Bethells Beach engagement-couples photo shoot {Auckland wedding photographer} Katrina and Marc

I met Katrina & Marc on Bethells beach {Auckland, New Zealand} at one of the Saturday's afternoons, they such a sweet couple, it was a real pleasure to walk together on the beach, talk about their engagement and wedding 's plans and get some stunning photos in between, emotional and romantic candid moments at pre-wedding session.

Couple shared their story:

"We met at university. The first thing Marc said to me was that he really wanted someone to cut into the rat bowel (because it was said that it was supposed to stink out the lab) – which made me laugh and I haven’t stopped laughing since. We’ve now been together 5 ½ years. We’ve travelled to a few places Samoa, Rarotonga, Bali and most recently Hawaii, as well as around New Zealand."

Proposal: " My friends and myself included were convinced that I was going to know when Marc was about to propose since we’d been together so long, we all expected that I was pick up on any subtle hints or clues. BUT one Tuesday (October 18th 2016) it happened! The day before Marc gave me a cute letter describing that he loved me and wanted a future together, but he did romantic things like that occasionally so I didn’t expect a thing. Then on the Tuesday when he got home after having our usual chat on the couch he said he had another letter… He gave this to me and there were no words apart from “this way up” and then cut out holes. I asked if this went with letter no.1 and he said yes and I fetched that (still none the wiser – expecting that he had planned a trip or something). I brought the letters back and then laid the cut out one on top of no1 and it said “Will you marry me”. Then when I moved the letter away from my face Marc was there down on one knee! Marc truly did surprise me because I couldn’t speak for minutes!". Such a great and romantic story!

It was amazing time on the beach just before the sunset, enjoy this video highlights from our engagement-couples photo shoot on Bethells Beach and highlights of couple's final gallery:

Pre-wedding engagement beach photo shoot {Auckland weddings photographers}

Im really excited about upcoming Ilinke & Shaun's wedding, especially after couple's pre-wedding engagement photo shoot on one of the North Shore Auckland beach.

Ilinke's mum hand made a flower crown for this session, its looks so gorgeous! Amazing work!

Couple story: "We met through friends but what followed was an instant connection based on mutual respect, wanting the same things out of life and lots of laughter. We love watching movies and cooking together but mostly love experiencing life together by going on little adventures where we get to see new areas like waterfalls or little coffee shops etc"

It was amazing time together on the beach walking around and breath in all the atmosphere and get some romantic and playfulness moments captured.

Enjoy this video and photo gallery!

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Intimate engagement - couples photo shoot {Auckland wedding photographer} Tania and Vincent

We met with Tania & Vincent just before the sunset on Sunday evening in Parnell Rose Garden for their couples - engagement photo shoot. Lucky couple won our Giveaway with Auckland weddings. Im so excited about their upcoming wedding, congratulations and happy future together!

As photographer I love to capture special for couple moments in natural and artistic style. We had such amazing time together, pictures turned so beautiful, emotional and romantic with some intimate feeling what I really like.

Enjoy this video slideshow | gallery.

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Karekare Beach post-wedding | elopement photo shoot + Secret Letter {Auckland engagement-weddings photographer}

Im so excited to share with you photographs from our post-wedding | elopement photo shoot on Karekare Beach {Auckland, New Zealand} with Benedikt & Lisa and their little daughter Tabea. Couple decided to do elopement in Germany and instead of big wedding in home country to have amazing trip to New Zealand and have a special post-wedding session on beautiful NZ landscapes. Im so honoured to be chosen as their wedding photographer and capture so special for couple moments. Im used to shoot weddings around Aukland area and all New Zealand and overseas, but these type of sessions so special for me, allow better to know couple, walk around, talk, and have amazing time together.

Benedikt told couple's story:

"Lisa and me met seven years ago during our studies at university. Since that time we both knew that we definitely belong to each other. Even one year of separation because of studies abroad did not come between us. We both love nature, especially sports in nature such as hiking, biking, swimming, skiing... We both love the silence away from the city noise and love to laugh and enjoy time with our close friends. After some time we decided to increase our family and 18 months ago our daughter Tabea was born. As in June 2017 our second child will be born, we decided that it is time to marry. But honestly we are both not friends of big ceremonies with many guests, where we are in the focal point for the whole day. The idea of a classical marriage with suit and gown just didn't feel right for us. Therefore we decided to marry secretly and inform our family members and friends with a surprise letter from New Zealand."

Thats really exciting part of our session: right after photo shoot we spent some time to move through images and choose the one to be printed and sent to all friends and relatives from New Zealand to Germany and Austria with wedding announcement. Its such an exciting surprise and Im happy to be a part of couples plan and organise all printing and posting for them {while they travelling around New Zealand in campavan letters will be flying to their families - surprise-surprise!!!}. Its so exciting to just imagine their faces :)

I loved every single moment of our session and happy to share with you this video slideshow and gallery:

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If you curious to see which picture was chosen and sent to families overseas, here its goes:

Karekare Beach couples session {Auckland wedding photographer}

Happy New Year {New Zealand destination wedding photographer}

I would like to wish a happy New Year to all my couples | friends and followers and say a big thank you for your support in this 2016 year. It was amazing year with plenty of positive emotions, amazing couples photo shoots, gorgeous and emotional weddings and so many other events around.

I kept my "mostly 365 project" and document my family life with little ones, been travelling to different destination all around New Zealand: from Up North {Northland - Kerikeri, Paihia, Russel through Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington to South Island: Queenstown, such a magic place!}. I attended different workshop and helped with their organising as well. 

Numbers for this 2016 year:

18 Weddings shoot | 15000 km milage | 2 new cameras | 2 new lenses | 3 pairs of shoes | plenty outfits :)

Really excited about upcoming 2017 and what its brings :) Hope everyone will have a Happy New Year and lots of positive emotions! I promise beautifully capture all these emotional moments! ;)

Lets remember our beautiful 2016 weddings and couples {its so hard to choose just one photo as I loved all of them, ha-ha!}

Engagement Session Giveaway {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year + Christmas Holidays!
I decided to prepare a special gift for my awesome clients | friends and followers - ENGAGEMENT SESSION GIVEAWAY!
1-2 hours on location photo shoot with all best hand-edit high resolution files and my time and talent!
1. Like my Facebook page Levien & Lens Photography if you still not and post with Giveaway ;)
2. Leave a comment - tag your friend or fiancé;
3. Share post with your friends if you would like :)
Conditions applies: You might be engaged. Session can be scheduled during 3-5 months based on availability in Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga-Rotorua and surroundings areas. Photos can be used for Levien & Lens Photography portfolio and promotions.
Results will be announced after Christmas Day, 25 December 2016.
Contact me with any questions info@levienphotography.com!

Trelise & Alan

Trelise & Alan

Muriwai Beach New Zealand Engagement Session | Levien and Lens Photography published {Auckland wedding photographer} Lace and Loyalty

Excited to share with you a great news: Ellise & Wasim's engagement session on Muriwai Beach {Auckland, New Zealand} been published in prestigious online blog-magazine: Lace & Loyalty

They just celebrated their special day with their friends and families, and such a great honour for me as their wedding photographer to see couples engagement pictures go live in wedding magazines.

Our couples session on Muriwai Beach was just unforgettable, so many romantic moments, love and great memories!

Enjoy this publication in Lace & Loyalty!

Muriwai Beach engagement session - Lace and Loyalty - Levien and Lens photography

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Engagement photos in New Zealand published in Reverie Gallery {Auckland wedding photographer}

Excited to share with you amazing news - Megan & Chris's engagement photos just ben published in Reverie Gallery, one of the prestigious international magazine-blog.

I loved their amazing couples session and glad to see their images goes live in wedding photography publication. Their session was so beautiful and full of romantic moments in Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand (not far from Auckland, NZ).

Im so excited about their upcoming wedding in February in Gisborne {New Zealand}.

Enjoy this publication - "Engagement photos in New Zealand"

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Karangahake George engagement | couples photo shoot {Auckland-Waikato wedding photographer} Madeline & Barry

What a great time in Karangahake George {Waikato, New Zealand} we had with amazing couple - Madeline & Barry on their engagement photo shoot. Im as photographer never seen such a stunning location with plenty of photo opportunities! River, stones, mountains, concrete constructions {one of them even look like Jungle Book!}, mines, tunnels, wiggly bridges and much more. We been lost there forever enjoying walking on the tracks and talking, discussed couple's upcoming wedding in Leigh {up way from Auckland}, coming up really soon, just in few months time and had a great time together!

Congratulations on your engagement! Look forward to your wedding!

Hope you enjoy this video slideshow with best photographs and gallery :)

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Waikato wedding photographer - engagement photo shoot - Karangahake George
New Zealand wedding photographer - couples photo shoot - Karangahake George
Auckland wedding photographer - engagement session Karangahake George
NZ wedding photographer - engagement session - Karangahake George

Piha Beach couples photo shoot {Auckland wedding-engagement photographer NZ} Trelise and Alan

We had such a great time together with Trelise & Alan {our engagement photo shoot giveaway winners from Auckland Weddings} on Piha Beach {NZ}, their wedding coming up next year around Christmas time, so excited for this amazing couple!

I just loved this atmosphere on the beach - rocks, waves, sand, sunset! We had so much beautiful, romantic and emotional moments with this fun loving couple. Amazed by their love and energy!

Trelise told a story of the proposal, so beautiful and romantic!:

"Alan proposed on our 1 year anniversary in Santorini, Greece in June 2016. We had woken up early to watch the sunrise, so the paths were empty except for us. It was beautifully quiet, a lovely warm temperature, and just such a beautiful moment. We were at a view point on the island, looking out towards all the white houses and blue roofs, with the sun rising behind them, and we had a blue domed house right next to us (which we now refer to as "Our Dome"). Alan got down on one knee, on a cobbled path, and had to wait a few moments for an answer from me as I thought I was still asleep and dreaming!! A beautiful stray dog was the only witness to our special moment. We then had a champagne breakfast at our Cave, and spent the rest of the day out on a catamaran exploring Santorini and swimming in the bluest of blue oceans." Amazing dreamy moment!

I love every single moment of our session, there was freezing, windy,cloudy and sunny. We are survived the weather conditions! :) 

Enjoy this video and gallery!

couples photos {Auckland engagement wedding photographer}
couples photo shoot {New Zealand wedding-engage,net photographer BW}

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Kumeu farm engagement session {Auckland NZ wedding-couples photographer} Hana and Aidan

Beautiful engagement session and great time with Hana & Aidan on their farm in Kumeu, Auckland NZ (there was just enough time before pure rain started, so much positive emotions though!).

Hana telling a story of their relationship: 

We met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend. I needed a date for my Uncle's wedding on Waiheke island and Aidan put his hand up to take me. 3 years on and we've gotten engaged :)

Excited about their wedding up north in Russell, not long to go now! Im so excited to be their wedding photographer and appreciate couple share with me so special moments!

Enjoy this video with best photographs from photo shoot and special gallery!

Kumeu farm engagement session {Auckland NZ wedding-couples photographer} kiss
Kumeu farm engagement session {Auckland NZ wedding-couples photographer} BW

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Hamilton Gardens engagement photo shoot {New Zealand wedding - couple photographer} Megan and Chris

We had amazing time in Hamilton Gardens {New Zealand} with Megan & Chris, such a beautiful and romantic couple. Im really excited about their upcoming wedding in Gisborne next year, such a honour to be their wedding photographer, especially after knowing this couple and spent with them more time! This engagement photo shoot definitely helps us better know each other, understand how we are roll and feel more relaxed on the wedding day and get more natural photographs. I love to spend more time with my awesome wedding clients!

This couple have amazing story as they met each in High School and over 10 years together! What a long happy time! Their love became even stronger.

We met at Saturday evening in Hamilton Gardens {its been close to rainy weather but luckily we managed to finish our session just before pure rain starts. There was some spacial atmosphere. Love is all  around!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

intimate bride and groom moment - Hamilton Gardens {New Zealand wedding - engagement photographer}
BW romantic couple intimate moment {New Zealand engagement-wedding photographer}

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How He Asked by The Knot - engagement photos publication {Auckland wedding photographer}

Its a great news to find out that our engagement photos from Ellise & Wasim's session on Muriwai Beach been featured in How He Asked by The Knot. Its a great pleasure to see this publication with beautiful couples story about their first meeting, proposal and relationship.

Its a big honour when such a big publisher decided to accept your engagement or wedding submission, such a great honour for every photographer. 

Im actually working on Ellise & Wasim wedding gallery {their wedding happened just couple of weeks ago in Markovina Vineyard Estate, Auckland, it was amazing day with special atmosphere and bride + groom loos so stunning! Stay tuned, pictured coming soon in our Blog. :)

Enjoy this publication and let me know if you have any questions!

Muriwai Beach couples-engagement photo shoot {Auckland wedding photographer} Ellise & Wasim

Ellise & Wasim

It was a great opportunity to meet Ellise & Wasim on Muriwai Beach {Auckland} to do their couples-engagement photos just few weeks before their wedding. Yes, sounds crazy, but we decided to go for it for have more opportunities to get stunning photographs in different from their wedding venue location, have another atmosphere, and feel more freedom {not every couple allow themselves on the wedding day running in the waves, climbing up to the rocks, get all wet, sit in the high grass and more exciting moments. But I actually know a few of my couples who even walk in the waves in the wedding dress, ha-ha!}

Engagement photo shoot is a great opportunity to know each better, understand how we are roll, feel more relaxed on the wedding day and get more amazing photographs :)

For me as a photography artist its a great opportunity to know better couple and also get some experimental creative shots {sometimes there no time in the wedding timeline for this, but I always try to create as much romantic and real photos as I can :)

So those Sunday morning we met each other on Muriwai Beach, such a stunning location with dunes, black sand, rocks and big waves. We had a bluest with Ellise & Wasim, especially when wave unexpected come close to the edge of the rocks where guys been standing in romantic pose :) Its was extreme, but I love every single moment of our session: all tho beauty and rocks around. Unforgettable memories.

I will tell you this couples story after their wedding. Keep eye on our new publications in one month time ;) Stay tuned!

Ellise & Wasim also surprised me with a gift - basket full of some amazing goodies. Its a great pleasure to receive such a wonderful present, thank you guys that you think about me and created such a wonderful present! {you can see a picture with gift on my Instagram, I just can't help myself and shared it with everybody :) See you guys on your wedding day in Markovina.

Enjoy this video and gallery as we truly enjoyed it!

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Bridal show - High Tea Trish Peng and friends {Auckland wedding photographer}

Excited to share with you news about this amazing event by Trish Peng which Im happy to attend as a trusted exclusive vendor. I been thrilled to receive a special invitation for one wedding photographer to help brides to plan their wedding, discuss wedding days details while they enjoying a High Tea and waiting for their turn to try amazing wedding gowns.
So you can find me at Bridal High Tea in Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour this Saturday 10 September 2016. So excited to be in company with another amazing wedding vendors {you can see a full list in New Zealand Weddings Magazine, in their recent article about this special event}.

THE PARTNERS: 
Working Style for advice on suits
Grandeur Events for styling tips
Gather & Twine for flower arrangements and flower crowns
All Made Up for beauty, hair & makeup advice
The Amazing Traveling Photo Booth for some fun and laughter
Weddings by Paris for event planning insights
Levien & Lens Photography on capturing great moments
New Zealand Weddings magazine to take home and inspire


I will be happy to meet with brides and their families and answer any questions they have!
You got the opportunity to try stunning wedding gowns by talented designer Trish Peng {her 20 feet long bridal gown was a hit of the New Zealand Fashion Week and been closing the Bridal Designers Showcase}, have some prepared goodies and possibly get stunning photographs by me - Levien & Lens Photography!

We will be running a competition - you will have a chance to win couples photo shoot together with beautiful dinner in Sofitel {served by chef!}, its amazing opportunity. I look forward to see our winning couple and capture their beautiful engagement photographs in Auckland, NZ.
See you there! x

{if you not get spot or can't attend this time I tell you a secret - there will be other chance in few months time ;) Watch this space!}

Bridal show - High Tea by Trish Peng {Auckland wedding photographer}

How to choose wedding photographer {Auckland couples-engagement photography}

Choosing a wedding photographer one of the most exciting parts of the wedding planning! Its feels so important and so right when you found a good fit. So how to choose wedding photographer for your couple?

I will talk about few steps which feels really important to me as a lifestyle wedding photographer.

1. Wedding Portfolio.

Check wedding photography portfolio - best photographs which represents photographer's style, favourite things to shoot, editing preferences {some of us love airy light images, another ones draw to moody dark atmosphere, or even do mix of both depending on session}. 

2. Check full wedding galleries.

You checked best images in photographer's portfolio, now time to see a full wedding from start to finish { getting ready, ceremony, formals, intimate bride and groom session, reception etc.}. You can find full weddings in the Blog or contact photographer via email and ask for pass online complete wedding galleries.

You can see how we capture moments, emotions, details, posed shots, unposed images etc. Its truly represent the ability to keep it up during this hectic day and produce amazing images which speaks from the heart.

3. One of the most important - Connection.

Get in touch with photographer and check the connection, communication and mobility {Im trying to answer for inquiries as soon as possible, often during first few hours}, but please allow a couple of days delay, especially on weekends, as we can be away on the road at destination wedding. :)

Sometimes really hard to get a personality via email especially if English not a mother tongue {I love to catch up with my awesome clients for cup of tea / coffee, have a chat and discuss their wedding plans}. We usually build a good trust and its make us feel comfortable during the wedding day {photographer the only one person who all the time with you without any minute of break, so its important to find the right person, feel relaxed and comfortable}.

4. Last but not least - Packages and Pricing.

Please contact photographer to find out pricing details and collections {how many hours, how many photographers, if there engagement session included, any prints | products what you would like to add}. Feel free to share your wedding plans and needs as a lot of photographers can create a custom package which best suits your needs.

For example I working in a team with my husband and have options with one or two photographers on the day, coverage from elopements with capturing just ceremony and bride and groom intimate session to full day packages including engagement - pre-wedding session and album + wall fine art print. There options for every couple!

You found your dream photographer, but can't afford your dream package? Still get in touch, tell about your wedding plans and planning date. There always a chance you can find the compromise as your wedding sounds just amazing and photographer in love with your couples personalities {you can also order prints | products when you discover your images, or make its a part of wedding registry}.

Follow your gut and go with the flow! Good luck with your wedding planning!

bride and groom under veil {Auckland wedding photographer} couples photography

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In-home couples lifestyle session {New Zealand wedding-engagement photographer}

Lifestyle sessions are my favourite to shoot {wedding, engagement, events, family etc.}, especially if its in-home photo shoot, which really shows what couple love to do together, and make things more easy going and relaxed. This type of session not so popular in New Zealand yet {not surprising with so many opportunities for great photographs at wild landscapes and beautiful nature}, but maybe at winter time we can warm up with cup of tea / coffee, snuggle with partner and show our emotions in everyday moments.

Last weekend I arrived to Kylee & Rob's place at morning to capture special for them moments {need to mentioned couple having 10 years anniversary and they still crazy in love! hope we all be the same after 10 years being together with your partner}.

It was real fun to do and capture simple things as making cup of tea at kitchen, sitting at the dining table, and even dancing in the living room {we laugh with Kylee and remembered one of our favourite movies "Dirty dancing", even tried to reproduce some movement, poor Rob!, ha-ha :), wait, he actually done a great job!

There was so many sweet moments and I just loved our session, so special for this couple!

Happy anniversary and many more years together!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

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Inspiration board #4 - couples | engagement photography {Auckland wedding photographer}

Who wants to get more inspiration in couples photography? Here we go!

Today I am sharing with you my Pinterest board with chosen couples | engagement photographs from photographers all around the world with intimate couples moments. Feel free to visit this board and share your ones!

Im always happy to see new ideas, styles and also get some inspiration, feel the mood for my Auckland wedding photography. Love to be inspired and create something new :)

couples | engagement photography {Auckland wedding photographer}

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New Zealand wedding photographers workshop {South Island -Queenstown-Wanaka NZ lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

What an exciting news I received this week: Two Mann, best wedding photographers in the world, coming in New Zealand with their workshop and I had a honour to be in the limited list of talented wedding photographers from NZ, Australia and USA who will participate in this workshop in December 2016 in South Island {Queenstown-Wanaka area}.

As a professional lifestyle wedding photographer I know that learning process is endless and never stops, I am taking any opportunity on my way to learn a new skills, practice, look at photography and life from different angle and improve myself and my photography level, and get inspired.

I will be happy to share with you a review on this amazing workshop with my experience at the end of this year. I am happy to be in company of amazing Fearless photographers  with so talented people as Erika and Lanny from Two Mann Studio.

If anyone planning to be married at 2-11 December 2016 in South Island {Queenstown-Wanaka and surrounding areas} Im happy to capture your special day moments with no extra travel charge with special offer {as Im anyway will be there for workshop on 6-8 December!}, so exciting to shoot at such a picturesque and legendary place on breathtaking South Island! 

Please contact me with any questions!

New Zealand wedding photographers workshop

 

 

Inspiration board #1 lifestyle couples photography {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

I love to create different type of boards on Pinterest. So today I decided to start a new rubric in our Blog where I can share with you some of my inspiration in different type of photography. Im doing weddings and couples | engagement photo shoots around Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga areas in New Zealand and always search for new ideas, trying to find inspiration everywhere (in books, movies, art galleries etc.), sometimes easy way to go is to open the Pinterest app and look through the photographs with ability to observe, find connection, emotions, light, something to drive me in and connected to my style. Its can be even nature and picturesque view and landscapes around. 

So today Im sharing with you one of my Pinterest boards :)

I love to start from lifestyle couples photography with inspiration board #1. Feel free to check it out and get some ideas!

lifestyle couples photography inspiration board {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

I love lifestyle photographs, emotions, atmosphere. It's so great to capture something what couple love to do together, what mean a lot to them. Thats my inspiration choice.

I think it's always a good idea to have an engagement | pre-wedding couples photo-shoot what let us better to know each other and feel more relax on wedding day! Im often travel around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga areas for my awesome clients couples sessions. It's so special moments!

Please feel free to share your boards, I would love to have a look :)

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