Tawharanui Winter Wedding - Koru House: Christie and Jason {Auckland elopement-engagement photographer}

Im so excited to share with you this Tawharanui Winter Wedding in Koru House {near Matakana} - where Christie & Jason get married surrounded their close friends and family with two little ones, such a beautiful day with cosy atmosphere! The weather was just perfect!

It was a pleasure for me, Auckland photographer, to drive out to country side to shoot this amazing wedding at a short notice {love spontaneous adventurous couples} between winter elopement and engagement photography.

Im so excited to share with you how I shot this wedding, my husband Matt filmed me shooting, and Im so excited to share all me tips and advice to wedding photographers worldwide. Watch me capturing these beautiful, emotional and real moments in my Online Course "Tales of the Moment", get in quick, this photography workshop on a high demand and even been extended till 21 August, then materials go in the Click Store and you can learn it at your own time!

Enjoy this video slideshow and photo highlights in a gallery. {I also excited, one of these photos been featured in LooksLikeFilm, amazing community with top international photographers! Such a honour and an award!

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Best of 2017 | 2018 {Auckland wedding photographers}

Its time to reflect and look back at our amazing season when winter is a half way through and say Thank you to our awesome couples for constant love and support, we treasure every moment with you and so glad you choose us to capture so special for you moments.

Enjoy this Best of 2017 | 2018 {from yours L & L - Auckland wedding photographers}. We cant even count amount of epic weddings and engagement photo shoots, publications in prestigious magazines and awards. We been included in many top lists of best wedding photographers worldwide, such a big honour and such a pleasure to make all dreams come true. Thank you our awesome couples for this experience, it is impossible without you!

Can't wait and see what 2018 | 2019 season will bring {we booked up for most popular dates, but there still some chance your date is still available, don't hesitate to contact us}.

It was amazing year and we also have such amazing news - our big educational project that we worked on during one year!!! goes live - "Tales of the Moment: Your Secret Formula for Picture Perfect" BY OLGA LEVIEN with Click Photo School. Check it out if you want to improve your photography, find your sweet spot!

This photo gallery even can't fit all our fantastic engagement and wedding photo shoots!

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20 Top Wedding Photographers by Hongkiat: TOP 12 Wedding Photographer Society 2017; 100 Photographers to Watch in 2018 by Click & Company; Rangefinder Contest Winner, TOP 100 photographers Shoot & Share contest wedding couple category; NZIPP Iris Awards {9 awards}, Top 60 Elopement Blogs; Lemonade & Lenses International Contest Winner, Editor's Choice 2016-2018

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Rustic Wedding Chic - New Zealand DIY Farm Wedding - publication {Auckland weddings photographers}

Excited to share with you a recent publication of Kathleen & Steven's wedding in Gisborne {New Zealand}, where we, as their photographers, travel all way from Auckland to this gorgeous DIY farm destination wedding, one of the best weddings ever with freedom vibe and cosy atmosphere!

So great to see our photos again, go live around the world in prestigious international publications like this one from Rustic Wedding Chic.

Enjoy this publication and more photos in the gallery on our Blog!

Kathleen & Steve

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New Zealand Bohemian Wedding publication in Desiree Hartsock {Bridal Style and DIY} Auckland weddings photographer

SO excited to share with you wonderful news: Madeline & Barry's New Zealand Bohemian wedding has just been published in Desiree Hartsock Bridal Style & DIY, fabulous international publisher. It's a great honour for me, as an Auckland wedding photographer, to get featured in this wedding publication. We are thrilled to be published in so many beautiful Blogs and magazines lately, great news keeps on coming!

The couple's wedding in Sawmill Cafe {Leigh, NZ}, was one of the most amazing weddings with such a warm, cozy and gorgeous atmosphere. Bride style was up to the notch!  Flowers in the hair, stunning dress, and such a beautiful family!  Please take a look at their wedding gallery in our Blog where you can find more photos and a video slideshow.

Enjoy this special publication in Desiree Hartsock Bridal Style & DIY "Brighten up your Wednesday with this New Zealand Bohemian Wedding" - Bride Featured Weddings!

Madeline & Barry {Leigh, New Zealand} photo by Matt

Contact me with any questions!

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Wedding timeline - Planning 101 {Auckland weddings photographers}

Wedding timeline is one of the most important things on the wedding day and many clients ask us how better to plan photography events and how many hours of coverage do they need for capture all important moments. As wedding photogpraher who captured many weddings around New Zealand & International Im happy to share my experience and give some time frames for orientation.

Of course each wedding and their timelines are unique. Following information just something what can be considered for make your wedding day more enjoyable and create perfect conditions for stunning photos. Take on only those points what suits your situation!

Getting ready

Getting ready: Maya

1. Getting ready - 1.5-2 hours. Minimum time for getting ready photos is 1 hour {we usually start shooting when make-up, hair half way through. If you would like us to capture some special events as first look with dad, family portraits, lots of pictures with bridesmaids, many details shots etc you need to add on time. Better prepared beforehand all special for you items what you want us to capture {it will save the time and make morning less stressful for you}. Groom getting ready photos usually faster ones {as there no make-up and hair done :)}, but if groom planned something special with his groomsmen {as play golf on the morning, fishing, shooting etc.} definitely let us know, we would love to capture a complete story of your wedding day.

First look

First look: Madeline & Barry

2. First look - 30 min - 1.5 hours. First look is a special event which became more popular lately {not for traditional couples}. Its a moment when groom seen his bride before the ceremony {turn back to her walking towards him and then turn around}. First look is emotional moment and flow into the bridal party and couples photo shoot {thats why its up to 1.5 hours long}. This event allow to save some time between ceremony and reception when couple traditionally doing photo shoot on location, or add on extra location and variety for images.

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding ceremony: Ilinke & Shaun

3. Ceremony - 30 min {outdoor} to 1 hour {traditional church ceremony}. Ceremony usually take between 30 min and 1 hour. We need to arrive on site 20-30 min before ceremony starts to capture details, guests arriving, groom waiting etc. Also allow yourself at least 10-15 min after ceremony for greetings, relax and hug your family and friends.

Family Formals

Family formals: Kara & David's wedding

4. Family photos - 20-40 min {depending on amount of groups}. Something to consider: big group with all guests can take up to 10 min, each small group up to 3 min. We usually recommend to have up to 10 groupings as its can be exhausting for couple to wait for everyone and keep tuned {they are usually starving and thirsty at this moment {needed provide some drinks and snacks}. Also good idea to have a shepherd - a person who know well the family and can gather people together {which save a time}. Good to have a little breath after family photos {drink and snacks} to refresh.

Bridal party + Bride & Groom session

Bridal party: Kathleen & Steve wedding

Bridal party: Hana & Aidan wedding

5. Bridal party and Bride & Groom intimate session - 1.5-2 hours. Minimum time for photo shoot is one hour {20 min - tidal party photos and minimum 30 min bride & groom photos with basic amount of photos}. Extra time give more opportunity to be creative, walk and talk, relax and go with the flow. Also allow extra time if there few locations or travelling involved. Many couples worried about their guests waiting for them, but believe me your guests are fine, they talking, enjoying outdoor games and other activities, snacks and drinks. If you would like to mix & mingle with your guests its a good idea to arrive to reception 30 min before its starts and have a good chat with all family members and guests.

Bride & Groom session: Georjarna & Gareth

Best time for photos: morning or during two hours before the sunset. Placing couple photo shoot in this time frame can be ideal but often impossible at the wedding day. We used to work with different lighting conditions. Solutions can be: moving ceremony to later time during summer as 3.30-5 pm {later is better for outdoor ceremonies, otherwise there can be tricky lighting situation with light and shade and hot spots on the faces}. Winter weddings usually scheduled with 1-3 pm ceremonies. 

Sunset Bride & Groom intimate session: Jenny & Andrew

Other option: have a separate photo shoot just before the sunset during summer time - sneak out of reception while guests eating their dinner, relaxing, chatting.

One more option for night lovers - get creative photos when sun go down, at late evening with dark and moody atmosphere:

Night time photos: Ellise & Wasim

Reception

Reception: Megan & Chris wedding

6. Reception {coverage depending on amount of events planned, usually its around 3-4 hours, including speeches, dinner, cake cutting, first dance, father-daughter dance, mother-son, guests dancing + any more cultural traditions}. You can move these events around to suit your needs and what you like to do, its your time to enjoy rest of the day.

First dance: Chauntelle & Jayden

Full day coverage {from getting ready till guests dancing usually around 9-10 hours {if there late evening events planned its comes to 11-12 hours which is rare}. Small weddings, elopements usually take around 3-5 hours. 

Hope this orientation and tips with wedding timeline will help your planning. Let me know if you have any questions! As I said each situation is unique, just allow yourself time to breath and move from one part of the day to another without rush and enjoy every moment!

Sony & Ryan

Its your time, time of your life!

{Other thing to consider - having a wedding planner can make you life so much easier and save lots of hours planning, putting things together, looking for wedding vendors and communicating with everyone. Experienced wedding planners know exactly how make your day run smoothly and allow you fully enjoy your time}.

Wedding reception

We will help you with everything run smoothly!

x Warmly, 

Olga & Matt

Guests dancing {Langham}

Best of 2016 | 17 {New Zealand wedding photographer | Auckland weddings photography|

Time goes so fast, one more wedding season in New Zealand just fly away. Its a great time to reflect, look back and say Thank you to my awesome clients for amazing time and support! Its not even possible without you!

We shot over 20 weddings in Auckland, Kerikeri {Northland}, Russell {Bay of Islands}, Leigh, Kumeu, Tauranga, Lake Taupo, Gisborne, Wellington; we been all around New Zealand, on South Island as well {Queenstown, Wanaka}. Also there was many beautiful and emotional engagement sessions {pre-wedding photo shoot} which made our hearts sing.

Matt, my second photographer and husband been always next to me in the wedding team. We work as a clock - understanding each other without words, support each other and share creative ideas. Its made our journey easy, flawless and more exciting. Our two little ones stayed at home well looked after by nana. Thank you so much all these amazing people for help.

Also need to mentioned great wedding photographers community, many meetings with creative minds for tea/coffee, its so great to share common passion, share ideas and recharge with positive vibe. Not forgetting an amazing vendors {venues, make-up artists, hair stylists, wedding dresses designers {we having amazing partnership with talented designer Trish Peng}, flowers, suits, and all wedding suppliers, the list is endless!}.

Also need to mention two wedding workshops what I visited {yes, learning never stops and they are a great way to get some inspiration and learn a new tool box}: Two Mann {amazing husband and wife team from Canada, Erika and Lanny a true inspiration!} and Free the Bird {Jai from Australia is a creative mastermind}. So good to met them and other inspiring photographers!

As you see past season been productive, positive and full on! We are so excited to recharge {not so we have much free time at this winter months} and looking forward to our next season 2017 | 18 {fully booked, but there always a spot for epic wedding :)} and even 2018 | 19 {as bookings are already open and filling up fast}. Its can be hard to imagine we plan so far in advance but its world of weddings :)

Enjoy this video slide show with highlights and our favourite photographs. Let me know if you have any questions!

x Warmly, Olga {Levien & Lens Photography} - Auckland, New Zealand wedding photographers.

Contact me with any questions!

Happy wedding anniversary {Northland wedding photographers} Claire and Josh

Im so excited to say Congratulations and happy wedding anniversary to Claire and Josh, their boho farm DIY wedding in Maungaturoto {Northland, New Zealand} been just amazing, I remember every single moment with warm feelings.

Not surprising their photos been published in Boho Weddings, wedding had such a great rustic atmosphere with lots of DIY items, which looks just beautiful!

So much work and love put into it. We enjoy every moment from getting ready in Maunghawai Heads to ceremony in family farm paddock and reception in marquee afterwards with great music from amazing irish band "Pat for President", everybody been up dancing!

Here is some highlights - memories, feel free to browse through their past wedding gallery in our Blog!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Gisborne DIY farm wedding {New Zealand destination weddings photographer} Kathleen & Steven

Kathleen & Steven {06.02.2017}

Congratulations to amazing couple who celebrated their special day with close friends and family on their parents farm in Gisborne {New Zealand}. I shoot two destination weddings over those hot weekend in Gisborne {yes, it was over 34 degrees, crazy hot! but weather can't stop love and celebrations :)}.

This wedding had some special freedom atmosphere, unique spirit and great people around on the day, Im always glad to meet open and kind people as it was in Gisborne. Farm DIY environment add to the atmosphere. "Lots of DIY items; my mother gave me a necklace that used to belong to my granny - her mum. The groom's ring is based on the father of the bride's wedding ring."

Couple shared their story:

"We met on a night out when our groups of friends came together. Steve was living in Gisborne and I was just back for a month before heading to Europe for 4 months. We spent about 3 weeks together before I went overseas. We kept in touch the whole time, and by the time I got back we were basically together. I then went back to Christchurch for a year and we continued our relationship long distance with many trips back and forth! I moved back to Gisborne and we lived together for a year before I moved to Hamilton to do further studies. After a few more months long distance, Steve moved up to Hamilton as well. We stayed there for the rest of the year before moving to Auckland so I could work and Steve could start studies. We've now been here for 4 years - together for over 7."

How was made a proposal: "On his graduation day he arranged for us to go up the Sky Tower for dinner. He hid the ring in a handmade box in one of his socks. I'm very scared of heights so he was a bit worried at first when I was so uneasy, he then started feeling a little bit seasick from the rotating restaurant. But after the food came out we got used to it. After dinner but before dessert, he pulled out a card with a poem in it that he had written for me. The end of the poem was his proposal, and he produced the ring in a beautiful wooden box that he had carved himself." Such a beautiful and romantic story from Kathleen!

Happy future together!

Great creative team:
Dress is a Rue de Seine from Secret Lace Bridal {Kumeu, Auckland};
Suits - Hallenstein Brothers
Celebrant is Norman Maclean, a drama teacher from Gisborne
and New Zealand & International destination wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography

Enjoy this video slideshow and gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Photo featured in Auckland weddings - The truth about what really matters on your wedding day {NZ couples photographer}

Have a look at beautiful article on Auckland weddings "The truth about what really matters on your wedding day". You can find there useful tips and wedding inspiration as well as our featured photo {in the row with other talented NZ couples photographers}.

Its not surprising image with laughing Maya was chosen by editors - this pre-wedding happiness at getting ready moments and raw emotions made the picture, and well deserved to be mentioned the first in moments what really matters!

Maya

Enjoy this publication and have a look back to Maya & Andy's amazing outdoor garden wedding in St. Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland}. One of my favourite weddings in past wedding season, there was just amazing emotions, candid moments, and warm atmosphere!

Contact me with any questions!

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Highwic historic house-museum winter wedding {Auckland NZ lifestyle weddings photographer} Sherrie & Simon

Sherrie & Simon celebrated their special day in Highwic {historic house in Epsom-Newmarket, Auckland NZ} in the middle of the winter. Couple fly over from Australia where they living to organise their wedding in New Zealand, as all groom's family lives mainly in Auckland. As a lifestyle wedding photographer I captured a lot of beautiful weddings with many amazing moments, but I never been in such a special venue having so much heritage and special atmosphere in each room. Love it! Ceremony near fireplace and beautiful piano, wooden walls and candles around, unforgettable memories and so many photo opportunities around!

Sherrie & Simon have really unusual story of proposal, I never heard anything like this, original as a couple: "We had been excitedly discussing the prospect of getting engaged for a month or so. Simon was in his second week of travelling Europe of a 4 month trip. I awoke one morning to find that he had changed our relationship status on Facebook to engaged, a flood of congratulatory comments and “likes” had already found the event before I had. I was shocked but giggling with excitement. Our haphazard engagement reinforced our resolve and brought much needed comfort to me in times the distance was nearly too much to bear."

Simon was really excited to see all his friends and family in New Zealand and celebrate this wedding day in warm and cosy atmosphere with around 45 guests sharing their love and feelings. Sherrie  had a hands full to organise everything from overseas! Its might be so overwhelming! 

We spent amazing time with couple taking pictures after the ceremony around the historic museum, having ride in retro car to Cornwall park nearby and also had a sneak from reception at Billiards House and taking some night shots under the big tree {as Sherrie shared with me how much she loves forestry atmosphere and would love to have stunning photographs near the trees}. I loved to create something beautiful for this amazing couple.

Thank you for sharing with me so special moments! Happy future together!

Great Creative team:

Venue - Highwic

Celebrant - Sue Eustace Celebrant & JP
Makeup - Phoenix Cosmetics
Flowers - Roses Florist
and Levien & Lens Photography - New Zealand {mostly Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty} and destination wedding photographer - Nationwide, International | lifestyle - timeless couples photography

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

St Margarets Cafe - Karaka {Auckland lifestyle wedding photographer} Maya and Andy

This beautiful wedding in St Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland} been my last wedding of this busy weddings season :) Need to say its been a great happy ending, Maya & Andy celebrated their special day with their friends and family with so warm and fun atmosphere! I enjoyed every single moment of this amazing wedding with such an open and kind people around. It was great to capture all lifestyle moments, candids, raw emotions - believe me there was a lot of crying and laughing!

Speeches at reception been full of fun details and stories (especially Dads from both sides done amazing job describing bride and groom's childhood, some funny and dangerous moments, I became worried about my 4 years old son as Andy's childhood stories remind me of his activities :) Every moment on this wedding was emotional and beautiful!

Couple met each other when they were 18. Maya said: "Andy saw a photo of me on my friends wall and tried his luck (it worked)". They LOVE to travel {lived in England for a year and travel around the Europe}, snowboarding, and ... food! :) {I definitely feel a strong connection with this amazing couple! :)} "Proposal was made at home on Christmas Day... Beautiful and simple".

Thats how feels all this wedding: beautifully simple! From getting ready moments in Maya and Andy's parents houses in Pukekohe {with 3 bridesmaid, 3 groomsmen and close family and friends} to ceremony near beautiful pond and reception in St Margarets Cafe in Karaka, Auckland {with 100 guests under the marquee}.

It was interesting to find out that Maya and her mum, sister and sister in law did a lot of DIY items:  "We DIY our own bouquets!!! They were amazing!! I was lucky enough to have insanely creative souls in my life like my mother, sister, and sister in law. We DIY our wedding favours which were fig and feijoa chutney made from all our own produce. We DIY the bridesmaids dresses.. well my mum did!! Shes amazing… she copied a miss Crabb design! They were incredible!"

 No need more words, look at these video and amazing gallery!

Great creative team:
Dress - Secret Lace Bridal
Makeup by Lucy Hare and Natalie Rose {Blooming Beauty}
Hair by Olivia Adams on Salon St Bruno
Celebrant - Darryl Parker
MC- Ben Green (brother in Law)
DJ- Russell Wills
and your photographer - Olga from Levien & Lens Photography ;)

Contact me with any questions!

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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!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}