Sports Event Photography (Auckland photographer) - Ice Figure Skating

If you are wondering what Im up to in between of wedding seasons. The answer is simple - I’m not only skating myself as an adult ice skater (and have my daughter skating), but also happy to help skating community and capture sports event photography in Auckland (and experienced event photographer by now shooting over 10 seasons) - my favourite ice figure skating competitions during the skating season (which falls perfectly in between of my favourite couples and weddings, family photo shoots). When weather not so nice with big chance of rain, and wind on the beach, great to spent time inside to enjoy warm atmosphere at competitions.

Perfect for me to put together two of my passions - photography and skating!

This year I been asked to be an official photographer for three sport events - competitions in Auckland: Skate Academy Competitions, Allegro Championship and North Island Championships.

Enjoy these moments of beauty, power and grace in photo gallery highlights:

Allegro Artistic Competitions (Auckland event photographer)

As some of you may know I love figure skating, figure skater myself, and often get asked to capture ice skating competitions, which Im happy to do to give back to skating community and enjoy all the beauty, power and grace on the ice.

This time it was Allegro Artistic competitions in Auckland - very last competitions of the year and skating season.

Skaters get the opportunity to relax, have fun and choose any character and create a fun or emotional routine specially for this competitions.

Our team (me and my husband) get chance to photograph all these moments, as I been skating performing my new program myself and then switched into shooting mode!

Enjoy highlights of Allegro Artistic Competitions! Happy New Year!

Hopefully this year brings lots of positive emotions, love and laughter!

Such a great way to finish the year on the high!

Karaka in-home Engagement Party {Auckland wedding photographer} Vanisha & Jason

Vanisha & Jason

It was a real pleasure to have met such an extraordinary couple!  Both their families and friends also, at their beautiful in-home engagement party in the couple's new house in Karaka, Auckland.  The engagement party came together with their housewarming event. 

It is always a big honour for me, as the photographer, to capture the bride and groom's story right from the beginning, following through the pre-wedding photo shoot and then to capture unique moments for them on their wedding day.

This party was just fantastic, full of warm and cozy atmosphere, laughter and special moments.

Enjoy these video highlights and peek in the event gallery.

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Bride's Dress: Hanellei

Photographer: Olga at Levien & Lens photography - New Zealand {Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty} wedding photographers

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30th in Highwic {Auckland event-wedding photographer}

We had such amazing time in Highwic {Auckland, NZ} where Danae celebrated her 30th birthday with close friends and family. It was unusual event to shoot for me as a wedding photogpraher, as usually Im capturing beautiful weddings around North and South Island, but this event was a real treat and gem, it was such a pleasure to capture all these special for Danae and her family moments!

This venue have such a special warm and cosy atmosphere, some traditional and rustic feel. Guests been entertained by games outdoors and indoors, snacks and drinks under the tent; and special part of the day - irish dances. There was so much fun - all people really enjoyed to learn new steps and patterns, move in the rhythm and just feel the music.

Need to mentioned we also had a following session in Cornwall park where we had opportunity to capture some extra portraits with girls :) {I been stuck in traffic before then, I had no idea it was an Adel's concert on, so been terribly late for the shoot, I been so sorry but we still manage to get beautiful and treasured pictures with Danae's close family}.

GREAT CREATIVE TEAM:

Raj tent club - {4m pavillion tent to go outside the Billiard House} 

La Lumiere - festoon lights{to hang in some of the trees}

Pop Roc Parties - miscellaneous party supplies from them

Highwic House - Venue

Little Bird Unbakery and Raw Kitchen - cakes/slices

and Auckland wedding photographer - Levien & Lens photography

Enjoy this video and gallery!

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Rainbows End 1 year birthday party {Auckland lifestyle event photographer}

Rainbows End {Auckland, NZ} is a perfect place for kids birthday party! How happy might be a child to have so special event in this magical place, thats how felt 1 year old birthday boy Daniel! 

I loved to capture lifestyle moments of the event: kids having fun at attractions, parents talking and laughing, beautiful party details around.

Congratulations to beautiful mama Katya on this big date - one year! Time goes so fast with little ones! This event was so special for me as I been capturing Daniel's pictures when he been a little baby, so its a real pleasure to see how these little babies became a big kids, walking and running around. Congratulations to happy parents!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

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Nana's 90 {Auckland-Hamilton-Morrinsville event-wedding photographer}

Some events are so special! I love to shoot weddings and travel a lot around Auckland-Hamilton areas. Last weekend I been capturing different event - 90th Nana's birthday party at the farm near Morrinsville. I been happy to see this family second time (I captured Lisa's 21st at the same location last year), with Nana, her children, grandchildren and much more :)

What a special memories for this amazing family! There was special warm atmosphere, Nana so proud of all her family! Is so great to be surrounded by so many loving family members.

Enjoy this gallery!

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Whangaparaoa beach birthday party {Event-family-kids photographer Auckland-Hamilton NZ}

I love to shoot weddings, but also happy to capture all other special events - treasured moments for each family - newborn, kids, birthday parties. I drove to Whangaparaoa {Auckland} few weeks ago to capture a beautiful 1 year old boy's birthday party.

This trip from Hamilton to Auckland was special for me because just half year ago I been doing this gorgeous boy 6 month baby lifestyle photo shoot at Lake Tarawera {Rotorua}. I love to travel to clients sessions around the North and South Island and capture treasured for them moments. Sometimes clients want to keep pictures private and I absolutely respect their privacy (it's a personal choice), but I always excited to share some pictures from session for give everyone a feel of my style and how I love to shoot. This time I had permission to share a few pictures with you, what Im doing right away :)

We captured some beach family pictures before the party and then joined big family celebration with so warm and enjoyable atmosphere!

Enjoy a few pictures from this Whangaparaoa beach birthday party!

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21st Birthday Party-Morrinsville Lifestyle event photographer

I was so thrilled to be invited to capture Lisa's 21st Birthday Party at her parents farm near Morrinsville last weekend. 

What a great family, atmosphere, amazing guests and incredible surroundings.

Lisa is a fun loving girl, talented singer and song writer as her sister Anna Hawkins. What an amazing family. Lisa's parents are such a happy couple, celebrated 30 years together this year. So many big dates!

We start our photo shoot with taking some portraits for Lisa around her family house to have good memories about her birthday. Then was time for happy family pictures with a lot of fun and laughter. Guests start arriving and I just surfed around and captured candid natural moments with party flow. I just love to capture lifestyle moments and all these raw emotions - smiling and crying (believe me there was some at the speeches, what important and emotional moments!), fun and joy. Thats my style!

It was a real pleasure to meet all Lisa, her family and guests - friends and relatives. Some of these friendships for a very long time, through the years, I heard just amazing stories during the evening. What open and generous people!

I just loved every single moment of this event.

Hope you enjoy this gallery, pictures turned out just amazing!

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Pirate and Princess Birthday Party | Event | Lifestyle photographer Auckland-Hamilton

What a great Pirate and Princess birthday party I visited yesterday and captured some photos.

Kids had so much fun with treasure hunt, real pirate ship, nursery from Peter Pan story, had pillow fight on the trampoline and much more. 
Tyler turned 4 years old, what a big boy, what proud parents! They did a great job with organising a real fairy tale - Neverland at their place! So beautiful decorations, nice snacks for kids and their parents and great entertaining!

Even rain not changed any plans, just made more fun moments for kids (with lightning and thunder). Who else want to have same full of different events party?

Kids been so happy to be at this magic environment!
Here is a gallery, pictures turned just amazing!

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Behind the scene | Couples-Engagement documentary photographer {Event photography Auckland}

Event photography is a lot of fun, dynamic and creative type of photo shoots. 

It's stressful for some people and fun for others :)

You get opportunities to meet new people, make new friends and practice different type of photography styles: formals, documentary, storytelling. From shooting portrait, couples, big group of people to decorations, details and food photography :) From photographing babies, kids at parties, to adults and seniors. So many opportunities! Shooting in dark conditions, inside to sunny outside, nature environment or streets, offices and halls.

You should be well prepared to handle variety and different tasks. Thats why I love shooting parties (birthday, engagement, baby shower, anniversary), weddings and other events. It gives freedom to shoot what you see around and love; so much different things with beauty inside and raw emotions.

Here are some quick tips for events shooting:

1. Check your camera settings - every time when you move from different lighting conditions (or light change at your location - especially happens fast before sunset).

2. Be creative, open your eyes - try to see beauty in details, all these little things around make this atmosphere and will be treasured in future.

3. Be fast and patient - conditions changes fast and you should too. But not too hurry, you still need be patient and capture this special moment.

4. Think outside the box - shoot with different angles, perspectives and sides.

5. Turn around, capture all these events and people. Especially little ones could bring a lot of interesting shots and fun moments.

6. Be flexible - all things changes around, conditions, planned schedule etc. Don't be upset, try to find new direction and fast change your vision and plan.

Here few pics from my last engagement party, kids made atmosphere so special. Just love to capture these alive moments!

 

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Sweet Couple | Engagement Party Pictures {Auckland Event-Wedding photographer}

Congratulations to Juliette & Jonny! What amazing couple and great engagement party I visited this weekend. It was a cosy event at Juliette house in Ellerslie, Auckland.

Happy future together! Look forward to your upcoming wedding!

Thank you for inviting me!

 

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Two little princesses - 2 years Birthday Party Pictures | Auckland event photographer

What a great birthday party I've been to recently! Two little girls turned 2 years old. Such a big date! And what a delightful little couple of princesses! Their parents should be proud to have such pretty and smart gorgeous girls!

I've worked on a few boys birthday parties now and can confidently describe them as rollercoaster adventures. Girls parties, on the other hand, are full of pink, butterflies, fairies and magic moments. Lovely little things!

I'm very pleased to shoot this birthday party of two friends - Madeleine and Rebecca! Their mums have been friends for a few years and even their daughters have been born close - pretty amazing, isn't it? I just loved these gorgeous girls, only pity, one had been slightly sick that day and couldn't fully enjoy her birthday party. But it was still really nice and lovely there: kids of different ages, their parents, a lot of toys and activities, great snacks for kids and parents, and beautiful decorations of course!

So much work to organise the party. Well done!

Have a look at these pictures!

Weather was really rainy and we couldn't do nice shots outside, but kids still managed to have a lot of fun inside.

 

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One year cute baby boy birthday celebration {Kids event photographer Auckland NZ}

I love parties. Especially if its babies parties :)

One year seems to be a big date for new person in the world. First we counting days after birth, then weeks, and later months. Feeding, changing nappies, playing, move to sleep (big task!) - all this routine staff make this time looks like ever!

And then suddenly ONE year coming. And we want made something special, make us remember this day - when baby became a toddler. And looks like our live became lighter and happier (joking! with part of true :) first time mums understand. Second and third time everything became easier :)

So good ideas for celebration 1 year old:

- choose the right location (your house, playcenter, or outdoor - park or beach like in our case)

- invite good people (friends and families with little kids (don't forget send an invitation)

- prepare yummy food (remember to include baby items - like baby cans, crackers, cheese, veges, fruits etc)

- prepare play activities, equipment (slide, water games, cars etc), bubbles, ballons...

- don't forget a decoration what making good atmosphere and party feelings!

- and order photographer (for good memories fixed and free hands - you no need running around with camera, try get good shots with active moving kids and organise party at the same moment :)

- Oh, yes, and spare clothes for little ones - they just love to make mess!

Last weekend I been at great party - celebration one year old Ivan with his family and little friends. What the great company, nice atmosphere, amazing location at Waiaki beach, and a lot interesting to shoot!

Parents did a great job with setup all party - choose location, took and keep the best spot on the beach, think about all activities for kids with little playhouse and slide, water play, big car etc Kids just loved it! So much fun and positive emotions.

I been happy to shoot all these little ones and their families. Yes, its been a big task for me - to shoot birthday boy Ivan's family + 4 families with babies - mini family sessions on location, and tried keep shooting party process. Great experience, new emotions and great to meet new people - such a wonderful guys! (And I even been so much into shooting and looking for the best respective and composition - so fall of the walking pass when been shooting last family. Camera and lens fine, Me too :) just a few marks on hands and legs, funny moment :) Everything for session!

Here some pictures coming (need to say I retouched much more then usual amount of pictures - just to be sure I have all families and party pictures as well).

Happy Birthday Vanya (short for Ivan - Russian name)! Hope you enjoyed this day and had a good sleep afterwards :) as I did!

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