A few weeks back, I photographed my 2023 wedding clients Riki and Lee for their Butte, Montana Engagement Photography experience.
It’s been wonderful to get to know these two this year. Right from the start, the shared, rich intellect and loving kindness of Riki and Lee were a clear, magnetic force.
Lee and Riki met four year ago back when they were pursuing their PhDs at Northwestern University. They are now both budding powerhouse chemists on the East Coast.
In our first conversations, Lee shared what they admire most about Riki. They love how Riki is so good at truly seeing people. Riki is kind and doesn’t hesitate to help others. “Whether it be her colleagues, students, friends, or their community of loved ones, Riki shows me how to be a better partner.” Lee said. They also admire Riki’s intellect, “She is extremely smart and was the best in her class. I love how she challenges me.”
Riki feels the same – she loves Lee’s mind. This couple’s roots began first as friends. Riki immediately felt that she could be herself around Lee and with their first conversations, they dove deep. Riki, who describes herself as straight-edged, admires the diversity of Lee’s rich life experiences. Lee’s adventurous approach to life makes it easy for Riki to walk outside her comfort zone, in all the best ways.
Visiting Lee’s hometown in Butte, Montana has quickly become a favorite annual destination for them. It’s a place they really wanted to showcase in their Butte Montana Engagement Photography experience.
With their excitement growing the closer we got to their photography session date, Lee and Riki elected to book a second hour for their Butte Montana Engagement Photography experience. They wanted to really explore this historic place which means so much to them. I was happy to oblige.
With so much to see in a old industrial town like Butte, Montana, this additional hour gave us more creative freedom to take our time and investigate our curiosities.
If you know Butte, you know that its heritage and history runs a mile high and a mile deep.
By the end of the 19th century, The Butte copper mines had become the largest copper producers in the world. They would operate until their closure in the late 1940’s. Old stone skyscrapers and the steel engineering relects of another time have now perfectly blended with the weathered Montana landscape. The result is a mountain town with a lot of soul.
We all agreed it would be a perfect, rustic Montana landscape for us to play in. We began at the Original Mine and explored the industrial bones of the headframe and the character of the surrounding buildings.
Next, we shifted from the playground of the Copper Kings and went off trail to Lee’s beautiful family home. Tucked back in the Butte foothills, their family property offered a more intimate landscape to explore thick aspens groves, dramatic rock formations, and catch the sunset views of the Pintler Mountains.
In all, this couple’s warmth, adventurousness, kindness, and focus on each other created such an incredible energy to be around. In their photos, smiles came naturally. Their excitement for each other was uncontainable. I love the photos we created together and I can not wait to photograph their wedding day June 2023! -M
A few weeks back, I traveled to Missoula to photograph the Missoula Engagement Portrait Photography Experience of Eric and Emily.
Eric and Emily met at the River City Roots Festival in Missoula, Montana a year and a half ago. Their shared love of live music has been a foundation of their budding relationship.
When the pandemic was sweeping across the country these two were just moving in with one another.
Despite the uncertainty of this past year, their relationship has continued to flourish and grow into something really special.
Eric loves how Emily is able to find the fun in any situation. He is so grateful for her encouragement that helps him find the joy and boundless potential within himself.
“She loves me through my worst times,” said Eric, who is finishing up a degree in Resource Conservation at The University of Montana. “It’s been game-changing for me. I can show up as I am and that’s okay with her. She accepts me.”
Both of them commented separately on how incredibly grounding each has been for one another in these challenging times.
By the same token, Emily loves Eric’s compassion and his thoughtfulness toward her.
“During our very first argument, rather than get mad, instead he genuinely wanted to understand me. It was so refreshing to be in a healthy relationship with him. Calmly, we worked it out,” said Emily. “He’s an amazing communicator and is so in tune with my feelings. I feel so lucky to have him.”
For their Missoula engagement portrait photography session, these two wanted to celebrate their relationship in one of their favorite places. Years ago,
Happy to oblige, we walked around and explored the fleeting Fall colors within Greenough Park in the Rattlesnake neighborhood. I attended college at the University of Montana and had a good knowledge of places we could check out along Rattlesnake Creek.
Here are a few favorite Missoula Engagement Portrait photographs from our time together.
I could not be more excited for these two lovebirds. -M
A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the Bridger Foothills Fire Wedding weekend of Raven and Jordan outside Bozeman, Montana.
In all of my years of photographing events, there was nothing quite like documenting the Bridger Foothills Fire wedding of Raven and Jordan. It was an experience I was proud to be a part of.
For so many recent brides and grooms, 2020 has been a year of pivoting with the continuation of the Covid-19 virus. This past year its has been a source of disruption for countless wedding day plans.
Raven and Jordan’s wedding day was originally planned for an earlier Spring date. Unfortunately, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything for them. They decided to delay their wedding celebration to a time when their loved ones could safely be in attendance.
Undeterred, this Arizona couple decided to postpone their destination wedding plans to a later summer date and a familiar venue, her parents Bozeman, Montana home. Their extended families arrived for a three-day event at her family’s 140-acre property set against the beautiful Bridger Mountains backdrop.
It was a magical setting orchestrated by the fabulous team from Imoni Events. The rustic setting was complete with huge Under Canvas teepee tents and a wall tent city for their guest to comfortably “glamp” in during their Montana stay. The first two evenings were causal and laid back. Raven and Jordan spent the time reconnecting and celebrating with their family and guests. I was happy to document their Welcome Party and a Nike/Harry Potter themed Groom’s Party photographs.
It’s not every day that wedding couples have all the most important people in their world surrounding and celebrating them. It was a gift this family took full advantage of throughout the weekend.
After social distancing this past year, you could feel the high energy from everyone in attendance. Everyone was thrilled to be amongst friendly, loving faces again.
My role was to document and photograph all of the candid fun while creating special memories of the weekend celebration. It was all leading up to the main event, their outdoor wedding day celebration.
Fire on Wedding Mountain
Staying true to the theme of uncertainty in 2020, Raven and Jordan’s wedding day turned out to be quite a surprise adventure.
On the evening of the Groom’s Party, a lightning strike created a small, wildland fire began near a hiking trail ten miles south of the wedding site. Small at first, by midafternoon on their wedding day, strong winds and very dry conditions made things worse. The dry winds fueled the blaze into an 8,000-acre raging fire and was heading in the immediate direction of the Raven and Jordan’s wedding celebration.
About an hour prior to the start to their wedding day ceremony, a call came in from the local fire marshall. The news traveled fast. We were ordered to emergency evacuate the area due to the fast encroaching Bridger Foothills Fire in Bridger Canyon.
In a state of emergency, where does a couple uproot and move their entire wedding?
Without warning, Raven and Jordan’s meticulously planned wedding, constructed over the past two months, suddenly needed to be torn down, relocated 100 miles, and put back together in under three hours.
Thankfully, their wedding caterer Ashley Gutmann, of Cinnamon and Sage Catering came to the rescue. She offered her ace-in-the-hole (last-minute) venue alternative at Headwaters Ranch in Logan, Montana.
First, it was the pandemic that delayed their wedding. Now, it was a fast approaching wildland fire messing up their plans. Once again, Raven and Jordan were forced to alter their wedding plans, yet again, and move their entire operation away from danger. Thankfully, this was a resourceful group. Through creative, emergency carpooling, the guests were able to make their way around roadblocks and away from thick smoke to the new wedding venue an hour and a half away. The lovely Headwaters Ranch outside of Logan, Montana was our new safe haven.
Sometimes in life, there are forces we can’t control. With focus and the summoning of positive attitudes, wedding vendors and guests alike, snapped into action.
Under the professional orchestration of Raven and Jordan’s wedding planner Jenni, of Imoni Events, we were able to pivot as a working group of professionals and pull off a wedding feat for the books.
Raven and Jordan’s Bridger Foothills Fire wedding wasn’t the event originally envisioned. But considering the circumstances, things worked out rather well.
It was a remarkable effort by every single guest and wedding vendor. Everyone rallied together to make Raven and Jordan’s wedding day a success.
In the end, it was completely worth it to witness the moment when these newlyweds kissed and walked hand in hand back down the aisle. Confetti rained from the sky. The enthusiastice cheers of their loved ones congratulated them just as the sun setting below the horizon.
There was a sense of victory and tears of joy in all of us. Raven and Jordan, along with their friends and family, danced the night away.
I could not be happier for Raven and Jordan. It was an honor to be apart of their wedding celebration. What a wild day! I wish them both a lifetime of happiness. -M
To view all of their fun wedding weekend photos, click here.
FEATURING:
Event Planning and Design: Imoni Events
Floral Designer: Carte Blanche Design
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Videography: Moshunal Videography
Entertainment: Joe’s DJ Service
Desert and Cake: Elle’s Belles Bakery
Paper Stuff: Freed Hands
Hair & Makeup: Indulgence
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Draping and Lighting: The Party Store MT
Linens: La Tavola Linen & BBJ Linen Rental
Glamping: Under Canvas
Host Hotel: Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing Bridger Mountains Wedding Welcome Party and Groom’s Party of Raven and Jordan outside Bozeman, Montana.
For so many recent brides and grooms, 2020 pandemic has been a year of pivoting and a reliable source of disruption for countless wedding plans.
Raven and Jordan’s originally planned their wedding for an earlier Spring date. Unfortunately, the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic changed everything for them. They decided to delay their wedding celebration to a time when their loved ones could safely be in attendance.
Undeterred, this Arizona couple decided to postpone their destination wedding to a later summer date and to a familiar venue, her parents Bozeman, Montana home. Their extended families arrived for a three-day event at her family’s 140-acre property set against the backdrop of the beautiful Bridger Mountains.
It was a magical setting orchestrated by the fabulous team from Imoni Events. Huge Under Canvas teepee-styled tents decorated the wedding property. For their wedding guests’ accomidations, an additional wall tent city was erected so they could comfortably “glamp” in during their Montana stay. The first two evening parties were causal and laid back. Raven and Jordan spent the time reconnecting and celebrating with their family and guests. It was all in anticipation of their upcoming wedding day!
The first two evenings were causal and spent reconnecting and celebrating with their guests during their Welcome Party and a Nike/Harry Potter themed Groom’s Party.
My role was to document and photograph all of the candid fun while creating special family memories of the weekend celebration.
It’s not every day that wedding couples have all the most important people in their world surrounding and celebrating them. It was a gift this family took full advantage of. This family celebrated their relationships in style. Laughter, great food, libations, fun in the Greener Visuals photo booth, and some serious games of cornhole entertained during the two evening events.
All in attendance at their Bridger Mountains Wedding Welcome Party and Groom’s Party were in high spirits. Even my labrador, Tippet. During the party, she happily entertained, nuzzled, and retrieved objects thrown by occasional wedding guests. Invited to the Groom’s Party (by the bride’s family), my dog promptly managed to cut a good size gash in her leg. Though it wasn’t serious injury, the wound was later mended during a midnight visit to the emergency vet.
During the party, she happily entertained, nuzzled, and retrieved objects thrown by occasional wedding guests.
After social distancing this past year, you could feel the high energy from everyone in attendance. Everyone was thrilled to be amongst friendly, loving faces again. I think it made this event even more special. There is a lot of love and support for this couple.
Here are some favorites photographs from their wedding welcome party and Groom’s Party festivities. It was all leading up to the main event, Raven and Jordan’s outdoor wedding celebration the next day.
A wedding day that I or any other person in attendance will soon forget. -M
To view all of Raven and Jordan’s Wedding day photos, click here.
To view all of the Photo Booth photos from the weekend, click here and click here.
FEATURED VENDORS:
Event Planning and Design: Imoni Events
Floral Designer: Carte Blanche Design
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Videography: Moshunal Videography
Entertainment: Joe’s DJ Service
Desert and Cake: Elle’s Belles Bakery
Paper Stuff: Freed Hands
Hair & Makeup: Indulgence
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Draping and Lighting: The Party Store MT
Linens: La Tavola Linen & BBJ Linen Rental
Glamping: Under Canvas
Host Hotel: Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman
I’ve been working with Cravins Adventure Lunches in Bozeman, Montana to photograph On-location lifestyle Product and studio Photos.
This family-owned Bozeman sandwich shop creates delicious lunch options for local fly fishing guides and their clients. They strive to make the experience easy by organizing lunches for their guides’ clients and packing their meals in biodegradable containers
Back in early March, the pandemic essentially shut down Montana’s local fishing economy. Impacted by this pause in business, Cravins took the initiative. Moreover, they decided to redesign their website and update their visual content to elevate their brand during this downtime. They wanted their visual brand to better reflect and resonate with the clientele they serve.
So for their Spring 2020 Marketing Campaign, I was hired to photograph on-location product lifestyle photos and studio portraits of their lunch offerings. We wanted to show anglers enjoying their lunches on the river. Equally importantly, we wanted to create clean, well-lit studio photographs of their lunches for their website and marketing outlets.
I love commercial photography projects like this. They allowed me to do what I do best – telling stories with photographs to foster connection and to solve client’s visual challenges. In doing so, it allowed Cravins Adventure Lunches to better resonate with their target audience.
I spent a lot of time listening and understanding the needs of Cravins Adventure Lunches. We wanted to make the best business portraits and on-location product lifestyle photographs possible.
Through good communication, we were able to clearly identify how best to convey their brand and message. We decided to photograph the project over two days. First, would be in their commercial kitchen for studio photos and the second day on location of the Lower Madison River. As a result, I delivered a variety of creative, visual options.
Alas, early spring rains forced us to reschedule our Madison River on-location session a few times. Eventually, our patience for a perfect day on the river was rewarded. The guides models and I found a good weather window to complete our photo needs.
I’m really happy with how Cravins Adventure Lunches Spring 2020 Marketing Campaign turned out.
These photos below are some of my favorite that I made during this project. I’m so glad I could be a part of this project. -M
I’ve spent the last five weekends photographing fifty-five families from afar for my Bozeman Front Porch Project conclusion to raise money for local not-for-profits. Through the unwavering support of my Bozeman community, the project has been a huge success!
Thinking back on the experiences of the last five weeks of the Bozeman Front Porch Project conclusion, I find myself overcome with absolute gratitude.
Still, there has been so much to process personally and collectively as a member of my community.
Montana COVID-19 stay-in-place directives forced the country and my photography business into a holding pattern. I saw a lot of uncertainty and fear with all the drastic, fast-moving changes that we were experiencing as a community and nation.
As I was figuring out how I would support my photographic livelihood moving forward, I also was dealing with the realization that my grandmother was being admitted into hospice for her end of life care.
An ironic twist to an already surreal time in our world.
In late March, I was at home with my family in Missoula and supporting my grandmother. It was the week before stay-in-place directives kicked in. During that time, I came across some favorite family photos that I had made of my grandmother throughout the years.
As the end of her life neared, those photos had suddenly become priceless to me. Those captured memories brought up so many wonderful emotions of love.
Over the years, how many of us have made excuses to put off making the time to be present with our families?
I think we’ve all be guilty of it.
Yet once those loved ones are gone (or a mandated stay-in-place separates us), we would do anything to be back in their presence. To once more savor their cherished expressions that encapsulates who they are – just one more time. Good storytelling photography can be that bridge to tap into all those emotions we hold dear towards our loved ones.
During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, I wanted to be a remedy.
I was looking for a path to give back and help my community in any way I could.
I realized that while we may be socially distancing from our neighbors, now is a time to experience the precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That was something to celebrate.
While the front porch project was not an original idea, the simple concept was a chance to showcase community members in my Montana home.
I wanted to address the mental health impacts of the pandemic. I saw it as a chance to help change the narrative. Changing it from one of fear to one of focused appreciation of our relationships – a strength for so many during this time.
Best of all, I saw it as a conduit to raise money for the non-for-profits assisting the helpers in our community.
From the chaos, the Bozeman Front Porch Project was born.
Created as a little something to uplift the mood of our community while maintaining safety precautions photographing from afar.
An opportunity for families to contribute to a good cause and to create a small keepsake to remind them of the loving individuals that give their life meaning.
After all, family is everything and is worth celebrating right now!
It’s amazing to watch a good idea gain traction and grow into making a difference.
As a result, over the last five weekends I celebratED fifty-five families from afar while raising money for The Bozeman Area Community Foundation and the Greater Gallatin United Way. In total, we raised $2915.00!
Words can not express just how grateful I am to all the families that supported this fundraising project!
This pandemic has uprooted so much in our daily lives. Many have lost loved ones along the way, my grandmother included.
The struggle it seems is far from over.
I believe this time can also be viewed as a gift. It was a chance to show each one of us the healing, supportive power of our relationships.
If we choose to, we can refocus our attention on all the good things that we have to celebrate in our lives at this very moment.
This past Sunday evening, I was photographing my last family portrait of this project. The family happened to be my friends Sky and Tara. These two have spent their quarantine racing against the clock to finish their DIY home remodel. Their goal was to move in before the arrival of their first child due at the beginning of June.
I witnessed the excitement of a young couple on the cusp of starting their new family contrasted with the stressful demo chaos strewn about their front yard. It was a necessary step for the construction rebirth of the home they will raise their family in and it was also a hopeful conclusion to the Bozeman Front Porch Project.
Like Sky and Tara, each family I photographed were juggling a wide variety of emotions and personal challenges during this time.
I think the pandemic has shown all of us that in our shared, sheltered experience, we can foster personal connections and together begin to heal. For many, we’ve discovered a new appreciation for one another. This pandemic has shown us just how important our relationships really are in our lives.
There is great power in our relationships. They give us the space to laugh, to cry, to grieve, to experience our fears in a safe space, to celebrate, heal, and be accepted for who we are.
It’s a reaffirmation to know that we are loved, even when we are apart. To know that our loved ones have our backs.
Together, our relationships, nurtured with the foundations of love, will help each of us get through any trial life throws at us. That knowledge fills me with hope.
In Closing:
It was only fitting that I make one last family portrait for the Bozeman Front Porch Project conclusion – my Bozeman family.
My labrador Tippet has been my traveling companion on this journey with me from the start. Without her, this pandemic would have been a much more difficult and lonely road to navigate.
To my dog, I am grateful.
To my family and friends, I love you and I am grateful.
And for the generosity of the families in our Bozeman community, I am eternally grateful for your support throughout this project.
May all of us cherish this time of togetherness with the ones who matter most. Brighter days are ahead for all of us. When this storm passes, I’ll be here to help you celebrate your loved ones through candid, creative, storytelling photography. Thank you Bozeman! -M
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
This past weekend, fourteen Bozeman families participated in the fourth weekend of the Bozeman Front Porch Project fundraiser from afar – to celebrate their loved ones, be apart of a community art project and raise money to support the One Valley Community Foundation.
Lately, There has been a lot of uncertainty the drastic changes we’ve experienced as a community and nation these past weeks.
Everyone is feeling the impact in one way or another due to the current health and economic crisis.
While we are socially distancing from our neighbors, we also get to experience the precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That is something to celebrate.
Together, we will get through this.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project fundraiser was a little something to uplift the mood of our community while maintaining safety precautions. It was a chance for families to contribute to a good cause. And more importantly a chance to create a small keepsake to remind them of all the good things they have to celebrate in their lives right now.
During our shared, sheltered experience, we can foster social distancing connections within our community.
I’m happy to announce that this past weekend together, we raised another $700.00 for the One Valley Community Foundation to help our neighbors heal through this ordeal!
Greener Visuals Photography is again offering the Bozeman Front Porch Project family portraits from afar April 25th & 26th, 2020.
How it works: Mike Greener, of Greener Visuals Photography, will come by your home next Saturday April 25th or Sunday April 26th with his telephoto lens and take your family portrait on your front porch from afar.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project by Greener Visuals Photography is fundraising to support the One Valley Community Foundation.
In return for your $100.00 booking fee, $50 will go to supporting the One Valley Community Foundation and $50 to support costs of your local family photographer.
In addition, each family will receive a beautiful matted 5×7 fine art print to remember this time and 25% off a future one-hour family portrait experience with Greener Visuals Photography. All participating families will also receive a web-friendly digital photograph of your tribe to share as a thank you for your participation and support.
Together, we will raise funds to assist the One Valley Community Foundation in helping our neighbors heal through this ordeal.
And as a result, we will have a collective group of creative portraits representing both your individual family’s strength together and our combined community’s resilience.
Next weekend April 25th & 26th, 2020 throughout Bozeman.
To reserve your spot in this weekend’s Bozeman Front Porch Project, simply on the link below.
https://bit.ly/34Q1nbu
And as a result, we will have a collective group of creative portraits representing each individual family’s strength together and our combined community’s resilience.
Thanks so much to every family that has participated! -M
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
Through a whirlwind of ever-changing weather patterns, nine gracious Bozeman families participated in the third weekend of the Bozeman Front Porch Project from afar – to celebrate their loved ones, be apart of a community art project and raise money to support the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
There has been a lot of uncertainty with all the drastic changes we’ve been experiencing as a community and nation these past weeks.
Everyone is feeling the impact in one way or another due to the current health and economic crisis.
While we may be socially distancing from our neighbors, we also get to experience the precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That is something to celebrate.
Together, we will get through this.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project was a little something to uplift the mood of our community while maintaining safety precautions. It was a chance for families to contribute to a good cause and to create a small keepsake to remind them of all the good things they have to celebrate in their lives right now.
During our shared, sheltered experience, we can foster social distancing connections within our community.
Together, the Bozeman Front Porch Project raised another $450.00 for the Bozeman Area Community Foundation to help our neighbors heal through this ordeal!
Greener Visuals Photography is again offering the Bozeman Front Porch Project family portraits from afar April 19th & 20th, 2020.
How it works: Mike Greener, of Greener Visuals Photography, will come by your home next Sunday April 19th or Monday April 20th with his telephoto lens and take your family portrait on your front porch from afar.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project by Greener Visuals Photography is fundraising to support the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
In return for your $100.00 booking fee, $50 will go to supporting the BACF and $50 to support costs of your local family photographer.
In addition, each family will receive a beautiful matted 5×7 fine art print to remember this time and 25% off a future one-hour family portrait experience with Greener Visuals Photography. All participating families will also receive a web-friendly digital photograph of your tribe to share as a thank you for your participation and support.
Together, we will raise funds to assist the Bozeman Area Community Foundation in helping our neighbors heal through this ordeal.
And as a result, we will have a collective group of creative portraits representing both your individual family’s strength together and our combined community’s resilience.
Thanks so much to every family that has participated! -M
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
The enthusiasm and outpouring of support for the Bozeman Front Porch Project during this time of social distancing, has been profound and I’ve decided to offer another weekend round of mini photo sessions to continue raising money for the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
Last weekend, ten gracious Bozeman families participated in the second Bozeman Front Porch Project from afar to celebrate their loved ones, be apart of a community art project and raise money to support the Greater Gallatin United Way during this unsettling time in our community and country.
Together we raised $500.00 for them.
There has been a lot of uncertainty with all the drastic changes we’ve been experiencing as a community and nation these past few weeks.
Everyone is feeling the impact in one way or another due to the current health and economic crisis.
While we may be socially distancing from our neighbors, we also get to experience the precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That is something to celebrate.
Together, we will get through this.
Greener Visuals Photography is again offering the Bozeman Front Porch Project family portraits from afar April 11th & 12th, 2020.
It’s a little something to uplift the mood while maintaining safety precautions. Contributing to a good cause and creating a small keepsake to remind you of all the good things you have to celebrate in your life right now. During our shared, sheltered experience, we can foster social distancing connections within our community.
How it works: Mike Greener, of Greener Visuals Photography, will come by your home next Saturday April 11th or Sunday April 12th with his telephoto lens and take your family portrait on your front porch from afar.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project by Greener Visuals Photography is fundraising to support the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
In return for your $100.00 booking fee, $50 will go to supporting the BACF and $50 to support costs of your local family photographer.
In addition, each family will receive a beautiful matted 5×7 fine art print to remember this time and 25% off a future one-hour family portrait experience with Greener Visuals Photography. All participating families will also receive a web-friendly digital photograph of your tribe to share as a thank you for your participation and support.
Together, we will raise funds to assist the Bozeman Area Community Foundation in helping our neighbors heal through this ordeal.
And as a result, we will have a collective group of creative portraits representing both your individual family’s strength together and our combined community’s resilience.
Next weekend April 11th & 12th, 2020 throughout Bozeman.
To reserve your spot in this weekend’s Bozeman Front Porch Project, simply on the link below.
https://bit.ly/2JQ8QxA
If you know of a family that might be interested in participating, please share this link with them.
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
This past weekend, ten gracious Bozeman families participated in the Bozeman Front Porch Project to celebrate their loved ones, be a part of a community art project, and raise money to support the Bozeman Area Community Foundation during this unsettling time in our community and country.
As a self-employed photography business owner navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, I wanted to create a little something to uplift the mood for local families and support our incredibly hard-working not-for-profits in town while we collectively maintain safety with social distancing.
While our normal lives have been turned into a holding pattern it’s important to remember that – Love is not cancelled. Friendships are not canceled. Emotional support is not canceled.
With all the uncertainty and fear circulating around. I wanted to change the narrative to focus on the positives that are still around us.
I wanted to create a reminder of all the good things these families have to celebrate in their lives.
We are all doing our part to change the curve of our predicament. We can also safely from afar give ourselves permission to celebrate the people who give our lives meaning.
Family is everything and is worth celebrating right now.
These precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets – our relationships, are what matter most.
The love and support we give and receive from others will help us all get through these times of difficulty.
It’s through our shared, sheltered experience, that we can still foster connections and our combined community’s resilience.
Right from the start, the health and safety of every one were at the forefront of importance for me.
Stay-at-home directives started last weekend for Montana by Gov. Steve Bullock. I’ve been personally exercising stringent social distancing practices while closely monitoring new developments.
In the end, under my already stringent safety measures, I decided to continue forward. By photographing everyone from afar with my telephoto lens (on average at least 20 feet), we created some really genuine fun family portraits.
Like the week before, the outpouring of support from the Bozeman community was incredible.
I am happy to announce that together this past weekend we raised $500.00 that will be donated to the Bozeman Area Community Foundation!
I feel so thankful for all of the generous donations to this giving organization. I’m proud to be a part of our Bozeman community of helpers and look forward to a time when we can put this challenge in our rearview mirrors.
Thank you to all the wonderful families that participated in the Bozeman Front Porch Project!
Stay safe, stay healthy and soak up this time with your loved ones.
When this storm passes, I’ll be here to help you showcase everything you love about your family relationships during your own custom family photographic experience.
Together, we are all going to get through this. -Mike Greener
P.S. As a candid, creative family photographer, I can’t help but capture a moment if it’s happening in front of me. Here are a few bonus photos that I liked from my weekend of giving back.
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
The enthusiasm and outpouring of support for the Bozeman Front Porch Project during this time of social distancing, has been profound and I’ve decided to offer another weekend round of mini photo sessions to raise money this time for the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
Last weekend, fifteen gracious Bozeman families participated in the first ever Bozeman Front Porch Project from afar to celebrate their loved ones, be apart of a community art project and raise money to support the Greater Gallatin United Way during this unsettling time in our community and country.
Together we raised $1,015.00 for them.
There has been a lot of uncertainty with all the drastic changes we’ve been experiencing as a community and nation these past few weeks.
Everyone is feeling the impact in one way or another due to the current health and economic crisis.
While we may be socially distancing from our neighbors, we also get to experience the precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That is something to celebrate.
Together, we will get through this.
As Fred Rogers said in times of trouble, “look for the helpers.”
This past week, countless, selfless people in Bozeman are offering support in various ways throughout our community, and we want to do our part!
Introducing the Bozeman Front Porch Project for April 4th & 5th, 2020.
Greener Visuals Photography again offering family portraits from afar to celebrate your loved ones, create a community art project and raise money for those in need during this unsettling time.
While I might be standing a farther away from you than I normally would, the connection with your family I’ll inspire will be felt deep within your hearts!
It’s a little something to uplift the mood while maintaining safety precautions. Contributing to a good cause and creating a small keepsake to remind you of all the good things you have to celebrate in your life right now. During our shared, sheltered experience, we can foster social distancing connections within our community.
How it works: Mike Greener, of Greener Visuals Photography, will come by your home next Saturday April 4th or Sunday April 5th with his telephoto lens and take your family portrait on your front porch from afar.
The Bozeman Front Porch Project by Greener Visuals Photography is fundraising to support the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
In return for your $100.00 booking fee, $50 will go to supporting the BACF and $50 to support your local family photographer.
In addition, each family will receive a beautiful matted 5×7 fine art print to remember this time and 25% off a future one-hour family portrait experience with Greener Visuals Photography. All participating families will also receive a web-friendly digital photograph of your tribe to share as a thank you for your participation and support.
Together, we will raise funds to assist the Bozeman Area Community Foundation in helping our neighbors heal through this ordeal.
And as a result, we will have a collective group of creative portraits representing both your individual family’s strength together and our combined community’s resilience.
Next weekend April 4th & 5th, 2020 throughout Bozeman.
Front Porch Project Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
This past weekend, fifteen gracious Bozeman families participated in the Bozeman Front Porch Project family portraits from afar. They wanted to celebrate their loved ones, be a part of a community art project, and raise money to support the Greater Gallatin United Way during this unsettling time in our community and country.
Over the last few weeks, the COVID-19 virus spread across the world and finally reach our Montana doorstep, social distancing commenced. Quite quickly our vibrant, social, outdoorsy Bozeman community suddenly felt like a ghost town.
As a self-employed photography business owner navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, I wanted to support and create a project to uplift the mood while our community maintains safety with social distancing.
While our normal lives have been turned into a holding pattern it’s important to remember that – Love is not cancelled. Friendships are not canceled. Emotional support is not canceled.
I wanted to create a reminder of all the good things these families have to celebrate in their lives right now.
These precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets – our relationships, are what will help us all get through these times of difficulty and struggle.
Through our shared, sheltered experience, we can still foster connections and our combined community’s resilience.
The enthusiasm and outpouring of support for the Bozeman Front Porch Project, has been profound.
I am so grateful to everyone who supported this and helped me spread the word on social media. Thank you!
Right from the start, the health and safety of every one were at the forefront of importance for me. As the week went on, this serious national health emergency continued to drastically change and escalate.
With the announcement of stay-at-home directives (starting this weekend for Montana) by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, suddenly, I was debating whether I should put the project on hold.
In the end, under my already stringent safety measures, I decided to continue forward. By photographing everyone from afar with my telephoto lens (on average at least 20 feet), we created some really genuine fun family portraits.
There was no charge to participate in the Bozeman Front Porch Project Family portraits. However, I’m happy to announce that donations raised $1,015.00 that will be given to the Greater Gallatin United Way!
I am so thankful for all of the generous donations to this good cause. It makes me proud to be a part of our Bozeman community. I’m looking forward to a time when we can put this challenge in our rearview mirrors.
Thank you, Bozeman!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and soak up this time with your loved ones.
When this storm passes, I’ll be here to help you and your family showcase everything you love about your relationships during your own family photographic experience.
Together, we are all going to get through this. -Mike Greener
P.S. As a candid, creative photographer, I can’t help but capture a moment if it’s happening in front of me. Here are a few bonus photos that I liked from my weekend of giving back.
And lastly, thanks to my labrador retriever and photo assistant Tippet for accompanying me on the Bozeman Front Porch Project. -M
Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing Gallatin River Lodge Winter Wedding ceremony of Amanda & Harley.
It has been such a fun time getting to know these two high school sweethearts over the past year.
They met at the age of 16-year-old. From the get-go, they shared an easy-going sense of humor and appreciation of the little things in one another.
Harley, usually a shy kid, recalled how profound it was that she could always bring him out of his shell and how to completely be himself around others.
Thinking back on what was a difficult childhood, Amanda loved that meeting Harley showed her the possibility of a better life and how to be a kid again.
More often than not, this usually takes the form of dancing and singing to music while cooking together.
Over the next ten years, Amanda and Harley’s relationship flourished.
“We were able to develop around each other and made up for each other’s perceived “faults”, Amanda said.
It was a wonderful, mutual balance of support, love, and acceptance. Each knew they had found their person.
What began with an April phone call, culminated into a really fun and pretty unique portrait photography experience for them last summer.
Through discovering all that they valued in their relationship, we ended up highlighting some of their fondest memories growing up together.
For them, it was going on dates to the historic Washoe Theatre in downtown Anaconda and dining at one of their favorite restaurants in Butte, the Pekin Noodle Parlor – the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country.
The experience was a hoot.
Needless to say, the build-up of excitement for their Gallatin River Lodge winter wedding day could not be overstated.
These two wanted to spread out their wedding celebration so they could highlight the seasons of Montana through their photography.
They loved the idea of having a snowy wedding and opted for a winter ceremony in Bozeman with their immediate family.
Later this summer, they have plans for their wedding reception to be in their old hometown of Butte, Montana.
As their wedding day arrived, unseasonally warm temperatures, unfortunately, melted most of the snow outside but that small detail didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.
They rolled with it, put on boots along with a good attitude and we were able to make some creative outdoor portraits for them.
After a brief ceremony, the two families came together for a lovely evening to celebrate, laugh and share stories then settle in for a nice intimate dinner.
I look forward to photographing their grand wedding reception in August.
Congratulations to the newlyweds! – M
Wedding Vendors:
Venue/food/drinks: Gallatin River Lodge
Flowers: Sola Chic Boutique LLC
Cake: Julie Hoskins and Big Sky Wild Flour
Hair/makeup: Alex McDaniel and Alli Abraham with Running Bare Aesthetics.
Signs: Kayli Renae Designs
Rings: Jewelry Studio and Millers
Videography: Eterna Films
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
I recently photographed the winter engagement portrait photography of Kate & Dylan at their Bozeman family property overlooking the Bridger Mountains.
Kate knew right from the start after connecting online and on their first lunch date, that Dylan was a man unlike any she had met before.
The immediate comfort in their own skin around each other, matched with good conversation, inspired them to play hooky the rest of the day. They ended up spending the afternoon walking around, riding a carousel, and being complete goofballs.
For someone like Kate, who has dedicated her whole career to how humans learn through play, seeing Dylan’s forthright invitation to make a fool of himself sparked an immediate connection for her.
Dylan was a partner who had a willingness for silly, goofy fun. It’s a character trait that had been missed in Kate’s previous relationships.
As Kate recalled, “Dylan is the most earnest of people she had ever met. He is nerdy in the most wonderful ways.”
As their relationship grew, Dylan’s kind heart and inspiration around creativity solidified her love for him. It was a big deal. He was the first partner she ever invited to her family home for the holidays.
For Dylan, Kate is such a natural fit for him. She complimented him in every way.
“Kate’s smile is so genuine. It has an uncanny capacity to instantly get me excited and always lifts my spirit,” Dylan said, “It’s her ability to always find positivity in the world around them. Her willingness for adventure, good humor, and her sense of morality made him feel seen, recognized, and cared for.”
Kate gives him hope for a better future.
It has been a true pleasure getting to know this engaged couple over the last few months.
For their winter engagement portrait photography session, we wanted to celebrate all of those playful, creative traits that each one brought into their relationship.
We decided the perfect place to meet up for their photo session was at her parent’s house outside of Bozeman.
We had such a fun time exploring the Montana property of Kate’s youth. With the man of her dreams, we created fun portraits that reflect all that they cherish about one another.
Here are a few favorite photographs I made during their couples portrait session.
I am so looking forward to photographing these two on their wedding day later this year. Congrats on your engagement Kate & Dylan! July can’t come soon enough! -M
I’m proud to share my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography!
I’ve been looking back on this past year and the photos from my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography with so much gratitude for the couples, families, and business professionals I had the privilege to photograph and build relationships with.
As a destination family photographer, I was lucky enough to travel to Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, many parts of New England, and all over Montana this past year for my portrait photography clients.
Everyone had so much to celebrate in their lives.
I harbored so much fulfillment in helping each one of my photography clients rediscover what they valued most in each other and their relationships – in turn helping to bring out the best versions of themselves.
This year I chose the photos for my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography that showcased the photographs that meant so much to my clients.
For me, 2020 is shaping up to be another great year of celebrating the best in life.
Thanks for the continued support everyone! Happy New Year! -M
I had the pleasure of photographing the 1915 Barn winter wedding day photos of Kathy and Robert in Bozeman, Montana.
Initially meeting online, Kathy and Robert’s relationship blossomed over their shared love of animals and hiking around Montana. Four years later they now have a home together complete with their dog “Annabell” and two house cats “Kitty and Binks”.
Robert cherishes Kathy’s friendship, honesty, and ability to get his humor. Kathy, loves that Robert treats her like her father treated her mother, lovingly and kindly. He cares, believes in her, and supports what she loves to do.
I loved getting to know these two and was looking forward to photographing their wedding day photos.
Typically in Montana, a late October wedding tends to look more Fall-like with foliage colors golds, oranges, and reds. For Kathy and Robert’s wedding, we had record cold temperatures and it snowed four inches of snow.
It didn’t phase them in the slightest.
The 1915 Barn offered a warm, beautiful atmosphere to celebrate comfortably inside the barn venue. This wedding couple and their guests had a wonderful time venturing outside to laugh and play in the big snowflakes. Thankfully, they could return to the warm, cozy interior of the barn.
The rustic barn setup worked perfectly for their small gathering of 100 guests.
For Kathy and Robert, they wanted their small, intimate DIY Montana wedding day to be relaxed. A celebration where they could just be themselves around their friends and loved ones. Rather than a formal ceremony, they opted for a short exchange of vows and then gave a toast of thanks to their guests.
After a great dinner, the tables went to the sides to make way for dancing, socializing, celebrating, and playing ping pong and bean bag toss. It was their perfect way to spend the evening.
Here are a few favorite photographs from their wedding day.
I’m feeling grateful to have been a part of the wonderful celebration. Congrats to the newlyweds Kathy & Robert! -M
Matt and Allison’s Couples Portrait Photography Session at Rat Lake in Gallatin National Forest was quite the adventure.
When this newly engaged Bozeman couple, hired me to photograph their 2020 wedding celebration we got to talking about all the things they treasured in their lives and their relationship.
They met through a friend of a friend and while quiet at first, he had all of those amazing attributes like her father – a hard work ethic, compassionate and always willing to stick up for others.
As Allison reflected back on the things she really cherished about Matt, what stood out was his loving patience and his uncanny ability to liven up the mood by just being so much fun to be around.
Laughing as she thought back on it she said, “After dating just 10 months, I knew he was going to be the one.
Ever since they have built their lives together here in Bozeman.
Along the way, they have fostered a shared love of the Montana outdoors often opting to go fishing, off-roading in their 4 x 4 and spending time camping outside with their two dogs
After five years of dating and endless, fun adventures, Matt proposed.
For their Couples Portrait Photography Session, we decided to visit one of their favorite places – Rat Lake tucked up in the Gallatin National Forest outside of Bozeman.
It was the perfect setting to showcase through photography all of the things they love about each other and their relationship.
Here are a few favorite photographs from our time together. I can not wait for their wedding celebration coming up in July 2020. -M
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