15 random facts about me {New Zealand lifestyle wedding photographer}

I feel its really important to connect with you, know more of your story, thats why firstly I opening for you my story and my personality. I even decided to create a special page on my website with

15 random facts about me,

New Zealand and destination lifestyle wedding photographer

  • Im a peoples person and love to hug everyone (just making you aware!);
  • I was born in wild and cold Siberia and then spent my life in gorgeous historical city Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
  • If you travel in past You can find me in childhood sitting near the window and reading a lot of books especially classic novels, romances and fairy tales; but I also loved to play soccer with neighbours kids;
  • I love FOOD from different cultures, love to try something new (my favourites are any type of cheese and Italian food, pizza's smell just magical!);
  • I met my husband overseas in Europe where we spent amazing holidays (Brussels, Paris, Disneyland, Roma, Florence, Venice (with Murano, Burano, Torchino), Florence, Milano, Lake Como - oh, sweet memories!);
  • I studied a lot in my life, easy enough and even earned PhD (in pedagogical science);
  • I love sport, especially figure / ice skating {I started trainings when I was 25 and won a few international competitions medals after a few years of intensive trainings); 
  • I have two little ones (a boy and a girl) who make my life busy, very active and interesting {never knows what each day will bring to you, ha-ha};
  • I love everything with music and dance - musicals,movies, reality shows (The Voice, X-Factor etc.), I studied all types of dance - from ballet to hip-hop and found my favourite - jazz!
  • I find inspiration everywhere - art, movies, music, TV, people around, sounds and smells and love to go with the flow;
  • My husband is a real kiwi - relaxed and easy going man (I try to learn these skills from him, ha-ha) and we love to watch different series at our down time, if we have any :);
  • I love to observe and understand people, love to bring my psychology knowledge in practice; Im a peaceful person and even in risky conflict situations try to understand other persons position;
  • I love everything new and being creative; atmosphere works great to me: the wind blowing hair and clothes, rain drops around, fog etc.; also great to be at the nature and see and use in photography these stunning landscapes {lucky we are in New Zealand};
  • I love to travel {my first speciality is geography}  and I did a lot of travelling especially around Europe;
  • and last but not least I love to talk with new and unknown people and find out their stories, facts of their life and personality, and if I start to talk its hard to stop, ha-ha!

so get in touch with me and tell your story!

Fog at lake {New Zealand lifestyle wedding photographer}

My 365 Project. May 2016 {Hamilton NZ lifestyle wedding photographer}

This month May brought colder and rainier weather and also a lot of positive moments in my 365 project - capturing lifestyle moments with kids i between shooting weddings in Hamilton NZ, Auckland and surrounding areas :)

Kids grow so fast, its just unbelievable! So treasured moments with little ones...

I shoot 2 weddings {my sweet number per month as I prefer to give my complete attention to my awesome clients and my family with two little ones :)} and I got incredible 6 sessions with returned clients {some of them done with me couples, maternity and now a newborns photo shoot!}. I am so happy to see my clients {who became friends} again and their little ones grow during the years. Its such a special for me moments! {few little newborns what I shoot last year became a big 1 year old boys and I been so glad their parents sharing with me so special moments of celebrating their so important first year! I also got a new awesome clients and spent a beautiful time at their places with lifestyle sessions around their house and capturing for them everyday moments with family. So special to document your story and these moments!

Im sharing with you my favourite lifestyle photographs during this busy month {I surprised I even manage to find time to shoot my own kids!}

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

One little girl and her big day {Hamilton NZ lifestyle photographer}

I want to share with you today and few lifestyle photographs from one big day of one little girl leaving in Hamilton, NZ. Yes, its my little one and I taking pictures for family storytelling and my 365 project what Im keeping up second year in a row.

Its amazing what moments, emotions and events you can capture when you just following your little one and keep camera close - ready for lifestyle moments to happen.

Sometimes images just unexpectedly happen: right moment at right time with good light and  composition :) Thats all what we need! 

Im so happy when I look back at photographs of last year 365 project and see how my little ones grow, so fast, its such a treasured memories! I just thought I need to capture how my little one love to dress up and change a few outfits during the day and only those ones what she really liked (where she took it from? Im not so fussy, believe me! ha-ha :)

Enjoy this gallery!

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Adventures on the bike track {Hamilton NZ lifestyle wedding photographer}

My kids love to spend a lot of time on the bike track at reserve just behind our house in Hamilton, NZ (my son just learn how to ride a bike). I know, really lucky they can have a little adventures and explore areas around what they love to do!

I used the opportunity to capture these lifestyle moments in between of my wedding season :) I just love spent this treasured time with my kids and capture a family story, document our everyday moments.

Enjoy this lifestyle gallery with adventures on the bike truck! {you can see how active my little ones, hands full!} :)

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Light and lifestyle {New Zealand wedding-engagement photographer}

As all photographers {especially wedding-engagement ones ;)} I love the light, and can't help myself when I see the beautiful light coming through the trees {at our family walk at reserve not far from our house}.

This time we took kids on the bike truck and they had a lot of fun running around and riding bike {my older boy who is turning 4! this week first time been riding bike with 2 wheels and he just confident jump into it without any trouble at all, been so happy}. My smaller one loved to have freedom, lay on the grass and enjoy herself :)

I used the opportunity to grab camera fast and capture a few lifestyle moments with kids.

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

 

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!

Contact me with any questions!

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Sweet 1 year boy birthday party {Hamilton event photographer}

Lincoln just a perfect baby boy, I been happy to capture his one year birthday party in Hamilton. What a special event for his parents and their close friends.

Its always feels so special to celebrate kids first year in this world, they grow so fast (first you counting days from their birth, then weeks, month and years finally :) Its such a treasured moments!

We spent a great time at birthday boy's house on first day where family's friends joined the celebration and in "Good George" pub on another day. It was amazing atmosphere! I been happy to capture lifestyle moments on this event and some portraits with Linconl's family and their Taiwan and Kiwi friends with their babies and toddlers ;)

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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My 365 Project - February {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

February was a second month of 365 Project and its second year as well. It was a great month full of positive emotions.

I finally had a chance to have a short family holidays in Tauranga in between of busy wedding season with shooting weddings and lifestyle sessions in Auckland and Hamilton. I been happy to catch up with my awesome wedding clients who planning their wedding in 2017 (some of them even one and a half year in advance! thats a great timing). Its always pity to get inquiries for the same date, so my advice to book your venue and photographer right after engagement and move it out of the way :)

Back to my lifestyle everyday moments with family and kids (they grow up so fast!).

Enjoy this gallery with best photographs captured for 365 Project in February:

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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Family fun with kids - personal lifestyle moments {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

Sometimes its really good to just relax and to have family fun with kids. Last evening we took kids out to Te Rapa playground  near shopping centre {Hamilton} and kids been happy to run around near closed shops and even found some trolley, what they decided to ride.

Do you think its hard to shoot weddings? These two little ones making my life really busy, hands full, more hectic then on wedding day, ha-ha :)

I captured some lifestyle personal moments and their freedom to discover and do things what they feel like to do, it's such a treasured moments!

Enjoy this lifestyle gallery with my family personal moments (few last images taken by my husband :)! It was our 4 years anniversary by the way :)

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!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

*Offer valid for bookings till 29 February 2016

My everyday moments in 365 Project - January {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle wedding-couples photographer}

Its a new year, its a new life and I continue to capture my everyday lifestyle moments in 365 project (366 this year :)

What a great month January, amazing start of the year: first 3 weddings open this year for me with travel to Auckland (Castaways Resort), Tauranga (Ataahua Garden Venue) and around the Hamilton, news about winning an International Wedding Photography Award by Bridal Guide (my pictures chosen in top 50 with other amazingly talented wedding photographers). My picture features on the cover of HuffPost Weddings! Its a big honour and amazing start of the year!

My little one finally became toilet trained, yay (you can't believe but its a big achievement in each family with little ones, ha-ha!). 

So many exciting events! I also look forward this year (a lot of big dates).

Oh, I forgot I celebrated my 35th birthday on 8th of January! Yay!

Enjoy this lifestyle gallery with my everyday moments!

Contact me with any questions!

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Little one having fun in the bath {Hamilton lifestyle family-kids photographer}

It's a real treasure to capture everyday moments with kids. Today my little one (3 years old boy) had some fun in our bath and I used this opportunity to shoot these lifestyle family moments.

Im a mum but I also a photographer who looks at beautiful life, atmosphere, emotions and moments!

Enjoy this few pics from my little one's morning fun! 


Little White Book {Auckland lifestyle wedding-engagement-couples photographer}

I just excited to share with you a new listing, Little White Book directory, great place to find your wedding suppliers/vendors and of course wedding photographer ;) Im happy to be listed in this warmly community based by Karleigh from Paper and Lace

I'm serving mostly Auckland and Hamilton but happy to travel to destination sessions to Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, around Waikato and all New Zealand!

Dear brides please feel free to check this wonderful website for those who get engaged. If you already had weddings with me, please feel free to leave a few kind words, Im really appreciate!

Thank you so much for be with me all this time!

I look forward to a future busy wedding seasons!

Contact me with any questions!

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Hot day in Hamilton Gardens {Personal family moments - Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

It was a hot day and our family decided spend it in Hamilton gardens. We had a picnic on the lake, walk around the gardens, kids been happy to explore surroundings and even found a little swimming pool. What a treasure at this warm weather!

I had my camera nearby and captured some lifestyle everyday moments for family storytelling, memories and my 365 Project. Yes, I keep going with it second year in a row :) 

All kids had a wet clothes when we come back to the car, but everyone been happy, especially with ice block in the hands, ha-ha!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

Best of my 365 Project 2015 {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

Its just amazing how many positive and enjoyable moments happened during this year, which I document in my 365 Project.

It also let me practice, grow and progress in my photography and capture family storytelling, everyday moments with kids. These all such a treasured lifestyle moments.

I love to look back through the galleries. Hope you enjoy it too!

Contact me with any questions!

My 365 Project. December {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

Last month of this year gone and its last month in my 365 Project - December.

It was a month full of positive lifestyle moments and emotions. I been doing photo shoots in Auckland and Hamilton, weddings and lifestyle sessions and also capture my family and kids everyday moments.

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Happy New Year! Best lifestyle-wedding photographs {Auckland-Hamilton documentary couples-family photographer}

Hello everyone!

Hope you having a great holidays!

I just want to wish you a Happy New Year and share with you our best lifestyle moments - couples-engagement , wedding-elopement , and family-kids-baby-newborn sessions what I been capture in 2014 year.

It was an amazing year with a lot of positive emotions. Thank you for share with me your special moments!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Sweet baby girl baptism ceremony {Hamilton family-event photographer} Cathedral of the blessed Virgin Mary

What a special family moments I been captured last weekend - sweet baby girl Victoria baptism ceremony in Hamilton Cathedral of the blessed Virgin Mary. 

Victoria is a brave little girl and kept really well through the ceremony. It was such special lifestyle moments for all her family (mama Marina, papa Rowen, big brother Daniel, god parents and all relatives who joined this day our gorgeous girl.

Enjoy this baptism ceremony gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Footbridge Lodge Wedding {Auckland-Bombay couples photographer} Tammie & Ross

What a great cosy wedding I captured last weekend in Footbridge Lodge {Bombay, Auckland}. Tammie & Ross such a stunning couple! Their photographs turned just amazing!

Ross is a navy guy and Tammie is paramedic girl and they found each other. Celebrating their special day with family and close friends and sharing their feelings. Lily going to have a great step-dad!

Morning start for me in guys place getting ready in Pukekohe with relaxed and warm atmosphere. Ross and his 3 groomsmen  been joking, having fun, eat some lunch and getting ready for special event!

Footbridge lodge is a beautiful place in Bombay Hills, Auckland with beautiful picturesque views and old style architecture with wooden chapel (which has great big window at the back). What an amazing place to be married. 

We had some fun at location shoot near the pond with pier and boat, then follow up reception with emotional moments, speeches and of course dance time!

What a beautiful couple and cosy atmosphere!

Happy future together!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

Thank you Sharni for take me on board!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}