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!

Castaways wedding: Robert and Pei {Auckland couples - family photographer}

Castaways is a perfect location for a wedding! Thats what Robert and Pei chose for their celebration with close friends: ceremony on top of a stunning hill above the beach and reception in a restaurant with amazing views, one of the best in Auckland! Its such a pleasure to see couples and their family and capture all important moments for years to come, to be their wedding photographer!

We met with this beautiful people on their engagement session {check out their pre-wedding photo shoot highlights in our Blog!}.

Couple shared their story: “We met at work and bonded over several on call shifts together, team dinners/events and mutual friends/colleagues hangs. We eventually really got to spend some quality time together at a close mutual friend's birthday party and really bonded over our shared culture, interests, faith and upbringing. It just felt so organic and simple from the get go and we really hit it off from there. We would have been together just over 2 years by the time of our wedding.” The proposal: “I had very elaborate plans I was contemplating but the ring I bought was made available to me much much earlier than anticipated and I just couldn't wait to start our lives together and I knew we both felt ready for it. We have a joint day off on Waitangi day and the weather was great, Pei planned a day of hiking, beaches and cafes and I figured this would be the best way to catch her by surprise. We eventually spent the afternoon lying on the sand at Castor Bay in a secluded part of the beach and I knew this was the place. There were some minor highjinks but we got there in the end”. :)

Great creative team: Wedding Dress: bought second-hand from Stillwhite by Maggie Sottero Wedding dress alterations: Shirley at I Sew 4 U Bride's shoes: Merchant Bride's make-up: Face by Chelsea Bride's hair: Yu Yu Celebrant: Pastor Michael Huffman MC: Patrick Cho and Auckland best wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}

Enjoy highlights of this perfect day at Castaways Resort {Waiuku, South Auckland}:

Rainy day Patumahoe wedding: Evgenia and Anton {Auckland photographer}

Im excited to share with you recent rainy day Patumahoe wedding {South Auckland}, where Evgenia & Anton get married surrounded by close friends. Its such a honour to be their photographer and document such a special day {I also know Evgenia well as we are doing ice skating together and participating in competitions}. Such a pleasure to see this couple get married with incorporating russian traditions {caravan and many games}.

Even though its been pure rain on the wedding day, it can stand on the way of this celebration full of fun, love, and laughter! {by the way we decided to do a post-wedding photo shoot at golden sunset on the beach, so watch this space for more photos with this incredible couple}.

Great creative team: venue Ginagin @valeria_celebrant Weddings by Anya Boom Makeup Samui Bon Appetit BelleBouquetnz Dell'Amore Bridal

Enjoy highlights of this small and intimate wedding in the gallery:

Together Journal publication - Kendall & Paul {Auckland - Waikato wedding photographer}

Im so excited to share with you amazing news about Together Journal publication of Kendall & Paul wedding in Narrows Landing {where we travel from Auckland to Hamilton, Waikato to capture all the amazing moments!}.

Its such a honour for any wedding photographer to get published in prestigious blog and magazine!

Enjoy highlights of this publication with lots of details shots!

Let me know if you have any questions! Also see more highlights of couple’s wedding gallery and their story in our Blog as well as their engagement session!

By the way, if you like to improve your photography, next run of Love, Light & Laughter online workshop set 28 June at Click Photo School. Reserve your seat early!

3cd34436-wedding-by-levien-197.jpg

Gracehill vineyard Estate - Kumeu - Meghan and Anton {West Auckland wedding photographer}

Exciting time celebrating special day in Gracehill Vineyard Estate in Kumeu, with Meghan and Anton and their close friends and family! So beautiful moments and honour for me, West Auckland wedding photographer, to document these for couple.

Meghan & Anton shared their story: “Anton and Meghan's love story began the classic Kiwi way - through the dating app Tinder. Their first date was at Mexico Restaurant in Ellerslie, where they were both so impressed by the other's company that they arranged a second date the next day. From that day onwards they pledged their commitment to the relationship, and it's only got better with time. Fifteen months later, on September 15, 2019, this commitment was made official, when Anton proposed in a redwood tree grove at Hamurana Springs - Meghan happily said "Yes, finally!". So romantic story!

Great creative team: Venue General Manager: William Adair ; Live stream: Jeff Juit ; DJ: Jono Ridler; Celebrant: Juliet Harper ; Make-up & Hair: The Beauty Hub, Naeema; Florist: Rosie Holt, and West Auckland wedding photographer - Olga at L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Enjoy highlights of this beautiful event in photo gallery:

Narrows Landing Hamilton- Kendall and Paul {Auckland-Waikato wedding photographers}

Amazing time at Narrows Landing {Hamilton} celebrating Kendall & Paul special day, where we Auckland-Waikato wedding photographers had a honour to capture so many beautiful, emotional and real moments for this gorgeous couple!

Couple shared their romantic story: “We have been together for about 8 1/2 years, engaged for 18 months. We met as children ~4 years old as our parents are great friends. We went to primary school together and different high schools, but always remained in touch.” Proposal: “Paul had bought the ring in Dubai, on his way home from a deployment to Iraq. He kept the ring for 6 months before choosing the right moment to propose. After a lovely couple of days looking around Queenstown, we were out for dinner and he asked me at the end of dinner.”

Great creative team: Wedding Dress: Essence of Australia Suits: Hallenstines Bridesmaids: Blak Flowers: Chloe Le Fleur Jewellery: Michael Hill Make up: Gabrielle Houghton Hair: Dede&Daph Celebrant: Hey Lover Weddings - Anna DJ: Justin - Drift the DJ Mc - Gary Anderson and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Day started at beautiful getting ready locations in Tamahere, with first look, photo shoot in Hamilton Gardens and wedding ceremony and reception at Narrows Landing {Hamilton}.

Enjoy highlights couple’s wedding in the gallery:

Mantells summer wedding: Julia & Michael {Auckland photographers}

Im so excited to share with you recent Mantells summer wedding, when Julia and Michael celebrated their special day with their close friends and family. It was a honour for us Auckland wedding photographers to document special for couple moments with getting ready, church ceremony, photos at Cornwall park and reception at Mantells {Mt Eden}, place to be!

Couple shared their story: “We've known each other since Year 9 in high school and had a lot of mutual friends, but we never actually got together until third year of uni when we reconnected through our mutual friends. That was almost 7 years ago, and we've been together ever since :)”. Proposal: “Julia proposed - we were reminiscing one night while parked by our high school, then she proposed with a paper fortune cookie (alluding to an old inside joke) which said "Will you marry me?"

Great creative team:

Flowers: Poppies in May Florist Makeup and hair: Shine by Jessica Dress: Hayes Bridal Bridal shoes: Forever New Jewellery: Gracious and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Enjoy highlights in wedding gallery:

Alberton House Wedding {Auckland photographers} Riverhead Forest - Parakai Springs

Lena & Aaron had a beautiful wedding day in Alberton House, celebrating their special moments with their close friends and family. Their couples shoot was around the Alberton and some moments captured at Riverhead forest and summer reception been help in Parakai Springs Rock Garden under the marquee.

Couple shared their story: “ We met At the yoga studio. Together for 3 years! He propose overseas in New Caledonia under red flower tree”. Such a romantic story!

Celebrant - Gary walker. Photographers - L & L {Auckland wedding photographer}

Enjoy highlights of their wedding day in photo gallery:

Best Moments of the year 2020 {Pre-wedding natural fine art and documentary photography in Auckland}

As new year begin, its time to share with you best moments of the year 2020 {pre-wedding natural fine art and documentary photography in Auckland and beyond}.

Enjoy these photo gallery with my favourite moments from engagement, weddings and family photo shoots {I may miss some as there so many galleries to look through and still few not edited from the end of 2020 ;):

By the way, today is my birthday, what a great way to celebrate - remembering these moments!

Thank you so much to my awesome couples for this amazing time!

P.S.: Do you want to learn photography? Join 4 weeks online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” at Click Photo School and push your photography to another level! {registration open soon}

Tawharanui Lodge - Kristy and Nick {Auckland wedding photographers}

Im so excited to share with you highlights of this amazing event in Tawharanui Lodge up North where Kristy and Nick get married celebrated their special day with close friends and family coming mostly from Auckland. Its such a pleasure to be their wedding photographers and capture all the natural candid moments and portraits on this beautiful day!

Couple shared their story: “Kristy and Nick met when they were 16 and 19 years old at Whangaparaoa Tennis Club. This is where the couple first met and everyone thought Nick was Roger Federer’s twin. One day Nick managed to build up the courage to approach his sister, Victoria to ask her for Kristy’s mobile number. It wasn’t long before Courtney had set Kristy and Nick up on a date and the rest is history.” Proposal: “After waiting for 9 years and non-stop hints from the family. Nick thought that it was time to propose. He took Kristy on a surprise trip away to Paihia. When they arrived at their destination Nick thought it would be a great idea to go out and explore the area. They found a waterfall and Nick thought it would be the perfect setting for a proposal. Turning to Kristy, he asked if she would like to go for a walk to the bottom of the waterfall and of course she responded “No!”. That wasn’t the answer Nick was looking for so he responded “well, we are going anyway”. So off they went down the track to the bottom of the waterfall. After taking a few photos they then headed back up the track with Kristy walking on ahead and Nick sneakily got out his wallet and begun to unwrap the engagement ring that he had wrapped in bubble wrap. Nick then reached out to Kristy and asked her to stop and look at the scenery. He started to babble on about how fascinating the moss was on the rocks. Kristy thinking he was acting a bit strange at first pointed to a few other things in the distance and then carried on up the track not thinking to much about Nick’s fascination with the moss. Nick then built up the courage and grabbed Kristy’s hand saying “I have something to ask you”. A surprised Kristy turned around and in complete shock started saying “No, no, no, no,no”. Nick responded “yes, yes yes, yes, yes”. As Nick began to get down on one knee Kristy blurted out in embarrassment “stand up”. Nick was thrilled that he didn’t have to get down on one knee for long!. He asked Kristy to marry him and had to clarify if “no actually means yes”. A smitten Kristy responded “yes, yes yes”. She couldn’t believe this moment was actually happening!” What a beautiful story!

Great creative team: Bride dress: Astra Bridal; Bridesmaid dresses: Bridal Brilliance; Florist: Briar Rose Flowers, Warkworth ; Suits: Barkers; Bride shoes: Hush Puppies; Jewellery: Michael Hill; Makeup: Cindy Longley, PureMakeup Artistry; Hair: Vee ; Celebrant: Rebekah Sulman, Moments & Memories NZ; MC: Imi and Phil McCall and Auckland wedding photographers: Olga at L & L - Levien & Lens photography.

Enjoy highlights of this wedding gallery, contact me with any questions!:


Waterlily Gardens: Kelly & Hayden {Auckland-Waikato wedding photographers}

Congratulations too beautiful couple get married at The Waterlily Gardens - Kelly and Hayden! Their day was just amazing, celebrating with close friends and family in Waihi, not far from Auckland, in the Waikato region. I would be honoured to be their wedding photographer and we had such an amazing pre-wedding photoshoot but global pandemic took a different turn: planned in April wedding was post-ponned to the end of August {exactly at the time when second lockdown took place in Auckland!!!}. What a chance!

It was such a roller coaster ride with Alert level 3 restrictions extended and inability to travel from Auckland to Waihi for us. I’m so glad we have such a wonderful wedding Photographers community and two local Waikato photographers step in and saved the day! Thank you, Lisa and Emma! You shot such a beautiful moments on the day and it was a pleasure for me to select images in the gallery and edit them in my unique style.

Couple shared their story: “We are highschool sweethearts. We were in the same class when we were 6 years old. We have been together ever since. We completed high school and both attended the University of Waikato and flatted in Hamilton together.” The proposal: “I arrived home from a family function to find Taylor Swift blaring on the radio and red arrows on the floor leading up the hallway to our bedroom. There I found a new dress with wine, a candle, rose petals and a bouquet of flowers and a message in a card to get ready: My Love, you are my world. I couldn’t imagine my life without your laugh, your voice, your smile, your beauty, your intellect. Let’s celebrate tonight, no need to rush, wear whatever is comfortable. I’m waiting in the lounge when you’re ready. I found Hayden dressed up in a fancy new suit. He told me we had some time to kill as in my excitement I got ready very quickly, so we opened the wine and chatted and danced for a while. A short drive later, I found myself at the mall. Hayden led us through to the cinemas and up to a theatre where I discovered he had organised a private screening of Disney's The Little Mermaid (we are big Disney fans). He had also organised a picnic basket full of movie snacks and blankets and made me wait until the very end of the movie to pop the question!” What a beautiful story!

Enjoy highlights of this gorgeous wedding!

Great Creative Team:

Celebrant: Holly Gower-Rudman; Cake Maker: Noeline Watts (Groom’s Mother); Florist: Kelly Scawin (Hand-picked); DJ/Band/Musician: Justin Drift (Drift the DJ); Makeup artist: Krystal Hayward (nzmakeupgirl); Hair: Krystal Hayward (nzmakeupgirl); Dress: Vanilla Bridal, Tauranga; Suit: ASOS and Auckland wedding photographers Levien & Lens photography {selections and edit} and Waikato associate photographers - Lisa and Emma.


The Voice Image Collection Finalist - Stydying light {Olga Levien - Auckland photographer}

I'm so excited to wake to amazing news - one of my photos been chosen to be in The Voice image collection as a finalist in Studying light category! {I’m Olga Levien, Auckland photographer capturing weddings, engagement and family sessions as well as personal lifestyle work}.

So incredible and talented artists presented in this collection of art! Congratulations to all the talented photographers! Check out all the categories here https://voice.clickprophotographers.com

Thank you so much to my amazing couples {it would be impossible without you}. On this photo - people with beautiful souls - Dianna & Hui at Bracu {Auckland}

Screen Shot 2020-09-16 at 1.37.17 PM.png

If you want to learn how to use the light, capture images and bring them to reality in post-processing, sign up to an online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” at Click Photo School www.clickphotoschool.com/love-light-laughter

Albums and Prints {Auckland wedding - engagement photographer} Bring Back Memories!

Do you want something real in your hands after the wedding day? Believe me, Albums and Prints are the great options to keep your memories alive. Im as an Auckland wedding and engagement photographer know exactly, you are not often will be looking through your digital files on the USB drive, you need to have something real and treasured in your hands to Bring Back Memories!

That’s why I have an option to add on an album to your wedding/pre-wedding package and create some more beauty! Also I have a great news for you, I decided to run a special promotion:

BRING BACK MEMORIES! ALBUM SALE

$150 OFF ALL ALBUMS ORDERS

FREE SHIPPING

Orders before August 31st 12 pm.

Free shipping in NZ & AUS only.

Extra discount on any additional album orders.

Our Albums are designed in the old fashion way, by a human! I spend a lot of time placing every photo perfectly to retain the flow of a story.

I love seeing our images come to life! Being able to hold the finished product in the hands and feel it is a rewarding experience.

Together we will make an album so you can relive exactly how you felt on the wedding day!

Contact me to begin your custom Album Design - info@levienphotography.com

Let your memories come alive! <3

Screen Shot 2020-08-26 at 12.22.35 PM.png


Settlers County Manor {Waimauku - West Auckland wedding photographer} Megan & Carlo

Im so excited to share with you beautiful gallery - Settler County Manor {Waimauku - West Auckland} wedding, where I had a honour as a photographer to document all special moments for Megan & Carlo celebrated their wedding day with close friends and family. This is truly incredible chapter, as this wonderful event happened just before the lockdown when New Zealand put restrictions on travel, weddings etc. SO its really strange to see how we moved through this day smoothly without knowing what coming ahead.

It was a great day that started at getting ready moments in Te Atatu and Huapai, wedding ceremony and reception at Settlers County Manor and sneak out for quick photos to Riverhead Forest.

We spent some time with couple just few days before their wedding {couple fly all the way over from Australia}, it was such amazing pre-wedding session!

Couple shared their story: “We met at a high school social dance (we went to an all boys & all girls school and our schools were brother/sister schools). We were friends first and then lost contact. Megan moved to Sydney & Carlo one day reached out to reconnect. From there a long-distance relationship started before Carlo moved to Sydney. We have been together almost 10 years.” The proposal: “Carlo booked a fancy steakhouse restaurant under the pretense of an early anniversary celebration. He ended up getting nervous and wasn't going to propose, but luckily for him the waiter broke the ice by ruining the surprise! (When Carlo had made the booking he had selected the option of celebrating an engagement. The waitress was serving dessert and said "I hear you are celebrating an engagement" before he had actually popped the question!)”. Such a romantic story!

Enjoy highlights of this beautiful people wedding in our photo gallery!

Great Creative Team:

Wedding planner: Koko (K Inspire Events); Suit: Woolcott St; Makeup: Kate Solley Makeup; Hair: Huong Phan (Tousle); Celebrant: Matt Gould; DJ: Bo Marcelo; MC: Paula Bituin-Pita & Allan Pita; videographers - Jet (Jetmo Films) and your Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Contact us with any questions!


French Bay wedding - Diane & Jared with kids {Auckland weddings photographers}

Such a beautiful moments on this French Bay wedding where Diane & Jared celebrated their special moments with kids, family and friends. Its such a honour to document these special moments as Auckland weddings photographers. We gad such amazing time at couple’s engagement shoot before the wedding at Muriwai Beach {photos turned just amazing!}

Couple shared their story: “We have been together 21 years and engaged for 8 years. This has been a long time coming. Diane was 17 and Jared was 18 when we got together. It was a typical teen romance that evolved as we have grown and now with our three children in tow.” The proposal: “The proposal was a surprise for Diane, even after 12 years. We had taken a weekend away to the Coromandel together and Diane planned it all with a detour to Cathedral Cove. Jared thought it the perfect time to catch me unaware and got down on one knee to propose.”

It was a wonderful day full of love and laughter.

Enjoy highlights in the photo gallery:

The Stables Matakana - Alice and Andrew {Auckland and Northland wedding photographers} - St Andrews Church

This time Im excited to share with you a gorgeous celebration at The Stables Matakana where Alice & Andrew celebrated their special day {Auckland and Northland}, such a honour to be their wedding photographers and document their beautiful natural moments through the day!

Couple shared their story: “we grew up in the same church, where Alice's father was the pastor. we eventually became friends while attending a church young adults group. we both really liked each other, but on advice from his sister he decided to wait to ask me out, leading me to believe he was just being nice. we then went to a young adults camp where we hung out alot, and andy then messaged after camp to ask me out for coffee after, where i then suggested lunch instead. out first date we talked for over 2 hours, and the rest was history.

we have been together 1 year 3 months, we got engaged a couple of days after our one year anniversary. “ Proposal: “On the beach at sunset, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. There were also shells laid out in a heart shape conveniently which Andy claimed was him. Andy had also brought cake from my favoirte cafe which ate in the car as it was cold outside before heading back to his. He had made pad thai for dinner, since its hard for me to eat out with my dietary requirements, it was also the first thing he ever cooked for us. Then we had a candle spa where we talked and discussed wedding stuff. “ Such a beautiful story! We had an amazing pre-wedding photo shoot at Muriwai Beach with this gorgeous couple, that helped to better know each other and feel on ease on the wedding day, go with the flow.

We had such amazing time at St Andrews Church and Stables Matakana and done a photo shoot at Big Omaha Wharf. Bring back memories!

Great creative team: hair by hannah , Makeup - Luisa poilio , Celebrant - Andrew syme , Flowers by vidabela flowers and Auckland / Northland photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Enjoy highlights of this wedding celebration:

P.S.: Do you want to push your photography to another level? Join 4-weeks online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter”

Markovina Vineyard Estate: Ria & Jeremy {West Auckland wedding photographer}

Hello beautiful people! This time Im sharing with you a beautiful celebration in Markovina Vineyard Estate where Ria & Jeremy get married surrounded by their close friends and family. It was a great honour for me, West Auckland wedding photographer, to capture such a beautiful, emotional and real moments with indian culture vibe.

Couple shared their story: “We have been together for 4 and a half years - met through mutual friends at university.  Funny story - our dads used to be neighbours when they were little kids growing up in South Africa! He propose Intimately in our home :) Very quiet but personal” Couples ideal date night: “Somewhere we were could see stars and stargaze - one of our first dates was lying on top of a car and watching the blood moon :)” We had such amazing engagement shoot just before their wedding.

Wedding took place in amazing Kumeu venue - Markovina with everything in one site, such a perfect place for a celebration.

Great creative team:

Jessica Bridal - Bride's dress; The Stockroom - bridemaid's dresses; Jaiss - Groom & groomsmen suits; Face Me Make up - Hair & make up; Forage & French - florist; Laura Giddey - celebrant; Jeweller's Workshop - bride's ring and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.

Enjoy highlights of this beautiful wedding! Happy future together, Ria & Jeremy:

Markovina Vineyard estate {West Auckland}
Markovina vineyard estate - west Auckland photographer

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

P.S.: I’m so excited to teach again - “Love, Light & Laughter” online workshop at Click Photo School {begin 8 June}

Top 100 Wedding Photographers in Australia and New Zealand by SLR Lounge {Auckland couples photographer}

Im so excited to wake up to this news and truly honoured to be included in Top 100 Wedding Photographers in Australia and New Zealand 2020 by reputable SLR Lounge. It’s amazing to receive such a spark of positivity at this tough time.

Congratulation to all my friends-photographers and all the amazing artists capturing special moments for their couples in such a challenging but most rewarding photography genre. Im so grateful for all the opportunity to capture special celebrations for my wedding couples in Auckland and around New Zealand.

It’s truly inspiring! Thank you to all my awesome couples for constant support and love and putting your trust in me and my work! <3

Warmly,

Olga

P.S.: I also truly excited to teach my next run of online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” - 8 June at Click Photo School. Check it out if you want to push your photography to another level!

OlgaLevien-wedding-photography-workshop-Love-Light-Laughter-20.jpg