Follow the lines - Creativity Exercise | Photography Tips

Did you ever put attention to lines on the pictures?

They draw your attention to the main subject, leading in composition, frame and play a big role in photography.

You can see a horizontal, vertical or diagonal and also all mix of these types. 

Creativity exercise today: Follow the lines!

Try to see different types of lines around, include them in the frame and draw attention to your main subject. Its could be leading lines in composition, horizontal/vertical/diagonal lines of surrounding objects or even body lines, arms etc. Even if you not notice lines too much, they are there. Try to incorporate all other sides of photography: watch the light, colours, composition etc. and have fun with post processing, twist the colours and create a black and white images if its speaks to you!

Look at couple of shots what I did today for this creativity exercise while my kids played at playground (when else can I find time for everyday shooting and my 365 Project :)

Contact me with any question!

Big Changes | Lifestyle wedding photography | North Island, New Zealand

If you wonder why it was so quiet in our Blog during the week, the answer is simple: we were really busy moving house from Auckland to Hamilton, New Zealand.

Yes, thats right, we relocated :) Its so exciting! New changes, new hopes, new life! (and a lot of packing, cleaning, unpacking, big task, ha-ha!)

If you ask me is there any changes for clients / friends, I will answer: absolutely nothing and everything :)

Aucklands clients still get the same level of service, Hamilton just 1 hour away what sounds like nothing for girl originally from 5-million citizens city St-Petersburg where travel to work could take 1-2.5 hours one way :)

Its also means wider zone coverage: we service now not just big Auckland area, but also Hamilton and all Waikato area (Thames, Coromandel, Taupo, Otorohanga) and Bay of Plenty as well (Tauranga, Rotorua) and surroundings!

More opportunities and we love to travel. Destination weddings and lifestyle family sessions are welcome!

Look forward to all exciting changes!

Contact me with any questions!

Pinterest Boards | Photography Tips {Auckland-Hamilton photographer}

If you never heard about Pinterest its time to give it a go! I just love the ability to serf around there, looking for inspiration, create some boards with chosen pictures and links (organised in system) and share with friends.

Its helps not just to get some inspiration but also helps to feel on the same page with clients/friends. My brides and families often happy to share with me their ideas through the links on Pinterest.

I also love the ability to see some new fun shots.

Here my last inspiration board which shows what drive me into photography, what speaks to me a lot and what I like to see more in my work. Here a fast screen shot (which opened a part of my inspiration :)

Please create your board and share with me! :) Look forward to see it!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Happy Father's Day {Waikato family photographer}

I want to wish Happy Fathers Day to all Dads and remember some moments from few latest sessions.

I love to capture connection between Father and child, their emotions and relationship. Its such special treasured moments.

I would like to offer 15% off session fee for bookings made on Fathers day and during next 3 days (lifestyle family and portraiture photo shoot / kids / baby / newborn etc.). Happy Fathers Day!

Enjoy this gallery! 

Contact me with any question!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Commercial photography Auckland | Pictures for website

What could be better playing with toys? Having a photo shoot with a lot of toys! :)

So many cute little things what can make kids and their parents so happy. Thats what I done last Saturday - had a commercial photo shoot for Pioneer Wooden Toys. Pictures turned out just amazing! 

I was so happy to see them live on their Facebook page straight away: little wooden furniture, bed set, living room, kitchen etc Also big trucks, cars, rocking chair, riding truck, real kid size ironing board, washing line and much more. Kids were so happy to play around all these toys! My little models: William and Anna-Bella did a wonderful job just by having fun with these little treasures while I been shooting around.

What a fun time! Enjoy this pictures.

Please let me know if your interested in taking pictures for your website, blog, head shots for your company or social media. I would love to help!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Personal Project 365 | August | Lifestyle Photography Auckland

Its always surprising to look back at the start of the month and see images what you took FOREVER ago. Yes, thats how its feels, and then you realised it was not a long time ago, just start of the month.

So much happening: different sessions, events, news,  few commercial projects and kids around, of course :)

Here are my personal everyday moments in 365 Project. Capturing real life and emotions, remember treasure moments.

Enjoy it!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Cornwall park Couples-Engagement Session | Auckland Wedding photographer

What a beautiful couple I met last weekend for their engagement session at Cornwall Park, Auckland. 

Julie and Ettienne such an amazing and fun loving couple!

I love every single moment of our session together: all these lyric, romance and fun moments, posing and un-posing, relaxing talking and moving around. We even been dancing!

This couple is so gorgeous! It was interesting to hear their love story, how they met and where they come from: Julie a real kiwi girl and Ettienne from South Africa (name sounds really French and romantic! :). We found a lot in common - passion to dance (Julie doing latin dancing) and figure skating (Ettienne love to skate and practice on ice as me :).

What a great time together! Thank you guys!

So excited about your upcoming wedding!

Happy future together!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Capturing joy | Kids Portraits | Auckland-Waikato Family photography

Capturing joy is the most important part of my photography. All these emotions, happiness, connection, what else could be more important? :)

This time in my 365 Project I choose to capture my little one jumping on the bed - its so much fun and positive emotions, look at her face!

These moments are so treasured!

Little tips: try to capture full frame with scene (to show what's happening), then concentrate on the details and face and emotions at the end. This makes for a complete set. Try to use different angles and perspective. 

I show you just a fast sneak peek how my little one having fun on brothers bed while he in pre-school. ha-ha :) :

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Commercial Photography Headshots-Pictures for website | Auckland-Hamilton photographer

As you know I love to do different types of photography. My real passion is lifestyle family and wedding sessions, but I always have space for all sorts of photography (events, maternity, portraiture, head shots, commercial projects). Its refreshing and makes me look for different inspiration and angles, opening new directions and practice and progress personally and in photography as well.

So I was really happy when my old friend / client Belinda asked me to help her to create pictures for her new website, what will be specialised on Craniosacral Therapy in Waiuku. She is so gifted and to work with people, help them with pain relief. Its so professional how she is with different techniques, working with her hands and spirit to give people pain relief (she checked it on me a few times when I had real pain with my back). Amazing!

We took some pictures what showing her practice and also with headshots. Pictures turned out just amazing. I look forward to see it live on the web and will add a link here as soon as it goes live! Promise :)

Good luck with your practice, Belinda! Look forward to our next meeting!

Contact me with any questions!

365 Project | Personal pictures | Hamilton lifestyle photographer

Its not a secret Im taking a 365 Project this year with ability to capture everyday moments, to get images with my kids and lifestyle moments what I will treasure forever. Its a good practice and progress for me as well. Love to looking for new creative shots, ideas and angles!

This time my little one move into the pantry, where he love to hide, climb and explore.

I captured the candid moments with him behind pantry door. Something usual and everyday became an interesting add to my 365 collection of images.

Enjoy it!

Creativity exercise | Capture a moment | Family lifestyle photographer | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Its time for a new creativity exercise :)

This time we concentrate on capturing moments, emotions and details as well. So lets start:

grab a camera, make sure your settings good enough for capture a motion (at least 1/125 sec), good exposure, enough light coming through your lens (if its not enough you can make small aperture (around 1.8-2.8 depends what area you want to have in focus) and don't forget to set ISO (if its low light condition don't be afraid to bump it up) and last but not least - your white balance (you can use Kelvin - my usual settings at my house at day time around 5500 K, outside its varies depends from time of the day and could be around 6200 at usual day time and go up 7200-9500 closer to sunset, candles light give you around 2500 K). If you want to learn how to use the Kelvin settings just look at Kelvin chart and play with your settings at different lighting conditions and look at result (is it too blue or yellow).

I just slightly touched your settings because they are really important for get a clean picture what no need too much work in post-processing, so try to get it right in the camera :)

You made your camera ready for action and for your creativity exercise:

Take a set of the pictures around one event and try to capture a moment, emotions of subjects, concentrate on details and take a pictures what make a story. You can also just made a one shot which show all story in one frame. 

I show you some examples of capturing moment: last evening when my little ones been sitting on the sofa and watching TV I tried to get in frame their connection and interaction with details shots. Its a real treasure, especially when your little ones grow up so fast.

Have fun and let me know if you have any questions info@levienphotography.com

Mini-holidays in Tauranga | Personal pictures | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

I love spontaneous moments, adventure and travelling. Thats why I been happy when last weekend we decided to leave Auckland and drive to Tauranga for a weekend. What a fun idea!

Change atmosphere, environment, have some rest and relax after busy time and enjoy our time.

Kids been happy to stay in Omokoroa holiday park in cute cabin with playground next to it and great thermal pools what they used twice. My little ones been so excited to swim supported with daddy's hands, jump in the water and play around.

My 3-years old son mentioned to me "I want stay in this house!" Ha-ha, me too :)

But it was time to say good buy and drive back to Auckland with brakes at playgrounds, McDonalds and other fun places.

I been totally relax and have a break from shooting, just took a few pictures here and there for 365 Project. We all need to have some rest :)

Enjoy it!

Photographing kids | Lifestyle moments | Family photographer LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Every moment with kids is a treasure. Do you want to remember how your kids sleeping, playing, making mess, having bath etc.

This time my little one grab a mermaid and while her brother was asleep at day time I decided to take her up to the bathroom so she not wake him up (yes, I even not think to move him upstairs to his bedroom for not disturb his sweet dreams, actually i tried once and it was not successful, ha-ha!)

So she had a fun time playing with mermaid in the water and I just used the opportunity to take a pictures with these everyday treasured moments. Kids will grow up at one day but I will keep these memories! :)

info@levienphotography.com

The Knott Family | Auckland Domain Photography Session {Waikato-Bay of Plenty photographer}

Auckland Domain is a beautiful place for taking pictures: big park with big old trees, lakes, Wintergardens, big fields and Museum as well. So popular for family time, sport exercise or relaxing time.

This morning we decide to have a family session with the Knott family: Amie, Steve, handsome and active Zach (8 years old) and gorgeous wee boy Jake (just turned 1 year old). This family is one of the winners of my Winter Giveaway (what I been running on Facebook to say a Big Thank you for all my followers for support and love). I was so happy to met this lucky family and we all had fun together!

It was an unforgettable time: climbing up on the trees, feeding ducks at the lake, running under the rain, walking around, had a picnic, feeding baby, have fun, a lots of hugs, smiles, jokes, laughing - warming moments. Weather been kind to us. We till the last moment been thinking about reschedule the session, but then bravely decided to try it, and there was just fast little rain, what not ruined our plans and we managed to finish a session on positive note.

Thank you so much guys for share with me your family moments!

See you soon!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Flash vs Natural light | Photography tips | Family and Wedding photographer | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Im often saying Im a natural light photographer. I take a pictures outside in beautiful locations: parks, beaches, reserves, rocks etc. Also use gorgeous window light at lifestyle family / newborn / baby / couples sessions.

I love to watch light, I love to use light, I love to play with light (detract, side, back light which looks just amazing, believe me!).

But there are some situations when light just doesn't works how you want it, how you imagine it in your head. Maybe not enough to light your subject, or opposite - overpower and making a lot of hot spots on the face, or it sampled light. At this cases the best option is a flash, especially off-camera flash.

I love to use flash to bounce light in the room where there is not enough light (clients houses, newborn sessions, wedding receptions, family formals), or where needs to fill with light, or even overpower the sun. 

What an amazing result you can get just before the sunset with off camera flash to show beautiful background full of colours and also give some light on the faces (couple, family, maternity, kids, portraits etc.). Here some example from my last couples session on the beach. I will show you natural light picture and picture with using off-camera flash. See the difference in feelings, different effects and looks what you want to archive. Its works just great when you want to give the variety in the gallery and put so different but so beautiful pictures at the same moment of time. Flash give you a big power to have choice and apply your vision on the capturing moments:

Main tips with using flash:

1. know your synchronise speed (for not get a black stripe across the image)

2. put it closer to the subject (to get nice light)

3. control flash power manually

4. use the manual mode in the camera to control aperture and shutter speed.

5. and practice! :)

You can also put flash in TTL automatic mode but its not I've you much ability to control the flash.

Good luck with your shooting! Just take a camera, equipment and go with the flow! :)

Talk to you soon!

Contact me if you have any question info@levienphotography.com!

Family time in Onepoto Domain | Auckland, North Shore | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

What a fun time for kids in Onepoto Domain (North Shore, Auckland): riding bikes, play at playground, flying fox, little bush walks and much more!

Thats a great place to spend family time together. This afternoon we with our little ones drove over to North Shore to visit Nana and also took them outside to play around and had freedom in Onepoto Domain. They just loved it!

It was really hard to move them back in car :)

Look at these pictures:

(my little one fall down into the mud straight away after we arrived, but get up and continued play around in muddy dress)

Newborn Photographer | Washington DC | Guest in the Blog | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Im so happy to be in amazing community of photographers ClickinMoms - Women in Photography where I meet a lot of amazing people and friends, who ready to support and help each other, give some good advice and a little critique. Love these girls and atmosphere.

Meet my new Guest in our Blog - my good friend Gena from Gena Mary Photography

"Hi! I'm Gena, a Washington DC Newborn Photographer who also specializes in babies, children, maternity and family photography.   I am a blessed mom of four beautiful children (including a set of twins), a 20-year military Veteran and an impassioned photographer.   Newborns are my absolute favorite subject to photograph.  I love everything about brand new babies, especially the feelings of sheer excitement, joy and elation that build during the session and multiply when I sit down to process the images once the session is complete.  I vividly remember the awesome feeling of having my four little-ones photographed in their first few days and relish the opportunity to create the same excitement and anticipation for my clients.  My goal with newborns is to create soft, beautiful, natural images that are custom created for the families I am privileged to work with.   
http://www.genamariephotography.com
email:  gena@genamariephotography.com

Please definitely contact Gina if you live in America ;) I highly recommend her for your best ever family, maternity and newborn photographer!

Cornwall park family lifestyle photos {Auckland-Hamilton photographer } Baby Alexander

Lifestyle sessions for me always starts from details: house interiors, nursery details - cot, mobile, toys around, shelfs, any items what looks like family loves. Thats all details that gets me feeling of the family, their character, personalities, colour choices and stuff around as well.

Then its goes to people who live in this space, how they interact with each other, what made them happy, how the talk, touch each other (hug the baby, touch their little feet, hands and head), all this comes into place like puzzle. 

Then I watch for the light, best place to shoot and compliment the family lifestyle. Its make sense to shoot baby in nursery or on big parents bed because its a place where he spends a lot of time, where mum and dad love to be with him.

I also love ability to move outside of the house and go to the beach or park. These places are not just pretty surroundings, these places are where mum/dad spend a lot of time walking with baby, give him some fresh air.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to met amazing family with 8 month old little one - gorgeous baby Alexander, his parents and lucky enough his grandma who been visited family and planning to fly back to Malaysia very soon. I been happy to capture all this family together at so rememberable for them moments, celebrating first year of babies life and show all lifestyle moments, especially treasured ones with his grand mom!

This family definitely love to have fun. I don't remember when I heard last time so much laughing and giggle sounds. So enjoyable time!
Thank you guys for inviting me in your lovely place at Ellerslie and having outside time in Cornwall park.

What a treasured moments!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Kariotahi beach couples photo shoot | Auckland wedding photographer

OLGA & MARTIN

Kariotahi beach in South Auckland (not far from Waiuku) is a stunning location for any couples photo shoot. This weekend I met my lovely couple / friends just before the sunset to make special pictures for them.

This couple few years married and had 2 year old little one. Good time to show their love and connection. As Olga been joking during the photo shoot - this type of session should be included in all psychological course for every couple who wanted to refresh their relationship and remember how much they love each other. What a great idea! I should think about it, how to make all families live happily ever after :)

We start our session next to the beach at grass areas then walk at the sand and finished session on the top of the hill meeting beautiful sunset. 

Olga and Martin; so romantic and fun loving couple. I really enjoyed to watch them cuddling each other, joking and playing around. It was a cute moment when Martin helped Olga to move sand out of the shoes (she might be feel like Cinderella) and put flower in her hair. 

Love all the moments of our photo shoot. Enjoy it too!

Contact me for any enquiries! Remember we had complimentary engagement session for wedding bookings during August 2015 (limited availability)

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR SESSION}

Wedding celebrant - Featured Guest in the Blog | Auckland wedding photographer

Meet a new guest in our Blog - beautiful wedding celebrant Valeria (Lera) Antipenko! 

I love to meet a new people in the industry and hope this information can help our brides to made their wedding day run smoothly. More surprises coming soon in the Blog ;)

First what I think when remember Lera its a high energy and passion: love to her profession, to dance and how she speaks and care about people. So meet Lera Antipenko (www.nzcelebrant.nz):

"Choosing a celebrant is an important part of your wedding planning process. These days, not everyone is after the same thing.

I am a registered marriage celebrant and have completed a celebrant course through the Celebrant School of New Zealand. I design wedding ceremonies with traditional international customs that are tailored to create special intimate moments for your ceremony.

Are you looking for an open minded, passionate, energetic, well organised, committed, approachable, flexible person who will guide you through your ceremonial process? Then I would love to assist you create your special day.

I'm all about creating a fun, relaxed but enthusiastic environment. After all, you're getting married and this should be one of the most special days of your lives! The only thing that limits you is your imagination.

This process is all about your dreams, your personalities, your relationship. Every wedding ceremony is as special as the couples with whom I work. A great deal of time is spent creating a custom-designed ceremony. 

In addition to being your celebrant I can also coordinate your special day and provide entertainment. As I am a professional Latin American dancer and entertainer I can provide dance lessons so your first dance will be one to remember.

Available for marriages anywhere in New Zealand. I'm contactable 24/7. Any questions or queries please give me a call 02102432052 or send me an email info@nzcelebrant.nz."

Thank you Lera! Look forward to our next meeting (possibly on another wedding in excited environment :)

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}