Karekare Falls - Piha Beach engagement session {Auckland pre-wedding photographer}

Excited to share with you highlights of Nicole & Juan's engagement session on Karakare Falls and Piha Beach {Auckland}. We spent amazing time with this beautiful couple on their pre-wedding photo shoot, walking and talking with capturing some special natural moments in spectacular New Zealand landscape. Need to mention couple been a lucky winner of our Weddings Giveaway 2018, can't wait till their wedding next year!

This session was so gorgeous with love, romantic and real emotions! 

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery!

Auckland Art Gallery: Mojo cafe {Wedding-elopement photographer in New Zealand} Night weddings

This wedding in Auckland Art Gallery - Mojo Cafe was exceptional. Anita & Jay decided to get married at night time when evening come up. My wedding coverage as their photographer started at 6 pm! That is a unique wedding with such a special vibe. 

We started from getting ready at Hotel DeBrett in Auckland City. Such amazing two-level room with a just gorgeous staircase. I love to photograph there whenever I'm shooting in this stunning venue.

Couple get married under the arch and had a quiet celebration with their close friends and family {around 20 people in total!!!} with canapé and Indian sweets {I tried it and can confirm, so delicious}. The atmosphere in this place was so fabulous!

The love story and proposal: "We first met on my first day of work where I was starting a new at the Auckland City Hospital as it's new liver transplant team pharmacist. We worked in very different departments so the only time we managed to interact each other was via mutual friends or after work we'd stop and have a chat with each other before going home. It was before Christmas in 2016 that we were invited by mutual friends out for a kayak trip (Helen and Ricky, who are present today) out at Puhoi. I had thought about asking her out before this but wasn't quite sure of the circumstances, so this kayak trip was an excellent opportunity to get to know each other better and see if anything could eventuate... And here we are... So we started dating on the 17th of December 2016, where we had brunch and went back to Puhoi.

It was very clear from the first few dates that she was the one I'd like to spend the rest of my life with, and so I had forward planned multiple trips of time, with hoping that we were on the same boat. By this time I had already thought of three occasions to propose that was already in our calendar, Waiheke for her birthday, June where we would be visiting the Franz Josef Glaciers and August where we would be going to Wellington. I had hinted it would be June with the glaciers as we would be taking a helicopter up and so it would be an exceptional occasion but little did she know I was thinking of the soonest date possible straight after her birthday on Waiheke. We arrived in Waiheke when the weather was less than ideal; I had booked us to stay at the Oyster Inn, one of Anita's favourite places on the island. We started the day by having a small picnic by the beach, I would have done it then, but the wind was just too much, and I would have had to shout my lungs out and she probably still won't hear and I might not even be able to her answer... so that was a no. We went back to the inn and had a bit of tea, I also had brought bottle of our favourite champagne (Perrier Joet, even at our wedding) to have possibly after I have proposed, but Anita suggested we have this with dinner, so I thought okay well I guess I'd have to do it before dinner. Now coming back to after our picnic, we had a bit of tea at the inn and then retired to our room, I just felt it was the right time, we were alone, private and intimate and I decided to get on my knees and asked her to marry me there and then in the room and of course she said yes. Now we get to enjoy the other two activities I had set up earlier." Such a romantic story!

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery:

Great Creative Team:

Getting Ready - Hotel DeBrett
BALENCIAGA bridal top, skirt by Céline Rita
Wedding stylist: @Holly Buckley
Celebrant: Keeley Jenkins, Celebrant
Mojo Supervisor: @Donna Hutchins  
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographer

Engagement photo shoot on Muriwai Beach: Divya and Gino {Auckland pre-wedding-elopement photographer}

I would love to share with you this beautiful engagement photo shoot on Muriwai Beach {West Auckland}. I'm so excited to do this pre-wedding session and also look forward to being couple's wedding photographer for their upcoming wedding on Fiji. Can't wait! Not long to go now!

Need to mention I met Dyvia and Gino a few years ago in Farmers, and we became really good friends, such a destiny to meet them again and do the photography part for my dear friend's wedding!

Enjoy highlights in video slideshow and a photo gallery:

Love and Lavender publication: Vineyard Wedding in Auckland {New Zealand weddings photographer} Markovina

Excited to share with you great news: Trelise & Alan's wedding in Markovina Vineyard Estate {Auckland} just been published in Love & Lavender, such a beautiful weddings blog. It's such a pleasure to see our photos in this prestigious international publication.

Bring back memories! Such a beautiful day in West Auckland with the couple and their close friends and family. Have a look at this feature - publication in Love and Lavender {love this name, by the way, so gorgeous!} and more wedding details on our Blog!

wedding-by-levien-705.jpg

Contact me with any questions!

Lemonade and Lenses Contest Winner - Wedding Category {Auckland - New Zealand elopement photographer}

So thrilled to receive fantastic news - one of my photos won Lemonade and Lenses Spring'18 International Contest - third place in Wedding Category. Such a great honour for me, wedding - elopement photographer in Auckland {New Zealand}, to be in the row with such talented photographers from all over the world. 

Have a look at all winners in newborn, child, senior, family, birth, boudoir, maternity, and of course weddings categories! 

Thank you so much for this award, it means a lot to me! Such a pleasure to receive a winning notification second time in a row!

Surprised Elopement in New Zealand | Karekare Beach - Fall: Mary and Philipp {Wedding photographer in Auckland}

Mary & Philipp

So excited to share with you a surprised elopement with Mary & Philipp. The couple come all way from Germany to New Zealand to get married on wild Karekare Beach. {can't even imagine how bride organised everything from overseas, what a surprise for a groom!}. Philipp was amazingly pleased. We had such a special time on West Coast Auckland fall and beach. There were so much love, care, and positive emotions!

When Mary contacted me with this idea to surprise her groom {he thought it will be just an engagement photo shoot and not expected to see the celebrant and two witnesses!}, I right away jumped in the opportunity to capture something unique and beautiful {risky as well, but I believed in this amazing story happy ending}.

Great Creative Team:

Make-up and hair - Lipstick and Co
Flowers - Blossom and Wild
Celebrant {German speaking} - Aurora Ward - Celebrant
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography, Auckland based wedding - elopement photographers {serving New Zealand and worldwide}.

Thanks to two witnesses and unexpected helper {owner of accommodation in Titirangi where couple stayed in Auckland, he helped with transport the bride to the ceremony site, as well as accessories: table {carried it all the way on the hot beach through the sand dunes}, and rug as well. It was unforgettable emotions and memories!

Enjoy these video slideshow highlights and photo gallery:

elopement - wedding ceremony on New Zealand beach - Auckland photographer
Karekare falls elopement {Auckland wedding photographer}
Waterfall Elopement - New Zealand - Auckland west coast beach {top international Wedding photographer}
New Zealand elopement {Wedding photographer in Auckland} Karekare Falls
elopement-by-olgalevien-Auckland New Zealand wedding photographer
elopement-by-olgalevien-Auckland wedding photographer - New Zealand
surprised elopement in New Zealand {Auckland wedding photographer}
New Zealand surprised elopement {Karekare Falls} Auckland wedding photographer

Contact me with any questions!

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Boho Weddings publication: Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding {Fine Art - Documentary photographer in Auckland}

Excited to share with you fantastic news: Tayvia & Kyle wedding just been published in Boho Weddings "Beautiful Bohemian New Zealand wedding with First Look by Levien & Lens Photography. Its such a pleasure for me, fine art and documentary photographer in Auckland, to capture so unique for couple moments, no matter rainy day!

Enjoy this publication in the prestigious international magazine and have a look at more details on our Blog with real wedding photo gallery highlights with video slideshow.

This day in The Hunting Lodge and HU's Art Farm {West Auckland - Kumeu - Waimauku} was so beautifully amazing!
Contact me with any questions!

Screen Shot 2018-04-06 at 9.02.55 am.png

The Travelling Dress 2018 in New Zealand {Auckland wedding-elopement photographer}

As promised, excited to share with you fantastic project that I took part in recently - The Travelling Dress Collective, where nine photographers from Australia and New Zealand {this is me - your Auckland based wedding-elopement photographer} come together to photograph one gorgeous dress. We had it only for 2-3 days and posted to each other, taking photos inspired by one piece of clothes. Receiving this parcel was like opening a Christmas present as you don't know what to expect inside. This dress was so gorgeous - made by Purity Lace Design. It's so amazing to see how different artists found something unique with their approach. You can look up their gorgeous work following the links: Camilla French, Francisca Jorgensen, Danielle Dobson, Peta Hood, Helen Whittle, Kristle Ricci, Melissa Brown, Julie Guertin and me, Olga Levien. See their images further.

My travelling dress project found the heroes in my beautiful couple, who funny enough fact - come over from Australia {where I send dress after the photo shoot}. Tina & Tony contacted me for pre-wedding | engagement photos, and we did a breathtaking photo shoot at Karekare Beach {New Zealand}. Halfway through the session, I shared with them a story about the Travelling Dress and couple been so kind to agree to participate and try it on. We had so much fun, dress perfectly compliment the wild New Zealand landscapes and an amazing relationship with these beautiful souls - Tina & Tony. I truly appreciate they agreed to take on this challenge and we got a fantastic result! You can find another half of their session following the link to our Blog.

Enjoy this video slideshow and highlights in the gallery:

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I will share with you a photo from each photographer who participated in the project so you can get feeling how amazing to see different photographers Style and Voice, as well as creativity:

Camilla French - Travelling Dress

Camilla French 

Francisca Garreton - Travelling Dress Purity

Francisca Garreton

Danielle Dobson - Purity Travelling Dress

Danielle Dobson

Peta Hood - Purity Travelling Dress

Peta Hood

Helen WHittle - Purity Travelling Dress

Helen Whittle

Julie Guertin

Julie Guertin

Kristle Ricci

Kristle Ricci

Melissa Brown.jpg

Melissa Brown

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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!

How He Asked by The Knot - Engagement Session: Silvia & Chris {Auckland - New Zealand wedding photographer}

SO excited to share with you: out beautiful engagement session | pre-wedding photo shoot with Silvia & Chris just been published in How He Asked by The Knot. So great honour for me, Auckland wedding photographer to see our photos go live around the world, not only in New Zealand. Bring back amazing memories!

Can't wait to move through couples entire wedding gallery. We had a fantastic wedding in Markovina just a few weeks ago; it was such incredible time with warm and cosy wedding atmosphere and beautiful people around! You can find a sneak peek on my Facebook page and Instagram. More images are coming soon on our Blog! Watch this space!

Enjoy this publication and see more images on our past Blog post!

Piha - West Coast Beach engagement session published in How He Asked by the Knot {Auckland - New Zealand wedding photographer}

Warmly,

Olga at Levien & Lens Photography

How He Asked by The Knot - Engagement Session: Silvia & Chris {Auckland - New Zealand wedding photographer}

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:

West Coast Beach New Zealand Pre-Wedding | Engagement Session: Tina and Tony {Auckland weddings photographer}

Tina & Tony come all way from Australia to New Zealand to meet Tony's family in Auckland {including his favourite grandma} and asked me, Auckland wedding photographer, to capture for them so special moments on their engagement | pre-wedding photo shoot. It was such a great pleasure documenting such emotional and true love candid moments.

Excited to receive such amazing feedback right after the gallery delivery:

"Dear Olga

Thank you so much for the amazing pre-wedding photos you took for us at Karekare. We had so much fun shooting with you and you’ve managed to capture our love for each other in such a beautiful way. Thank you for also letting me be part of the story of the travelling dress. It was 100% worth flying in from Sydney and definitely the highlight of our holiday. Throughout the whole process you have been so friendly and approachable. We love your style, enthusiasm and professionalism. Will definitely be recommending you to friends and family!

Love, Tina & Tony"

Lucky chance that exactly at our session time I received a Travelling Dress from Australia for the project, where around 10 photographers from different countries capture one dress. I can't share images with this dress at this moment, but watch this space next week, so amazing couple's moments in breathtaking and emotional photographs! Can't wait to share it with you!

Couple's love story: "Tony was raised in Auckland whereas I was born in Sydney. He moved over to Sydney for University and we were very fortunate to have met at a friend’s birthday party. After a few months we officially became a couple and have now been together for just over 3 years. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him!" Tony proposed "In the beautiful city of Kyoto, Japan", such a beautiful memories!

Enjoy this highlights in the gallery and check this Blog next week for video slideshow and photos for Travelling Dress project!

Equally Wed: New Zealand Same-Sex Wedding {Auckland weddings photographer}

So amazing to see Victoria & Bree's New Zealand wedding published in Equally Wed - same-sex marriage international publications. Their wedding was so beautiful and romantic in Auckland Hotel DeBrett, registry office and Auckland Domain. A couple comes over from Australia to New Zealand to get married officially. It's the most exciting event and so unique, I appreciate newlyweds shared with me, their wedding photographer, such unique moments!

Enjoy this gorgeous publication and highlights published on our Blog from couple wedding day.

Landsendt Tropical Garden: Emma and Sean {Wedding photographer in Auckland}

Excited to share with you highlights of wedding gallery in such amazing location as Landsendt Tropical Garden {West Auckland, New Zealand} where Emma & Sean celebrated their special day with their closed friends in the warm and cosy atmosphere. Even rain can't stand in the way of such emotional event! It was an honour for me as their wedding photographer to capture all crucial natural and documentary moments with the artistic and creative vibe!

The couple met each other five years ago through the mutual friends and kept a long distance relationship. The proposal was made over the phone {first time hear such fantastic story!}. The couple relationship is exceptional, it's incredible to know what they said about each other: "Shahab is straightforward funny with the most innocent eyes in the world. She is so pretty and has a big heart."

Enjoy video slideshow and photos in the gallery:

Landsendt tropical garden - bridal portraiture {Auckland wedding photographers}
wedding reception details - pink and gold {Auckland weddings photographers}
Landsendt Tropical Garden {Auckland wedding photographer}
Landsendt Tropical garden wedding {Auckland wedding photographer
cake cutting ceremony {Auckland wedding photographer}
bride and groom dance - black and white photo {Auckland wedding photographers}

Great Creative Team:

Wedding Planner - Anya at Weddings by AH
Dress - Pronovias
Hair - Hair by Hannah
and Olga at Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland based wedding photographer

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Contemporary Weddings Magazine - Romantic Beach Destination Wedding in New Zealand {Auckland - Northland elopement photographers}

Excited to share with you fantastic news - Leanne & Tim's wedding in Mahinepua beach house {Northland} just been published in Contemporary Weddings Magazine "Romantic Destination Wedding in New Zealand". Their wedding was so beautiful and unique.

Such a pleasure for us, Auckland wedding photographers, to see these photos go live around the world in prestigious international publication.

Enjoy this featured article with couple's gallery highlights. Have a look at more images from their wedding day on our Blog.

Tim & Leanne

Tim & Leanne

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Hilton - Fish Restaurant wedding: Jennifer and Steven {Auckland City - New Zealand weddings photographer}

Each couple is so unique and different, and I as wedding photographer genuinely enjoy to see all these unique details, locations, venue choices that reflect couple's personalities, spirit and vision for their weddings. This time we had an honour to capture such special moments for Jennifer & Steven in Fish Restaurant {Hilton Hotel} - Auckland City, such a unique place in New Zealand.

The couple had one wedding celebration in Korea and another one - with close friends in NZ, with intimate atmosphere with 20 guests in total. We as wedding photographers been pleased to share with a couple and their friend's dinner table and capture so many beautiful and emotional moments. 

{Jennifer & Steven met each other in the church, the proposal did at a fantastic place: "Went to Waiheke Island with my sister's couple and Steven to take some nice pictures, and Steven proposed to me at a winery. It was a huge surprise!" Such a romantic story!}

These people are so lovely, caring and kind - they make sure every guest and us, photographers took from the reception a craft box with piece of their wedding cake. Such incredible gesture! 

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and photo gallery!

Fish - Hilton {Auckland wedding photographers}
Auckland city wedding {New Zealand weddings photographers} - black and white photography
shoe game - wedding reception {Auckland weddings photographers}
wedding details - reception - wedding dress {Auckland elopement photographer}

Contact me with any questions!

Great Creative Team:
Venue - FISH
Dress: Kellylin Couture
Suit: Calvin Klein 
Flowers : Scarecrow
Hair: @Meemin
Makeup: @Eden Jung
Rings: The Diamond Shop
and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland wedding photographers

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Rangefinder Contest Winner {Auckland - New Zealand lifestyle wedding-family photographer}

I have amazing news: my personal project photo just won a Rangefinder Contest - first place in Children category!

You might know already I not only a wedding photographer, but also mum of two active little ones and often enjoying take a family photos. It is truly rewarding experience and allow me to remember different moments of my kids life and practice in photography, allow to show my Voice and artistic vision. Its a great honour to get amazing recognition from photographers not only in Auckland, New Zealand but all over the word!

So thrilled to be in the row with such a talented photographers and been publish in such prestigious publication as Rangefinder {New York, USA}.

I appreciate this attention to my work and recognition! Thank you so much for all kind words!

Another amazing news, this photo just been published in Click Magazine as well {check their latest issue!}. Can't be more pleased with this! My advice to all photographers - Don't be afraid to put your work out there, it eventually paid off !

Auckland City + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}

Bianca & Matt, such a gorgeous couple, who made their way from Australia to have an intimate wedding | elopement in Auckland city. They have been surrounded by parents and me, of course, New Zealand weddings photographer :). It is a pleasure for me to capture a small wedding coverage with such beautiful people.

Our day started from champaign at SkyCity Hotel, walking on Auckland streets to the registry office and small scroll to the Auckland Domain after the ceremony.

It was such a beautiful event full of love, cry and emotional moments.

Couple shared their love story: " We met in 2007 when Matt's family moved in next door to mine, in the little town of King Creek, NSW. In 2010 we started dating (I was still in high school) and have been together ever since. In 2014 we moved to Newcastle where I commenced, and have just completed, a Bachelor of Biological Science. Matt's a total country guy at heart. He grew up on a farm before his family moved to town and he knew how to pull cars apart before I could properly tie my shoes." The proposal: "Matt took me up to Pappinbarra to show me the farm he grew up on. We were having a picnic on the tray of his giant ute, overlooking the vast, mountainous greenery when he popped the question."

Great Creative Team:

Dress - Review (Australia) Shoes - Sandler (Australia) Suit - Peter Jackson (Australia) Boots - RM Williams (Australia) Rings - Irvines Jewellers (Kempsey, Australia) Hair & makeup - Lisa Marinkovich Flowers - Floral Stylist Co. Cake - Bluebells Cakery and Levien & Lens photography - Auckland based NZ wedding photographers.

Enjoy these highlights in video slideshow and a photo gallery:

Auckland City + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}
Auckland City + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}
Auckland City + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}
Auckland City + Domain elopement: Bianca and Matt {New Zealand wedding photographer}

Simply Elope: Elopement New Zealand {Auckland wedding photographer}

So excited to share with you fantastic news: Natalia & Chris elopement | small backyard wedding on Waiheke Island {Auckland, New Zealand} just been published in Simply Elope. It was an honour for me to be their wedding photographer and capture so unique for couple moments.

Enjoy this international publication in Simply Elope and have a look at more highlights in couple's photo gallery on our Blog. Fin our more wedding galleries in Recent Weddings | Elopements

Waiheke Island such a gorgeous place for any weddings and have plenty of photo opportunities. We are so thrilled as wedding photographers to be part of special celebrations all around New Zealand and overseas. Watch this space for our trips out of NZ for destination weddings!

Everybody's Flower Crown Workshop - Floral Stylist {Auckland wedding photographer - L & L}

I recently had a honour to capture a Flower Crown workshop by Sue at Floral Stylist Co organised for the giveaway winner at Auckland Weddings website. Its a pleasure to give my wedding photography coverage to lucky bride with her friends at hence night at gorgeous venue in Auckland City - Everybody's! I just love this atmosphere !

Everybody had lots of fun and positive emotions creating a flower crown. It was not an easy and fast forward process but everyone walk away with gorgeous flower crown.

Congratulations to beautiful bride! This is so awesome event!

Enjoy these photo gallery highlights!

Everybody's wedding venue {Auckland elopement photographer}
Everybody's - Auckland City wedding venue {New Zealand wedding photographer}

Let me know if you have any questions!