Pre wedding session in New Zealand {Auckland engagement photographer} Photography Workshop

Alice & Sam come over to their pre wedding session in New Zealand , Auckland such amazing place for engagement photo shoot and Im so pleased to be chosen to be their photographer and document so special for couple moments!

Need to mentioned I know Alice from Clickin Moms photography forum, such a supportive community of amazing and talented women-photographers. I been so thrilled when she contacted me with their plans to come over to New Zealand from USA.

This moment was so amazing, we had such a blast on Karekare Falls and Piha Beach, such amazing and stunning locations. The love and connections that you can clearly see between Alice and Sam so insane. We had some exploring moments and fun as well. Its so great to introduce to someone so wild and beautiful nature and see their excitement and instant love to this country. Bring back memories!

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery!

{by the way, if you a photographer and seeking the ways to bring more connection and soul to your photographs, check out my photography workshop with Click Photo School. You can see how I shoot this session, all my tips and tricks - hips of shooting videos, culling and editing videos, and 100+ pages exclusive Ebook plus hips of BONUSES!}

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Iris Awards NZIPP {top award-winning wedding photographers in Auckland}

So exited to share with you amazing news: one of my images just got an award at Iris Awards by NZIPP {Wellington, New Zealand}, such a honour to be in a row with top award-winning wedding photographers and represent Auckland region.

Im so stocked with amount of talent in each category. Its a pleasure to win a Bronze Award in Wedding In Camera Artistry Category. Congratulations to all my friends-photographers, you are so talented!

Thank you so much for my awesome couples who made all dreams come true!

Contact me with any questions!

The Travelling Dress Collective {New Zealand pre-wedding photographer}

I'm so excited to share with you a new publication of our amazing The Travelling Dress Collective project - where nine photographers from Australia and New Zealand come together to photograph just one dress with their unique Voice and Style.

It was such fantastic experience and so talented group of artists. Can't believe how this turned out. This dress was so gorgeous - made by Purity Lace Design. It's so amazing to see how different artists found something unique with their approach. You can look up their gorgeous work following the links: Camilla French, Francisca Jorgensen, Danielle Dobson, Peta Hood, Helen Whittle, Kristle Ricci, Melissa Brown, Julie Guertin and me, Olga Levien.

Have a read all stories in The Travelling Dress Collective project Blog and have a look at more photos in our recent engagement publication. Tina & Tony made their way from Australia to have a pre-wedding photo shoot in New Zealand. It was a great pleasure to capture so special for couple moments. Tina, this breathtaking dress and wild secluded Karekare beach {Auckland , New Zealand}  - all come together to create some magic! Love every single moment of our session!

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Junebug Weddings - Top 10 New Zealand wedding photographers {Auckland photographer}

Im so excited to announce: we {L & L} just been listed on Junebug Weddings in Top 10 New Zealand wedding photographers directory. Its such a great honour for me, Auckland wedding photographer to be featured in the row of such amazingly talented photographers from all around New Zealand.

It is not an easy task to make it through to this top 10 photographers as they are strictly evaluating the work, portfolio, other vendors recommendations and feedback from other wedding photographers. Just couple of years ago I can't even dream about making this list and now I just been contacted by Junebug Weddings to be listed in their stunning directory. It is a great honour and such a spark of positive emotions today!

Check out our listing and contact me with any questions!

Matakana Weddings in Sweetened and Romantic {Published wedding photographers in Auckland - New Zealand}

So excited to share with you amazing news: one of our Matakana Weddings with Alexandra & James just been published in Sweetened and Romantic, so honour for us, their wedding photographers from Auckland, New Zealand be featured internationally. This is always a great pleasure to see our natural, romantic and real photographs go live around the world.

This wedding in St Andrews Church and Stables {Matakana} was truly amazing with such a beautiful and emotional, warm and cosy atmosphere. Alexandra & James celebrated their special day with close friends and families in such a stunning surroundings.

Enjoy this international blog publication and see more highlights in couple's gallery.

Alexandra & James with bridal party - Big Omaha Wharf 

Contact me with any questions!

Brides Dress - Trish Peng
Brides Shoes - ALEXANDER WANG
Brides Earrings - Custom made by K. Amani Fine Jeweller 
Grooms Suit - Working Style
Bride and Groom Rings - Partridge Jewellers Cufflinks - Tiffany & Co.
Bridesmaid Dresses - Miss Crabb
Groomsmen Suits - Hallenstein Brothersi
Flowers - Flowers w/ Flare
Makeup - Shona Stevenson Makeup Artistry
Hair - Hair by Hannah
Celebrant - Jannette Marie Brown - Marriage Celebrant
Cake - Amy's Secret Kitchen 
Flower Wall - @Wallflower
Band - @Matt Stone and Coachella
MC - Simon Harris
Videographer - Rohan JBK
Wedding Coordinator - Karma Roberts

and wedding photographers in Auckland, New Zealand and beyond - L & L - Levien & Lens Photography, Olga & Matt

Tips on wedding planning for our awesome couples {Auckland - New Zealand weddings photographers}

It's time to reflect last season and create some tips on wedding planning for our awesome couples {as we shot so many Auckland, New Zealand weddings and as photographers can see what can help you to make your wedding day go flawless!}. Let the adventure begin:

Before the wedding day:

1. Delegate tasks. {ask your parents, bridesmaids, and even groom!!! to help you with different tasks, it can make your wedding planning less stressful. You know they would love it! You can find their secret talents and passions {organise flowers, dance teacher, invitations etc.}
2. Be well prepared for the wedding day and be ready to go with the flow {expect the unexpected!}. Get water, snacks - you will be starving after the ceremony!!! Prepare gifts for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and letters for each other {its a nice touch and allow us to capture more emotional moments}
3. Think about your timeline - allow yourself to have time to breathe and not rush into every event of the day. Consider to do a first look with Dad {it is such a particular moment when dad sees you for the first time in the wedding dress}.
4. Let's go for an adventure on your pre-wedding | engagement photo shoot {we recommmend to schedule it at least 2-3 months before your wedding, earlier is better!}. You can choose a different to your wedding venue location {beach, waterfall, city landscape, lake, river, farm, lifestyle at home or cafe | library etc.}
5. Plan a photography coverage: start getting ready at least 1-1.5 hour before leaving for the ceremony and finish time 0.5-1 hour after your first dance. First, things can run late and second, it helps to add to the story some moments before the ceremony - backstage and let you get used to the cameras and after the first dance - fun and party spirit with guests dancing - to tell a complete story of your wedding day. Note, we no need to have 2-3 hours for dancing photos as often same people are dancing and equal people are not dancing! :) You can extend your coverage if you feel you want to capture some special events {boys play golf or shooting at morning, girls do something special together, or there sparkles exit, many traditional dances at the reception, etc.
6. Send us a complete questionnaire one month before your wedding. Create a family groups list. We recommend to limit it by up to 10 groupings as each group take 3 minutes and big groups up to 10 minutes each. Make sure you have a shepherd - the person who quick will gather the family together.
7. Check the weather day before the wedding and get clear umbrellas for bride and groom or full wedding party {just in case}, you can get them in 1-2-3 dollars shops.
8. Get plenty of sleep and rest before the wedding day to look your best!

Wedding Day

1. It's time to relax and go with the flow. No matter how the weather looks like, or if something goes wrong {celebrant lost in the middle of nowhere, the band is few hours late, or caterers taking their time. You will be fine! Just enjoy this time of your life!
2. It's not a photo shoot; it's your wedding day! We need you to feel relaxed and allow yourself to go with the flow. Its the happiest day of your life {you will have sparkles in your eyes, and we will capture it}.
3. Try to spend time with important for you people. Firstly, they appreciate it, second, we can get special for your family and friends photos of natural, candid moments where you are talking with them.Take your time to take congratulations and hugs right after the ceremony. No need to jump into family formals photos right away. Enjoy this time! It will give us the opportunity to capture more natural and candid moments!
4. Don't forget to eat and drink. We found if you drink enough water on the wedding day you feel much better next morning!
5. Try to have some time away from the bridal party during our photo shoot. You no need any audience for such intimate photos of two of you along.
6. We can also sneak out of reception during the epic sunset {weather permitted}, you can plan around 20 min for it, while guests are eating or enjoying their conversations. There also a chance of nighttime creative photos with flash if wedding coverage allows.
7. We will come to you 10-15 min before our finish time to check if there any more photo requests, to not miss anything significant for you.
8. Relax, enjoy the party and dance away! We will make sure to document these moments!

After the wedding day

1. Sneak peek with your wedding highlights will be ready in 2-3 days after your wedding.
2. Enjoy your honeymoon, time of your life.
3. The link will be sent to beautiful online gallery 8-10 weeks after your wedding. You can share it with your friends and family {in New Zealand and overseas}.
4. The package will come your way a few weeks after online gallery went life: USB with artistic retouched high and low-resolution images and hand-picked 6x4" prints on fine art paper. I love this real touch!
5. We will start working on your custom album design. Choose your favourites in an online gallery or let us decide on the final look. Its so good to hold something real in your hands, treasured memories for years to come!
6. We appreciate all your kind words to your friends and family as well as testimonial | reviews on Social Media, our Website and Google. We so in love with our awesome couples!
7. Don't want to say good buy? We too! We are offering a limited number of maternity | birth| lifestyle newborn | family sessions during our off wedding season time. Let's catch up again for other unique moments!
8. Thank you for sharing such special moments with us!

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

Remember, we will be there for you!

New Zealand pre-wedding photo shoot: Danielle and Jarryd {Auckland engagement-wedding photographer}

Im blown away by my recent New Zealand pre-wedding photo shoot with Danielle & Jarryd, such amazing crazy in-love couple! We had such a blast in our Auckland engagement photo shoot, such a honour to be their wedding photographer, cant wait till their wedding!

We met at Karekare falls and had explored around a wild secluded Karekare Beach with so beautiful landscapes, just before the sunset.

Enjoy this video slideshow and session highlights in photo gallery:

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Top 100 Wedding Photographers 2018 | Best Weddings Photographers Worldwide {Auckland elopement photographer}

So excited to be included in Top 100 Wedding Photographers 2018 by Wedding Photographer Society - Best Weddings Photographers Worldwide Magazine.

It's such a huge honour for me, Auckland elopement-wedding photographer to be in this publication with premier international destination wedding artists. Such a great place to be! I amazed by the level of talent in this magazine.

Enjoy the featured publication and breathtaking imaginary!

Contact me with any questions!

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Top 60 Elopement Blogs and websites for Eloped couples {New Zealand - Auckland wedding photographer}

It's incredible news: we are included in Top 60 Elopement Blogs and websites for Eloped couples by Feedspot. "The Best Elopement Wedding blogs from thousands of top Elopement Wedding blogs in our index using search and social metrics." 

This list based on utterly organic search results and amount of visitors as well as a quality of the content.

I'm so excited and honoured to see these fantastic results. Thank you to our beautiful couples for constant support and love. Elopements are one of my favourite events to capture, there so much intimacy, beauty and emotions in a short time frame, in most stunning locations of Auckland and New Zealand.

Its so big honour for me, wedding photographer to be chosen for this amazing adventure!

Hope you enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR ELOPEMENT} 

Karekare Falls - Piha Beach engagement session {Auckland pre-wedding photographer}

Excited to share with you highlights of Nicole & Juan's engagement session on Karakare Falls and Piha Beach {Auckland}. We spent amazing time with this beautiful couple on their pre-wedding photo shoot, walking and talking with capturing some special natural moments in spectacular New Zealand landscape. Need to mention couple been a lucky winner of our Weddings Giveaway 2018, can't wait till their wedding next year!

This session was so gorgeous with love, romantic and real emotions! 

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery!

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Engagement photo shoot on Muriwai Beach: Divya and Gino {Auckland pre-wedding-elopement photographer}

I would love to share with you this beautiful engagement photo shoot on Muriwai Beach {West Auckland}. I'm so excited to do this pre-wedding session and also look forward to being couple's wedding photographer for their upcoming wedding on Fiji. Can't wait! Not long to go now!

Need to mention I met Dyvia and Gino a few years ago in Farmers, and we became really good friends, such a destiny to meet them again and do the photography part for my dear friend's wedding!

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and a photo gallery:

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Lemonade and Lenses Contest Winner - Wedding Category {Auckland - New Zealand elopement photographer}

So thrilled to receive fantastic news - one of my photos won Lemonade and Lenses Spring'18 International Contest - third place in Wedding Category. Such a great honour for me, wedding - elopement photographer in Auckland {New Zealand}, to be in the row with such talented photographers from all over the world. 

Have a look at all winners in newborn, child, senior, family, birth, boudoir, maternity, and of course weddings categories! 

Thank you so much for this award, it means a lot to me! Such a pleasure to receive a winning notification second time in a row!

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Boho Weddings publication: Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding {Fine Art - Documentary photographer in Auckland}

Excited to share with you fantastic news: Tayvia & Kyle wedding just been published in Boho Weddings "Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding with First Look by Levien & Lens Photography. Its such a pleasure for me, fine art and documentary photographer in Auckland, to capture so unique for couple moments, no matter rainy day!

Enjoy this publication in the prestigious international magazine and have a look at more details on our Blog with real wedding photo gallery highlights with video slideshow.

This day in The Hunting Lodge and HU's Art Farm {West Auckland - Kumeu - Waimauku} was so beautifully amazing!
Contact me with any questions!

 {BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

The Travelling Dress 2018 in New Zealand {Auckland wedding-elopement photographer}

As promised, excited to share with you fantastic project that I took part in recently - The Travelling Dress Collective, where nine photographers from Australia and New Zealand {this is me - your Auckland based wedding-elopement photographer} come together to photograph one gorgeous dress. We had it only for 2-3 days and posted to each other, taking photos inspired by one piece of clothes. Receiving this parcel was like opening a Christmas present as you don't know what to expect inside. This dress was so gorgeous - made by Purity Lace Design. It's so amazing to see how different artists found something unique with their approach. You can look up their gorgeous work following the links: Camilla French, Francisca Jorgensen, Danielle Dobson, Peta Hood, Helen Whittle, Kristle Ricci, Melissa Brown, Julie Guertin and me, Olga Levien. See their images further.

My travelling dress project found the heroes in my beautiful couple, who funny enough fact - come over from Australia {where I send dress after the photo shoot}. Tina & Tony contacted me for pre-wedding | engagement photos, and we did a breathtaking photo shoot at Karekare Beach {New Zealand}. Halfway through the session, I shared with them a story about the Travelling Dress and couple been so kind to agree to participate and try it on. We had so much fun, dress perfectly compliment the wild New Zealand landscapes and an amazing relationship with these beautiful souls - Tina & Tony. I truly appreciate they agreed to take on this challenge and we got a fantastic result! You can find another half of their session following the link to our Blog.

Enjoy this video slideshow and highlights in the gallery:

{CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS}

I will share with you a photo from each photographer who participated in the project so you can get feeling how amazing to see different photographers Style and Voice, as well as creativity:

Camilla French 

Francisca Garreton

Danielle Dobson

Peta Hood

Helen Whittle

Julie Guertin

Kristle Ricci

Melissa Brown

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Shoot and Share Contest Results {Award-Winning Wedding photographer in Auckland - New Zealand}

So excited about this fantastic news - I just received Shoot and Share contest results and images that I submitted got a great acknowledgement: one photo in top 100, two images as category finalists, 11 pictures in Top 10%, 17 photos in Top 20%, 12 photographs in Top 30%. Its such a pleasure to me, Auckland wedding photographer {New Zealand} to see such a high performance for my wedding and lifestyle family work. Such surprising results, mainly when you know, there were over 800000 submissions from over 150 countries around the world.

It's great to know; my favourite images got in the top rated photos, chosen by the audience. But there were surprises as well: one picture from my moody Styled Shoot got in the category finalists, and I even never got to share it as there were so many another fantastic images from this shoot. Such great teamwork from all vendors who made it possible.

Enjoy these photos - results with my wedding work. Have a look at my lifestyle website to see my project award winners and favourites!

{CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS}

How He Asked by The Knot - Engagement Session: Silvia & Chris {Auckland - New Zealand wedding photographer}

SO excited to share with you: out beautiful engagement session | pre-wedding photo shoot with Silvia & Chris just been published in How He Asked by The Knot. So great honour for me, Auckland wedding photographer to see our photos go live around the world, not only in New Zealand. Bring back amazing memories!

Can't wait to move through couples entire wedding gallery. We had a fantastic wedding in Markovina just a few weeks ago; it was such incredible time with warm and cosy wedding atmosphere and beautiful people around! You can find a sneak peek on my Facebook page and Instagram. More images are coming soon on our Blog! Watch this space!

Enjoy this publication and see more images on our past Blog post!

Warmly,

Olga at Levien & Lens Photography

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West Coast Beach New Zealand Pre-Wedding | Engagement Session: Tina and Tony {Auckland weddings photographer}

Tina & Tony come all way from Australia to New Zealand to meet Tony's family in Auckland {including his favourite grandma} and asked me, Auckland wedding photographer, to capture for them so special moments on their engagement | pre-wedding photo shoot. It was such a great pleasure documenting such emotional and true love candid moments.

Excited to receive such amazing feedback right after the gallery delivery:

"Dear Olga

Thank you so much for the amazing pre-wedding photos you took for us at Karekare. We had so much fun shooting with you and you’ve managed to capture our love for each other in such a beautiful way. Thank you for also letting me be part of the story of the travelling dress. It was 100% worth flying in from Sydney and definitely the highlight of our holiday. Throughout the whole process you have been so friendly and approachable. We love your style, enthusiasm and professionalism. Will definitely be recommending you to friends and family!

Love, Tina & Tony"

Lucky chance that exactly at our session time I received a Travelling Dress from Australia for the project, where around 10 photographers from different countries capture one dress. I can't share images with this dress at this moment, but watch this space next week, so amazing couple's moments in breathtaking and emotional photographs! Can't wait to share it with you!

Couple's love story: "Tony was raised in Auckland whereas I was born in Sydney. He moved over to Sydney for University and we were very fortunate to have met at a friend’s birthday party. After a few months we officially became a couple and have now been together for just over 3 years. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him!" Tony proposed "In the beautiful city of Kyoto, Japan", such a beautiful memories!

Enjoy this highlights in the gallery and check this Blog next week for video slideshow and photos for Travelling Dress project!

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Everybody's Flower Crown Workshop - Floral Stylist {Auckland wedding photographer - L & L}

I recently had a honour to capture a Flower Crown workshop by Sue at Floral Stylist Co organised for the giveaway winner at Auckland Weddings website. Its a pleasure to give my wedding photography coverage to lucky bride with her friends at hence night at gorgeous venue in Auckland City - Everybody's! I just love this atmosphere !

Everybody had lots of fun and positive emotions creating a flower crown. It was not an easy and fast forward process but everyone walk away with gorgeous flower crown.

Congratulations to beautiful bride! This is so awesome event!

Enjoy these photo gallery highlights!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Campbells Bay Beach Engagement | Pre-wedding photo shoot: Josh and Linda {North Auckland weddings photographer}

Excited to share with you a fresh engagement session | pre-wedding photo shoot: Josh and Linda on Campbells Bay Beach {North Shore, Auckland}. Im so excited to be couple's wedding photographer and can't wait to capture special for them moment on their weddings day.

We met at the beach at one of January afternoons and spent amazing time together walking and talking about their plans and just everything. SO much fun, positive vibe and a great feelings.

Enjoy video highlights in the slideshow and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Editor's Choice 2018 Awards - Levien and Lens photography {L & L} - wedding photographers in Auckland, New Zealand

Great news keep coming - just found out we are receiving an Editor's Choice 2018 Award at Two Bright Lights. Its a pleasure for me as a photographer and artist to make this list second time in a row. More details about this award for a top wedding and family photographers:

"The Two Bright Lights Editors' Choice Awards are a signature program that recognises photographers and vendors whose number of published features in 2017 ranks them among the top 1% of all Two Bright Lights members. Winners were published across many of the most respected lifestyle, wedding and other print and digital publications in the United States and worldwide."

So excited to be among best great photographers and vendors! Its fantastic experience to share our awesome weddings with publishers from all around the world and see our photographs go live in prestigious publications and get extra recognition.

Thank you so much our amazing couples for sharing with us so treasured moments! We sincerely appreciate these time together! Look forward to our future adventures!

xx Warmly,

Olga & Matt

Contact me with any questions!