Kariotahi Beach Castaways | Auckland wedding photographer

What an amazing post wedding session I had with my wedding clients at Kariotahi beach near Castaways (Waiuku, Auckland).

This couple is just amazing, they were married just two weeks ago and I had the honour to take their pictures at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Russian Orthodox Church, Auckland. You can check their wedding gallery and look at their amazing video.

Weather was really good for us: it was rainy just couple a minutes before the session, but when couple arrived to the beach the sun come out. What a lucky day! :)

We had a lot of fun and positive emotions, enjoyed beauty of the wild west coast nature, hills, rocks, sand, ocean. It was really windy on the top of the hill, but it made a special atmosphere for pictures. 

Later we moved down to the ocean just before the sunset, when sky was so beautiful. It was really important to walk in the water and feel all power of the nature. Need to mentioned I been walking with 2 cameras, light stand with flash holding in one hand and taking picture with another one (at some point big wave come to us and we had feeling like we in the middle of the ocean, it was really tricky to move back to the safe place, waves been really powerful). 

Lucky all goes good way and we even manage to catch last light laying on the sand near the water. Good wedding been in the past, so we no need be worries about wedding dress cleanness or good condition for groom's suit, so we had a lot of fun, and can make its all dirty for our shots :)

We need change of clothes afterwards and hot cup of tea to unfreeze, but it was totally worth it, so much positive emotions and such stunning pictures!

Enjoy this gallery!

Talk to you soon!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

WHISK & SPOON | Guest in the Blog | Auckland-Hamilton wedding photographer

Im happy to introduce you new guest in our blog: WHISK & SPOON, amazing Cake company, what we met on the Grand Wedding Show couple of weeks ago. I would like to help all our brides & grooms and families to find the best suppliers for your special event and help other wedding vendors to meet you.

Choosing the wedding cake one of the most excited part of wedding planning (after choosing your venue and photographer, of course ;) )

So please feel free to surf through their pages and contact for book something special for you:

WHISK & SPOON - Cakes for Celebrations

Whisk & Spoon Cake

Whisk & Spoon Cake

We are a North Shore based, make-to-order Cake Company specialising in Naked, Semi-Naked and Iced (non fondant) cakes for Weddings and Celebrations. We produce signature designs along with one-off creations, and handcraft our popular meringue kisses and small bonbonnerie for favours and gifts. Our cakes are so amazing, people will talk about them for days! You will have a wonderful looking centrepiece for your celebration, a cake that tastes incredible and looks unique, baked with fresh ingredients to order and delivered to your home or venue! Save your precious time and avoid the stress - The sweetest gift of all !

whisk@whiskandspoon.co.nz
www.whiskandspoon.co.nz
www.facebook.co.nz/whiskspoon

 

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

World around us | Auckland lifestyle photographer

What can take your attention and make you remember and capture the moment? Is it something really special, happening once a life, is it beauty of everyday moments or something else.

Im really enjoying to see the world around us from new perspective, especially during 365 project, what makes me wonder what else around what I not see, not noticed, but what deserve to be captured. Its my everyday moments, kids, lifestyle shots and some new pictures what I feel like to take.

Im happy to show you just a one day of world around me. Luckily I spend this day with kids in Hamilton Gardens - beautiful place, a must see. I even don't know how I manage to take a pictures with my active little ones, but thats the life. Happy to share with you these moments:

And one more in black and white conversation:

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

My 365 Project | September | Auckland Lifestyle photographer

It's time to share with you my monthly post with pictures from personal 365 project. Every month is different and brings lot of new events, emotions, fun and real life moments.

It was a busy month for me with personal and business changes: we moved from Auckland to Hamilton with family (kids just love outside area in new house, plenty of space to play), but it was an exhausting move (everyone who moved house can understand all these packing-unpacking and cleaning stuff ;)

Also there was a lot work with organise photo sessions, big wedding shoot (just love this atmosphere) and the main event for me at the end of the month Grand Wedding Show. It was really enjoyable to see all lovely brides & grooms and their families and support team, talk with other vendors and show my stall; how I feel my photography and style. Truly it was hard to turn head around set it up, we till last moment been not sure on the details. But I been really happy with results at the end. Thank you so much to my husband for help with set everything up and to my friend / photographer Sonja for helping me on the day. I really appreciate this great help, I just can't do it all by myself (no matter how strong I am, ha-ha :)

Another news - our pictures been published in New Zealand Weddings Magazine, so exciting! Its a big honour and enjoyable moments to see pictures goes live :)

I also got a new photography toy - a Lensbaby Sweet 35, and just love it! I started practicing with it in my daily life and took  pictures with manual focusing, not easy, but results totally worth it! I always try to learn something new in photography, practice, progress. Its a whole world around and my study never stops :)

So here it goes - my everyday lifestyle moments with kids, clients sessions and more, enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!

Wedding Photography Giveaway Winner | Auckland | Hamilton Lifestyle wedding photographer

Thank you so much everyone for coming to the Grand Wedding Show and viewing my lifestyle wedding photography stall, LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY.

We have a special surprise for our guests who entered the draw to win a FREE wedding photography experience for up to 6 hours!

I am delighted to announce the winner - Ailsa Reilly. Congratulations!

But there's more good news for all who visited our stand….

We are offering 20% OFF any wedding package to our participants which includes a free engagement shoot! I am committed to making your wedding day the best day you could ever ask for, so the couples' session/engagement shoot will help me get to know you better so you feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible in front of the camera on your wedding day so we can capture your true emotions of joy and love, without the nerves!

Please feel free contact me with any questions and tell me more about your wedding day! I can't wait to hear from you!

* if winner is not reachable during 7 day | date is not available | or any other reason for cancellation, prize will go in a draw again

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Engagement-Couples Photo Shoot | Auckland wedding photographer

Engagement and couples photography is one of the special genre of portrait photography with mix of lifestyle moments.

Its all about showing the connection, emotions and relationships. Sounds easy, but its not :) Of course some couples easy going, not shy at all to show to all world about their love. But what I found, a lot times successful photo shoots could be archived only when you pay attention to details, ask questions, understand couples character, interests, what they love to do together and apply this knowledge to create a perfect relax atmosphere at photo session. Its really short time, just 1-2 hours, which we need to use to create a little love story, from moments of starting love to really tender and strong feelings.

We can talk (and I love to talk a lot, ha-ha), make a jokes, dance, play around, have posed and unposed moments.

What helps a lot is a find real moments, leave couple along for some time and just watch their quiet moments, which show a lot how they connect to each other, how they speak and relax.

Everyone loves to have down time :)

Also good use of space (shooting in all possible points - shade, open sun, sampled light etc.), and different angles (shoot from the top, eye level, down, side, back, close, far etc.) helps to create unique images and gives more opportunities to make variety of shots what best suits this couple.

I love to hear all these special love stories, how you meet each other, who doing cooking, who is bossy etc. Ha-ha! Sometimes answers vary, but it always helps me to full in love with the couple and even become good friends, then we meet again at exciting special wedding day.

If you have the opportunity to have an engagement shoot before the wedding with your photographer, its helps a lot on your wedding day, believe me. Its makes it all more relaxable, enjoyable and everyone knows how we all roll :)

I also found couple in long relationships really treasure our sessions, its like special psychology session for renew / refresh their relationship. Im so happy to help with it.

Have a look at my last engagement | couples sessions. I just love all these moments:

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}


Pirate and Princess Birthday Party | Event | Lifestyle photographer Auckland-Hamilton

What a great Pirate and Princess birthday party I visited yesterday and captured some photos.

Kids had so much fun with treasure hunt, real pirate ship, nursery from Peter Pan story, had pillow fight on the trampoline and much more. 
Tyler turned 4 years old, what a big boy, what proud parents! They did a great job with organising a real fairy tale - Neverland at their place! So beautiful decorations, nice snacks for kids and their parents and great entertaining!

Even rain not changed any plans, just made more fun moments for kids (with lightning and thunder). Who else want to have same full of different events party?

Kids been so happy to be at this magic environment!
Here is a gallery, pictures turned just amazing!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR EVENT}

Everyday lifestyle moments | 365 personal project

We decided to put together some of our lifestyle moments captured during last few days, which not been posted yet. 

Its just usual everyday moments, but Im sure they will be treasured when we look back in few years (or maybe even few months time) and remember all these little details with children :)

Im not just a photographer but also a Mum of too little ones who made my life really full of different events, surprises coming every minute, and its not just positive ones, ha-ha :)

Kids - kids - kids :)

Contact info@levienphotography.com

Still life | Photography Genre {Auckland-Hamilton NZ photographer}

As the saying beauty in details, everyday moments of our life. We often look at portraits, trying capture emotions, mood, connection, move. But something else around us, something what we not notice too much, especially when we in rush or busy with other questions.

Its all world around waiting when you put attention on it and see the details.

Its a still life! So beautiful and mysterious at the same moment. Its all about beauty in simplicity, light, details and moment.

You just need to look with attention and wait when some moments just speaks to you and make your heart to sing!

Thats my moments, have a look at these pictures (During my 365 Project I find out that shooting a still life or other photography genres feels really refreshing and inspiring). This gallery from this afternoon shooting till past months random moments what speaks to me (you can see here some mix of genres - macro, abstract etc.:

365 Project

Contact me with any questions!

Wedding Show Double Pass Giveaway | Lifestyle wedding photographer Auckland

We are really excited to share with you this news: you can meet LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY and other wedding suppliers at Wedding Show in Skycity, Auckland 27 September from 9 am till 4 pm. 

wedding show

Its a great opportunity to see each other face to face, talk about your wedding day plans and look around for other suppliers for your special day.

You can also take part in our Wedding Show Double Pass Giveaway!

Simply visit our Facebook Page before 20 September 2015 (Midnight):

1. Like our page,

2. Like Giveaway post. Share the post (optional)

3. Leave your comment and tag your friend.

4. See Giveaway results at 21 September 2015.

Look forward to see you there! 

Other surprises are coming on the Wedding Show day! Don't miss the opportunity to win some exciting prizes. Details are coming soon!

Contact me for details

Wedding Portfolio

Couples/Engagement Portfolio

Follow the lines - Creativity Exercise | Photography Tips

Did you ever put attention to lines on the pictures?

They draw your attention to the main subject, leading in composition, frame and play a big role in photography.

You can see a horizontal, vertical or diagonal and also all mix of these types. 

Creativity exercise today: Follow the lines!

Try to see different types of lines around, include them in the frame and draw attention to your main subject. Its could be leading lines in composition, horizontal/vertical/diagonal lines of surrounding objects or even body lines, arms etc. Even if you not notice lines too much, they are there. Try to incorporate all other sides of photography: watch the light, colours, composition etc. and have fun with post processing, twist the colours and create a black and white images if its speaks to you!

Look at couple of shots what I did today for this creativity exercise while my kids played at playground (when else can I find time for everyday shooting and my 365 Project :)

Contact me with any question!

Big Changes | Lifestyle wedding photography | North Island, New Zealand

If you wonder why it was so quiet in our Blog during the week, the answer is simple: we were really busy moving house from Auckland to Hamilton, New Zealand.

Yes, thats right, we relocated :) Its so exciting! New changes, new hopes, new life! (and a lot of packing, cleaning, unpacking, big task, ha-ha!)

If you ask me is there any changes for clients / friends, I will answer: absolutely nothing and everything :)

Aucklands clients still get the same level of service, Hamilton just 1 hour away what sounds like nothing for girl originally from 5-million citizens city St-Petersburg where travel to work could take 1-2.5 hours one way :)

Its also means wider zone coverage: we service now not just big Auckland area, but also Hamilton and all Waikato area (Thames, Coromandel, Taupo, Otorohanga) and Bay of Plenty as well (Tauranga, Rotorua) and surroundings!

More opportunities and we love to travel. Destination weddings and lifestyle family sessions are welcome!

Look forward to all exciting changes!

Contact me with any questions!

 

Pinterest Boards | Photography Tips {Auckland-Hamilton photographer}

If you never heard about Pinterest its time to give it a go! I just love the ability to serf around there, looking for inspiration, create some boards with chosen pictures and links (organised in system) and share with friends.

Its helps not just to get some inspiration but also helps to feel on the same page with clients/friends. My brides and families often happy to share with me their ideas through the links on Pinterest.

I also love the ability to see some new fun shots.

Here my last inspiration board which shows what drive me into photography, what speaks to me a lot and what I like to see more in my work. Here a fast screen shot (which opened a part of my inspiration :)

Please create your board and share with me! :) Look forward to see it!

pinterest

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Happy Father's Day {Waikato family photographer}

I want to wish Happy Fathers Day to all Dads and remember some moments from few latest sessions.

I love to capture connection between Father and child, their emotions and relationship. Its such special treasured moments.

I would like to offer 15% off session fee for bookings made on Fathers day and during next 3 days (lifestyle family and portraiture photo shoot / kids / baby / newborn etc.). Happy Fathers Day!

Enjoy this gallery! 

Contact me with any question!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Commercial photography Auckland | Pictures for website

What could be better playing with toys? Having a photo shoot with a lot of toys! :)

So many cute little things what can make kids and their parents so happy. Thats what I done last Saturday - had a commercial photo shoot for Pioneer Wooden Toys. Pictures turned out just amazing! 

I was so happy to see them live on their Facebook page straight away: little wooden furniture, bed set, living room, kitchen etc Also big trucks, cars, rocking chair, riding truck, real kid size ironing board, washing line and much more. Kids were so happy to play around all these toys! My little models: William and Anna-Bella did a wonderful job just by having fun with these little treasures while I been shooting around.

What a fun time! Enjoy this pictures.

Please let me know if your interested in taking pictures for your website, blog, head shots for your company or social media. I would love to help!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Personal Project 365 | August | Lifestyle Photography Auckland

Its always surprising to look back at the start of the month and see images what you took FOREVER ago. Yes, thats how its feels, and then you realised it was not a long time ago, just start of the month.

So much happening: different sessions, events, news,  few commercial projects and kids around, of course :)

Here are my personal everyday moments in 365 Project. Capturing real life and emotions, remember treasure moments.

Enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Cornwall park Couples-Engagement Session | Auckland Wedding photographer

What a beautiful couple I met last weekend for their engagement session at Cornwall Park, Auckland. 

Julie and Ettienne such an amazing and fun loving couple!

I love every single moment of our session together: all these lyric, romance and fun moments, posing and un-posing, relaxing talking and moving around. We even been dancing!

This couple is so gorgeous! It was interesting to hear their love story, how they met and where they come from: Julie a real kiwi girl and Ettienne from South Africa (name sounds really French and romantic! :). We found a lot in common - passion to dance (Julie doing latin dancing) and figure skating (Ettienne love to skate and practice on ice as me :).

What a great time together! Thank you guys!

So excited about your upcoming wedding!

Happy future together!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Capturing joy | Kids Portraits | Auckland-Waikato Family photography

Capturing joy is the most important part of my photography. All these emotions, happiness, connection, what else could be more important? :)

This time in my 365 Project I choose to capture my little one jumping on the bed - its so much fun and positive emotions, look at her face!

These moments are so treasured!

Little tips: try to capture full frame with scene (to show what's happening), then concentrate on the details and face and emotions at the end. This makes for a complete set. Try to use different angles and perspective. 

I show you just a fast sneak peek how my little one having fun on brothers bed while he in pre-school. ha-ha :) :

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

365 Project | Personal pictures | Hamilton lifestyle photographer

Its not a secret Im taking a 365 Project this year with ability to capture everyday moments, to get images with my kids and lifestyle moments what I will treasure forever. Its a good practice and progress for me as well. Love to looking for new creative shots, ideas and angles!

This time my little one move into the pantry, where he love to hide, climb and explore.

I captured the candid moments with him behind pantry door. Something usual and everyday became an interesting add to my 365 collection of images.

Enjoy it!

Creativity exercise | Capture a moment | Family lifestyle photographer | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Its time for a new creativity exercise :)

This time we concentrate on capturing moments, emotions and details as well. So lets start:

grab a camera, make sure your settings good enough for capture a motion (at least 1/125 sec), good exposure, enough light coming through your lens (if its not enough you can make small aperture (around 1.8-2.8 depends what area you want to have in focus) and don't forget to set ISO (if its low light condition don't be afraid to bump it up) and last but not least - your white balance (you can use Kelvin - my usual settings at my house at day time around 5500 K, outside its varies depends from time of the day and could be around 6200 at usual day time and go up 7200-9500 closer to sunset, candles light give you around 2500 K). If you want to learn how to use the Kelvin settings just look at Kelvin chart and play with your settings at different lighting conditions and look at result (is it too blue or yellow).

I just slightly touched your settings because they are really important for get a clean picture what no need too much work in post-processing, so try to get it right in the camera :)

You made your camera ready for action and for your creativity exercise:

Take a set of the pictures around one event and try to capture a moment, emotions of subjects, concentrate on details and take a pictures what make a story. You can also just made a one shot which show all story in one frame. 

I show you some examples of capturing moment: last evening when my little ones been sitting on the sofa and watching TV I tried to get in frame their connection and interaction with details shots. Its a real treasure, especially when your little ones grow up so fast.

Have fun and let me know if you have any questions info@levienphotography.com