Experience

About Me

(Who I am and what inspires me)

Hey, I’m Karina.

Born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania - but Cyprus has been home for over 15 years now. My journey with photography started long before I ever called it a job. I was that teenager who always had a film camera in hand, drawn to quiet moments and the beauty unfolding around me.

What started as a hobby slowly became something more - something I couldn’t imagine not doing. And here we are: 13 years, hundreds of weddings, and countless incredible people later.

Life took a beautiful turn again three years ago when I became a mom to twins - a boy and a girl who remind me daily just how fleeting time is. I think that’s why I’m so obsessed with preserving real, unfiltered emotion. Time flies, but photographs… they hold still for us what we’d otherwise lose.

My work is all about people. I specialize in multicultural weddings and love stories that span continents. Being a blend of cultures myself - with four different bloodlines running through me - I’ve always been drawn to the magic that happens when different worlds come together. That mix shapes how I see, how I connect, and how I photograph.

But truly? What means the most to me is when couples tell me they felt completely themselves around me. No pressure. No posing. Just presence.

That’s always my goal: to help you feel safe, seen, and celebrated - while I quietly capture the love and life unfolding around you.

And somehow, in this wild, wonderful career I love, I’ve been named:

Finalist in International Photographer of the Year awards (IWPOTY)

Top 5 Wedding Photographers in Cyprus by Wezoree

Top 30 Wedding Photographers in Greece by Mywed

Top 3 Wedding Photographers in Cyprus by Mywed

Your Experience

(What it’s like to work with me)

Love in its rawest, most unguarded form. That’s what I live for. I’m all about the blink-and-you-miss-it moments—the messy, beautiful, emotional in-betweens that make your story yours.

Think of me as more than just your wedding photographer - I’m your calm in the chaos, your hype woman, and your honorary bridesmaid with a camera. Whether it’s helping with your timeline, giving you a quiet pep talk before the aisle, or making sure your veil doesn’t fly off in the wind - I’ve got you.

We’ll laugh together. I’ll mingle with your guests and make everyone feel at ease around me. You can ask for anything - a glass of champagne to calm your nerves, a quick breather alone when it’s all too much, or just someone to ground you in the moment. I’m there for all of it.

And if you’re camera shy - don’t worry, I am too. That just means I know exactly how to make you feel safe and relaxed in front of the lens. I’ll never push or over-direct. During couple portraits (whether it’s pre-wedding, post-wedding, or on the day), I’ll guide you gently—but always within your comfort zone.

The last thing you should be worrying about on your wedding day is “getting the photos done.” That’s my job. Your job? To be fully, joyfully present. I’ll take care of the rest.

If you’re camera shy—don’t worry, I am too. That just means I know exactly how to make you feel safe and relaxed in front of the lens.

My Approach

(To photographing weddings)

The way I see weddings: they’re deeply personal and beautifully real. Full of real emotions, real stress, real life - all dressed up in gorgeous outfits. So from a photographer’s perspective, they should be documented that way, too. Whether you’re having a calm, intimate gathering or a wild celebration that goes till 4am - your photos should reflect your story.

I don’t make your wedding day all about photos. I make it about you. My priority is that you feel comfortable - both in general, and with me pointing a camera at you. Once that trust is there, the most meaningful, effortless images unfold naturally. You come first - then the photos.

I don’t come with a shot list or a rigid plan (aside from timelines and locations, of course). Once I’m in the room with you, I tune into the energy, the connection, the little things - and that’s where the magic begins. I believe I have to feelyour day in order to truly capture it. So I let you breathe, be present, and actually enjoy your wedding - while I quietly turn it into art.

We’ll laugh together. I’ll mingle with your guests and make everyone feel at ease around me.

GET IN TOUCH

“Karina Leonenko is a talented destination wedding photographer celebrated for her documentary - style wedding photography infused with an artistic twist. Her approach, often described as elegant wedding journalism, seamlessly combines storytelling with refined aesthetics to capture the love and emotions that define each couple’s unique journey.
Karina’s passion for people and their stories drives her photography journey. Known for her ability to create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, Karina often makes her clients feel as though they are working with a trusted friend. This connection allows her to capture genuine, unposed moments, from grand celebrations to intimate exchanges that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her warm and approachable demeanor consistently earns praise from her clients, helping them feel at ease and confident in front of the camera.”