If you're unfamiliar with the Auckland area, specifically the East Auckland area, and are looking for suitable locations for your engagement photo shoot, these are my favourite locations:

Eastern Beach
My favourite spot to take photos.  A beautiful flat beach that is usually pretty sheltered from wind.  A great carpark and toilet block to change outfits in.  Adjacent to the beach is grass and trees so you get the perfect mix of beach and grass.   Beautiful coastal views out to Auckland's Hauraki Gulf islands.

Murvale Reserve
A top location if you want a forest feel in your photos.   The trees in this reserve are very tall.

Maraetai Beach
On the pōhutukawa coast, a beautiful beach with the rolling country hills behind, with not a lot of sand, so make sure your engagement photoshoot is scheduled for low tide.   

Auckland Botanic Gardens
If you love flowers and plants and want to wander around amongst nature this is your perfect spot.  64 hectares, so even if it's busy, you are sure to find a space away from the crowds.  Just off the Auckland motorway. 

The great thing about living in East Auckland is the mix of different cultures we have living in this area.

The areas of Botany, Bucklands Beach, Howick, Flat Bush and Pakuranga have a great melting pot of all different nationalities coming together.  

Whether you are from an Indian background we know how important events and celebrations are to you.  The use of coloured dress and sarees in photos sure produces lovely bright, vivid pics.  

You may be of Hindu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Sikh, South Indian, Fijian Indian or Islamic faith and have specific requirements for your photos.  Perhaps you cannot kiss your groom to be before marriage, or you have a special ritual that must be performed before your baby can leave the house for photographs.  We can take all your special photographic requests into account and customise the photographic experience for you.  Just let us know. 

We take your traditions, customs and rituals and express them in photographic form.

Living in East Auckland, which is also close to South Auckland, has meant that we have been fortune enough to be chosen to photograph a number of Polynesian Weddings. My first Polynesian Wedding was a very enjoyable yet a lot of the components were different to the European (Pakeha) weddings I was used to.   These have provided great joy and fun, where the ceremony is just as important as all the dancing and traditions during the reception.   Love capturing the Siva Samoa dance and the Pasifika atmosphere.

So if you're looking for a Botany Downs Photographer, please send me a message.