued with a relaxed engagement session around Sanders Reserve. The location offered so many beautiful backdrops - lush greenery, open views, and soft natural light - perfect for capturing their first moments as an engaged couple.

It was such a joy to be part of this surprise and to document such an important chapter in their story.

Enjoy highlights from this beautiful surprise proposal at Sanders Reserve.

Gisele & Kelsey’s Engagement Session at Muriwai Beach (Auckland wedding photographers)

Exciting times at Gisele & Kelsey’s engagement photoshoot at Muriwai Beach—one of the most breathtaking locations in West Auckland for pre-wedding photography.

With its dramatic cliffs, rugged coastline, and ever-changing light, Muriwai is truly a dream location for any photographer. On this evening, everything came together perfectly: soft golden sunset light, beautiful textures in the landscape, and the glow filtering through the high rock formations created an incredible backdrop for their session.

Gisele and Kelsey had just gotten engaged after seven years together, having met all the way back in high school. It’s always so special to photograph couples who have grown together over such a long period of time - there is a depth of connection, comfort, and love that naturally shines through in every frame.

The session was filled with so much warmth, laughter, and genuine emotion. You could truly feel the excitement of this new chapter in their lives.

As a little unexpected bonus, there was also a wedding happening on the beach at the same time as our shoot. As a wedding photographer, I couldn’t resist capturing a few candid moments from their celebration as well. Later, we even shared one of the images with the bride, as Gisele happened to know her through a wedding community group - it really is a small world sometimes!

Enjoy highlights from this beautiful engagement session at Muriwai Beach, one of Auckland’s most iconic photography locations.

One location - variety of photos {Auckland engagement-wedding photographer - photography education}

Sometimes just one location with one source of light can take your breath away and make it magical with great variety of photos. It happens to me pretty much at every Auckland engagement photo shoot or wedding, where I’m searching for light, inspiration and creativity, and aim for a great variety of photos, which important for most photographers.

Light is a big moving part of every creative process. For me, personally, location take play as well. It’s important to consider colour, texture, space and available light at every location.

Next comes compositional choices with leading lines, symmetry, reflection, negative space and plenty of other techniques, including choosing a focal point and shooting range (far away, middle range or close up to get more intimate feel). Choice of lens is important as well, that’s why I often using two camera bodies with two lens or have a 24-70 mm zoom lens on me to get more variety of photos.

By the way, my online photography workshop “Love, Light and Laughter” coming soon on 9 June 2025 at Click Photo School, not long to go now! Perfect education for photographers to discover your voice and best way to express it!

Enjoy highlights on our recent proposal session with Zoe & Marshall in Winter Gardens, Auckland Domain, where we explored a few little spots around the pavilions, and one particular spot became my favourite.

It offered a great light, solid backdrop, opportunity to capture different range of shots, including anonymous portraits and negative space, and intimate couples photos as well.

Proposal in Winter Gardens: Marshall and Zoe (Auckland wedding photographers)

The groom planned a perfect proposal in Winter Gardens: Marshall knew Zoe’s parents get married in Winter gardens (Auckland) and this location is very special to her, that’s why he decided to ask her hand at this epic location, very popular with many couples and wedding-engagement photographers.

Even rain can’t stand on the way of this proposal! We decided to meet in one of the pavilions and Marshall asked his friends to come over to help with his plan.

I arrived to location early, looking for happy couple, secretly pretending to be interested by shooting flowers (I did enjoy colourful lines of beautiful creations, but been as a man on the mission, acting as a spy and hoping to not miss the most important moment to capture. Luckily, Marshall sent me their selfie beforehand, so at least I knew how couple looks like.

Then moment has come. They both walked in the Winter Gardens, Marshall fall on one knee in one of the flower rows, Zoe looked very surprised and happy. She said YES and everybody around been clapping, applauding to happy couple (and there was lots of people as everyone tried to hide from the rain under cover).

Couple took hugs and congratulations from their friends and we continued to take some photos around Winter Gardens (luckily weather settle down by then, even though we found plenty of spots providing some cover).

Enjoy this quick proposal sneak peek! I can not wait to move through couple’s final gallery. Contact me with any question!

Muriwai Beach pre-wedding session - Tony and Joey (Auckland engagement-wedding-family photographers) - City + Forest

Muriwai Beach such a perfect place for a pre-wedding session with gorgeous landscape and stunning golden sunset light. Tony and Joey made their way from Singapore and Switzerland to Auckland, New Zealand, two souls come together!

Before ended up meeting sunset on the beach, we met with couple to capture so special for couple moments in the city - Silo Park with urban landscapes with mix of concrete, nature and water views.

Next destination was forest with lush greenery and sheltered from sun location, following with Muriwai Beach, secluded beach with cave, favourite place to shoot engagement sessions, weddings and family photo shoots for all photographers (you can meet them or surfers there quite often!).

Three pre-wedding photo shoot locations, stunning couple - two beautiful souls and beautiful sunset in a beautiful setting! Love is all around!

Enjoy highlights of this engagement photo session and contact me with any questions!

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!

Piha Beach engagement session (Auckland pre-wedding photographer) Andrea and Jerry

Piha Beach is one of the most beautiful locations for engagement session in Auckland. I personally love West Coast Beaches for pre-wedding photo shoots, with such stunning landscapes and opportunity for a gorgeous sunset light, dream come true for any photographer!

We met with Andrea & Jerry just few months before their wedding in Queenstown for couple’s photo shoot and had such amazing time, full of love, light and laughter!

Couple shared their love story: “We were neighbours during high school & went out for 3 years during Uni. We reconnected 8 years later. We’ve been together just over 2 years again now and knew from our first date that this was it for us and we’ve been inseparable ever since.” The proposal: “We brought our first house together in June. Settlement was on the Friday & we met early Saturday morning at the house to start moving. Andrea walked in to find the ring box & Jerry on one knee. We both burst into tears. It was surreal and felt like all our dreams had come true.” Such an amazing heartfelt story!

Enjoy highlights of this Piha Beach engagement session in photo gallery below:

Pre-wedding photo shoot at Piha: Devon and Ash (Auckland engagement photographer)

It was a beautiful moment when couple asked me to capture their pre-wedding photo shoot at Piha. Devon actually wanted to propose to Ash at that couple’s session on Auckland Beach but could not wait anymore and proposal happened just one week earlier :). Congratulations to happy couple! Ita such a pleasure to be their engagement photographer and capture so many beautiful, emotional and real moments!

Bring back memories! Enjoy highlights of couple’s pre-wedding photo shoot at Piha Beach with views to Lion Rock

Contact me to book your session!

Pre-wedding photo shoot at forest and beach (West Auckland couples photographer)

Ella and Rey had a wonderful pre-wedding photo shoot at Muriwai forest and beach (West Auckland), just before their intimate elopement happening next month. Exciting times ahead!

Its such a pleasure for me to be their couples photographer and capture all the beautiful, emotional and real moments in such a stunning location in New Zealand! I just love to meet sunset on this secluded beach surrounded by rocks and witness moments of closeness and love!

Enjoy highlights of this engagement session and let me know if you have any questions!

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Pre-wedding session at Muriwai Beach (West Auckland photographer) - proposal

It was a pleasure to capture Aabha & Manoj pre-wedding session at Muriwai forest and beach (West Auckland). Im so glad to be their photographer for this part of their journey before their wedding in India in January. Not long to go now.

Manoj surprised Aabha by getting on one knee and propose to her right on the beach that comes as surprise. It was such a highlight of this beautiful session right before the sunset.

Enjoy highlights of this beautiful couple’s photo shoot on the beach! More photos coming soon.

Pre-wedding photo shoot on the beach (Auckland engagement photographer)

It was amazing to meet this beautiful couple, Rosanna and Riaz, that travel all the way from Hong-Kong to New Zealand to have their pre-wedding photo shoot on Muriwai Beach and also visit their sister’s wedding in Auckland. It was a pleasure to be chosen as their photographers and spent some great time walking and talking on the beach, finding out about couple story and their plans for special day (couple met at work and never looked back with happy days).

There was a moment when waves come suddenly (never underestimate New Zealand West Coast beaches!) and couple get surrounded by ocean water. Luckily Rosanna climbed on the rock and Riaz been just patiently holding her hand and waiting when water roll back. What a memories or NZ adventures!

Enjoy highlights of this pre-wedding session in Auckland, New Zealand and let me know if you have any questions!

Couples session at Muriwai Beach (Auckland engagement - wedding photographer)

Abbey and Kate come all the way over from Australia for their couples session at Muriwai Beach (West Auckland). Its such an exciting moments and pleasure for me, engagement and wedding photographer to capture such amazing moments between two beautiful souls.

We met at the forest first, enjoying walking between trees and then moved to Muriwai Beach and had some fun walking and talking.

Enjoy highlights from couples gallery:

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Forest and beach engagement session (West Auckland photography} - sneak peek

We met with Simon and Maddie for their forest and beach engagement session in West Auckland - near Muriwai Beach, for their pre-wedding photography, before couple fly to USA for their wedding in December.

It was a rainy day, but even rain can’t stand on the way of this beautiful couple’s love and positive emotions!

Enjoy this quick sneak peek from rainy day photo shoot and keep an eye of full gallery that coming soon!

By the way, two locations perfect not only to show variety in photos but also to change two outfits like this gorgeous people! (especially if you cat decide what to wear ;) )

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(Just note - I book only limited number of sessions and most popular months booked 3-6 month in advance; your desired date may be still available though ;) )

Proposal on Muriwai Beach {Auckland wedding photographer}

It was an incredible moments that Allen & Ruby shared with me - amazing proposal on Muriwai Beach {Auckland} just few days before their wedding. What a pleasure to witness and photographer!

Happy couple shared with me their story and incredible moments.

Enjoy highlights of their photo gallery and contact me with any questions!

Engagement session on Muriwai Beach {Auckland wedding photographers}

We met with Jess & James for their engagement session on Muriwai Beach {Auckland}, one of the best location for a photo shoot - dream for everyone, especially surfers and wedding photographers. This place have amazing waves, and stunning rocks, but they could be tricky, when they come unexpected. So watch out for them, big chance to drive back home wet and covered in black sand.

We had so much fun, laughter and positive emotions with this beautiful couple, such amazing people! James shared some fun facts about their relationship: “We found out on our first date that Jess works in the same office as my brother in law just from the stories we were telling. Turned out she had already my sister too at the Christmas party a few weeks earlier. After our first date and a few more in early 2020 we managed to survive the first March lockdown and moved in together for the subsequent Auckland lockdowns and never looked back”

Enjoy highlights of this engagement shoot and contact me with any questions!

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Pre-wedding couple session on the beach {West Auckland photographer}

We met with Robert and Katie on their pre-wedding session on the Muriwai Beach {West Auckland} , stunning location for document couple’s memories, dream to be for any photographer.

Couple made their way from New York for their engagement session and upcoming wedding in Settlers Country Manor. Keep an eye on this blog for a future picture share from their wedding day which coming very soon, as well as their romantic story and proposal.

Enjoy highlights of their pre-wedding session gallery below! Contact me with any questions!

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Pre-wedding session on the beach {Auckland engagement photographer}

Wedding season started rolling and Im excited to share with you Mo & Shay pre-wedding session on Muriwai Beach {Auckland}, exciting engagement celebration just few month before their wedding, Im so excited to be their photographer and capture so many beautiful moments, full of love and laughter!

We had an amazing time on the beach, enjoying our short session, no matter cloudy weather! Couple made their way from Hamilton and it was a pleasure to walk and talk, documenting some special moments and making memories for years to come!

It was amazing to meet this couple again after they been in the bridal party of one of my past wedding couples which wedding I shot not long ago in Markovina, such a great times in a gorgeous venue!

Enjoy highlights of this pre-wedding photo shoot gallery:

Memories of 2021-2022 wedding-family season {West Auckland photographers}

What can be better then remember memories from 2021-2022 wedding-family season when new one is approaching shortly with so many beautiful weddings and family photo shoots. Always a pleasure to capture all these beautiful, emotional and real moments, mostly in West Auckland, for us as photographers.

It was an amazing season full love, light and laughter! <3 We had incredible time with many gorgeous couples as photo shoots and weddings, I also been running online workshops at Click Photo School, got some photography awards, and travel overseas to Germany, feeling freedom after long time in lockdowns in pandemic.

Thank you so much for this incredible time!

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Winter engagement session at the beach {Auckland - New Zealand photographer}

Winter sessions are the best - moody atmosphere and snuggles to keep warm :) We had an amazing time with Imogen & Peter at their winter engagement session at Muriwai Beach {Auckland, New Zealand}.

Its such a honour for me as photographer to document all important for couple moments and emotions, such a special memories. Couple met one year ago and as mean to be just got engaged. Congratulations and happy future together!

Enjoy highlights of their engagement gallery at the winter secluded beach and contact me with any questions!

By the way, if you want to move your photography to another level, not late to join my online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” at Click Photo School.

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