Eagle Ridge Estate - Rochelle and Matt - Tauranga weddings {Auckland based wedding photographers}

These beautiful people - Rochelle & Matt get married at such a stunning place as Eagle Ridge Estate {Tauranga, New Zealand} with fantastic views and warm and cosy atmosphere. It was a pleasure for us, their wedding photographers, to make a trip from Auckland to capture so unique for couple moments with their friends, family and all the emotions!

Lucky we already met at their family - engagement photo shoot {you can check gallery highlights in our Blog}, so it was a pleasure to see their boys and parents again.

There was a surprise twist as Rochelle prepared two wedding dresses, both of them was so amazingly beautiful with gorgeous details, especially at the back, love it!

The couple shared their romantic story: "Matt and I met 3.5 years ago through mutual friends. Matt facebook stalked me by looking through the mutual friend's friendslist and often asked them to "hook us up". They didn't do this and declined to do so for a long time, but I knew about it and him. About six months later, when I was catching up with the mutual friends, I thought to myself, I should and am ready to meet this guy, and I should ask them to arrange it. During lunch my friend says to me without my mentioning anything, "I think you should meet this guy, what if I'm getting in the way of love by not letting you two meet each other" So from there, I told her to tell him to add me on facebook which he did. At this time Matt and I travelled a lot for our work, we both happened to be in Wellington at the same time, and tee'd up a "date" which went well, so we need up to another more formal date the following weekend when we were back in Auckland. He took me to a 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 xxx" The proposal: "Poor Matt tried to Propose many many times. Apparently, the ring had been out with us many times while 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."

Great Creative Team:

Great Creative Team:  Eagle Ridge Estate
Dresses - Jessica Bridal
Suits - Munns The Mans Store
Florist - Sweetpea & Jasmine
Makeup - Chrissie Callard - Make up Artist
Hair - Lynette Burlison Hairdressing
Stationery Paper Darling Celebrant - Robyn Paterson - Celebrant
photo shoot at Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary
and Levien & Lens Photography, Auckland based wedding photographers

Enjoy this beautiful wedding highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:

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Bay of Plenty wedding | Sonya and Ryan - Happy Anniversary | New Zealand weddings photographers

Its hard to believe we shot this amazing wedding with Sonya & Ryan near Tauranga {Bay of Plenty} one year ago, on New Year's Eve. Time is flying so fast! As wedding photographers, we have been travelling all over New Zealand to capture so many beautiful and emotional weddings around the country and beyond. This wedding take a special place in our hearts!

We love to remember all these unique and emotional moments on the wedding day, as each of them so treasured for our awesome clients and us.

Enjoy these highlights! Happy Wedding Anniversary, Sonya & Ryan! Hope all goes well for your adventures overseas!

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Papamoa Beach - Tauranga engagement session {Bay of Plenty pre-wedding photographer}

I met with Nikki & Josh cloudy Saturday morning on Papamoa Beach {near Mt Maunghanui} - such a great spot in Tauranga {Bay of Plenty, NZ}. Couple contacted me as wedding photogpraher looking for engagement session at winter time. I been really excited and happy to capture special for them moments. 

Couple met each other: "at a youth group pool party. Best frIends for years. The day we met, the day Josh asked Nikki out and the day Josh proposed are all the same day. He proposed 7 years exactly from the day we first met at the beach at sunset". Their ideal date night: "Fireplace in winter, stars in summer". It's so romantic! I love when couples sharing with me their special moments and their story, its helps a lot to understand their vibe and relationship and capture photographs what truly shows the story, emotions and candid moments along with some portraits.

Its was freezing, windy and rain starts right after 20-30 min of our photo shoot. We still managed to get some beautiful and emotional photographs before that, I love and enjoyed every single moments with these amazing people, so excited about their upcoming wedding in Hamilton Gardens in September {watch this space!}.

Enjoy these highlights in the gallery:

Contact me with any questions!

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Sonya and Ryan's Chic Beach Wedding published in Modern Weddings {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga NZ photographers}

Im really excited to share with you amazing news: Sonya & Ryan's New Years Eve wedding just been published in Modern Weddings as "Chic Beach Wedding".

This wedding was just unforgettable with warm and cosy atmosphere in Maketu beach with ceremony at the backyard with views to Mt Maunghanui {Tauranga}. We specially drove from Hamilton, NZ to capture for couple such a special moments and come back home just 5 minutes before 12 am to celebrate the New Year :) Such a great memories! 

Sonya & Ryan had amazing day sharing their feelings with close friends and families {who come over to NZ from overseas all around the world}. You can have a look at our wedding highlights couple of months ago and check the fresh publication in Modern Weddings. Its a great pleasure to see these images featured!

Congratulations to beautiful couple and Happy future together!

Contact me with any questions!

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Classic Maketu Beach backyard wedding {Tauranga - Bay of Plenty weddings photographers} Sonya and Ryan

Amazing way to meet a New Year - wedding on New Year's Eve :) Sonya & Ryan celebrated this special day with their families and friends in Maketu on the top of the cliff with views to Mt Maunganui and beach {near Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand}, with relaxed, fun and warm atmosphere.

Couple shared their romantic proposal story: "During a trip to Colorado we went for a hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Ryan managed to convince Me to go off the track to a river where he went down in one knee, opened a ring box and proposed. We looked at the map on return to the car and it turned out the river was called the "Thompson" river." Such a great memories! Couple together for 10 years and their feelings only getting stronger with their two little ones. :)

Thank you Sonya & Ryan for sharing with me special moments of your wedding day! Happy future together!

Great Creative Team:

Wedding Dress - Corina Snow Bridal Couture
Suit - Mohan's Custom Tailors, Singapore
Boys suits - Next.
Wedding Cake - Spongedrop
Catering - Good things kitchen
Flowers - Te Puke Florist
Music for ceremony - Fletcher Oxford - Musician and Song Writer
Band - Adam and Kyle; Tent - Stretch Tents Bay of Plenty ; Celebrant - Carol Rickard
and your Tauranga - Bay of Plenty wedding photographers - Levien & Lens Photography

Enjoy this slideshow and gallery!

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Old Forest School Vintage Venue {Tauranga - Bay of Plenty wedding photographer}

Old Forest School near Tauranga {Te Puke, Bay of Plenty} is such a special vintage wedding venue. Its a dream! As a wedding photographer I heard a lot of positive words about this venue but never had a chance to visit it. 

Luckily my friend, wedding photographer Tiffany Curtis asked me for help, and I been happy to give a hand and captured Tracy & Che's beautiful wedding last weekend. It was amazing wedding with great atmosphere - some laugh and crying moments. Im posting only some highlights and leave to Tiffany to showcase a complete wedding gallery. I would love to give brides the opportunity to scout around and see real atmosphere of this gorgeous place in photographs.

So many beautiful spots around the venue as Old School, Redwood Stables, Big and Little Barn, Tin Shed, Faraway Wood, Lovelock Lane, Redwood Bar and Tippy, cabins, tennis court, cricket and plenty of other activities making your guests busy while you are away from the guests.

Venue is in great location near Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatane, so handy!

Also need to mention amazing care from owners and stuff, you can feel warm atmosphere and great surroundings.

Enjoy this gallery!

Please contact me with any questions!

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

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

Congratulations on your engagement! Look forward to your wedding!

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

Contact me with any questions!

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Photography as a career - letter to my follower {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding photographer}

I just got an interesting inquiry - letter from 16 years old Caitlyn with question about choosing photography as a career. Im a lifestyle wedding photographer and capturing weddings for a few years now {around New Zealand - mainly Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga areas} and its good to look back and see all pros and cons about photography business.

Thats my letter to Caitlyn:

" Thank you so much for your inquiry and your kind words. Its great that you passionate about photography.

Photography definitely can be a career if you feel strongly about your passion, confident and feel ready to start this business.

Pros:

- ability to be creative, artistic and feel the freedom;

- capture treasured memories for people {once a life events}, make them happier;

- get a positive emotions during and after the session {from people around, their connection and happiness};

- work in your own schedule; be your own boss;

- meet new people and visit new places;

- follow your passion, do what you love;

- do something for yourself.

Cons:

- its a 24/7 job (so you constantly thinking about your business, clients, ideas, improvements, etc.);

- you need constantly to be on social media and work on your marketing - blogging, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter etc. {otherwise people never know about you};

- needs a lot of investment {equipment - expensive cameras, lenses worth thousands of dollars. When you doing a wedding photography you need to have a backup cameras, lenses, flashes etc.), also business spends, insurance, marketing, web, software, travel, packaging etc.;

- its an emotional work {as an artist you have up and down moments, feel happy or unhappy about your work and also really emotional when communicating with people - answer for inquiries, waiting for client's reply, and sometimes people never come back to you, but also those who love your work choose you and your style; so its really sensitive and personal};

- its hard to balance photography and family | personal life, as business take over and sometimes almost impossible to find time for your little ones and for yourself; spend a lot of time on the road for destination weddings;

- most of the time you are spending for editing pictures and managing business, which is much more then actual shooting time (proportions looks like 90% and 10 %), so you need to enjoy all aspects of the business {or found someone who you can delegate these responsibilities).

So there a lot of positive moments and some negative too. The main thing - do what you love and what make you happy! :) You need study a lot and always progress. Also note: for made photography a profitable business needs around 2-3 years of hard work.

Hope its helps!

Good luck with your passion and your chosen pass! Hope there will be people around you who will support you and make it easier!

Warmly,

Olga"

Contact me with any questions!

Photography tips for shy couples {New Zealand lifestyle wedding-engagement photographer}

Everyone have unique character and personality: some of us easy going open people, some naturally shy, especially with unknown people. I decided to put together a few photography tips for shy couples on the wedding day, which really important for me as a photographer {serving destination weddings all around New Zealand: Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and surrounding areas}.

Its always hard to relax in front of camera and know what to do {believe me I just did 5 years anniversary self-portrait with my husband and it was so hard to understand what to do when we can't see ourself from the side}. It was a mess! Thats why good to choose photographer who you can truly trust and who can direct you.

This trust can be build on engagement session beforehand {so you already have experience together, understand each other and how you are roll :)} or at pre-wedding consultation {when you can have a chat not just about the wedding, but about pretty much everything and find common interest and feel the connection}. I always try to understand couples personalities and their needs, had a meeting or good talk via the phone and sending a wedding Questionnaire with some personal questions beforehand.

Also remember - its natural to be stiff in front of camera first 15-20 min {believe me everyone having this experience}, thats why you need to allow yourself enough time on intimate session along from the guests {i would recommend at least 1-1.5 hours - add extra time for more locations}.

As a photographer I would suggest for shy couples more actions - mix of posed and unposed shots, interaction including chatting with each other and photographer {walking together, sitting relaxing, telling each other what they thought at first meeting, what they most exciting about, laughing, breath each others in etc.

And last tip - just enjoy the moment, you just married, so happiness naturally shining through your eyes and everyone around can feel it {camera too ;)}! 

Enjoy these moments together and don't forget to have fun! I will be there for you :)

Contact me with any questions!

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Bride and her father {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

Moment when father see his daughter for a first time after her getting ready moments one of most special for me on the wedding day. I travelling a lot around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga areas and meet beautiful people. Its really special for me to see their relationships and emotions!

Maybe because of emotions involved into it, maybe those special connection, or maybe because I never had the opportunity to have these moments myself as my father died when I was 5 years old. I always cried when I seen emotional moments in movies between kids and their dads. These are so special.

But back to the wedding theme. I love when bride have a moment with mum and bridesmaids, but also spent a few minutes during her getting ready with her dad. I also love when brides specially set up a first look with dad, because its so special moment for bride and her dad. I love these moments, stories and emotions. They are so treasured!

Enjoy this gallery from my recent weddings in Auckland, Hamilton NZ and Tauranga areas. No need any words! 

I also been honoured as one of my images completed a Fathers Day gallery by Fearless Photographers, best and such a talented wedding photographers in the world!

Another special detail - one of these pictures won an NZIPP Iris Awards in Wedding Classic category, what a honour! :)

Enjoy these images!

Contact me with any questions!

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Ataahua Garden Venue open day {Tauranga - Bay of Plenty lifestyle wedding photographer}

Dear brides, if you still looking for perfect venue, I want to share with you amazing news: Ataahua {Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, NZ} is having an open day with a lot of wedding vendors and a lot of goodies to take.

Its truly beautiful garden venue with a lot of photography opportunities, I had a honour to capture special moments of Jess and Jase's stunning wedding there. Such a stunning couple, atmosphere and people around. I been truly amazed of level of service and attention to a couple and all wedding guests from Ataahua stuff. That was a treasured moments and beautiful memories!

So have a look at this stunning place if you still searching for perfect venue for your wedding!

Please contact me with any question! Especially if you want me to capture your special day moments! ;)

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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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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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Family holidays in Tauranga {Auckland-Waikato-Bay of Plenty lifestyle wedding photographer}

Its been a happy family holidays in Tauranga (Bay of Plenty) last weekend. We been waiting for these moments from Christmas time because of busy summer wedding season (I been shooting a lot of weddings in Auckland, Waikato around December-January time).

So it was a real treasure to move into the hotel with swimming pool, take kids to the beach, have fun at Memorial park in Tauranga and just try to relax, what not so easy to do with two little ones around :)

I still been doing some work, catch up with my awesome wedding clients in Tauranga: two meetings during one weekend, but thats me, work is never stops, especially my one where you need be on track 24 | 7 :)

I had the opportunity to capture some lifestyle moments around when had feeling I need take this shot because of beauty around, light or just memorable family moments :)

Enjoy this gallery from our family holidays in Tauranga!

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

Wedding Picture feature in HuffPost Weddings {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

What a great honour to discover that my picture been featured in HuffPost Weddings {Huffington Post}! They posted top 50 best wedding photos 2015 award by Bridal Guide and choose one of my pictures for cover of their article. Its such a treasure to be featured in company with so talented wedding photographers around the world. 

Im mostly serving Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and surrounding areas, but always happy to travel to destination weddings nationwide, international. Hopefully there will be a chance very soon! 

Thank you so much for acknowledgement of my work. Im happy my art speaks to so many viewers!

Contact me with any questions!

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