love | light | laughter
AUCKLANd wedding PHOTOGRAPHER | fine art documentary photography
It was a nice surprise to find out our image published in "Our monthly favourites: July 2016" by Auckland weddings, one of the biggest New Zealand directory for bride and groom looking for their photographers, venue, make-up artist, cake and more wedding vendors!
Its a great pleasure to see again photo from stunning Ailsa & Ropate's wedding in Brigham.
Enjoy this publication with amazing tips and contact me with any questions!
Warmly,
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!
Do you know that now you can find me and follow my wedding photography on Instagram? If you followed my personal account, now is a time for changes - I created a new business account @levienlensphotography, so you can find there my clients work from weddings around New Zealand: Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Northland etc.
If you still interested to see my lifestyle everyday moments with kids and family, some fun and different style of pictures welcome to visit my personal account @olgalevien.
Im happy to see new people and ready to share my personal moments like my awesome clients sharing with me so special and treasured moments from their amazing wedding celebrations, Im so excited to see their families grow in years to come!
Thank you for your love and welcome to follow me!
See you on Instagram!
Contact me with any questions!
Warmly,
Olga
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!
I just loved to receive news that my photographs published in prestigious New Zealand publication - Paper & Lace. It was my last wedding of the past wedding season and it was just amazing and memorable as its could be. Surrounding by amazing people in stunning location - St Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland, New Zealand}. I felt truly not like photographer on this wedding, but as part of the family.
Thank you so much Maya & Andy for sharing with me your special moments! You can check out their wedding gallery in my Blog and also enjoy featured Paper & Lace publication :)
Great Creative team:
Venue/Catering St Margarets Garden Café
Stationery & Signage Vista Print
Hair Olivia Adams, Salon St Bruno
Makeup Luci Hare and Natalie Rose, Blooming Beauty
Celebrant Darryl Parker
Brides Dress, Accessories & Shoes Secret Lace Bridal
Bridesmaids Dresses Meryn Wakelin
Grooms Suit & Accessories Frank Casey
Rings Peter Minturn
Music Russell Wills
and your Photographer Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding photographers
Contact me with any questions!
Sherrie & Simon celebrated their special day in Highwic {historic house in Epsom-Newmarket, Auckland NZ} in the middle of the winter. Couple fly over from Australia where they living to organise their wedding in New Zealand, as all groom's family lives mainly in Auckland. As a lifestyle wedding photographer I captured a lot of beautiful weddings with many amazing moments, but I never been in such a special venue having so much heritage and special atmosphere in each room. Love it! Ceremony near fireplace and beautiful piano, wooden walls and candles around, unforgettable memories and so many photo opportunities around!
Sherrie & Simon have really unusual story of proposal, I never heard anything like this, original as a couple: "We had been excitedly discussing the prospect of getting engaged for a month or so. Simon was in his second week of travelling Europe of a 4 month trip. I awoke one morning to find that he had changed our relationship status on Facebook to engaged, a flood of congratulatory comments and “likes” had already found the event before I had. I was shocked but giggling with excitement. Our haphazard engagement reinforced our resolve and brought much needed comfort to me in times the distance was nearly too much to bear."
Simon was really excited to see all his friends and family in New Zealand and celebrate this wedding day in warm and cosy atmosphere with around 45 guests sharing their love and feelings. Sherrie had a hands full to organise everything from overseas! Its might be so overwhelming!
We spent amazing time with couple taking pictures after the ceremony around the historic museum, having ride in retro car to Cornwall park nearby and also had a sneak from reception at Billiards House and taking some night shots under the big tree {as Sherrie shared with me how much she loves forestry atmosphere and would love to have stunning photographs near the trees}. I loved to create something beautiful for this amazing couple.
Thank you for sharing with me so special moments! Happy future together!
Great Creative team:
Venue - Highwic
Celebrant - Sue Eustace Celebrant & JP
Makeup - Phoenix Cosmetics
Flowers - Roses Florist
and Levien & Lens Photography - New Zealand {mostly Auckland, Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty} and destination wedding photographer - Nationwide, International | lifestyle - timeless couples photography
Enjoy this video and gallery!
Contact me with any questions!
Great news come from overseas - Maria & Ben's eland New Zealand garden wedding published in WeddingWire {USA}. Its such a honour to see photographs goes live around the world.
Im as destination wedding | engagement photographer love to capture destination weddings around Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and other areas of New Zealand, such a beautiful country with special wild atmosphere.
This wedding was hold in Landsendt Tropical Garden {Oratia, Auckland}, such a beautiful place for a special event!
You can check wedding gallery in our Blog and also enjoy this publication from WeddingWire.
Thank you Maria & Ben for sharing with me so special moments! Happy future together!
Great Creative Team - Vendors:
Venue/Caterer: Landsendt
Event Planner: Taryn Liddy
Dress Designer: Kellylin Couture
Shoes: Windsor Smith from Andrea Biani
Bridesmaid Dresses: Kilt
Jeweler: Alan Woods
Hair Stylist: Charlotte Zieleman
Makeup Artist: Karina Jonassen of Face Me Makeup & Hair
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Cambridge Clothing
Officiant: Minister Fatafehi
Ceremony Music: Pat Mose
Invitations: Robin Kydd
Floral Designer: The Botanist
Cake: Trish Bonnici
Reception Music: DJ Percy Afeaki
MC: Te Arahi August
Contact me with any questions!
I love to look back and pick the best photos from each wedding what I captured around New Zealand {mostly in Auckland :)} during this busy season. All these lifestyle moments, couple's connection, emotions: both laughing and crying, candids and details.
Its so special and so magical, Im as a wedding photographer can observe, capture, be creative and tell the story of the wedding day, show moments which couple maybe even not noticed at this hectic day and those what will be treasured forever,
Wedding photography such a special thing! I so in love in this genre, so much emotions, unexpected moments, challenges through the magical day. Its truly magic to capture one in a life event. You will have only your husband and photographs wake up next morning :)
Thats love!
Enjoy this video and gallery with my favourite - best photographs from 2015 | 2016 Wedding Season {which runs from September till end of May for me, of course I have some winter weddings to capture, but most busy time gone, so I have a moment to reflect and enjoy, breath in :) }
Contact me with any questions!
Good to receive news about new publication in Auckland weddings - " 8 Most Beautiful Wedding Moments Worth Remembering". Some of my lifestyle wedding photographs been chosen for featuring most beautiful moments of the wedding day as getting ready, first look with dad, pre-ceremony, after ceremony, intimate session with bride and groom, speeches at reception etc.
There so many wonderful moments to remember for bride and groom. Its almost impossible to limit it by number eight, ha-ha! So editors had a hard time to narrow down my photographs for this publication. :)
Thank you my beautiful couples around New Zealand for sharing with me so special moments, well deserved to be featured in Auckland Weddings!
Contact me with any questions!
Choosing a wedding photographer one of the most exciting parts of the wedding planning! Its feels so important and so right when you found a good fit. So how to choose wedding photographer for your couple?
I will talk about few steps which feels really important to me as a lifestyle wedding photographer.
1. Wedding Portfolio.
Check wedding photography portfolio - best photographs which represents photographer's style, favourite things to shoot, editing preferences {some of us love airy light images, another ones draw to moody dark atmosphere, or even do mix of both depending on session}.
2. Check full wedding galleries.
You checked best images in photographer's portfolio, now time to see a full wedding from start to finish { getting ready, ceremony, formals, intimate bride and groom session, reception etc.}. You can find full weddings in the Blog or contact photographer via email and ask for pass online complete wedding galleries.
You can see how we capture moments, emotions, details, posed shots, unposed images etc. Its truly represent the ability to keep it up during this hectic day and produce amazing images which speaks from the heart.
3. One of the most important - Connection.
Get in touch with photographer and check the connection, communication and mobility {Im trying to answer for inquiries as soon as possible, often during first few hours}, but please allow a couple of days delay, especially on weekends, as we can be away on the road at destination wedding. :)
Sometimes really hard to get a personality via email especially if English not a mother tongue {I love to catch up with my awesome clients for cup of tea / coffee, have a chat and discuss their wedding plans}. We usually build a good trust and its make us feel comfortable during the wedding day {photographer the only one person who all the time with you without any minute of break, so its important to find the right person, feel relaxed and comfortable}.
4. Last but not least - Packages and Pricing.
Please contact photographer to find out pricing details and collections {how many hours, how many photographers, if there engagement session included, any prints | products what you would like to add}. Feel free to share your wedding plans and needs as a lot of photographers can create a custom package which best suits your needs.
For example I working in a team with my husband and have options with one or two photographers on the day, coverage from elopements with capturing just ceremony and bride and groom intimate session to full day packages including engagement - pre-wedding session and album + wall fine art print. There options for every couple!
You found your dream photographer, but can't afford your dream package? Still get in touch, tell about your wedding plans and planning date. There always a chance you can find the compromise as your wedding sounds just amazing and photographer in love with your couples personalities {you can also order prints | products when you discover your images, or make its a part of wedding registry}.
Follow your gut and go with the flow! Good luck with your wedding planning!
Please contact me with any questions that you might have!
We, wedding photographers, artistic natures :) Each photographer need to shoot for yourself and be inspired, motivated and get fresh view in between of busy wedding seasons, travelling around New Zealand and truly be exhausted sometimes and needed a set up some styled shoot.
This inspiration Boho 70s styled shoot took place in Pirongia, Waikato, New Zealand. Its been collaboration of amazing creative team: Kimberley wright makeup artist, hair by Voluptuous Devine mobile nail & beauty services, 3 models and been organised at family batch in Pirongia, there was a beautiful old style building with deck, patio and porch. Models been ready at the morning and photo shot been in different spots around the house (at garden, near sheds or drive way with tall trees, model even sit on the branch of one amazing tree with beautiful structure). There endless opportunities for photographs, also inside the house - to get mysterious feeling at the windows, fireplace and old style chairs.
It was amazing time, full of inspiration, passion, and special moments.
Great Creative team:
Models: Hannah Ireland, Tayla Marriner, Jessie Thomson
Make-up: Kimberley Wright Makeup Artist
Hair: Voluptuous Devine mobile nail & beauty services
and Auckland-Waikato-Bay of Plenty lifestyle wedding photographer: Levien & Lens Photography
Enjoy this gallery and video slideshow!
Contact me with any questions!
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!
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
so get in touch with me and tell your story!
Its so exciting to see my awesome wedding clients images published in different blogs and magazines around the world. Ailsa & Ropate wedding in Brigham-Herald Island {Auckland, New Zealand} published again, this time in beautiful prestigious wedding Blog - The Luxe Pearl.
Im so honoured and want to say a huge thank you to my awesome clients for share with me so special for them moments from their wedding day, photographs turned just amazing!
Enjoy this new publication and look at our stunning photographs!
Im so excited to see Clair & Josh's wedding {Maungaturoro, Northland} just published in Boho Weddings {UK}.
It was amazing wedding with warm and cosy atmosphere and a lot of made with love DIY rustic items.
Thank you so much guys for sharing with me so special moments!
Im so grateful for all these moments and amazing people {my wedding clients} who trust me to capture one in a life event. I always do my best to capture all candid natural moments, emotions, artistic details and portraits, and even more!
Enjoy this publication!
Great Creative team:
Dress: ASOS Suit: Ron Bennett
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Jewellery: Samantha Wills
Celebrant: Clare Hayward
MC: Chris, Josh's uncle
Band: Pat for president
and Levien & Lens Photography {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding photographer}
Contact me with any questions!
This beautiful wedding in St Margarets Cafe {Karaka, Auckland} been my last wedding of this busy weddings season :) Need to say its been a great happy ending, Maya & Andy celebrated their special day with their friends and family with so warm and fun atmosphere! I enjoyed every single moment of this amazing wedding with such an open and kind people around. It was great to capture all lifestyle moments, candids, raw emotions - believe me there was a lot of crying and laughing!
Speeches at reception been full of fun details and stories (especially Dads from both sides done amazing job describing bride and groom's childhood, some funny and dangerous moments, I became worried about my 4 years old son as Andy's childhood stories remind me of his activities :) Every moment on this wedding was emotional and beautiful!
Couple met each other when they were 18. Maya said: "Andy saw a photo of me on my friends wall and tried his luck (it worked)". They LOVE to travel {lived in England for a year and travel around the Europe}, snowboarding, and ... food! :) {I definitely feel a strong connection with this amazing couple! :)} "Proposal was made at home on Christmas Day... Beautiful and simple".
Thats how feels all this wedding: beautifully simple! From getting ready moments in Maya and Andy's parents houses in Pukekohe {with 3 bridesmaid, 3 groomsmen and close family and friends} to ceremony near beautiful pond and reception in St Margarets Cafe in Karaka, Auckland {with 100 guests under the marquee}.
It was interesting to find out that Maya and her mum, sister and sister in law did a lot of DIY items: "We DIY our own bouquets!!! They were amazing!! I was lucky enough to have insanely creative souls in my life like my mother, sister, and sister in law. We DIY our wedding favours which were fig and feijoa chutney made from all our own produce. We DIY the bridesmaids dresses.. well my mum did!! Shes amazing… she copied a miss Crabb design! They were incredible!"
No need more words, look at these video and amazing gallery!
Great creative team:
Dress - Secret Lace Bridal
Makeup by Lucy Hare and Natalie Rose {Blooming Beauty}
Hair by Olivia Adams on Salon St Bruno
Celebrant - Darryl Parker
MC- Ben Green (brother in Law)
DJ- Russell Wills
and your photographer - Olga from Levien & Lens Photography ;)
Contact me with any questions!
Im so excited and honoured to announce that few of my images have been AWARDED this weekend at NZIPP Iris Awards, most reputable New Zealand Awards.
It was my first time entering, its really scary to put my work out there and at the same time I feel its motivates me and made realised there way to go and I need to push myself and progress!
Thank you so much to my awesome clients who have made this happened, for your support and treasured time together!
Huge congratulations to all talented photographers and friends who had outstanding recognition - check out full results here http://infocus.org.nz/
Thanks Evoke Studio for amazing quality prints!
Wedding Classic and Wedding Creative {Bronze}
Wedding Creative Award
Wedding Classic Award
Contact me with any questions!
I just found out beautiful Maria & Ben's wedding in Landsendt Tropical Garden {Auckland} been published in Paper & Lace!
What amazing news and great pleasure to see these amazing moments featured again!
Love every single moment of this beautiful wedding full of special traditions including Tonga's mat.
Creative team:
Photographer Olga Levien from Levien Lens Photography
Planner/Stylist Taryn Liddy (Event organizer at Landsendt)
Flowers The Botanist
Venue & Catering Landsendt, Oratia, Auckland.
Hair Charlotte Zieleman
Makeup Karina Jonassen from Face Me Make Up Atistry & Hair Styling
Cake Trish Bonnici (Cousin)
Celebrant Minister Fatafehi
Brides Dress KellyLin Couture
Jewellery Grandmothers necklace and earrings.
Shoes Windsor Smith from Andrea Bianni
Bridesmaids Dresses Kilt
Grooms Suit Cambridge Clothing Company
Tradional Tongan Ta’ovala Mat 100 years old and passed through the family.
Rings Alan Woods Jewellery
Music/Singer Pat Mose
DJ Percy Afeaki
Contact me with any questions!
What a great news come this morning: my picture from Ngawaiata & Sefo wedding been chosen for Father's Day gallery by Fearless photographers, great community of best wedding photographers in the world! It's great place to be and Im happy to represent a New Zealand wedding photography :) Its not an actual award but its great when your images get acknowledgement and take place in beautiful emotional gallery by so talented photographers around the world, Im so honoured!
Fathers and brides {or fathers and grooms} relationship are so special and I love to capture these unique moments on the wedding day.
"Weddings mark an important new phase in the life of a child and a family, and dads—whether they wear their feelings on their sleeves or tend to be more restrained—are rarely untouched by the emotions and meaning of the milestone. Especially for the father of the bride, walking his little girl down the aisle is a deeply meaningful and long-awaited experience.
As these images by Fearless Photographers show, dads are an integral and meaningful part of the wedding day!" Fearless photographers
Enjoy this Father's Day gallery by Fearless photographers and have a look at this beautiful moment with Ngawaiata and her father just before the ceremony, so treasured memories! Love every single moment of their wedding!
Contact me with any questions!
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! ;)
