Lets have some fun! Family and kids photographer Auckland

Let Kids been kids! They always doing unexpected things and ready to find something interesting in our usual life and have  fun with it!

So much surprises, mess, cleaning work, fun moments!

My little one sneak outside and I found him playing with leaves, through them up in the air, having fun and doing leaves rain what drops in his hair, under the clothes and nappies as well.

Big fun - big bath afterwards!

I love to capture these real life moments what brings some magic in.

Who love to play outside, have fun and made a mess? Guess! :)

Here our lifestyle moments!

Kids portraits

Mother-Daughter family photographs - 1 year sweet baby girl {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle photographer}

What is so special about mother-daughter relationships?

It’s the love and the sweetness of the two souls that are connected with each other. Each woman who became a mother understands it. When you gave birth to a baby (no matter – a boy or a girl) your life changes and sometimes you have no idea how huge this change is!

I love doing lifestyle photoshoots when you could capture real life, like a documentary, to tell a story, to capture everyday moments that we treasure forever - how kids are playing, eating, drawing, how they are reading a book with parents, sitting together, laughing, giving each other a hug, singing a song and having fun.

That’s why I’ve been really happy and excited to do a lifestyle family photo shoot for Inga with her gorgeous daughter Mia at their place. Really wonderful moments together! It was amazing time and experience, I totally loved how pictures turned out!

Enjoy it step by step.

My favourite picture from this set - Mother and Daughter in the wood:

Thank you Inga and Mia for wonderful time together!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

One little girl and a Big hat. Lifestyle children photography

I just want to share with you my everyday moments with kids. Its great to capture all these little moments what we will treasure in future when kids grow up. Sometimes its really handy to have a camera beside.

I been with kids at playgroup today and did some shots with their play and craft.

Brother and sister

But then my daughter found big hat, and I just follow her with camera (lucky I had it with me) :) Its looks so gorgeous and cute! I just can't help myself :) So here big picture share. I like this old style retro feeling what give us these pictures:

Its shows how many interesting moments you could capture for shot moment with kids :) Just have camera ready :)

Lifestyle photography

Kids Portrait

Makeup in Photography {Auckland documentary wedding photographer}

Very little details can make a big picture. It could be good light, emotions, colour, composition etc. But there is one more important detail (especially if you want to picture a portrait) – it’s make-up! It corrects little details, smoothes the skin, makes eyes brighter, bring attention to lips etc. And it also helps in post processing – I don’t have to spend long hours on correction.
Good make-up makes you feel more beautiful and confident, prettier and happier. And we can capture this happiness in our pictures.
I highly recommend using a professional makeup service for any photo session - (portrait, family, couples and especially wedding photo-shoot when you need cosmetics that could stay perfect for a long time on the face (getting ready, ceremony, location shoot and reception - it’s a long day! Professional makeup touches could save the day! Also professional Makeup Artists know exactly what type of cosmetics to use to avoid shiny reflections on faces when we need to use a flash.
I have a few MUA contacts, so do not hesitate to contact me with any questions!

Here is a beautiful work from my last wedding photo shoot with a very professional and talented makeup artist from Mac Cosmetics - Jun Chen (I could highly recommend his work, not only did he use the best cosmetic product, but also made the bride and family feel comfortable - you can see a lot of smiles and happy moments. And he was always ready to help - not only with makeup, but with other little details too. Have a look at these pictures:

What an amazing work!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

2 Minutes With... Photography Project. Lifestyle photos

2 Minutes Project - Its a great opportunity to capture different events or emotions during two minutes. You will be surprised how much could happened just for this short time!

Its works good with capture people's emotions, especially if its little kids. They full of energy, fast change their attention, move from one thing to another... You need same fast react on all these changes :)

You could try to do it with own kid or other family member (its could be static position on the chair and just close capture face with emotions or move around the room with your subject - especially if you have active toddler)

I could show you example with some lifestyle shots with my little one what I took today during 2 minutes. You can see how much happened for this time. 

Lifestyle photography

Other sample of 2 minutes pictures at playground with my kids, full of beans :)

Kids Portraits. Photography tips. Auckland family photographer

You want to have your kids portrait, but sometimes its really hard to get it, especially when kids so active and always move around. I have a few tips for you.

1. Catch the moment!

Try catch the moment when they in right place and right time! Its not so easy, but you can do it (just watch them playing and moving around and have your camera ready with fast shutter speed :) And when you see this special moment just made a click :) Better few in continuous mode for be sure you get it right :)

2. Create this special moment

Take kids attention -

smile to them and they smile in answer,

talk to them and take their attention, ask some question - where the bird? and sure they interested look at window or tree and show you the bird,

made silly faces, jokes - made them have fun and laugh.

ask them to make serious face - and you get the most funniest faces ever!

made something interesting for them - flash works good with kids, its a magic for them, so make this magic around and they will be happy repeat this moment, also you can took their attention with mobile phone or computer (and get more light from screen :)!

play with them - made for kids interesting task - jump as high as they could, run as fast as they can, made a secret, choose one person in family and jump in the hug, draw something, made mess (they love it!) etc. I use a lot of games and play moments during photoshoot and its always work well with kids, they just having fun and show their personality :)

3. Look for light - be sure your kids face in good light (without hot spots) and eyes had some catchlights, its looks really good. Half face could be in shade (if light goes from the side like window light) and its made more dramatic look (especially with black and white conversation).

4. Keep kids eyes in focus - be sure your focus right, check on eyes if they clear to see without blur.

5. Play with aperture - you could make blurry background with small aperture, just be sure your kid far from background (otherwise its will be same clear like kids face).

6. Watch the composition! - try get it right, so picture take attention (you could use rule of thirds, repetition, lines moving to subject, colour attention, isolation, using negative space etc. - its a lot of things to count but the main thing - picture just need looks right for you, all in harmony!

7. Just enjoy the process and have fun! Only if you relax kids relaxing and having fun too, be sure you made for them interesting environment and they even not put attention on camera. 

It will be great results!

Unitec Pumphouse | Auckland City Oaks hotel | St Therese Church traditional wedding {Auckland couples photographer}

Toni + Eddy - a truly amazing couple and a great wedding I was honoured to capture on the 28th February. I loved every single moment of it: the bride and the groom getting ready at the Auckland City Oaks Hotel, the ceremony in St. Therese Church (Three Kings), and the shoot at location near the reception area - Unitec Pumphouse

Make-up - Jun Chen from JC Makeup & Photography
Hair Stylist - Alan Wang from Perfect Hair Studio

Thanks for assistance to Olga Franco from Sugar Sugar Photography.
There were so many different emotions - from positive and peaceful moments to smiles and tears.
I was pleased to be with these open and beautiful people, and really appreciated the way they shared with me their special moments!
I would love to photograph more weddings! If you know someone getting married I would appreciate referrals

my work at Facebook and Website

Thank you!

Beautiful moments of Toni + Eddy's Wedding. Enjoy it!

And just bonus board -some of my favourite pictures with beautiful bride Toni:

And I'd love to put some lifestyle pictures what show emotions and capture real feelings, especially treasure family moments - mothers and daughters with 3 generations (bonus 2):

Wedding photography

Something old and something new. Everyday moments. Lifestyle photographer

My mum send to me an old preschool album and shoes. It was really unexpected surprise - parcel from Saint-Peterburg (Russia).

 I decided took picture for my 365 Project for memory and .... 2 little one come at this moment and started have own fun! They watch the album, explore all around and climbed on the table. Yes, Thats my everyday moments! No any quiet and restful second with kids, but so much mess and fun! All days so different and full of surprises (Im not open you all, you explore yourself with your kids - surprise-surprise!!! :)

Here our 2 minutes with OLD album and NEW for kids items and emotions:

Lifestyle photography

Prints - Made your pictures alive (Wall display guide - print sizes). Portrait photography Auckland

I would love to see pictures printed - in album, photo book, canvas on the wall, framed prints, fine art work or even small prints. We often leave our digitals not printed on the disc, USB hard drive and forgot about them. But they became alive when they printed and took their place on the wall or in album.

I decided to show visually with Photograhers Wall Display Guide how different size pictures looks at your wall (above sofa, fireplace or just near chairs). Hope its helps a lot!

We took this beautiful bride's picture and look at it in different sizes. You will see how picture changes with each size and how this size looks on the wall. 

Bride

8x10. You see this standard size looks small in real room, unless surround by other pictures or artwork.

10x10

11x14

12x12

12x15

15x15

16x20

16x24

16x24

20x20

20x30

20x40

30x40

So as you see size is important and you could choose one what the best fit in your space! I hope this pictures will help with your choice. And i always happy to provide with your session few samples of wall guide specially customise for you! And we could play around with putting different pics in the frames :)

As for prints its really important to choose professional laboratory with perfect colours and best quality paper. One of the best printing place with high end quality is Queensberry

Queensberry provides the best quality and perfect designed products. I just loves their albums, especially popular at weddings shoot. Have a look at their products! They provide all type of prints for satisfied any client.

You free to choose any other company to print just be aware of low quality prints what could ruin your pictures. Thats my advice :) And I happy provide assistance with choosing print place.

I would love to see our pictures alive in your house, office and any other place what you would like. Its a special moments for me what you share and Im really appreciate our time together. Thank you for choosing LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY!

Instagram and Pinterest. Auckland photographer

What a great sources for pictures and inspiration - Instagram and Pinterest.

Instagram really popular place to put your pictures straight out of camera (mobile phone). Its a square picture, but you could always keep original shape with some apps like Squaredroid (what i use often). Also great to put a tag - your friend @xxx or any subject what you like (for example #wedding, #familyshoot, #aucklandphotographer, #lifestyle, #beauty etc. And then you could easily click on this tag and see all other pictures around the world with this hashtag.

You could find great pictures all around the world, different communities, photographers which you could follow ...

My personal Instagram - www.instagram.com/olgalevien  You could find there not only my work with clients / friends but also a lot of personal pictures, mostly my kids and everyday pictures :)

Pinterest give you opportunity not only search for pictures what you need, but also pin it and create own boards where you could save favourite pics. I love to create inspirational boards and also would ask my clients to create their own while prepare to our photo shoot, so we get some new ideas, leaning forward some style, and understand we on the same page! :)

Will be happy to see your boards! Just send me a link!

Giveaway Women's Day. Family and Wedding photographer

Hello! Just want to congratulate all women with International Women's Day - 8th of March and prepare special present for you:

Giveaway one professional photography session for you - Portrait / Family / Couples for choice.

Conditions of Giveaway "Women's Day" apply on our Facebook page.

Entries will closed 6 pm at 10 March 2015. I will randomly choose one lucky person to won at the 10th of March 2015 after 6pm.
Session could be booked during 3 months. Location - Auckland, New Zealand. 

And sweet Bonus - all participants will get a voucher with 50% off session fee for their professional photography session valid for 6 month!
Look forward our future sessions!

Please feel free to took part and let know your friends!

Its fast Giveaway so don't miss the opportunity :)

How to shoot everyday moments. Photography tips. Auckland family photographer

Hello ! Today we will talk about shooting everyday moments - your life, your family, your lifestyle or maybe your special moments. I believe we should treasure every moment like special, but sometimes we have particularly special moments – like on a wedding day or catching baby’s first smiles, first steps, or first impression when travelling around a new country or an unusual place.

It’s a lot to talk about, so let’s concentrate on main tips and everyday moments - personal, family, social.

1. Have the camera ready! Sounds simple, but we really often don't have it with us and easily miss a moment what we want to capture. If you don't have a camera you can always use your mobile phone. I'm so used to my camera with 365 Project (Daily shooting), so I forget about my mobile that I can easily use too! :)

2. Know your camera. Believe me you should have time to work out how to shoot in different settings - manual, shutter speed priority, aperture priority or other ones, single or continuous shooting (good for moving subjects), focus points etc. Take a peek in your camera manual. For example if you are shooting moving subjects (kids, sport etc) you could use shutter speed priority and choose it not less than 1/125-1/250 sec, faster sometimes even better. :)

Aperture priority  good if you want a blurred background (f 1,4-2.8 - what I like) or make it clear (over 3.5 etc.). Of course it’s just a general tip, you can use special calculators that show you how much space will be in focus depending from the distance to a subject, f-stop etc. And you can just practice and work it out beforehand.

3. Watch for the light! Light makes pictures special. You obviously don’t want to shoot on a really bright sun, but if you have to then watch for deep shadows and hot spots on the face and for subject not blow away on the picture, you can also use covered spaces (open or covered shade, good to have sun from the side or back of the subject), morning and afternoon time are much nicer and give more diffused light. I especially appreciate the Golden hour - beautiful light just after sunrise and before sunset.

Window light is good to use when you are working at home with your family everyday moments, you can just use best light in your house (sun at the opposite side of the house) and position your subject at the end of the window or a little bit further (where it’s not too bright), also you could put additional blinds or open them for more light if you need it.

Of course when we talk about kids, it’s hard to imagine we could position a toddler at any spot, we just need follow them, watch the light and choose the best side and position to shoot, be flexible and changeable. So move to next tip:

4. Be ready for changes! Situation changes really fast and you need to be the same – fast! And go with the flow.

5. Use different angles and sides. Use different angles and sides. You see the shot what you want, you are ready, you get it - click! Don't be so fast, look from the other side, direction, perspective, angle. Maybe you missed something important. Practice a lot and you will get your best shot!

Here is my recent shoot for today, when my little one was drawing at the table. I love how concentrated she was on her task!

6. Look outside the box, be creative! This one connects with the previous one. You took pictures from all sides. Have you tired from the top, and bottom too? Did you move out from your comfort zone and did something unusual for you? You should!

7. Picture in details! You are shooting a scene and you see the picture, its great! But what is the special part of this picture that created this feeling? Emotions on the faces at a sport game, hands and rings at the wedding, little kids fingers and toes, baby's smile etc. Also you can photograph details and decorations of the event that make you move back in memories when you look at pictures in 5-10 and more years.

8. Share your pictures - print them out and arrange into albums, show them to friend and family (I’m hopeless - still haven’t printed my one, But I promise I will do!), share on Internet - Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest etc, just show, share, discuss them with friends, get some feedback. See which one you like. And I want give you an advice - take part in 365 Project - daily photos for a year. It’s a personal project and it motivates you to shoot everyday and capture you life. I’m happy I decided to do it this year (not that easy, but I love it! and it’s great to have support and ideas from other participants). It’s actually really hard to choose the best pictures. They are all yours, you like them all! But just try to choose one or two a day, share it and then after some time see if you still like it, see how your style changes, how your shooting subject changes, and how you grow. So it’s not only memories, it’s your photography journey!

There are so many other tips and questions so - Just Do It! Go and capture real life moments, shoot every day, enjoy it, document your life, do family storytelling. Doesn't matter how professional your pictures are – it’s YOUR voice, your story, your life.

And you will Progress with Practice, move forward step by step. And I’m happy to be with you on this journey! Just ask if you have any questions. :)

Contact me info@levienphotography.com

My 365 Project. February. Daily photo.

It's so important to document your everyday moments, capture family storytelling. And its  also  push you to progress to be a better photographer.

Its not so easy to find something new to shoot (every single day) and get more interesting angles, composition, light. But its made you looking for something special, what speak to you, what show something YOURS at this exact moment.

Its your STORY, your VOICE, your IDEAS, and your LIFE!

Here my February daily pictures (some black and white, some colour, some clients shots, some family, and a little bit of everything! Thats my story!

My wedding photo shoot from yesterday. Just can't walk away with one picture for 365 Project :)

Look forward to next month!

Lifestyle photography

Wedding photography

Couples photography

Family photography

Something special on the picture. Photography Tips

Sometimes we just look and seen something unusual, what take our attention and made think outside the box. Its could be unusual light or pattern of shade, or some colour and shape, leading lines or some repetition. Only you know what touch your soul, what speak with you, and what you want to capture.

I just show you one picture what i took today - its just pot with some flowers near my entrance door. But its not a flowers what took my attention, its a shades patterns on the concrete - game light and shadow. And I just wanted took camera in my hands and capture it.

Its always good to pay attention to details!

Other picture - nature on the beach. It was usual morning when I took kids on the beach. And was so nice fresh air and some smoky fog at the back. So I just feel I need capture this moment :) And you could also turn it into black and white conversation and get just magic atmosphere.

Kariotahi beach

Kariotahi beach

And I love to capture everyday moments with my kids, all these little moments what we treasure forever. Could be interesting to look back at the pictures after 5-10 years when kids grow up and we will miss these sweet moments. Here we are:

My kids just LOVE jumping on the bed especially if its our master-bedroom bed! And I happy to catch this special moment of movement:

So what special for you? What make you feel better, happier, what speak to you? Just take camera and capture this moment, documenting history. Or just invite me over and I help you to capture these special moments!

Location. Location. Location! Place for photo shoot. Family photography

Good photographer could do a great job in any place and location, work with different lighting situation, composition, landscape etc. But its really important question for you - what location to choose, what best suits your personality, your style and photo session ideas?

Place for photo shoot can have a great influence for picture atmosphere. Look at this picture. Girls walking forward something. If we have it in usual place (road, grass field) its could be a usual picture. But look at this background - beautiful beach, sand, water, hill, rocks, moody atmosphere. And everything just looks so magic and unreal, what a gorgeous atmosphere! 

Location - Location - Location!!!

So lets talk about photo shoot locations! what the options we have? Here list some obvious places what you could choose:

1. Your house and garden/ back yard. Did you ever consider to take a pictures around your place? You could always find nice spots around and be in familiar place, what sometimes really important, especially with newborn, kids, family photo shoots, head shots etc. 

Here some snapshots from our dance photo shoot around the house :) 

and newborn and family sessions

Nature- is one of the best option for photo shoot. Freedom, natural environment, beauty around, natural light

2. Park / forest / gardens - 

3. Beach / seaside / rocks

4. River / Lake / Waterfalls

5. Field - good for family / couples photo shoot / kids and actually any session, especially if you have some hills/mountain or forest at background.

6. Barn - its a farm style feeling, country spirit. Go for it if you love it.

City, building by peoples places:

7. Church / office / and other official formal places

8. Show place (stage) - your singing, dance show, and any other entertaining thing, we capture all this on-stage moments!  

9. Sport place (field, ice rink, ) - competitions, matches, rounds, sets - all for shooting. Fast, passion, alive moments!

10. City buildings, factory and other industrial places - you could do portraits, couple session, engagement and any others in modern industrial style, with buildings around, lines, different textures and materials. Its also works good for black and white pictures.

11. Kids places - childcare / playground / play centre - where else to shoot kids - in their natural environment when they happy, love to play, and enjoy any second of photo shoot

12. Mix of natural and building environment - its good to have different options in one location - park near the beach, field and barn, playground and park, place near your house and your own rooms etc. So you can have different variety of shots with different atmosphere and outfits.

13. and Any others ideas - you can use any ideas what pop in your head, be creative and thoughtful. Where you feel comfortable, fun, what place connect with your soul and your photo shoot ideas? if you don't know the answer yet we can discuss different variants and choose the best option! And have fun!

Hope this post will help you with some ideas :)

Look forward our sessions!

Scouting venues. Wedding photography Auckland

Good advice for any wedding photographer - scout wedding locations, venues to get a feeling of place and be prepared to Big day (wedding photo shoot).

I prefer always check locations if its possible (hotel where bride and groom getting ready, church for ceremony, restaurant for reception and any other location). You could not only imagine how its all will happened, but also pre-check your camera settings and lens, lights, best points for shooting, good composition, where to do family shots etc. You can suddenly realise its a tight space and you need wide angle lens or its a big location and you need use zoom lens, or good mix of both. Maybe church have some restrictions for photographers with using their flash, or allow to shoot only from one point etc.

So you need to know exactly all photo shoot conditions for be ready to any situations. (of course you never knows what will happen at Big day. But at least you check all stuff and now could expect unexpected :))

Hope its all goes smoothly at your wedding shooting and day will be brilliant. Good preparation - half of success, or maybe 70%, lets leave 30% for go with flow and have fun!

I just checked few wedding locations and feel really inspired by view, ideas, feeling the space and place. I will post later on shots from the wedding so we could compare them, and Im sure during the session we will have much more ideas and interesting turns, even weather could give us a new direction :) I look forward to see my beautiful bride in wedding dress and elegant groom in suit and all their parties guests! :)

Wedding locations: Carrington Pumphouse, Coyle Park, St Therese church.

Everyday moments. Lifestyle photographer Auckland

I love to capture everyday moments, especially if its about family storytelling, my kids actions or my work with clients. Its also help to remember all little moments, and move back in memories afterwords. Thats why I also took part in 365 Project with capture Daily photo. Its a great way to fix memories and practice and progress in photography.

So here my little everyday moments with kids and some other life moments (for example yesterday I visit my friend photographer Jay from the same area (Franklin) and had a big fun watch her patient work with little one with cake smashing and water play. And my kids been happy to play in her child proof house and had fun. I manage to took some behind scene pictures :) Thank you Jay for this opportunity!

Some work for clients - like scout wedding venue for upcoming wedding. So exciting:

And here other everyday moments with my kids, treasure everyday moments:

QUESTIONNAIRE. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS. Family and wedding photographer Auckland

Questionnaire - its a fast and effective way to use to know your clients. I love to know more information about clients before the session. Thats why I always try to catch up with clients/friends prior and ask them different  questions. Not only about what type of photo shoot they would like to have, what shots and style of the pictures, but also to know their personality, what they love to do, what their favourite things, what make them happy. And what one dream shot they would like to capture. And its made us feel on the same page, what really important for not get any disappointed moments when you see result.

I heard menu times how people saying their Photographer been not good because not capture desperately needs moments (especially on wedding day when each moment - treasure!). Thats why we need to know what you want to capture, what mean a lot to you, whats your dream list or dream shot. Questionnaire helps with this, and boards on Pinterest too (really popular right now things to do, I love create all these boards for different shoots and look at clients board to see what pictures they like).

So I will share with you what type of questions I ask at my family/portraits and wedding sessions. Its just some of them, what make me understand what client want.

Family/Portrait Session:

1.List the names of everyone involved in the shoot. Ages of children (you need to know names and age for be ready to entertain and know psychology different kids age - lucky I have good psychology-pedagogical education and teaching experience. And wait - three own kids!)

2. What your family looks like? What you love to do at downtime? What you kids as individuals (are they shy, active, outgoing etc.) - its really good to be ready to meet different personalities and understand their needs.

3. If there was 1 dream shot you would love to have from your session with L&L, what would the shot be? - dream shot question helps with understand what type of picture client want and not miss the opportunity to make him happy!

4. Is there a particular image that prompted you to contact LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY? - thats connect with previous question and made you understand why client choose you, and what type of session he wants.

5. What style photo shoot would you like to have? (formal. lifestyle (documentary), mix of different ones... - that continue previous question and helps deeply go with understanding type of the shots to make.

all these questions and others helps with prepare to photo shoot and understand clients personalities and wishes and made them happy at the end

Wedding Shoot:.

You can get different type of questionnaire in Google search, I just point on some important questions at weddings.

In wedding shoot the main questions for me - schedule questions - for clear understand timing and locations. I love to be well prepared and organised and be ready for any situation. Good to know how many time I have for family shots and where they gonna take place, or shoot bride and groom on location, or for shooting reception details. Its all important moments. 

Contact names - you should get at least 2 names who you can contact during the wedding apart from bride and groom (they could be impossible  to reach during the wedding). And also could be great to get contact person who will organise family shots - move all guests in right place at right time (not so easy task to organise, if you have a friend policemen its could help a lot! sounds good - I had it at one of my wedding - great choice!)

Next important moment - type of shoot and pictures style. Often brides saying they choose me for my natural shots, what show emotions and joy. I love to shoot real life moments, do some type of documentary wedding photography. But pretty happy to set up formal shots, help with posing etc. I just need to know what the best way to operate on the wedding and to get type of shots what you want.

List of shots. Maybe its sound strange but I like creating list, planning everything. Even when I am going to travel List of things what I need take with me - its a main point! Yes Im a planning fan! Search travel places, sightseeing, hotels, locations. Its all applies to photography too.

What the main shots you want - dress and shoes, flower girls, bride with father (mother), or shot with favourite grandma. Happy not miss this moment if I KNOW I need capture it. :) This list just type of orientation. I not planning stand at the wedding with list and trying tick points while missing something important what happens exactly at this moment :) Ha-ha! But its really helps to be organised and plan ahead. Probably you still miss some moments - weddings could goes really unexpected way! But also capture something new and unexpected, what move memories back in time.

And we will treasure forever all these moments!

So ask the question,  Get the answer, Be Happy and make Happy everyone around!

Happy Valentine's Day. Couples, engagement photographer

Love-Love-Love!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! What a magic day full of love, friendship and freedom spirit!

Want to say to my clients/friends - I love you all and especially my dear husband! To the moon and back :) Thank you for all you support and love: tea in bed, looking after kids when Im shooting, feeding and changing nappies (not an easy task, especially put clothes back on), making yummy dinners or drive to buy take aways (curry forever!), and listening my talking (not sure how much percent information go through, maybe 10%? ha-ha :)

And thank you guys for share with me your special moments, love and feelings! I'm really appreciate to be part of something magical! :)

Maria+Taz

P.S.: Im planning to shoot two weddings soon, really excited, counting days - can't wait, more pictures to come in the blog and Facebook page. See you there!

And Happy Valentine's day!

Pictures atmosphere. What to bring to session? Tips. Auckland photographer

My latest photography session had been just amazing - guys brought a lot of props that they wanted to use and a lot of ideas to realize. And pictures turned out just amazing too! It made me think about one of the most important questions - what to bring to a session and what makes the atmosphere during the photoshoot so special?
You always need to consider what type of a session you want in the first place - couples, wedding, family, portrait etc., then come the questions: what location to choose, what to wear, what to bring? It is one of the last questions, but often it makes the picture!
So, what is your personality, what do you like to do, how do you love to spend your down time (personal and family time), what type of pictures do you want, what you want to capture what returns you in this exact moment of your life, what special memories you want to share? Answer for all these questions could help to choose props for session.

Here some ideas to choose from:

1.  Old antique rustic things, historical stuff (old chairs, table, clock, key, bike, cars etc.)

2. Books and magazines (perfect for couples, family, kids, maternity and even newborn shots)

3. Flowers

4. Signs, letters, frames etc. What else can tell about your feelings, name for the future baby or even make an announcement? :)

5. Toys, games, activity stuff for kids (and Big kids too :) Let them play around,have fun and enjoy our session!

6. Accessories - heats, scarfs, part of costume etc

7. Even a mosquito net for a bed could be a great prop for the picture

8. and if we talk about beds – a bed itself could be part of the fun shot with pillows fighting, jumping, if that is one of your family’s special traits.

9. Suitcases, umbrellas (all types), boxes, baskets etc. - all good for shoot! :)

10. Food, drinks, a picnic mat and a basket - what a nice shot for a family or a couple!

11. Activities and hobbies - a music instrument, sport equipment, dance accessories etc. Something that shows what you like to do and what is your passion?

12. Party decorations (balloons, signs, confetti etc.) and bubbles

13. And pretty much any other stuff you'd like to take. There are so many ideas around! Just look around your house, think about things you enjoy doing and get an idea. You could always use Pinterest or Google to find pics with a similar style. There is a lot to choose from.

14. And don't forget to bring fun and positive emotions, sometimes its only one thing what you need! All these things just add nice decorations for your story, but at the end of the day you create and tell this story and I capture it. So it’s totally your choice! It just makes the process easier and the result more memorable).
Good luck with your creativity and hope to see you soon!

You could always contact me with any question!