love | light | laughter
AUCKLANd wedding PHOTOGRAPHER | fine art documentary photography
Congratulations to Sarah & Tendy get elopment on Piha beach - West Auckland (with celebrant Celebrant Auckland - Kate Couling).
So much love and positive emotions Couple made all the way from Singapore to New Zealand to get married! What an amazing story!
We had a great time exploring the beach and surroundings, lots of fun, love and laughter, and positive emotions!
Enjoy highlights of couple’s elopement - wedding gallery with intimate session afterwards:
Natalie & Ronald come all the way from Germany to get eloped on beautiful New Zealand beach Congratulations to happy couple!
We met with couple at the beautiful Piha beach with stunning landscapes and beautiful atmosphere. Elopement ceremony was just gorgeous and weather cooperated (luckily no rain till the very last minute of the shoot when skies are opened up and pure rain started!)
Amazing Celebrant: @valeria_celebrant Valeria Antipenko lead the ceremony on Russian and English languages, perfectly suitable for couple with multicultural mix.
Enjoy highlights of this beautiful wedding and couples intimate session afterwards.
Happy future together!
It was a pleasure to shoot this small Castaways wedding with mix of Indian traditions when Meera and Tom who come all the way from Ireland celebrated their special day with close friends and family. The venue is a stunning location in Auckland with amazing views overlooking the ocean and rocks, such a dream for any couples and for me as their photographer!
Couple shared their story: “We met in a pub in Ireland while I was on my OE , and we’ve been together for 5 years. I’ve moved to Ireland since meeting Tom, so I’m happy to home for the wedding!” He proposed “On a beach which we had our first date on”. What a romantic story!
Even though it was very rainy on their wedding day, it can’t stop this beautiful celebration!
Enjoy highlights of their wedding gallery and contact me with any questions!
Exciting times in New Zealand - with couples allowed to enter the country after Covid lockdowns, more travels and elopements became real, like this one with Anna and Devin who come all the way from Germany to get married on Piha Beach {Auckland}.
Amazing and romantic event that is a pleasure to photograph for me - wedding and family photographer, such a beautiful moments and memories that will be treasured forever.
Even small rain can’t stand on the way of this special celebration of love!
Ceremony been run on German and English by amazing celebrant Angelika De Vere next to rocks with ocean views. What a beautiful event full of fun, love and laughter!
Enjoy highlights of couple’s wedding - elopement gallery and contact me with any questions!
Im so excited to share with you highlights of this amazing event in Tawharanui Lodge up North where Kristy and Nick get married celebrated their special day with close friends and family coming mostly from Auckland. Its such a pleasure to be their wedding photographers and capture all the natural candid moments and portraits on this beautiful day!
Couple shared their story: “Kristy and Nick met when they were 16 and 19 years old at Whangaparaoa Tennis Club. This is where the couple first met and everyone thought Nick was Roger Federer’s twin. One day Nick managed to build up the courage to approach his sister, Victoria to ask her for Kristy’s mobile number. It wasn’t long before Courtney had set Kristy and Nick up on a date and the rest is history.” Proposal: “After waiting for 9 years and non-stop hints from the family. Nick thought that it was time to propose. He took Kristy on a surprise trip away to Paihia. When they arrived at their destination Nick thought it would be a great idea to go out and explore the area. They found a waterfall and Nick thought it would be the perfect setting for a proposal. Turning to Kristy, he asked if she would like to go for a walk to the bottom of the waterfall and of course she responded “No!”. That wasn’t the answer Nick was looking for so he responded “well, we are going anyway”. So off they went down the track to the bottom of the waterfall. After taking a few photos they then headed back up the track with Kristy walking on ahead and Nick sneakily got out his wallet and begun to unwrap the engagement ring that he had wrapped in bubble wrap. Nick then reached out to Kristy and asked her to stop and look at the scenery. He started to babble on about how fascinating the moss was on the rocks. Kristy thinking he was acting a bit strange at first pointed to a few other things in the distance and then carried on up the track not thinking to much about Nick’s fascination with the moss. Nick then built up the courage and grabbed Kristy’s hand saying “I have something to ask you”. A surprised Kristy turned around and in complete shock started saying “No, no, no, no,no”. Nick responded “yes, yes yes, yes, yes”. As Nick began to get down on one knee Kristy blurted out in embarrassment “stand up”. Nick was thrilled that he didn’t have to get down on one knee for long!. He asked Kristy to marry him and had to clarify if “no actually means yes”. A smitten Kristy responded “yes, yes yes”. She couldn’t believe this moment was actually happening!” What a beautiful story!
Great creative team: Bride dress: Astra Bridal; Bridesmaid dresses: Bridal Brilliance; Florist: Briar Rose Flowers, Warkworth ; Suits: Barkers; Bride shoes: Hush Puppies; Jewellery: Michael Hill; Makeup: Cindy Longley, PureMakeup Artistry; Hair: Vee ; Celebrant: Rebekah Sulman, Moments & Memories NZ; MC: Imi and Phil McCall and Auckland wedding photographers: Olga at L & L - Levien & Lens photography.
Enjoy highlights of this wedding gallery, contact me with any questions!:
Congratulations too beautiful couple get married at The Waterlily Gardens - Kelly and Hayden! Their day was just amazing, celebrating with close friends and family in Waihi, not far from Auckland, in the Waikato region. I would be honoured to be their wedding photographer and we had such an amazing pre-wedding photoshoot but global pandemic took a different turn: planned in April wedding was post-ponned to the end of August {exactly at the time when second lockdown took place in Auckland!!!}. What a chance!
It was such a roller coaster ride with Alert level 3 restrictions extended and inability to travel from Auckland to Waihi for us. I’m so glad we have such a wonderful wedding Photographers community and two local Waikato photographers step in and saved the day! Thank you, Lisa and Emma! You shot such a beautiful moments on the day and it was a pleasure for me to select images in the gallery and edit them in my unique style.
Couple shared their story: “We are highschool sweethearts. We were in the same class when we were 6 years old. We have been together ever since. We completed high school and both attended the University of Waikato and flatted in Hamilton together.” The proposal: “I arrived home from a family function to find Taylor Swift blaring on the radio and red arrows on the floor leading up the hallway to our bedroom. There I found a new dress with wine, a candle, rose petals and a bouquet of flowers and a message in a card to get ready: My Love, you are my world. I couldn’t imagine my life without your laugh, your voice, your smile, your beauty, your intellect. Let’s celebrate tonight, no need to rush, wear whatever is comfortable. I’m waiting in the lounge when you’re ready. I found Hayden dressed up in a fancy new suit. He told me we had some time to kill as in my excitement I got ready very quickly, so we opened the wine and chatted and danced for a while. A short drive later, I found myself at the mall. Hayden led us through to the cinemas and up to a theatre where I discovered he had organised a private screening of Disney's The Little Mermaid (we are big Disney fans). He had also organised a picnic basket full of movie snacks and blankets and made me wait until the very end of the movie to pop the question!” What a beautiful story!
Enjoy highlights of this gorgeous wedding!
Great Creative Team:
Celebrant: Holly Gower-Rudman; Cake Maker: Noeline Watts (Groom’s Mother); Florist: Kelly Scawin (Hand-picked); DJ/Band/Musician: Justin Drift (Drift the DJ); Makeup artist: Krystal Hayward (nzmakeupgirl); Hair: Krystal Hayward (nzmakeupgirl); Dress: Vanilla Bridal, Tauranga; Suit: ASOS and Auckland wedding photographers Levien & Lens photography {selections and edit} and Waikato associate photographers - Lisa and Emma.
Im so excited to share with you beautiful gallery - Settler County Manor {Waimauku - West Auckland} wedding, where I had a honour as a photographer to document all special moments for Megan & Carlo celebrated their wedding day with close friends and family. This is truly incredible chapter, as this wonderful event happened just before the lockdown when New Zealand put restrictions on travel, weddings etc. SO its really strange to see how we moved through this day smoothly without knowing what coming ahead.
It was a great day that started at getting ready moments in Te Atatu and Huapai, wedding ceremony and reception at Settlers County Manor and sneak out for quick photos to Riverhead Forest.
We spent some time with couple just few days before their wedding {couple fly all the way over from Australia}, it was such amazing pre-wedding session!
Couple shared their story: “We met at a high school social dance (we went to an all boys & all girls school and our schools were brother/sister schools). We were friends first and then lost contact. Megan moved to Sydney & Carlo one day reached out to reconnect. From there a long-distance relationship started before Carlo moved to Sydney. We have been together almost 10 years.” The proposal: “Carlo booked a fancy steakhouse restaurant under the pretense of an early anniversary celebration. He ended up getting nervous and wasn't going to propose, but luckily for him the waiter broke the ice by ruining the surprise! (When Carlo had made the booking he had selected the option of celebrating an engagement. The waitress was serving dessert and said "I hear you are celebrating an engagement" before he had actually popped the question!)”. Such a romantic story!
Enjoy highlights of this beautiful people wedding in our photo gallery!
Great Creative Team:
Wedding planner: Koko (K Inspire Events); Suit: Woolcott St; Makeup: Kate Solley Makeup; Hair: Huong Phan (Tousle); Celebrant: Matt Gould; DJ: Bo Marcelo; MC: Paula Bituin-Pita & Allan Pita; videographers - Jet (Jetmo Films) and your Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}.
Contact us with any questions!
Im so excited to share with you a beautiful Mudbrick Estate wedding {Waiheke Island, Auckland} where Hanna & Jordan get married surrounded by their close friends and family.
Couple shared their love story: “We are each other's first loves...and we met in Tauranga almost 6 years ago. Our first date was a spontaneous walk up Mt Maunganui to see the sunrise! It was magical and our relationship still is. He proposed on one knee by a sparkling lake, at the same place where we both said 'I love you' for the first time. Even though it wasn't a surprise, I was completely blown away.”
The day started at couple’s houses at getting ready, followed by ceremony at the Chapel at St Cuthbert's College {Epsom}, ferry to Waiheke Island, traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony and Reception at Mudbrick. Such amazing time!
Great Creative Team:
Dress: Vinka Design Suit: Working Style Flowers: Wild Bunch Makeup: Laura Knight Hair: Shelly from HairWork Celebrant: Rev. Ron Mills MC: Ethan Au First dance/Group dance: ADC dance with Kimberley
and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L, Levien & Lens photography.
Enjoy this wedding highlight in photo gallery:
learn my ways at online workshop “Love, Light & Laughter” at Click Photo School {begin 23 March}
contact me with any questions!
This year was just amazing and Im so excited to share with you Best of 2019 - beautiful, emotional and real moments from wedding - engagement - maternity - newborn and family photography.
It was amazing and crazy busy year: with shooting 24 weddings and 17 photo shoots, including one styled shoot, traveling to Bali, Germany, Austria {Europe}, Melbourne, Australia and South Island of New Zealand {Christchurch, Auckland, Gore}; running 3 live photography workshops {two in Auckland and one in Melbourne}, and 4-weeks online workshop Love, Light & Laughter at Click Photo School. Such a beautiful time! I just loved to share my knowledge, my love and my soul!
I progressed in my ice skating, participating in Adult World Championship in Oberstdorf, and won some gold and silver medals on New Zealand Nationals, as well as participated with my synchro team in Australian Nationals, where we got very close to 3rd place with just 0.1 points of difference in scores!
Lot of hard work for the next year and exciting plans ahead! Practice and progress in everything I do!
I can not wait to see what next year brings!
My focus for the next year is harmony, balance, capture only limited number of weddings and sessions, concentrating on personal and educational projects/photography workshops, family and myself, keep doing ice skating and participating in international competitions. I hope to improve my level in everything I do. Having a good sport hobby allowing not only keep healthy body and mind, but also come back refresh to my photography and business. So important to find time for yourself!
Enjoy this look back in some favourites from the last season - best of 2019, including my Top 9 on instagram - on my Personal and Business accounts!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Jo & Regan get married in Rotorua {NZ} Government Gardens - Blue Baths at the Gazebo, such a beautiful location. It was a honour for me to drive from Auckland to be their wedding photographer and capture so many wonderful moments, full of love and laugher!
I met couple before for their engagement session in Auckland Botanic Gardens, so meeting them again on the wedding day was like seeing an old friends! Day went just magical, and so perfect! Dancing took a special part of the day, guests been dancing away right after 7 pm {i never saw such incredible movement with so many people dancing together Macarena, Bruno Mars and so many other songs including a Baby Shark} :)
Couple shared their love story: “We met online (find someone) in June 2014. Our first date was at the Hamilton Lake, Regan bought us coffee and we sat and talked for hours. It was perfect.” Proposal: “At the top of a turret at Warwick Castle, England. He had incorporated our close friend to take photos. It was amazing.” So beautiful memories!
Great Creative Team:
Dress - Astra Bridal Bridesmaids dresses - mix bridal Suits - Hallensteins Flowers - Flaxation Bridesmaid necklaces - stone arrow Make up - Haley Mana Hair - Mel Freeman Hair and Styling Celebrant - Pastor John Ferris MC - Uwe Mana DJ - Pulse DJ’s
and New Zealand wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}
Enjoy this celebration highlights!
Im so excited to capture beautiful, emotional and real moments in any location, not only in Auckland. This time Sybille & Aadil celebrated their special moments at Omaha Beach and had a backyard wedding at their parents property with stunning views to the rocks and ocean.
Informal mingling right after the ceremony and walking on the beach, reception at the marque, so many beautiful memories. Couple come all the way over from UK to New Zealand to celebrate these moments.
Enjoy this wedding highlights!
One of the fabulous venues that I shoot recently is Nocton Woolshed in Clevedon, such a dream for any couple and Auckland wedding photographer. Amazing location on the top of the hill, with stunning views and a great atmosphere!
Lexie & Marcus decided to get married in New Zealand, made their way from New-York {USA} and have such a awesome time with their friends and family!
Couple shared their story: “We met in New York at a bar when we were 23 and spent a week getting to know each other before Marcus left the country for good. After a year and a half of long distance, Lexie moved to New Zealand and we've been together since (7.5 years).” Proposal: “Surprised at Lexie's Finnish ancestor's cabin in New Hampshire. “ Such beautiful memories!
Enjoy this wedding ceremony on the beach following the reception in the Nocton Woolshed {Clevedon, Auckland} - highlights in the photo gallery!
Creative Team: Celebrant: JJ Johnston Day-Of Coordinator: Gail Hackwell MC: Hamish Ellis DJ: MixIt and Auckland wedding photographers - Olga Levien {L & L} - Levien & Lens photography :)
Amazing time at Waterlily Gardens in Waihi where Nina & Carl celebrated their special day with close friends and family. Im as an Auckland based wedding photographer been happy to travel to this gorgeous place with everything in one site {getting ready cottage, beautiful gardens, ponds, stream and a wedding venue with great atmosphere}.
Even rainy day can’t stand on the way of this beautiful celebration with emotional first look on the grounds, short trip to waterfall and relaxed time at ceremony and reception on site.
Couple shared their love story: “Me and Carl met 5 years ago at Uni. Then after a few months of dating things became official when we went for a weekend away in Waihi. It’s been a fun 5 (nearly 6) years together, from our graduations, to moving to Korea for a year and travelling together, to moving to Taupo for a couple of years and now ending up back in Hamilton to further our careers and be closer to family. What I love about Carl is life is always an adventure, he makes me laugh everyday and remember what is truely important in life <3 “.
The proposal happened “Spontaneously , I had planned to do it at a later date, but I had the ring with me over summer. We had just spent the week celebrating Christmas with our families and were at the beach in Waihi relaxing. I had never felt more in love with Nina and felt that the moment was right so we went to the beach and as we were walking along I got down on one knee and proposed. We went for a picnic and celebrated in our favourite spot on top of Bowentown hill overlooking Waihi beach and Anzac bay. Waihi is special to us as it where we spend our summers and it is also where we first officially got together nearly 5 years earlier.”
Enjoy highlights of this special wedding:
Great Creative Team:
Wedding planner - Rachael Pride dress - Brand: Made With Love, Style: Ella flowers - Kayla Schuler makeup - Ririmakeup (Rhi Kaipo) hair - Serena Ross celebrant - Megan McCurley coordinator - Rachael Pride & Jess & Bernie MC - Jess and Bernie Band - the strange arrangement
and Auckland wedding photographers - L & L {Levien & Lens photography}, by Olga Levien
Excited to share with you a recent gallery at Batch Winery on Waiheke Island - such a great place to be in Auckland {all wedding photographers can only dream about such a stunning views and amazing photo opportunities}. Josh & Linda had such a beautiful wedding celebration with their close friends and families. SO treasured and beautiful moments from getting ready in cottages to the ceremony on top of the hills with breathtaking views, couples shoot on Onetangi Beach and back to the Batch.
Couple shared their story: “We met at school in the UK at 12 years old. We became boyfriend and girlfriend for a while. Josh moved to New Zealand and we both lost touch for years. Became friends on facebook and while Linda was travelling in NZ in 2009 we met up as friends and then stayed in touch as friends on facebook. Josh went over to the UK to meet Linda's family and friends and pick her up, and now we're getting married! We have now been together 4 and half years and been engaged 2 years.”
Enjoy highlights in the photo gallery!
your L & L - Auckland based wedding photographers
I'm so excited to announced one on my photos with Tina & Tony at Karekare Beach made it in Top 50 Best of the Best Destination Photo Contest by Junebug Weddings. Its such a honour for me L & L {Levien & Lens photography, based in Auckland New Zealand photos by Olga Levien} to be in such talented company of wedding photographers from all over the world.
Its truly unbelievable to make this list of best wedding photographers in the world!
I appreciate this opportunity and truly grateful for this acknowledgement.
Have at look at all these amazing international destination photographers art work and enjoy this photo with Tina & Tony who made their way from Australia to have their photos taken by me, Olga Levien, Auckland based wedding photographer!
We had such a blast!
I'm so excited to share with you my recent Destination Fiji Wedding with Divya & Gino, I'm so thrilled couple asked me to come over this island from Auckland - New Zealand and be their wedding photographer.
The day was just magical with warm and cosy atmosphere, beautiful sun and clouds, amazing people around and friends that come all the way to Fiji from all over the world.
Couple shared their love story: "We have been together for almost 6 years. He took me to a restaurant on the beach where we had one of our firsts dates and proposed on the beach"
Their wedding was right on the beach area next to Sofitel Hotel. Such a gorgeous place to be!
Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:
Great Creative Team:
Decorations: Grace creations Wedding dress: Megs Tailoring
and International Destination wedding photographers - L & L - Levien & Lens photography - Auckland based weddings 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!
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!
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
So excited to be included in Top 100 Wedding Photographers 2018 by Wedding Photographer Society - Best Weddings Photographers Worldwide Magazine.
It's such a huge honour for me, Auckland elopement-wedding photographer to be in this publication with premier international destination wedding artists. Such a great place to be! I amazed by the level of talent in this magazine.
Enjoy the featured publication and breathtaking imaginary!
Contact me with any questions!
Fantastic time with Sophia & Jethro in North Auckland at their farm wedding near Mangawhai and Puhoi. As a wedding photographer, I love to capture beautiful weddings all around New Zealand and beyond, but farm - barn weddings have such a unique, freedom atmosphere with great spirit. We start getting ready in Mangawhai and then went to the farm at Puhoi, also ha an excellent opportunity to visit Wenderholm Regional park for couple's session with the bridal party, and finished at the reception under the marquee with 200 guests. It was such amazing day with a great atmosphere.
The couple shared their love story with the proposal: "After an alpine hike in the Milford sound, on a snow-topped mountain at sunset (with wine and cheese) :) AMAZING!"
Great Creative Team:
Makeup- Kate Manihera- Makeup Artist
Celebrant - Sandra Turner
MC - Sarah Drum & Daniel Gillespie
Band - The Dukes of Hammersmith
Flowers - My little flower company, Mangawhai
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographers. Thank you Gemma for second shooting!
Enjoy this video slideshow and highlights in the photo gallery:
