Castaways wedding published in Paper & Lace {Auckland couples-engagement photographer}

I love to receive a good news about new publications and featured images in different blogs and magazines around the world. Thats a great recognition and ability to showcase favourite photographs with my awesome wedding couples. They are just amazing!

Gorgeous wedding with stunning couple Juliette & Jonny {Castaways, Auckland} just been published in Paper & Lace. Thank you so much guys for sharing with me your special moments, I'm appreciate it!

Enjoy this gallery!

Great creative team on wedding day:

Photographer: Olga from Levien & Lens Photography

Dress: Parkland Bridal & Shirley from I Sew 4 U- Dressmaking & Alterations

Makeup: Catherine Campbell Make Up

Hair: Sam Graham from Framed Hair & Beauty

Shoes: Trousseau - bridal & evening shoes

Cake: Isabelle Edmonds

Flowers: Rosemary McNoe

Band: Twistin’ The Swing

Venue/Catering: Castaways

Celebrant: Fr John Craddock

Transport: Jaguars from Prestige Rental Cars

Ceremony Music: Louisa Neike (Vocals) Brendan Agnew (Pianist) Martin Sivertsen (Guitar) Logan Whyte (Piper)

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Early Bird wedding special 2017 | Winter Wedding Package 2016 {Auckland-Waikato-Bay of Plenty couples-engagement photographer}

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed these summer holidays in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty areas and on South Island. I have a special wedding news for your couple prior St Valentine's Day! :)

Bookings open now for 2017! Its time to announce our Early Bird wedding special 2017 and Winter Wedding Special 2016: 10% off any wedding package in our Pricing.

Early Bird 2017: Plan your wedding beforehand, stay calm and organise, save the money and celebrate: you just take off something from your list :) Happy wedding planning!

Winter Wedding Special 2016: Lets make these quiet months warmer and so much more exciting. I prolong winter special from May to September 2016, yay! Use the opportunity to save some money for your honeymoon! :)

I would love to capture for you special moments and document the story of your wedding day. Special bonus for couples - complimentary engagement session with your wedding package and no travel fees between Auckland - Hamilton - Tauranga areas. I would love to travel to destination sessions nationwide (Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and surroundings areas), and international!

Excited to meet you and look forward to your wedding!

Check out my Wedding Photography Portfolio

Please contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

*Offer valid for bookings till 29 February 2016

Castaways Resort - Kariotahi beach wedding {Auckland lifestyle couples-engagement photographer} Juliette and John

What a beautiful wedding in Castaways Resort (Kariotahi beach, Auckland) I been captured with Juliette & Jonny; just amazing couple and meant to be with each other. I been shooting their engagement party in April last year; what a warm and cosy atmosphere it was. I been really thrilled to be invited to capture their special wedding day!

It's even more meaningful for me because Juliette is my very first friend that I met in New Zealand in my first year when I joined ice skating coffee club (I been doing figure skating for 5 years back in Russia :). She is a presenter at Radio New Zealand concert. We both love ice skating, dance and more :) it was a big honour to capture these beautiful moments for this stunning couple.

Juliette & Jonny met each other on tropical island on holidays few years ago and thought they never met again, but it was destiny :) Jonny moved to Auckland and started to work just few buildings over from Juliette's office and they met each other again and together forever from this point :) They have amazing story of relationship (there even been a moment when Juliette drove to rescue him in Northland where he was diving, luckily all finished good, but it was really strong check of their relationship). This couple meant to be with each other!

Creative team what made this wedding so special:

Dress: Parkland Bridal & Shirley from I Sew 4 U- Dressmaking & Alterations
Makeup: Catherine Campbell Make Up
Hair: Sam Graham from Framed Hair & Beauty
Shoes: Trousseau - bridal & evening shoes
Cake: Isabelle Edmonds
Flowers: Rosemary McNoe
Band: Twistin’ The Swing
and Levien & Lens Photography ;)

Day started from getting ready moments in nice Castaways chalet with amazing views to the ocean, what a great place to be! It was emotional moments with first look with Juliette's dad and time with all her close family and 3 bridesmaids (one of them Rosemary is Juliette's sister, she also made gorgeous flowers bouquets for bridal party: need to mentioned other sister Catherine created make-up for her, what great family support!). Juliette's veil is very special and kept in family for a few generations, what a beautiful tradition!

Then we moved towards St Anthony's Catholic Church in Waiuku, Auckland where wedding ceremony was held. It's such a beautiful place with nice Christmas display and warm atmosphere. Music and amazing, singing made this ceremony special as well. Scotland national music finalist at the wedding with couple walking down the aisle as husband and wife! 

We not missed the family formals after the ceremony, it was a big fun with so many relatives from both sides and also little ones - nieces and nephews (8 kids in total!).

Then became time to have rest and relax on the top of beautiful hills near Kariotahi beach, where we made bridal party shots and intimate session for bride and groom. Amazing views, beautiful landscapes and couple's emotions and connection made this location shoot really special. I love to give my couple time to be themselves and get a peaceful moment in between of this hectic day :)

Reception been held in Castaways Resort Restaurant on the top of the hill with stunning views, where we get a chance to sneak to a few shots before the sunset in between of speeches, cake cutting and first dance.

What beautiful memories!

Congratulations Juliette & Jonny! Happy future together!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Wedding details pictures {Auckland-Hamilton couples-engagement photographer}

Rings, flowers, veil, shoes etc, I love all these little details, treasured thing on the weddings. Each couple put a lot of effort to choose wedding style, theme, details, items which mean a lot to them.

This planning process start right from engagement till last day before the big day! I absolutely understand how much work couple put into this and how important to capture all this little details for them.

Its also add a lot to the wedding story, let feel the atmosphere and also showing this day decor, which can take a good spot in wedding album as well.

Its such a treasured moments showing this important for bride and groom day!

Look at these flowers bouquets from Juliette & Jonny wedding. Juliette's sister created them with big love:

You can see these details in each wedding gallery what I created, its so lovely memories and took their good place in a wedding story.

Yes, I love to capture candid moments, emotions, connection and lifestyle moments follow my style, but I also love to take the break, slow down and capture these details!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Little White Book {Auckland lifestyle wedding-engagement-couples photographer}

I just excited to share with you a new listing, Little White Book directory, great place to find your wedding suppliers/vendors and of course wedding photographer ;) Im happy to be listed in this warmly community based by Karleigh from Paper and Lace. 

I'm serving mostly Auckland and Hamilton but happy to travel to destination sessions to Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, around Waikato and all New Zealand!

Dear brides please feel free to check this wonderful website for those who get engaged. If you already had weddings with me, please feel free to leave a few kind words, Im really appreciate!

Thank you so much for be with me all this time!

I look forward to a future busy wedding seasons!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Parnell on the Rose Garden {Auckland lifestyle wedding photographer} Zydon & Olga

Parnell Rose Garden is a beautiful place in Auckland NZ to be married! I had the honour to capture an amazing wedding last weekend for Zydon & Olga, such a stunning couple!

Their photographs turned out just amazing which was not surprising when you look at all factors around: gorgeous bride Olga and handsome groom Zydon, stunning locations (rose gardens, old style reception and St Heliers Beach photo shoot after reception), great warm atmosphere (these families know how to have fun! I just loved every single minute of this wedding!). Olga fly over from Australia to New Zealand to Zydon to make this wedding happened :) Even distance not a barrier for a true love!

Great creative team been working together to making this wedding so special:

Celebrant: Andrew Brook
MC and dance teacher: Valeria Antipenko
Make-up: Grayson Coutts Makeup Artistry
Flowers: Tomuri & Co. Floral Designs 
Dj: Nikeil Deo 
Covers Decoration Hire 
and Levien & Lens Photography 

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

My 365 Project. December {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

Last month of this year gone and its last month in my 365 Project - December.

It was a month full of positive lifestyle moments and emotions. I been doing photo shoots in Auckland and Hamilton, weddings and lifestyle sessions and also capture my family and kids everyday moments.

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Happy New Year! Best lifestyle-wedding photographs {Auckland-Hamilton documentary couples-family photographer}

Hello everyone!

Hope you having a great holidays!

I just want to wish you a Happy New Year and share with you our best lifestyle moments - couples-engagement , wedding-elopement , and family-kids-baby-newborn sessions what I been capture in 2014 year.

It was an amazing year with a lot of positive emotions. Thank you for share with me your special moments!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Fun couples photo shoot {Auckland wedding-engagement photographer}

What a positive, full of fun and laughing, photo shoot I had last weekend in Auckland. Kylie & Warwick just amazing couple.

Guys met each other 2 months ago and feel strong connection. It was first their pictures together.

I love to shoot these special for couple moments with relaxable atmosphere, fun and joy. It's a treasure to see their raw emotions and feelings!

Enjoy my new couples-engagement photo gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Footbridge Lodge Wedding {Auckland-Bombay couples photographer} Tammie & Ross

What a great cosy wedding I captured last weekend in Footbridge Lodge {Bombay, Auckland}. Tammie & Ross such a stunning couple! Their photographs turned just amazing!

Ross is a navy guy and Tammie is paramedic girl and they found each other. Celebrating their special day with family and close friends and sharing their feelings. Lily going to have a great step-dad!

Morning start for me in guys place getting ready in Pukekohe with relaxed and warm atmosphere. Ross and his 3 groomsmen  been joking, having fun, eat some lunch and getting ready for special event!

Footbridge lodge is a beautiful place in Bombay Hills, Auckland with beautiful picturesque views and old style architecture with wooden chapel (which has great big window at the back). What an amazing place to be married. 

We had some fun at location shoot near the pond with pier and boat, then follow up reception with emotional moments, speeches and of course dance time!

What a beautiful couple and cosy atmosphere!

Happy future together!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

Thank you Sharni for take me on board!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Elegant Formosa Golf Resort Wedding {Auckland couples-engagement photographer}

What an elegant wedding I captured last weekend at Formosa Golf Resort in South Auckland. This couple looks just stunning and photographs turned out just amazing. Meet...

Dominique & Owen

Venue: Formosa Golf Resort | Celebrant: Neena Maxwell

Makeup: Makeup by Meags | Hair: Camilleri HairDesign

Decor: Lautofa Tulagalua | Bouquets: Flowers by Lisa | DJ: Andy Wilson

What a great place guys choose for their wedding - beautiful golf course in picturesque sea side location with views of Rangitoto island.

Getting ready moments started at Formosa Villas with beautiful set up, light, views, Dominique and her best friends - three bridesmaids met me while doing their makeup and hair. The atmosphere was full of fun and positive emotions. Girls been in villa 10 while boys in villa 12 had their own fun. I been heading over to get details shot with wedding rings and some creative shots with guys  :) 

Weather been rainy all morning so ceremony moved inside the lounge (planned to be an outdoor), but lucky rain eventually stopped and we had opportunity to get all main family shots done, guests had cocktail hour and we with bridal party, Dominique and Owen moved to travel around golf course on 4 seater golf cart (I been riding at the back, holding tight :) 

What a great location shoot with intimate session and some fun shots. Could be the best memories ever for stunning couple and their bridal party. Need to mentioned we had siblings from both sides in the party, what great traditions!

Reception been beautifully set up with white colours decor and light material around. What an airy feeling its created! Music been on and guests impatiently been waiting main couple to come in. What a great party just happened, amazing atmosphere!

Dominique & Owen, happy future together!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Wedding Location {Auckland-Waikato-Bay of Plenty NZ couples | engagement photographer}

Its really important to choose a right place to your big wedding day. Each location should have a special meaning to the you and made makes celebration moments unforgettable.

It's a lot of different options in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas, indoors and outdoors (could be handy to do a rain check and have a back up plan ;)

Traditional wedding ceremonies are held in a church / registry office / hotel. I always enjoy to hear stories that couple choose the church where their parents been married. Its such treasured connection between generations, what great family traditions.

Outdoor locations had a lot of variety, especially in New Zealand: beach, domain, winery, gardens,  farm, park, bush, golf course, resort etc. So many different options! Summer is almost all the year around with high plus temperature so its really tempting to organise picturesque ceremony/reception in the beautiful nature side. I just love to capture these natural light beautiful moments.

Other option what I often see with small family weddings - ceremony and reception at parents house with BBQ in the garden area. Thats so sweet memories as well.

So what type of wedding location close to you, where you want to celebrate your engagement and have fun with close to you people / family? It's all up to you! I'm happy to capture for you all these special moments with relax, natural style. I love to show raw emotions and connection!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Intimate photography - couples moments {Auckland-Hamilton wedding | engagement photographer}

Intimate couples moments are one of the most important and special at wedding day (and engagement session as well). Each couple is so different and have own special wedding schedule and ideas in place, but still very important to have at least half an hour during this hectic time to have quiet romantic moments and get stunning photographs.

These pictures will be one of the most treasured ones and these moments along away from the guest will give you some ability to rest and relax.

Thats why I always recommend to include an intimate session | location shoot in the schedule and do my best to have enjoyable and relaxable time together.

There could be different options to incorporate these moments in your wedding day: first thing in morning after getting ready (its often goes with first look), between ceremony and reception, during the reception (have some moments away from the guests and get stunning light at sunset).

I also love to do bridal session (pre-wedding photo shoot) or post-wedding photo shoot, which allows to choose different location (be really far from the wedding location and have different atmosphere). No on elicited in time, so no hurry! Everyone feel relaxed :) Also its gives the ability for brides trash the dress (lay on the sand, move in the water, what can be big fun!).

For example, one of my recent weddings with Daria & Dmitry been in Auckland city (Russian Orthodox church and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron), so there was no option for incorporate outdoor photo shoot on the nature, so we organised beach post-wedding session 2 weeks after their wedding. Pictures turned just amazing!

Sometimes location just perfect for natural shots. My last weekend wedding been at South Auckland Formosa Golf Resort. It was so great to have a ride around golf course located next to the seaside with amazing views.

It is so important to do an intimate session in this stunning picturesque views!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Casting call | Auckland-Hamilton couples photographer

Casting Call
I am looking for:

- Two crazy in-love couples who are easy going and would like to have fun lifestyle session. If you a blond with long hair + a brunette with short/medium hair + a redhead with long curly hair definitely note that in your message!

No modelling experience necessary. Sessions will take place in Auckland-Hamilton. Send me a message on Facebook page or contact me if you are interested.

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Featured Photo #TTF magazine {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle wedding photographer}

Im so proud to show you my new feature with #TTF magazine. My photo from stunning post-wedding session on Kariotahi beach, Auckland with beautiful Daria & Dmitry (you can check their wedding gallery and video) chosen as cover photo and for Photographer Inshot Awards. Also #TTF magazine published an article:

"4 details of this Costal New Zealand wedding what we love", hope you enjoy it!

Its a big pleasure to see your style and photographs noticeable and appreciated.
Thank you!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Featured Costal New Zealand post-wedding session | Auckland | Hamilton Wedding Photographer | The Westchester Wedding Planner

Its a big honour to be featured in social media, especially in wedding categories. My recent post-wedding photo shoot with Daria & Dmitry been featured in The Westchester Wedding Planner.

Guys just a stunning couple! It was amazing experience to capture their wedding in Russian Orthodox Church in Auckland and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron at the waterfront. It was full of fun and romantic moments, natural emotions, candid shots traditional wedding. What a great memories!

Daria & Dmitry just love wild New Zealand nature. Thats why we decided to organise a post-wedding session on beautiful Kariotahi beach (Waiuku, Auckland). Pictures turned just amazing, and blow me away :)

This couples session been featured already in few reputable publishers and Im really appreciate all these attention to my work.

Thank you guys! Love our time together!

Enjoy their featured gallery!

Follow me:

www.facebook.com/levienlens

www.instagram.com/olgalevien

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

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}

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}

Wedding Show Skycity | Auckland-Waikato wedding photographer

We are so excited to announce: this Sunday we are happy to see all our lovely brides and their families at the Wedding Show in Skycity (27 September 2015, from 9 am till 4pm).

LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY, lifestyle family and wedding photography, prepared special surprises for our guests:

- 20 % off vouchers, applied to any wedding package

- compliment engagement session (included in package)

 - and main surprise: an opportunity to WIN a FREE wedding photography experience!!! 

Conditions apply:

* up to 6 hours coverage ($250 for each extra hour)

* one photographer (second photographer extra $50 per hour)

* travel expenses extra fee (Auckland | Hamilton area no charge)

* online gallery with best artistic retouched images included

* wedding date is subject of availability

Good luck!

Look forward to see you all! Come and say Hello (stand 44) :)

Contact me with any questions!

{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}