Established in 2014, by Canadian Owner Shardey Olynyk, Na Lia Weddings is a Melbourne based wedding photography business for couples that desire raw and honest imagery.
The name “Na Lia” meaning “I love you” in the African language of Vai, originates from Shardey having an African/Ukrainian background and wanting a name that would not only reflect her passion but represent her ethnic heritage as well.
“I have this image of my great grandparents wedding day, my Baba decorated with a flower crown that was draped with a veil. Her short dark pixie cut hair brushed straight, adorning a mid length minimalist white dress paired with thick white stockings and the same polished black shoes she wore until her last days. I always think to myself, how lucky am I to have this (over 100 year old) moment in my hands."
It’s so much more than a passion, there’s an invested emotional interest in providing couples with that same feeling.
With the influence of photographers running through the family, the idea of creating tangible heirlooms for clients was an undeniable career path.
After graduating at the top of her class with a Bachelor of Arts in photography at RMIT University, Na Lia Weddings has gone on to be featured and published on print and in digital platforms such as DancingWith Her, Nouba, Hooray Magazine, Rock and Roll Bride and Polka Dot Weddings.
Doing their part to reduce the effect of global warming, Na Lia Weddings gives back a percentage of their annual profits to the The Greenpeace Fund, a global organisation which promotes Greenpeace’s mission: To halt environmental destruction and to promote solutions for future generations.