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
I had the pleasure of photographing the Triple Tree Trail Family Portrait Experience of Lexi and Dan in Bozeman, Montana a few weeks back.
With two young boys full of energy, Lexi and Dan wanted to document their young family’s adventurous spirit. They were growing up so fast. The Fall colors around Triple Tree Trail would make for the perfect backdrop for our family session. With their chocolate labrador in tow, we went for a hike along the popular Bozeman trail documenting the fun along the way.
Here are some of my favorite photos we made along the way. -M
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This past month, I’ve photographed environmental business headshots of the Rocky Mountain Credit Union team members located across Montana.
Working together with the RMCU marketing team, we created a variety of on-location business portraits for their online Marketing and business visual brand presence. My relationship with this great Montana business has been strong. Over these last few years, I’ve also photographed dozens of studio portraits of their RMCU board members.
Rocky Mountain Credit Union’s humble beginning dates back to its founding in 1940. Through community-driven programs and providing financial service relationships of lasting value, this financial institution has become a bedrock of support for its clientele throughout Montana. Rocky Mountain credit union has branches in Bozeman, Butte, and Helena. To complement the design of their new website, they wanted to create environmental business portraits that reflected their professionalism.
Our goal was to make new environmental business headshots of their Home Equity & Mortgage and Consumer Loan Officers team. Furthermore, they wanted to have photos that were not only bright and inviting but also could showcase their hardworking employee’s personalities.
From its inception, Rocky Mountain Credit Union‘s mission has been focused on providing exemplary service to its members/owners. They needed professional high-quality business portraits that represented that ongoing mission.
That’s where I came in.
By making the time to really understand their future goals, together, we were able to create a variety of professional environmental business headshots of their team. Photographs that showed a personal side to how they present themselves as a business.
I had a lot of fun with this group. Here are some favorite photographs from my time with them. -M
Last Fall, I had the pleasure of photographing the Bozeman Family Portrait photography experience of Jenny and Ethan.
It’s been a joy for me to get to know these two over the last few years. A few years ago, these two hired me to photographer their wedding day at Rockin TJ Ranch. Since that great day, married life has been treating these two well. They’ve settled into a new home, their careers are going strong and their world has focused on loving and raising their young son Declan.
For these Bozeman parents, family time has quickly become a top priority in their busy lives.
Before the start of their Bozeman family portrait photography session, they told me the exciting news that their second child was on the way. Jenny and Ethan wanted to celebrate this time right now with Declan. Furthermore, they wanted to create beautiful family photographic artwork in their home that would be a reminder of all the love surrounding him. Photographs that showed their son that he is the center of his parent’s world.
For their family portrait photography session, we went for a walk along the Painted Trails Access with their labrador, Guinness leading the charge. At that vantage point we had a lovely view of the Bridger mountains for their family portrait experience. we played and soaked up the beautiful evening sunset.
Here are a few favorites from my time with them. -M
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
A few weeks back, I created a series of environmental business portraits of Katie Smith, of Wild Path Consulting.
Katie Smith is a seasoned marketing professional and owner of Wild Path Consulting. Through Wild Path Consulting, Katie is a catalyst for businesses that care about the future of the planet. How does she do this? She provides strategic marketing consulting to help these organizations succeed and adapt fluidly. With her expertise, her clients remain flexible in how they position their products and services through social impact marketing.
I was excited to chat with Katie to discuss headshots and photos to convey Wild Path Consulting. My goal with each client is to ask the right questions. From these conversations, I can understand my client’s values, who they serve, and what they want to showcase.
With Katie, my goal became to bridge her love and experience of working in the outdoors with her marketing communication skillset she brings to the brands she serves.
From our time in the field and behind the lens, we created some diverse, environmental business portraits of her. These photos help tell the story of Wild Path Consulting. Now, Katie can have the visual content to showcase her marketing and communications brand. Each potential client now instantly has a strong vision of who she is and the values of Wild Path Consulting. Her photos highlight her bond with the outdoors, her connection to those who value a healthy, sustainable future, and her excellent professionalism.
Katie is an adventure enthusiast and a self-professed marketing nerd.
She studied environmental science and psychology during her undergrad studies.
The idea that high-level marketing can be used for good and connection inspired her to hang up her outdoor guiding career and pursue a Master of Public Relations degree. Katie’s Wild Path Consulting business has since evolved into a career helping rebels and disruptors bring their business ideas to life.
Here are some of my favorite business portraits from our time together. -M
I had the pleasure of photographing real estate business headshot portraits of ERA Landmark Real Estate broker Chelsea Stewart.
In addition to photographing weddings and creating family portraits, I enjoy photographing real estate business headshot portraits and helping business professionals elevate their brands with environmental business photography.
I’ve come to know Chelsea Stewart, of ERA Landmark Real Estate, through her community involvement in Gallatin county. Chelsea was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, she’s focused on the betterment of her community. She works hard to create positive, informative experiences showcasing this fast-growing real estate market for her current and future clients through the use of helpful online social media posts and marketing resources.
It has been inspiring to see how much passion, selflessness, and the forward-thinking marketing approaches she provides to her real estate clients.
Furthermore, Chelsea highlights new real estate listings, local businesses, and activities in informative youtube videos she posts online. It’s clear that this woman hustles to deliver the best customer experience.
With the rapid growth of her real estate business, Chelsea decided she needed new professional headshot portraits. She wanted headshots that conveyed her happy, inviting personality. Equally important, she wanted photos that would further uplift the approachable look of her real estate brand.
Inspired by the old architecture environment in her downtown Bozeman office, we used it to our advantage. We created a variety of fun, professional business portraits that conveyed her warm and professional real estate brand.
Here are some favorites photographs that stood out from her business portrait experience. -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
The Bozeman Front Porch Project 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 incredible and I’ve decided to offer another weekend round of front porch sessions to continue raising money for the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
Last weekend, fourteen 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 Bozeman Area Community Foundation during this unsettling time in our community and country.
Together we raised $700.00 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 25th & 26th, 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 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 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 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
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, 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.
The enthusiasm and outpouring of support for the Bozeman Front Porch Project during this time of social distancing, has been incredible and I’ve decided to offer another weekend round of front porch sessions to continue raising money for the Bozeman Area Community Foundation.
Last weekend, nine 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 Bozeman Area Community Foundation during this unsettling time in our community and country.
Together we raised $450.00 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 19th & 20th, 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 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.
Next weekend Front Porch Project April 19th & 20th, 2020 throughout Bozeman.
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.
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
During my Portland visit last Fall, I was able to photograph the Hood River Oregon Business Portraits of SEO analyst Ashley Ryan.
Ashley’s business Engrained Marketing, provides marketing consulting and guidance for small businesses and non-profits.
As a Search Engine Optimization analyst, she strives to empower her non-for-profit clients through finding their intentions and guiding them to form action plans for success.
She wanted her Hood River Oregon business portraits to convey more of her personality, values, and professionalism. Ultimately, she wanted to add her friendly face to her online presence for her clients. We explored her home and made fun portraits of her indoors and outside in the lush green landscaping around her yard.
We also made sure to lasso in her old dog Katie for a pet portrait at the end. Here are a few favorites from our time together. It’s always such a joy for me to help friends succeed. I love how her business portraits turned out. -M
I photographed the Destination Family Portrait Photography of Sara & Jason during my Northern California trip this past Fall.
I was fortunate to meet these two years ago when they hired me to photograph their wedding celebration in Chico, California. As the years have gone by, we’ve become friends.
Now six years later, their world revolves around raising their little family in Northern California.
They now call Auburn, California home where Jason works as a firefighter and Sara as a veterinarian. While schedules can be busy and they work hard to find the balance, it’s clear that there is a lot of love in this home.
I think it shows through the mirror of their happy kids.
In their eyes, life doesn’t get much better than when they are exploring the outdoors and camping outside with their two kiddos during their days off.
For their destination family portrait photography, they wanted to celebrate all of the little things they cherished about kids during this fast-moving time in their young family’s life.
They wanted to capture the joy on the face of their exuberant 3-year-old son as he plays and dreams in their family home. They wanted to hold on to the feeling of seeing that mom heart-melting tenderness that he shows towards his 1-year-old little sister and his willingness to always include her.
After rounding out a full year with the new addition of their daughter, they wanted to capture her fiery spirit and hilarious exploration of her little world.
They wanted to remember the magic that they see every day when they are with their family.
Knowing this, I felt we were able to create some really genuine, meaningful memories for them by exploring the north fork of the American River and playing with their kids around the house.
Here are some favorite photographs from our time together. Thanks for looking! -M
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
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