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!

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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DIY destination wedding NZ | Maungaturoro {Northland-Auckland-Waikato lifestyle couple-engagement photographer} Claire and Josh

I spent a great weekend away at March destination DIY wedding at Maungaturoro {Northland} with amazing couple Clair & Josh. Couple contacted me around a year ago from Australia to book their wedding at family farm in Maungaturoro {Northland}. I been happy to travel from Hamilton through the Auckland to Northland for capture special moments for this couple.

Need to say guys met each other 7 years ago and Josh made his proposal at their 5 years anniversary of dating, at weekend away in Sydney while they been out for dinner. What a romantic moments!

Getting ready moments starts for us at Mangawhai Heads {Northland} in beautiful house. 

We took ride on old retro car Valiant with stunning Clair and her 2 loving fun bridesmaids - Sophie and Robyn. It was great to heard some story about this car from her only one owner for years. Josh at this moment been waiting his bride at the farm with his 2 groomsmen - brother Ethan and best friend Brad.

This wedding was really special as a lot of items been hand-made with love by couple's family and friends. It's amazing how rustic and beautiful can be DIY weddings!

There was rows of hay instead chairs, hand-made arch where couple exchanged their vows, retro suitcases, wooden items and much more.

What a fun and full of love atmosphere! Claire & Josh just amazing couple! Happy future together! 

Great Creative team:

Dress: ASOS Suit: Ron Bennett
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Jewellery: Samantha Wills
Celebrant: Clare Hayward
MC: Chris, Josh's uncle
Band: Pat for president
and Levien & Lens Photography {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding photographer} 

Thank you Matt for be a second photographer on the day! You done a great job! :)

Enjoy this video and gallery!

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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!

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DIY wedding details-ideas {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga and Northland NZ couples-engagement photographer}

DIY weddings are so special! DIY means "Do It Yourself" and sometimes it's truly everything hand-made :)

Im enjoying capturing different type of weddings: luxury, bohemian, casual, rustic, vintage, themed etc. around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and surrounding areas. This time I been invited to DIY wedding in Mangaturoro {Northland} at family farm.

 Look at this made with love items-details, how much energy, thoughts and love put into it Claire and Josh's family and friends. What a great spirit of support! Beautiful wedding in Mangaturoro {Northland} with great ideas!

Contact me with any questions!

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Landsendt Tropical Garden - Waitakere Estate {Auckland wedding photographer} Maria and Ben

What a great wedding I been capturing in Landsendt Tropical Garden {Oratia, Auckland}! 

Maria & Ben just amazing couple, shared such a special moments with their friends and family in this cosy tropical garden venue.

Maria told me interesting story of their relationship: "Ben and I originally met when we were teenagers. We re-kindled our love 5 years after this. Ben proposed to me in Malta; the country where my family originally migrated from. He took me by surprise when he proposed to me at a beautiful place called the Blue Lagoon; the most beautiful place on earth". It's such a special memories!

Not surprising this couple chose so beautiful venue what reminded them of tropical islands where Ben originally from {Tonga} and created such a beautiful backdrop for their special event.

Day started for me at boy's getting ready at Waitakere Estate, there was a lot of fun and full of jokes atmosphere. Ben get special hair cut by barber who arrived on location to do this special event. What a great thought!

Maria with her 3 bridesmaids stayed at Kaurilands Estate, where I drove right after boys. It's not unusual for me to drive around between few locations on the wedding day, but of course can take a lot of power :) Thats why always good to book second shooter on the wedding day ;)

Maria is so gorgeous, just amazing bride! I really enjoyed take a pictures with lifestyle moments, having make-up on, bridesmaids dancing (they been doing rehearsal for reception dance later on), getting ready moments and pictures with family arrived (mum, dad and brother who come all way down from England).

Then time to head to ceremony site at Landsendt, meet all families and friends. Ben been wear traditional pacific clothes with grass mat. Couple been also exchanging their vows standing on the traditional mat. What a great incorporating Tonga's culture and traditions!

We had beautiful opportunities to get a lot of brida and groom intimate shots around the gardens, pictures turned just amazing! We had so much romantic and fun moments, natural and traditional shots.

Reception just was full of laugh and so special moments with speeches, cake cutting and of course first dance. It's just unforgettable memories!

Thank you so much guys for inviting me and sharing so special for you moments!

Happy future together!

Great Creative team on this wedding: 

Dress: Kellylin Couture , Suit: Cambridge Clothing Company, Flowers: The Botanist
Shoes- Mi Piaci, Jewellery- Grandmothers jewellery
Hair: Charlotte Zielman, Makeup: Karina S - Makeup & Hair Artist
Celebrant: Minister Fatafehi
Coordinator: Taryn Liddy- Event coordinator at Landsendt
MC- Te Arahi (Tarn) August, DJ- Percy Afeaki, Singer- Pat Mose

Auckland NZ photographer: Levien & Lens Photography

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Wedding workflow {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

Im a really organised person, love to create different todo lists, put together items in logical order and create a workflow. Today I decided to share with you my wedding photography workflow. Im as a lifestyle wedding photographer travel a lot around Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga areas, sometimes even up North or down South and its important to keep on track with all events and clients | vendors.

A lot of people who are really far from photography business can think that our work as photographers just arrive on location, shoot event and right away deliver the images (believe me I thought that too before joined amazing world of photography), but its so much more! 

Shooting a wedding day can take usually between 5 and 12 hours depends on quantity of events and locations, but pre-wedding process and post wedding production can take weeks and even months! Usually I spend on each wedding at least 80 hours work and even more.

Let see my usual workflow (Im not going to put down quantity of hours | time spend on each item, its easy to guess :)

1. answer for enquiry, follow up

2. organise meeting for discuss wedding details an see if we on the same page

3. create and send quote, contract, questionnaire, invoice. Sometimes send a reminder {in 17 hats - management software}

4. answer for all following questions,

5. contact clients few months before the wedding day, organise an engagement | pre-wedding session (do all session workflow including choose and scout location, shooting, post-processing, deliver the gallery, blogging etc.)

6. contact clients one month before the wedding, send an invoice reminder for final payment, questionnaire

7. organise pre-wedding consultation | meeting, go over all details again {online or via the phone}

8. scout wedding location

9. check last minute changes one week before the wedding

10. prepare equipment, all addresses, directions to location, contact creative team | all vendors

11. shooting wedding according the timeline and any unexpected changes / delays with first dance, cake cutting etc.

12. copy all files, back-up files at the end of the day {Im using two external drives and online Amazine Drive storage to be absolutely secure}

13. culling (choosing best images) - sometimes I move through images twice, as second time allow me to look at images with fresh eye

14. post-processing | retouching images

15. post sneak peek on Facebook or email

16. download images in online gallery and USB stick

17. organise prints | products

18. send to a client letter with link on online gallery (3-4 weeks after wedding day)

19. post USB stick with high resolution files + web quality images and prints | products

20. back up final galleries

21. write and publish a blog post with best images from the wedding day

22. choose best images for portfolio and publications

23. send a gallery link to all creative team

24. submit the gallery for publications, keep on track with publishers (i love to share my images, because Im really happy with results)

25. submit best images for various awards | contests (thats motivate me to do more, progress and move forward :).

26. post wedding results on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media etc.

Im sure its not a full list, probably I forgot some other little details :) But hope you get an idea about how much work involve into the weddings and I love this work :)

Please contact me with any questions!

Happy one year anniversary {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding photographer}

I been really surprised to know on last weekend Maria & Ben's wedding that they knew my last year wedding clients Toni & Eddy and one of the groomsmen was Eddy's cousin.

Toni & Eddy just celebrated their one year anniversary (28 February). I'm so thrilled to captured their wedding and been reminded about it at my last wedding.

Their little girl turned 5 years old right on the Maria & Ben's wedding day, congratulations guys!

Happy future together and happy one year anniversary! I remember your wedding with so warm feelings!

Contact me with any questions!

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International wedding award by Lemonade and Lenses {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

Im so excited to share with you amazing news: my image won the First place in wedding category "Winter 2016" international contest by Lemonade and Lenses magazine. Im so honoured to be in great company of talented photographers from around the world.
Olga & Zydon's wedding was just amazing! Thank you so much guys for sharing with me your special moments!

Now I can call myself multi-award winning wedding photographer, ha-ha, just joking :) But Im really happy that something what I really love get acknowledgement, especially in world photography community.

Olga & Zydon

Contact me with any questions!

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17hats for wedding photographers {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle couples-engagement photography}

Sometimes having a wedding photography business can be overwhelming: contacts from wedding couples, enquiries, keeping on track with current clients, meetings around Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga areas, organise workflow, contacts with other photographers and vendors etc. Thats why I decided to share with you how 17hats made my life so much easier. Truly amazing transformation! :)

1. all my clients base in one place (contacts, emails, phone numbers, addresses);

2. ability to organise different projects for each client;

3. online documentation (life saver!) - quotes, contracts, invoices, wedding questionnaires in one place with ability to create a template;

4. email tracking (you can answer for emails right from 17hats :)

5. todo list | calendar (you can put different events and tasks in the calendar and have a reminder each day);

6. ability to create a workflow and apply it to certain project (I have over 15 todo tasks for each project including contact, meeting with clients, send questionnaire, scout wedding location, prepare equipment, send an invoice, check last minute changes in wedding day timeline, check address, get directions, post a sneak peek on Facebook, send link on online wedding gallery, post USB and print | products etc). You see its a lot to remember and can be hard to keep on track with few weddings in a row and future (next year) enquiries :)

7. bookkeeping (I just love the ability to connect business account to 17hats and categorise all income and spends, my accountant loves it too :)

8. ability to send clients galleries etc.

Im sure there a lot of other opportunities what I still need to discover. I just can tell you 17hats became a game changer for me during last few months what Im using it and Im happy with everything.

I need to mention there another systems for clients bases and keep on track as Pixifi, Tave etc. Im sure people who are using them happy with everything. So its just matter to try and find out what interface suits you the best.

Hope this blog post will be useful for my friends photographers, as I see a lot of discussions and questions in local photographers groups about how to keep all documentation and track clients base etc.

Contact me with any questions! I like open book and happy to help :)

Ataahua Garden Venue {Tauranga-Payes Pa wedding-couples-engagement photographer}

Wedding location have a huge influence on wedding day atmosphere and feelings. One of the best wedding venue what I been recently shooting in Tauranga was Ataahua Garden Venue on Payes Pa Road. 

What a beautiful place to be married! (and believe me as wedding photographer I been shooting weddings in a lot of different magical spots around New Zealand, but Ataahua have so much to offer to every wedding couple:

- warm atmosphere

- great stuff and service (smiley women met me on wedding day right at parking entrance and politely show the way around, everyone in the venue was friendly, helpful - brought snacks in basket for couple on location shoot, it was so helpful!)

- amazing garden area with beautiful fountain, fireplace in front of bride and groom on the ceremony, arches, metal gates, greenery walls, and much more, hard to describe all the details!)

- beautiful views and tall trees around (light just magic way move through them and creating so stunning pictures, its so important on couples and bridal party location shoot)

- its not enough words to describe each detail what make this location so stunning. If you planning the wedding in 2016-2017 around Tauranga area just visit this stunning place and contact me, I will be happy to have the opportunity to capture your beautiful wedding in this stunning garden venue!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Second photographer on wedding day {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

I have a lot of questions from my couples about second photographer on their wedding, do they need it, what coverage better to order and what actually the point to have a second shooter on wedding day?

Im shooting weddings around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and surroundings areas and can tell a lot of times I can cover wedding all by myself with all my activity, creativity, fast move around the space and try to capture all important for couple moments :).

But sometimes its just not enough, especially when you need a full day coverage, you having a big wedding with a lot of guests and events. So second photographer can capture:

• groom getting ready when main shooter capturing bride getting ready on different location,
• ceremony from different angles and sides (one photographer shoot bride with her father walking down the aisle, another photographer groom's reactions and even tears in their eyes, thats a priceless moments),
• one photographer doing bridal party shots and intimate session, another one shooting them  from different angle with different focal length of the lens or doing receptions details shots and wedding guests candid shots (schedule always running late and often bride and groom enter the reception with main photographer when guests already took their places (so there is no time to capture all these beautiful details of decoration, cake etc.).

Don't forget a peoples factor: everyone can miss the moment, be tired, and just be in a different spot when something important happening. Thats why the ability to have a second shooter can save the day. I can also tell you a secret: everyone love to have a buddy at work so you feel less tired, more inspired and less stressful, wedding can be a hectic event :)

So its totally your personal choice, but I highly recommend to have a second photographer on wedding day (most of our packages offering it).

Im also like to help out other talented photographers in Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga areas with shooting their weddings and be a part of couples special day, take of responsibilities of main shooter, don't waste the time on post-processing and enjoy creativity and fun of the day (if I have any free spots in my busy schedule, of course ;).

Have a look at these few images what I took as second shooter with Erica Jane for Kelly Oliver in Ataahua Garden Venue, enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Groom Getting ready {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding-couples-engagement photographer}

Getting ready moments is a most interesting and special time of each wedding. Im usually capturing a lot of bride getting ready moments during weddings in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and surroundings areas. 

It's really important for couple to have a complete story of their wedding day: from getting ready till reception. I found this moments really special and full of fun, romance and some thoughts and wisdom atmosphere.

It's lucky when I have a complete story of the wedding day with capturing both - bride and groom getting ready moments, because groom often stays behind the scene as bride have her priority place, ha-ha!

Here is a few pictures from my recent wedding which shows the spirit of groom getting ready moments. Groom and groomsmen, relax atmosphere, details shots with environment, atmosphere, suits, rings, shoes, tie etc.: moment of putting suits on, father or groomsmen helping, pictures with groom's family (they so important on wedding day!).

Sometimes I have time to shoot groom in between of bride getting ready when they staying in the same location, but I am also love to help out other wedding photographers and do second shooting work, when I able to shoot groom and his groomsmen getting ready for a longer time before the wedding ceremony, it's such a fun moments! 

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Bride getting ready {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding-couples-engagement photographer}

One of the most exciting part of the wedding day for me is bride getting ready - it's start of the day, start of wedding story and I also love to capture lifestyle moments behind the scene :) Im doing weddings around Auckland, Hamilton and surrounding areas and most of the time couples want to capture these special getting ready moments for complete the story of their wedding day.

Bride with her bridesmaids having fun, laughing, eating their breakfast, relaxing after late night :) Capturing lifestyle moments around and some portraits before putting dresses on. Details: veil, dress, rings, jewellery, other accessories, shoes - all items what been thoughtfully chosen with love for wedding day. 

Then time for putting dress on, bridesmaids or bride's mother taking big part in helping the bride, its so special atmosphere!

Bride along portraits and capture moments with bridesmaids. Its usually one of the most beautiful portraits from the wedding day!

Then rush, pick up all items and move towards the car for meet groom on ceremony site, so exciting moments.

Enjoy this gallery from my recent weddings around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and surroundings areas. Im so in love with my beautiful stunning brides!

DOMINIQUE

TESSA

JULIETTE

Contact me with any questions!

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Kariotahi Beach wedding feature Be Minked {Auckland couples-engagement photographer}

Its such a great pleasure to see my photographs published by Be Minked, international wedding magazine. This beautiful wedding in Castaways, Kariotahi beach {Auckland} was so memorable with full of fun and positive emotions atmosphere.

Juliette & Jonny such a stunning couple, their photographs deserves to be featured and goes live around the world!

Thank you so much! Happy future together!

Contact me with any questions!

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Ataahua Wedding {Tauranga-Bay of Plenty couples-engagement photographer} Jessica and Jason

Some weddings just feels so special, couple looks stunning and wedding venue just gorgeous. Thats what I been capture at Ataahua Garden Venue in Tauranga {Bay of Plenty region} in January. It was amazing wedding from start to finish with so enjoyable moments in beautiful environment.

Jessica & Jason are a stunning couple, pictures turned just amazing. Im always in love with my beautiful brides! All these come together: beauty, hair style, make-up, dress, long veil and of course happiness! :)

Im so happy to capture these special for couple moments in Ataahua Garden Venue in Tauranga, amazing location, atmosphere, warm family and friends around bride and groom.

Thank you Kelly for take me on board, I been happy to help out at short notice and capture these beautiful couple's wedding day moments as second photographer with Erica Jane.

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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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!

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*Offer valid for bookings till 29 February 2016

New Zealand Garden Wedding Featured Publication {Auckland wedding photographer}

Im so thrilled to receive news: Olga & Zydon's wedding in Parnells on the Rose Garden been published in The Westchester Weddining Planner. Its a great pleasure to see these stunning wedding photographs acknowledged and goes live!
Thank you so much! Olga & Zydon are so stunning couple! Their wedding been just amazing with warm and romantic atmosphere. Happy future together!

Contact me with any questions!

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First dance {Auckland wedding-engagement photographer | emotional couples photography}

First dance is such a special moment for each couple on their wedding day. Thats why I often have wedding bookings covering time from getting ready till first dance. Its great memories and such special emotional moments.

You can see how much effort couples put into preparation for this dance to their families and guests (and themselves of course!), some couples even taking dance lessons before the wedding. I absolutely love it and respect this effort. I been taking myself to dance classes for many years from childhood. Its so special  when you feel music and movement, and it all comes together with emotions!

Have a look at this gallery from a few recent weddings in Auckland, I enjoyed every single moment of them. Such stunning brides and grooms and amazing atmosphere!

Daria & Dmitry

Olga & Zydon

Juliette & Jonny

Contact me with any questions!

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My everyday moments in 365 Project - January {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle wedding-couples photographer}

Its a new year, its a new life and I continue to capture my everyday lifestyle moments in 365 project (366 this year :)

What a great month January, amazing start of the year: first 3 weddings open this year for me with travel to Auckland (Castaways Resort), Tauranga (Ataahua Garden Venue) and around the Hamilton, news about winning an International Wedding Photography Award by Bridal Guide (my pictures chosen in top 50 with other amazingly talented wedding photographers). My picture features on the cover of HuffPost Weddings! Its a big honour and amazing start of the year!

My little one finally became toilet trained, yay (you can't believe but its a big achievement in each family with little ones, ha-ha!). 

So many exciting events! I also look forward this year (a lot of big dates).

Oh, I forgot I celebrated my 35th birthday on 8th of January! Yay!

Enjoy this lifestyle gallery with my everyday moments!

Contact me with any questions!

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First look with Dad {Auckland-Hamilton wedding-engagement-couples photographer}

First Look is becoming more popular last few years. Its a great way to create a special moment for couples on their wedding day, moment when bride and groom see each other very first time before the ceremony on their wedding day. If couple is more traditional and prefer to see each other right on the ceremony when bride walking down the aisle another option is first look with Brides Dad.

Dads have a special place in each girl's heart so it's a treasured and emotional moment when Dad takes the bride walking down the aisle, but especially when he sees her for the first time right after getting ready before the ceremony. These moments are always full of love and special connection. 

I love to capture all these raw emotions and feelings! It's even more emotional when one person is standing back to walking forward another person (its could be either bride or her father) and they can't see each others faces, but then one turned around it's a magic moment happened, often with some tears (so tense emotions when you waiting for it:).

Enjoy this gallery from Juliette & Jonny's wedding in Castaways Resort, Auckland:

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}