Shoot and Share Contest Results {Award-Winning Wedding photographer in Auckland - New Zealand}

So excited about this fantastic news - I just received Shoot and Share contest results and images that I submitted got a great acknowledgement: one photo in top 100, two images as category finalists, 11 pictures in Top 10%, 17 photos in Top 20%, 12 photographs in Top 30%. Its such a pleasure to me, Auckland wedding photographer {New Zealand} to see such a high performance for my wedding and lifestyle family work. Such surprising results, mainly when you know, there were over 800000 submissions from over 150 countries around the world.

shoot and share contest results - Olga Levien

It's great to know; my favourite images got in the top rated photos, chosen by the audience. But there were surprises as well: one picture from my moody Styled Shoot got in the category finalists, and I even never got to share it as there were so many another fantastic images from this shoot. Such great teamwork from all vendors who made it possible.

Enjoy these photos - results with my wedding work. Have a look at my lifestyle website to see my project award winners and favourites!

West Auckland Beach - Karekare Falls engagement | pre-wedding session {New Zealand weddings photographers} Kimberly and Mark

Beautiful time with amazing people - Kimberly & Mark on their pre-wedding | engagement photo shoot on Karekare Beach with Falls, one of the most gorgeous and secluded West Auckland, New Zealand beaches. Its such a pleasure for me as wedding photographer capture so unique for couple moments on this breathtaking engagement session location.

Interesting fact - Kimberly made her way from Oklahoma {USA} to New Zealand to meet the love of her life Mark. I'm so excited about couples upcoming wedding in the USA in September!

Kimberly shared couple's love story: "Mark was the first person I had ever met that I immediately felt that I could be all of me in front of. We were best friends the day we met, I can talk to him about anything. When people say you know when you know, that is literally how i felt. We encourage each other to grow and are stronger together. My father laughs because I had to travel across the world to find "The One" but sometimes that's what love takes, I absolutely adore him and believe there was some other higher power or energy that brought us together and I couldn't be more thankful!"

Proposal story just amazing: "First of all Mark asked my Father for my hand in marriage (he is super traditional) and Mark knew it meant a lot to me. So he had asked my dad several days before he asked me. So my dad kept asking my mom, Has she said anything? (which I knew nothing of until after). Mark and I went to a nice dinner and then were walking along the riverside in Oklahoma, I was wanting coffee and he was trying to take me to the perfect spot but me being myself dragged him to get coffee first. Finally we were walking along the river and he turned to me and made me stop walking and said, I knew you were going to be the one I married from the first time I met you, and I know that is crazy but its true. He tells me I mean the world to him and he wants me to be his wife, So he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was crying and shaking and beyond excited! We went home and told my mom and dad soon after and were going to wait to announce it to the social media world, but my dad was way to excited and kinda announced it for us. which in the end was perfect." This so hear warming story about beautiful souls!

Enjoy our session highlights in video slideshow and gallery, contact me with any questions!

Waihi Beach pre-wedding | engagement session {Waikato - Auckland NZ weddings photographer} Rochelle and Matt

Excited to share with you a highlights from Rochelle & Matt's pre-wedding | engagement session on Waihi Beach {Waikato NZ} where I drove from Auckland to capture special for couple moments with their family. Can't wait to to be their wedding photographer in Tauranga, not long to go now!

It was such a great time on the beach just before the sunset, with warm and positive emotion and lots of love. 

Couple shared their love story: "Matt and I meet 3.5 years ago through mutual friends. Matt facebook stalked me by looking through the mutual friends friends list. At this time Matt and I traveled a lot for our work, we both happened to be in Wellington at the same time and tee'd up a "date" which went really well so we tee'd up another more formal date the following weekend when we were back in Auckland. he took me to a really romantic French Restaurant, I had an allergic reaction to either the Lesgargot or the french dessert wine and he had to take me home really early.... Luckily my sneezy puffy face with crying eyes didn't scare him away.... and the rest is happily ever togetherness and foreverness history xxxx". The proposal: " Poor Matt tried to Propose many many times, apparently the ring had been out with us many times whilst Paddleboarding, hiking and out on dinner dates, Fiji, and another promise type ring in Noosa. Eventually he managed to pull it off during one of our hikes."

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and a gallery!

couple engagement pre-wedding hug at sunset beach hills with sun flare | Auckland wedding photographers
bride and groom walking on the beach - candid natural moment | Tauranga wedding photographer

Kara + David - featured wedding publication by Auckland Weddings {New Zealand photographer}

Excited to share with you this featured publication by Auckland Weddings with Kara + David, one of my favourite weddings from the last wedding season.

The wedding took place on Waihi Beach, such a gorgeous place with plenty of photo opportunities.  There was such warm and unique atmosphere.  We enjoyed every single moment of this day!

Enjoy this publication by Auckland Weddings and have a look at more images in our Blog {including video highlights}.

Contact me with any questions!

Kara & David

Kara & David

Happy wedding anniversary Sherrie and Simon - Highwic {Auckland wedding photographers}

Just want to say Happy wedding anniversary to Sherrie & Simon who made their way from Australia last year to celebrate this special day with their friends and families in Highwic - historical house {Auckland, New Zealand}. Their winter wedding had such a special feel and vibe, it was a pleasure to be their wedding photographers and capture so special for couple moments!

Happy future together!

Enjoy a few highlights from their wedding day!

Contact me with any questions!

First Look - Bride and Groom pre-ceremony photo session {Auckland NZ wedding photographer}

You know a lot of couples prefer to not spend much time away from the guests between ceremony and reception as they want to have a quality time with friends and family. First Look is a great solution for have pre-ceremony photo session right after getting ready moments and save the time in between of important for newly weds events. As an Auckland wedding photographer I captured a lot of traditional weddings when bride and groom prefer to see each other at the ceremony site when bride walking down the aisle and groom waiting to meet her. I understand this special tradition and meaning behind it.

But if you not mind to see each other before the ceremony First Look can be a great option for make your timeline special and flawless. You still get those special emotions as groom will be waiting for you turning back to you {he usually wait for quit a long time, so all emotions became really intense and ready to explored with happy laugh or tears at moment when bride gently touch groom's shoulder or close his eyes, or maybe even give a little kiss - whatever feels more natural to your couple}.

Its amazing moments to captured, so much mystery, intrigue, waiting moments, expectations and then happy positive emotions with smiles and tears in the eyes. Im as photographer and romantic person in love in this tradition {so popular in USA, Canada and Europe}.

Right after the first look we can do a family shots (if they are around}, bridal party and bride and groom intimate session and then with no pressure move to ceremony and reception. 

Some couples also considering to do first look and intimate session between ceremony and reception as they want to do pictures in different location and change atmosphere. Its still save the time between ceremony and reception. 

Usually bride and groom session can take between one and two hours {depends on location), so sometimes guests waiting for couple been back to reception after few hours {including family formals and bridal party shoot}; with first look option with time go down to 30 min - 1 hours {depends on amount of extra images required by couple}.

So as we mentioned first look worth to consider if you want to:

1. save the time between ceremony and reception;

2. not make guests wait for a long time; 

first look {Auckland wedding photographer}

3. get interesting experience with non-traditional wedding timeline;

4. make the best out of such emotional moments along with bride and groom {and their close family, without all ceremony guests}

5. get all intimate photos done before the ceremony and move it out of the way.

Consider:

1. First look not suit traditional couples who prefer to see each other on the ceremony site.

2. Sometimes time before the ceremony not best for pictures as light not so soft as at late afternoon {but if its scheduled at morning you can still get beautiful photographs; and also good photographer can take pictures even at noon bright sunny weather}.

3. you can always entertain the guest with  games on the grass, cocktail hour, snacks and positive things. Most of the time they are enjoying each others compony and happily laughing {if you have a second photographer on site he can capture these happy moments what you are missing being on location bride & groom photo session}.

first look {Auckland wedding photographers}
first look - bride and groom pre-ceremony photo session {New Zealand wedding photographer}

4. obviously first look will be an intimate moment so all guests can't see bride's and groom's first reaction when they seen each other after getting ready.

So its your call what traditions closer to your couple and what can perfectly fit in your wedding day timeline. Its great to know all options and consider some other ways of wedding planning!

first look - bride and groom pre-ceremony photo shoot {Auckland NZ wedding photographers}

For photographers I would suggest to have a second shooter / assistant who can capture the moments from different angles and with different focal length for give a gallery variety. {thank you Matt and Fengjin for assistance on Langham Hotel wedding!}

Also note: you can make a similar idea first look with bride's dad. Its unforgettable memories!

Less words more images! Have a look at firsts look from our recent wedding in Langham Hotel with Basma and Mohamad. Such amazing and emotional moments! Love is all around :)

Enjoy it and contact me with any questions!

Bridal Show - High Tea by Trish Peng {Auckland wedding photographer} Sofitel Viaduct

Amazing day in Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour on Trish Peng Bridal High Tea with few trusted wedding vendors and beautiful brides with their friends and families. 
Here is a fast sneak peek :)
{no worries, Im not showing brides faces in case they tried their perfect wedding gown, we all want to keep it as surprise :)} 
Wedding Co: All Made UpGather & TwineGrandeur EventsMaracaMildred&CoSweet Bites CakesThe Amazing Travelling Photobooth BOPWeddings by ParisWorking StyleWedding TravelNew Zealand Weddings Magazine and your photographers Levien & Lens Photography {thank you Matt for assistance}.

Gallery from amazing Bridal High tea by Trish Peng are ready, so many beautiful moments and emotions! Enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!