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!

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.