Happy New Year! {Auckland wedding | couples photographer} Top 9 on Instagram

Happy New Year! It was not an easy year 2020 with lots of up and downs, but its great to finish on the positive note and look forward to next year, what it brings to us {and me, Auckland wedding | couples photographer}.

It’s time to look back at this amazing year and reflect, sharing best of 2020, top nine on IG!
This year been not easy with lots of changed plans, but everything happening for a reason!
I enjoyed slow down time with family, teach three online workshops, still managed to shoot lucky weddings, couples and family shoots. and won a few awards {The Voice, SLR Lounch etc}

It was an incredible experience ❤️
Another exciting year ahead!

Enjoy my Top 9 on Instagram {personal and business accounts}: I can not wait to see what next year will bring!

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Shutterstock: Photographers share lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic {Auckland family-wedding photographer}

Im so excited to share with you a recent publication in Shutterstock where Photographers from all over the world share lessons learned from the Coronavirus Pandemic, such a tough time fore any small business owner. Its such a honour for me, Auckland family-wedding photographer to be featured in this publication.

Enjoy the wisdom advice from many photographers and their directions!

Here some of my words published:

“Coronavirus pandemic affected the wedding photography industry in a big way, as so many weddings have been rescheduled/postponed and some are cancelled. The amount of income dropped significantly. But, I learned to enjoy the downtime during lockdowns. I spent more time with my family and, work-wise, I decided to shift my focus on online photography education and also started offering more branding and lifestyle shoots. Wedding inquiries recently started to pick up again, but I truly enjoy the variety of different genres that allow me to switch perspective and atmosphere, and to refresh.

One of my most valuable lessons I learned through the coronavirus pandemic is that there’s no need to lock yourself in a box. Be open to different opportunities that come your way and stay positive. That is, keep working hard to get where you want to be or take a break and refresh your vision. Also, you need to have a safety pillow. Secure yourself. Have some savings and financial security, and also, special conditions in your contract to protect yourself from any unforeseeable situation—such as a global pandemic. Stay calm and carry on!”

together with one of my photos:

My everyday moments August 2017 - 365 {Hamilton Waikato family - wedding photographer}

Winter has flown by so fast; it's hard to believe Spring time is coming, warmer and sunnier weather on the way!  Another month with my 365 Project {third year in a row}.  August has brought some amazing moments.  We spent some time away from Hamilton, Waikato and stayed at Omokoroa holiday park with hot pools for the weekend.  The kids had so much fun!  I have also been sick for almost three weeks (exact time in between of my weddings - engagement work), I guess my body just felt like it needed to have a rest, which almost impossible with two little ones!  Our everyday moments have been documented all month long, and you can have a look at this final gallery, with some highlights capturing all our moving and messy moments.

Enjoy these photographs and contact me with any questions!

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One little day in Tauranga - personal everyday moments {Hamilton NZ wedding photographer} 365 Project

I just realised I not shared any of my personal work lately. I still keep doing 365 Project (which transferred more into 52 Project, as sometimes I just don't had any ability to shoot, wedding season started :) As a photographer and mum I really enjoying to capture some special for me moments as this one with play light and shade black and white from recent photographs in September.

Sisters in cafe

Or just sweet simple moments - portraits as this one (something special for each mum - kids smile):

Spidergirl portrait

Back to our subject - last weekend we had the opportunity to have a little day trip out from Hamilton to Tauranga to visit our friends with their new baby and went to the Mt Maunganui beach. It was amazing time, warm enough for kids to run in the waves (lucky we always have spare clothes in car :), play with the sand and climbing up the rocks.

Of course we had cameras with us and me with my husband captured some moments around. What a great time with kids!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions! 

Beauty of Beach maternity {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga lifestyle wedding-couples-engagement photographer}

Maternity photography is so special: expecting a little miracle, feeling all the beauty of these moments. It's so exciting! I'm specialise in lifestyle wedding photography and always happy when my couples come back to me asking to do for them maternity or newborn | kids photo shoot, it's so treasured moments and a big pleasure for me :).

Last weekend we spent with my last year awesome couples clients - Olga and Martin and their 3 years old daughter Maddy. They expecting second baby girl and decided to remember these special moments. The session took place on Kariotahi beach, Auckland. Olga been brave enough to move into the wild waves on the beach after some family shots.

Sunset was so beautiful and pictures turned just amazing!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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North Head {Auckland lifestyle wedding photographer}

North Head is a very interesting place to visit. Located in Devonport, Auckland big historic reserve with beautiful views on Auckland city, Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island and surroundings. There also some tunnels what been build during World War II.

We used the opportunity to visit this site with family last weekend in North Shore (Auckland) and kids had chance explore around, go to tunnels with torches and had freedom to run around :)

I captured some lifestyle moments and beautiful views. 

Interesting I been contacted the same day about couples photo shoot prior the wedding on North head. Sounds like a destiny, place to be :)

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Whangaparaoa beach birthday party {Event-family-kids photographer Auckland-Hamilton NZ}

I love to shoot weddings, but also happy to capture all other special events - treasured moments for each family - newborn, kids, birthday parties. I drove to Whangaparaoa {Auckland} few weeks ago to capture a beautiful 1 year old boy's birthday party.

This trip from Hamilton to Auckland was special for me because just half year ago I been doing this gorgeous boy 6 month baby lifestyle photo shoot at Lake Tarawera {Rotorua}. I love to travel to clients sessions around the North and South Island and capture treasured for them moments. Sometimes clients want to keep pictures private and I absolutely respect their privacy (it's a personal choice), but I always excited to share some pictures from session for give everyone a feel of my style and how I love to shoot. This time I had permission to share a few pictures with you, what Im doing right away :)

We captured some beach family pictures before the party and then joined big family celebration with so warm and enjoyable atmosphere!

Enjoy a few pictures from this Whangaparaoa beach birthday party!

Contact me with any questions!

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Merry Christmas and Happy holidays (Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle wedding photographer}

My dear friends | clients! 

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

Hope you will have exciting events, trips and have some rest and relax!

I am still very busy with shooting weddings, lifestyle sessions in Auckland and Hamilton, especially at summer time! Will post more sneak peeks and blog posts during the holidays if I have a chance :). 

It's exciting time for everyone, hope you enjoy it!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Contact me with any questions!

Mairangi Bay kids-family fun {Auckland-Hamilton documentary photographer}

Last evening we spent with family and kids on beautiful Mairangi beach in Auckland. We made a special trip from Hamilton to say good buy to uncle Paul and aunty Sinead who fly back to UK this evening, they spend amazing pre-wedding holidays in New Zealand, where all family been happy to see them.

What a fun time on the swing, in the waves, running on the sand, having hot fish and chips in Mairangi Bay park | playground and some lifestyle moments.

We will miss you!

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

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Everyday lifestyle moments | 365 personal project

We decided to put together some of our lifestyle moments captured during last few days, which not been posted yet. 

Its just usual everyday moments, but Im sure they will be treasured when we look back in few years (or maybe even few months time) and remember all these little details with children :)

Im not just a photographer but also a Mum of too little ones who made my life really full of different events, surprises coming every minute, and its not just positive ones, ha-ha :)

Kids - kids - kids :)

Contact info@levienphotography.com

Still life | Photography Genre {Auckland-Hamilton NZ photographer}

As the saying beauty in details, everyday moments of our life. We often look at portraits, trying capture emotions, mood, connection, move. But something else around us, something what we not notice too much, especially when we in rush or busy with other questions.

Its all world around waiting when you put attention on it and see the details.

Its a still life! So beautiful and mysterious at the same moment. Its all about beauty in simplicity, light, details and moment.

You just need to look with attention and wait when some moments just speaks to you and make your heart to sing!

Thats my moments, have a look at these pictures (During my 365 Project I find out that shooting a still life or other photography genres feels really refreshing and inspiring). This gallery from this afternoon shooting till past months random moments what speaks to me (you can see here some mix of genres - macro, abstract etc.:

365 Project

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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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)

Fun in Chipmunks playland | Family lifestyle photoS | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

What big fun we had this morning at Chipmunks play land and cafe

Kids been running around, climbing, playing and sliding. What a good time for little ones without big kids around (while they at school), all zone belongs to them :) Its so nice for parents just keep eye on kids and just relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or have a chat with other parents, or take a few shots with my camera like I did :) ha-ha! 

Camera almost every day with me and my 365 Project motivate me to find new creativity sides and angles, se beauty in everyday moments and treasure them forever. Kids will grow up but pictures will stay :) I adore it!

Have a look at this few pics with my little ones having fun:

Contact info@levienphotography.com for book your portraiture or lifestyle session (family | kids | maternity | baby | engagement | couples | event | wedding photography)

Play time | Creativity exercise | Family and kids photo | LEVIEN & LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

New creativity exercise for your family images today!

Kids just love play time. Choose one activity to entertain them and use the opportunity to take a pictures while they are busy. It will be natural lifestyle images.

You can pop daddy in the frame (or nana/granddad), siblings, pets etc. and focus on different subjects, shoot details and their emotions of course. Try to change angles and shoot from all sides.

Good luck!

Talk to you soon.

Here is just quick example with few shots from the hotel where daddy and kids been playing cards on the bed (we been away from Auckland in Rotorua, I had destination lifestyle session with family at Lake Tarawera, love to travel!)

info@levienphotography.com