Muriwai Beach proposal (Auckland engagement-wedding photographer): Oliver and Taylor

Muriwai Beach is a stunning location for any session, especially proposal: outstanding landscapes in West Auckland is a dream come true for any engagement-wedding photographer.

The place is offering huge rocks with gannet colony, secluded beach and stunning views.

Oliver decided to surprise Taylor with unexpected proposal on New Year’s Eve during couple’s trip to New Zealand from Oregon, USA. I been placing myself discrete, pretending to photograph birds and landscapes (which are amazing), when couple show up, walk around the beach and then Oliver pop on one knee and ask the question. The answer was” Yes”, luckily.

We walk and talk around the beach and had an amazing time together. SO many unforgettable memories for this beautiful couple (unfortunately it was thunderstorm in the forecast for an evening sunset time, so we quickly changed the plan to have photos taken at morning, with harsh light, no matter what memories still treasured in these beautiful photographs below).

Enjoy highlights of proposal session in photo gallery. Contact me with any questions!

Kumeu Valley Estate (Auckland wedding photographers): Gen and Gerald

It’s always a pleasure to shoot in Kumeu Valley Estate, one of the popular locations with a rustic atmosphere in West Auckland, pleasure to photograph for all photographers.

This time Gen & Gerald come together to celebrate their special day with close friends and family (couple wish to not publish any photos with kids, and I respect their wish, even though children was so adorable!

Couple shared their story: “We met in the US at a NZ Embassy party on NZ election night in 2014 when he started his PhD and I was working there. We found out we had mutual friends and was sitting back-to-back at a wedding 3 years prior! Been together 11 years and 2 kids later, we finally making it down the aisle.” He proposed: “Rather last minute and in our true style awkwardly, in Manchester Garden Park picnic, he tried to keep it a surprise. He gave a lovely speech.”

It was a rainy day, but even rain can’t stand on the way of this beautiful celebration! This wedding was truly special as there was no family formals or couple shoot, as couple prefer to document the memories with their loved ones, with documentary approach. So we just been going with the flow.

Enjoy highlights of this wedding in photo gallery:

book your wedding

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (Auckland family-wedding-couples photographer)

Its time to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Another year pass by so quickly with so many amazing sessions: family, maternity, newborn, graduation, couples, proposals, elopement, weddings! (One family had a three photo shoots with me this year, this is a record in one year :))

Great time with beautiful souls, such a honour for me to be their photographer and document all these memories for years to come!

Its unbelievable how much variety of event we saw this year, including continue to be official photographers for NZIFSA, photographing all major ice skating competitions in Auckland (including North Island Championships and Nationals where skaters from all over New Zealand come to participate and show their passion and love to the sport). Such a pleasure to photograph!

As you may know, I’m an adult skater myself and this year had an amazing season with personal achievements - 2nd place in ISU Adult Competitions in Oberstdorf, Germany, 1st place in Winter Sun, Brisbane, 3rd place in Hollins Trophy, Sydney and 4th in Crystal Cup, in Melbourne. So many great memories and beautiful times together with my friends.

My kids had an important year in intermediate and high school; son get into development soccer team (Auckland United) and my daughter worked hard to learn all double jumps in skating and took a Silver medal in Nationals in Basic Novice U12 grade. All the hard work paid off!

Even though I needed to spend more time with my family, we had an incredible moments with my gorgeous couples and families.

I also incredibly grateful to continue teaching online photography workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” at Click Photo School (running from 2018, such a great time helping other photographers to find their voice and why in photography and life).

Enjoy highlights of this half season sessions in photo gallery below, messy and real, combining couples and events photography. Contact me with any questions!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I cannot wait to see what future holds!

Rainy elopement on Piha Beach (Auckland wedding photographers)

This couple come to New Zealand from overseas to get married in a stunning location. Even rainy weather couldn’t be on the way of their beautiful celebration - elopement on Piha Beach.

First w4e decided to do ceremony in slightly covered location on the backyard of their AirBnB with Valeria celebrant staying away form the rain.

Followed by signing of the papers (with me as a whitness), and an intimate photo shoot on the beach.

Such a treasured memories for year to come!

(couple wish to keep their names private)

Congratulations and happy future together!

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!

contact me

Waiheke Island: Wild Estate vineyard (Auckland wedding photographer): Aleah and Tyler

Waiheke Island Weddings are so special - making all this way on the ferry to secluded island and celebrate such a special day on one of the most fun and beautiful place on Waiheke - Wild Estate vineyard, great place to be in Auckland, and pleasure for me to be their wedding photographer and capture all the beutiful, emotional and real moments!

Congratulations to Aleah & Tyler who get married at Waikehe Island beach, they had an amazing time with their close friends and family at Wild on Waiheke (with archery and shooting, fun games and more).

Adventurous couple with joyful barefoot wedding! Way to go!

Couple shared their story: “Our story is a long love story in the making; 16 years to be exact. We met for the first time in high school (he dated my best friend briefly), and throughout the years we always seemed to run into each other (for example seeing each other across the university quad in our 2nd year at uni). The timing was never good, we were either seeing someone or had other major life events going on. But we always checked in on each other, and whenever we did get time to spend together it was always easy, full of adventure, laughter and moments of caring deeply for one another. I decided to move to Brisbane, Australia in 2016. Tyler was very upset about loosing a close friend. 2017 I was visiting and we spent a day together filled with adventure and laughter. I was flying out the next day and he decided he had "nothing to loose" and told me how he felt. This sent me reeling as I have been feeling the exact same way about him. We decided to do long distance and Tyler decided to follow me across the ditch in 2019. We all know what happened 2020, so instead of going on travel adventures, we chose to save and bought a house and rescued our beautiful fur baby in April 2023. Once the world was open again, and we had spent time with family, we were once again ready to begin our overseas travel adventures.”

Proposal happened: “In August 2023, we set out for our first real overseas travel adventure as a couple. My dad always told me to travel with someone before you marry them so you know who they really are. We touched down in Jordan, and were planning to spend 2 weeks there. I was nervous about getting through customs and I was right in my assumption. The whole custom process and hotel check in had me on edge (we were questioned who he was to me as an Arab woman). Once safely in our hotel room, Tyler asked what he could do to make me feel more safe and secure. He had been planning to propose to me during the meteor shower in the Wadi Rum desert. He prioritised my comfort and security that day in the hotel room and proposed to me then and there. I love him for this, and I got to wear my ring and ended up feeling much more comfortable for the rest of the trip because of this.”

Great Creative Team:

- Flowers - decorative ToeToe hand harvested by me and mum and dried in her garage. We are asking each guest to bring a stem of their favourite flower for the bouquet. - Make up - Amy Crawford (the beauty spot) - Jewellery - necklace gifted to me 7 years ago by my training hospital - Dress - Grace Loves Lace (local designer 1 hr from my front door in Brisbane, made of 96% recycled fabric, hand made on site)

Enjoy highlights of couple’s special day in photo gallery!

book your wedding

Orakei Bay Wedding: Laura and Chris (Auckland couples' photographer)

What a great way to start this season with Orakei Bay wedding. Congratulations to Laura & Chris get married at one of the hidden gems - Central Auckland picturesque venue surrounded by close friends and family!

Wedding was filled with so much fun, love and positive emotions. Even rain can't stand on the way of this beautiful celebration!

Couple shared their love story: “Met down at Otago uni, been together 8 years. Two cats with plans to get dogs with more travel in the plans”, he proposed": “after cooking me a breakfast on a sunny sunday morning”.

Such a fun couples, people with beautiful souls!

Creative team:

Dress - Hera couture, Suit - Barkers, Flowers - Deco's by D, Hair and Makeup - Clarette FX, Celebrant , MC and DJ - Gary Pointon and Auckland wedding photographers - Levien & Lens photography.

Enjoy highlights of this vibrant wedding in photo gallery. Contact me with any questions!

BOOK YOUR WEDDING

Mudbrick wedding on Waiheke Island (Harriet and Jayden) - Auckland photographers

Mudbrick is a stunning venue for any wedding with unique location overlooking the hills on Waiheke Island, perfect for any couple and pleasure for us to shoot, as photographers.

Harriet and Jayden come together with their family and friends to celebrate their special day. Couple had amazing time full of love and laughter, warm and cosy atmosphere.

We met with them before at pre-wedding consultation and engagement photo shoot before the wedding. Had so much fun and romance at sunset photo shoot at Muriwai Beach.

Couple shared their story: “Been together 3 years, met online have already enjoyed many adventures together travelling in and away from New Zealand and now have a 9month old baby Henry”. Proposal made “On a beach walk on a romantic weekend away to celebrate our one year anniversary.” What a beautiful family with gorgeous baby boy!

Enjoy highlights of couple’s wedding gallery in our Blog:

Wedding at Little Wilderness - Olga and Juan (Kumeu) photography

Congratulations Olga & Juan celebrated their special wedding day with close friends and family at Little Wilderness (Kumeu). Feels like we just done with this beautiful couple their pre-wedding photo shoot and big day come so fast!

Olga’s parents made their way from Russia to celebrate this day with couple. Unfortunately Juan’s parents cant come due to the sad times in family - nana passed away, but they can still participate watching online through Live stream. Such a special memories for years to come!

Couple shared their love story: “We met at an English school a bit more than 6 years ago. Our mutual friend introduced us to each other. I didn't like him initially because he didn't believe that I was Russian and I needed to show him my passport. He was a bit arrogant and mean. Then with time, we started hanging out more and having long conversations. We understood that we have many things in common. Without realizing we started dating, and now we are getting married and cannot imagine living without each other.” Proposal story is very touching as well: I came back home from work on the 31st of December and he asked me to check something in our room. There was a little necklace on the deb and a letter. When I read it I was almost crying as it was beautiful. When I turned around he was on his knee with a ring box in his hand and asked me to marry him.” Such a special memories!

Enjoy couple’s wedding highlights in photo gallery:

Elopement on Piha Beach (Auckland wedding photographer)

Congratulations to Sarah & Tendy get elopment on Piha beach - West Auckland (with celebrant Celebrant Auckland - Kate Couling).

So much love and positive emotions Couple made all the way from Singapore to New Zealand to get married! What an amazing story!

We had a great time exploring the beach and surroundings, lots of fun, love and laughter, and positive emotions!

Enjoy highlights of couple’s elopement - wedding gallery with intimate session afterwards:

Elopement on Piha Beach (Auckland wedding photographer}

Natalie & Ronald come all the way from Germany to get eloped on beautiful New Zealand beach Congratulations to happy couple!

We met with couple at the beautiful Piha beach with stunning landscapes and beautiful atmosphere. Elopement ceremony was just gorgeous and weather cooperated (luckily no rain till the very last minute of the shoot when skies are opened up and pure rain started!)

Amazing Celebrant: @valeria_celebrant Valeria Antipenko lead the ceremony on Russian and English languages, perfectly suitable for couple with multicultural mix.

Enjoy highlights of this beautiful wedding and couples intimate session afterwards.

Happy future together!

Settlers Country Manor - Katie and Robert {wedding photographers in Auckland}

Amazing celebration in Settlers Country Manor - such a stunning venue out west. Katie and Robert made their way from New York {USA} to share their special day with friends and family. It was a pleasure for us to provide a full wedding coverage with 2 photographers to not miss a thing! Such a perfect location in West Auckland with so many photo opportunities on one site!

Place to be! Day started from getting ready at groom’s family home in Kohimarama and bride getting ready right on site at Settlers, through first look and ceremony, bridal party and family photos and amazing reception with incorporating Chinese traditions with two dragons {even bride’s red wedding dress looked amazing paying traditions of Chinese culture}.

Couple shared their story: “We met on Bumble, the dating app in New York in April 2021. We've been together since then.” Proposal: “On a Friday evening after dinner at Katie's favourite speakeasy Japanese restaurant, Robert took Katie for a walk in the West Village and got down on one knee in front of a place called Greenwich Mews - the road we hope to own a house in one day and raise a family.” Such a beautiful memories of these beautiful people!

Enjoy highlights of couples wedding gallery and contact me with any questions!

Markovina rainy wedding: Sarah and Paul {West Auckland photographer}

It was a beautiful celebration in Markovina, even though rainy day wedding, Sarah and Paul enjoyed their special day with their two little ones, close friends and family, such a special event in West Auckland and pleasure for me to be their chosen photographer to document all important moments through the day.

Day started in the Auckland City hotel QT at Viaduct with ladies getting ready through travel to Markovina Vineyard Estate with rainy ceremony {lucky venue have a cover option for couples}, couples and bridal party shoot under umbrellas and fun reception celebration.

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

Castaways wedding with Indian traditions - Meera and Tom {Auckland couples photographer}

It was a pleasure to shoot this small Castaways wedding with mix of Indian traditions when Meera and Tom who come all the way from Ireland celebrated their special day with close friends and family. The venue is a stunning location in Auckland with amazing views overlooking the ocean and rocks, such a dream for any couples and for me as their photographer!

Couple shared their story: “We met in a pub in Ireland while I was on my OE , and we’ve been together for 5 years. I’ve moved to Ireland since meeting Tom, so I’m happy to home for the wedding!” He proposed “On a beach which we had our first date on”. What a romantic story!

Even though it was very rainy on their wedding day, it can’t stop this beautiful celebration!

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

Top nine on Instagram | Happy New Year

This is the perfect time to look back and reflect, how far we come, where we want to head, set some goals and look ahead!

I decided to share with you a simple grid of top 9 photos on my IG accounts @olgalevien and @levienphotography - you never know which images going to be the most favourite at the time you posting them and only time can tell. Even though likes are not matters, its a fun way to see “most popular” moments of the year.

Looking back, this year brought more freedom {after all the restrictions and lockdowns}, giving me an opportunity to travel overseas to Germany and also letting couples and families come from overseas to New Zealand. Exciting times connecting to new people and capturing some beautiful, emotional and real moments!

Looking forward, I decided for the right balance in my life with little ones to take only limited number of sessions, and only small weddings, concentrating on creating timeless memories in a best way possible without burning out and bring more creative juices and mojo flowing in my work and life, as well as some personal projects. Exciting times ahead!

Enjoy these best moments of the year {according to IG} highlights - top 9 at @olgalevien and then @levienphotography

Thank you for these moments and for your constant support and love! Happy New Year and happy holidays!

New Zealand elopement on Piha Beach: Anna and Devin {Auckland wedding - family photographer}

Exciting times in New Zealand - with couples allowed to enter the country after Covid lockdowns, more travels and elopements became real, like this one with Anna and Devin who come all the way from Germany to get married on Piha Beach {Auckland}.

Amazing and romantic event that is a pleasure to photograph for me - wedding and family photographer, such a beautiful moments and memories that will be treasured forever.

Even small rain can’t stand on the way of this special celebration of love!

Ceremony been run on German and English by amazing celebrant Angelika De Vere next to rocks with ocean views. What a beautiful event full of fun, love and laughter!

Enjoy highlights of couple’s wedding - elopement gallery and contact me with any questions!

Parnell Rose Garden - Orakei Bay Venue: Laura and Raj {Auckland wedding photographers}

Amazing celebration in Parnell Rose Gardena and Orakei Bay Venue with Laura and Raj and their family and close friends. Couple made their way from Melbourne, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand after 2 long years of lockdowns, waiting for this moments to happened, rescheduling their wedding and anticipating the moments with us, their photographers.

Finally it happen, as mean to be! Such a beautiful, emotional and real moments! Pleasure to photograph!

Couple shared their story - they met in Las Vegas and been together for 3.5 years. He proposed “on one knee in our beautiful home on a sunny Sunday afternoon”. Such a romantic story!

Enjoy highlights of this amazing day and contact me with any questions!

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!

Auckland city wedding: Frances & Chris

Third time lucky! Great celebration Auckland City wedding of Frances & Chrisat Old St Mary's Chapel and Non Solo Pizza after few rescheduling during pandemic. It finally happened, with close friends and family, such a special and intimate event! We had a great time at couples engagement photo shoot before the wedding.

Couple shared their story: “We met 7 years ago when we worked as Baristas at Starbucks together.” The proposal was at mission bay where couple had first date.

Enjoy highlights of couples wedding gallery!

By the way, if you like to push your photography to another level, my online photography workshop with Click Photo School starts 11 April. Contact me for more details!

The Officers Mess - Takapuna {Auckland weddings}

Third time lucky! This wedding been rescheduled three times during pandemic and finally took place in The Officers Mess {Takapuna}, one of the most beautiful North Shore Auckland weddings venue with stunning views to Rangitoto Island. Enjoy a quick sneak peek of this beautiful wedding gallery created by my amazing team, associate photographers - Tashina and Matt {who I always shoot with}

Congratulations to Lisa & Adam get married at The Officers Mess at Fort Takapuna

Amazing day full of love, light and laughter!

Great creative team:

Flowers: Miss Monday Flowers

Rings: Naveya and Sloane; The Village Goldsmith (Groom)

Makeup: Freckle & Blush

Hair: Inspired Hair

Celebrant: Jill Findlay and Jill Rangeley

MC: Keith Ward; Coordinator (venue): Flo Orsi - Officer's Mess

Band: Whitewash

Photos by Tashina and Matt, thank you for amazing work!