Best wedding photos of the season {Auckland - New Zealand lifestyle couples photographer}

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!

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Publication in Auckland Weddings {New Zealand lifestyle wedding photographer}

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!

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How to choose wedding photographer {Auckland couples-engagement photography}

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!

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Inspiration Boho 70s styled shoot {New Zealand - North Island wedding-engagement photographer}

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!

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Bride and her father {Auckland-Hamilton-Tauranga wedding photographer}

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!

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15 random facts about me {New Zealand lifestyle wedding photographer}

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

15 random facts about me,

New Zealand and destination lifestyle wedding photographer

• Im a peoples person and love to hug everyone (just making you aware!);
• I was born in wild and cold Siberia and then spent my life in gorgeous historical city Saint-Petersburg, Russia;
• If you travel in past You can find me in childhood sitting near the window and reading a lot of books especially classic novels, romances and fairy tales; but I also loved to play soccer with neighbours kids;
• I love FOOD from different cultures, love to try something new (my favourites are any type of cheese and Italian food, pizza's smell just magical!);
• I met my husband overseas in Europe where we spent amazing holidays (Brussels, Paris, Disneyland, Roma, Florence, Venice (with Murano, Burano, Torchino), Florence, Milano, Lake Como - oh, sweet memories!);
• I studied a lot in my life, easy enough and even earned PhD (in pedagogical science);
• I love sport, especially figure / ice skating {I started trainings when I was 25 and won a few international competitions medals after a few years of intensive trainings); 
• I have two little ones (a boy and a girl) who make my life busy, very active and interesting {never knows what each day will bring to you, ha-ha};
• I love everything with music and dance - musicals,movies, reality shows (The Voice, X-Factor etc.), I studied all types of dance - from ballet to hip-hop and found my favourite - jazz!
• I find inspiration everywhere - art, movies, music, TV, people around, sounds and smells and love to go with the flow;
• My husband is a real kiwi - relaxed and easy going man (I try to learn these skills from him, ha-ha) and we love to watch different series at our down time, if we have any :);
• I love to observe and understand people, love to bring my psychology knowledge in practice; Im a peaceful person and even in risky conflict situations try to understand other persons position;
• I love everything new and being creative; atmosphere works great to me: the wind blowing hair and clothes, rain drops around, fog etc.; also great to be at the nature and see and use in photography these stunning landscapes {lucky we are in New Zealand};
• I love to travel {my first speciality is geography}  and I did a lot of travelling especially around Europe;
• and last but not least I love to talk with new and unknown people and find out their stories, facts of their life and personality, and if I start to talk its hard to stop, ha-ha!

so get in touch with me and tell your story!

Brigham-Herald Island Auckland wedding published {New Zealand lifestyle couples-engagement-elopement photographer} The Luxe Pearl

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!

Rustic DIY New Zealand-Northland wedding published {Auckland-Hamilton lifestyle weddings photographer} Boho

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!

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St Margarets Cafe - Karaka {Auckland lifestyle wedding photographer} Maya and Andy

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!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

NZIPP Iris Awards winner {Auckland lifestyle wedding photographer}

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!

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Landsendt Tropical Garden wedding published {Auckland couples-engagement photographer} Paper and Lace

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!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Father's Day feature by Fearless Photographers {New Zealand award-winning wedding photographer}

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!

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Ataahua Garden Venue open day {Tauranga - Bay of Plenty lifestyle wedding photographer}

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! ;)

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Landsendt Tropical Garden Wedding published {Auckland NZ lifestyle couples photographer}

It's a big honour to get almost each wedding published in different magazines around the world as Im just in love with my terrific clients, their special moments deserved to go viral :)

This time Landsendt Tropical garden Maria & Ben's wedding been featured in Brown Sparrow, what a great news. Their stunning lifestyle photos took us into warm and cosy venue with a lot opportunities for great pictures!

I remember this wedding with warm feelings, there was so much great people with big hearts! I just love every single moment of this gorgeous event!

Happy future together!

Enjoy this publication!

Contact me with any questions!

Parnell Rose Garden Wedding published {Auckland NZ wedding photographer} Ultimate Wedding Magazine

What amazing news coming from overseas: Olga & Zydon's Parnell on Rose Garden wedding published in Ultimate Wedding Magazine UK, check out their gallery!

It was such amazing event full of magical moments of love. I remember this couple with warm feelings, in love in our photo shoot at Parnell Garden and St Heliers beach where Olga & Zydon spent such romantic moments, walking on the rocks and even moved into the water, what a brave and fun loving guys!

Thank you so much for sharing with me so special moments! Happy future together!
Great creative team on this wedding:
Celebrant: Andrew Brook / MC and dance teacher: Valeria Antipenko / Music: Nikeil Deo / Arch and Wishing Well: Covers Decoration Hire / Dress boutique: Nouveau Riche Boutique / Make-up Artist: Grayson Coutts Makeup Artistry / Photography: Levien & Lens Photography / Reception: Parnells on the Rose Garden

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}

Look what inside the box! {Auckland-Waikato-Bay of Plenty lifestyle wedding photographer} Queensberry Album

Your wedding is a beautiful event with so special memories. But when time is gone only one thing will remind you about it - your stunning photographs in album, press book or wall print! 

I just love to get beautiful pictures printed especially if its done in the best New Zealand professional laboratory - Queensberry {Im usually shooting weddings around Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions and always come back for prints to this high quality print company}.

Opening package with wedding album inside from Queensberry is like opening a Christmas present :) It's so exciting! Such amazing product {some of my wedding clients been joking they need a special gloves for open this album! :) }

Look what inside this magic box! It's a gorgeous Flushmount 14x10 Album with Juliette & John's wedding photos in Castaways, Auckland.

Enjoy this gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

New Zealand wedding photographers workshop {South Island -Queenstown-Wanaka NZ lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

What an exciting news I received this week: Two Mann, best wedding photographers in the world, coming in New Zealand with their workshop and I had a honour to be in the limited list of talented wedding photographers from NZ, Australia and USA who will participate in this workshop in December 2016 in South Island {Queenstown-Wanaka area}.

As a professional lifestyle wedding photographer I know that learning process is endless and never stops, I am taking any opportunity on my way to learn a new skills, practice, look at photography and life from different angle and improve myself and my photography level, and get inspired.

I will be happy to share with you a review on this amazing workshop with my experience at the end of this year. I am happy to be in company of amazing Fearless photographers  with so talented people as Erika and Lanny from Two Mann Studio.

If anyone planning to be married at 2-11 December 2016 in South Island {Queenstown-Wanaka and surrounding areas} Im happy to capture your special day moments with no extra travel charge with special offer {as Im anyway will be there for workshop on 6-8 December!}, so exciting to shoot at such a picturesque and legendary place on breathtaking South Island! 

Please contact me with any questions!

Brigham - Herald Island, Auckland wedding published in Brown Sparrow {New Zealand couples-engagement photographer}

Its a great pleasure to receive a good news: Ailsa & Ropate wedding {Brigham - Herald Island, Auckland} published in Brown Sparrow! Im so thrilled!

What a great honour to receive an acknowledgement for New Zealand wedding photographs in world level publishers!

This wedding was just amazing, with warm atmosphere, full of love and fun moments! Ailsa & Ropate such a stunning couple. Im happy to look at their wedding pictures over and over again!

Enjoy this publication in Brown Sparrow!

Contact me with any questions!

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Mothers on wedding - Mother's Day feature {New Zealand lifestyle couples-engagement photographer}

Just prior the Mother's Day I decided to put together photographs with mothers and brides or brides-mothers :) on the wedding day. As a lifestyle wedding photographer Im lucky enough to document a unique stories, emotions, connection, candid moments during the day and something really special. Im travelling all around New Zealand and met so many wonderful people!

It's such a special moments on the weddings when mother helping the bride on getting ready moments, watching the ceremony with tears in her eyes, or laughing during the speeches on reception.

Also special how brides who are mothers themselves show their feelings towards their little ones, pretty flower girls and ring carriers. I especially love when you can meet on the wedding a few generations, its so treasured moments!

Enjoy this gallery with special for bride and groom people!

Contact me with any questions!

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Church Of The Holy Sepulchre - Bastion Point {Auckland NZ lifestyle wedding-engagement photographer}

What a great wedding I been capture in Church Of The Holy Sepulchre {Auckland}, Bastion Point and Malaeola Community Centre! Full of fun, love, traditions and positive emotional lifestyle moments :)

Ngawaiata & Sefo celebrated their special day with big bridal party (10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen!!!), family and friends. Couple have known each other since primary school, Ngawaiata said: "We have known each other all our lives! :)" Thats so romantic to be married on the person who been with you all the life, just unbelievable, what a great love and connection! 

It was a great pleasure to capture for couple all special moments with a lot of traditions and cultural performances during the reception. Wedding Day started from bride and groom getting ready, through the ceremony in beautiful church in City centre {Grafton, Auckland} and then at reception with over 400 guests!!! I love how maori and pacific traditions met each other on this special for couple day!

Happy future together!

Great Creative Team:
Dress - Bella Bridal, Suit - Frank Casey
Flowers - Manukau Florist
Make up - GlamBangerz Makeup , Hair- Helen Masoe Hair/Makeup & Lash extensions
Celebrant - Venerable Lloyd Popata
MC- Patrick Tobin Sione Fotofili, DJ - Peliki Talanoa
Band - Anuanua Dance Troupe - Cook Island Entertainment
and Levien & Lens Photography - Auckland-Hamilton wedding lifestyle photographers. Thank you Matt for being a great second photographer on the day!

Enjoy this video and gallery!

Contact me with any questions!

{BOOK YOUR WEDDING}