European holidays

May 31, 2023 Olga Levien

If you noticed its been a bit quiet here as I just spent a few weeks in Europe - traveling and participating in ISU Adult Ice Figure Skating competitions in Oberstdorf (Germany). Perfect timing at the end of the busy season with so many weddings and sessions! I needed to change the atmoosphere! :)

It was a fun time full of positive emotions, fulfilled with beautiful connections with people, making old and new friends, supporting each other in a warm and welcoming atmosphere; connecting to the beautiful nature of Bavarian Alpine village - can you imagine cows walking on the street waking everyone up at mornings with their bells.

Place to be surrounded by gorgeous mountains!

Enjoy highlights of the trip and a few photos from the competitions! Its always fun to be creative and express yourself in a different way. I didnt had much time to take photos, so here only a few :)

Skating photos by Luca Tonegutti.

Nature and mountains: trip to Oberstdorf - Germany {personal photography}

June 8, 2022 Olga Levien

Its been a bit quiet here lately as I being away to a short trip overseas to nature and mountains, skating and yummy food, fun and freedom in Oberstdorf, Germany. It was a breath of fresh air to finally get out of New Zealand after few years not been able to travel and do things that I love.

I went to participate in adult ice figure skating competitions that been rescheduled from 2020 and take a first time after pandemic 23-28 May 2022. It was a pleasure to meet all the amazing people, push myself in trainings and competitions {its was hard after lockdowns and not enough competitions experience, but we all pulled it out as a hero on ice}. It was important for me to come back to Europe, my homeland and feel again all this beautiful nature and breathe it all in! it feels and looks absolutely different from New Zealand. We been in a beautiful place of Bavaria, surrounded by mountains in a cosy town of Oberstdorf {you can literally walk through the city in 15-20 min from one side to another}. So beautiful and peaceful, great to recharge after all the hard work!

If you ask about competitions results - it went well {I took 4th and 7th place in a new for me category}, but mainly it was a great learning curve {learning never stops!} and great inspiration!

Enjoy a quick highlights {I did took my camera with me, but pulled it out only a few times}

By the way, if you like to push your photography to the next level, my next online workshop “Love, Light and Laughter” at Click Photo School begin 11 July, not long to go!

And just in case you would like to see couple of photos from competitions by talented Luca Tonegutti, here we go {photo proof lol}:

Ice, Mountains and Passion {travel journal - Auckland wedding photographer in Oberstdorf - Germany}

May 29, 2019 Olga Levien

I want to share with you my recent travel news, in case if you noticed how quiet lately in our Blog: I been few weeks away , in Oberstdorf, Germany, for ISU International Adult Figure Skating Competitions, at Ice, Mountains, and share the Passion with amazing people from all over the world, with love to ice skating.

It is a honour for me not only be an Auckland wedding photographer, mentor, a mum, and wife, but also continue to do my passion - figure skating, such incredible sport with passion and grace! It always been a dream to participate in international competitions of such a big rank, and Im not shy to chance my dreams and just go for it, even if I back on ice only for a one year, after almost 8 years break with having kids and building a successful wedding photography business in Hamilton and Auckland, NZ, mentoring and running multiple educational projects. Hard work did paid off!

Such incredible rewarding experience with so many new friends, with warm support and cheer!

All dreams can come true if you believe in yourself and really want it to happen.

Enjoy these highlights and chase your dreams!