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.

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!