Destination Family Portrait Photography of Sara & Jason in Auburn California

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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

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Winter Engagement Portrait Photography of Kate & Dylan

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  • Swingset Winter Engagement Portrait 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

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Best of 2019 Portrait Photography Greener Visuals Photography

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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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1915 Barn Winter Wedding Day Photos of Kathy and Robert

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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

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Portrait Photography Session – Rat Lake – Gallatin National Forest

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  • Portrait Photography Session - Rat Lake - Gallatin National Forest

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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Flyfishing Family Portrait Session on the Gallatin River

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Flyfishing Family Portrait Photographer Gallatin River

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On a peaceful August afternoon, I had the pleasure to photograph the flyfishing family portrait session of Kevin and Joan along the Gallatin River outside of Bozeman, Montana.

With their only grandson, Colton, living out of state and them residing in Red Lodge, Montana, this flyfishing family doesn’t get to visit each other as much as they would like. Kevin and Joan were so excited to finally be spending quality one-on-one time during their recent Southwest Montana road trip. Their agenda? Spend as much time together on rivers with fly rods in hand, chasing trout. 

Flyfishing, as it turns out, has been a storied way of life for this family for generations. 

All of their four adult children are serious fly fishermen. Two are even professional fishing guides featured on national television shows. 

To Kevin and Joan, this family time together was precious. They recognized the importance of this time in Colton’s life. After all, he was growing up fast. They knew they wanted to document this moment with a flyfishing family portrait session. 

In excited agreement over the course of our discovery conversations, we decided to highlight both their love of Colton and their favorite family pastime. In turn, they wanted to create some beautiful photographic artwork as a reminder to their grandson of all the Montana love that surrounds him, even from afar.

They are a family after my own heart! As a Montana Family Photographer (and fellow flyfisherman), it brings me great joy when I can celebrate and photograph families in a place that fuels their souls. I was happy to oblige.

Along with their Goldendoodle “Boomer” in the lead, we had a great time exploring, fishing, and photographing along the Gallatin River and making some really meaningful photos of them along the way. It’s never a bad day on the river with the ones you love. Here are a few favorite photos from our family portrait session. Wishing this family of anglers all the best on the road trip ahead. Tight lines, -M

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Bozeman Business Portraits of Knoff Group realtor Carla Thorning

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Last week I photographed the Bozeman Business Portraits of Knoff Group realtor Carla Thorning in downtown Bozeman, Montana.

Helping local Bozeman businesses create profession business portraits and headshots is a great source of pride for me at Greener Visuals Photography.

I love helping my business headshot clients put their best foot forward.

Real estate agent Carla Thorning @livebigskybozeman of the Knoff Group Real Estate in Bozeman, Montana approached me about creating a variety of fun, professional portraits of her in her new role.

I’ve worked with the Knoff Group Real Estate crew for years helping them and their realtors create impactful, professional photography for their website and real estate brand.

Carla had a great attitude and we had a great time exploring the downtown architecture. These photos really convey the warmth of her personality. She was a natural in front of my camera.

If you’re in the market for a real estate pro, to help you find the right home for you in Bozeman, Montana, give Carla a call. -M

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West Yellowstone Couples Portraits of Belle and Angel

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For Belle and Angel’s West Yellowstone Couples Portraits experience, we decided to drive back to their hometown of West Yellowstone, Montana to explore and photograph the place that fostered the roots of their relationship.

These two have been dating since high school – over seven years ago – where they first cultivated their relationship through their shared love of basketball.

While a lot has changed since high school, their relationship has never been stronger.

In Belle’s opinion regardless of where they are, Angel’s presence in her life is an immediate sense of home.

They now live and work in Bozeman, Montana – him as a chef and her as a caregiver.

Time together has helped them discover not only their love for each other but their shared passion for exploring the outdoors.

Now, as they work to finalize their wedding plans for Summer 2020, they wanted to celebrate this time in their lives by giving a nod to their shared love of camping and hiking in their old Yellowstone National Park area stomping ground.

We headed over to Black Sand Spring, a small spring creek west of town where we explored the area making photographs of them. Here are some favorites from their experience. Congrats on your engagement Belle and Angel! -M

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Washoe Theatre Couples Portraits of Amanda and Harley

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A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the Washoe Theatre Couples Portraits of Amanda and Harley in Anaconda Montana.

Amanda and Harley met ten years ago and were high school sweethearts.

I had an amazing time discovering all that they cherished in each other and their relationship.

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

For them, it was those times growing up together around Butte and Anaconda, Montana where the foundations of their relationship and support for one another really solidified.

As their relationship grew, some of their fondest memories were going on dates to the historic Washoe Theatre in downtown Anaconda and then dining at one of their favorite restaurants in Butte, the Pekin Noodle Parlor – the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country and housed in a formal brothel.

We wanted to highlight these two places that held a lot of wonderful memories for them.

We decided to recreate an ultimate date night for them!

Here are some favorites photographs from their Washoe Theatre Couples Portraits photographic experience.

This January, they will be getting married here in Bozeman and the Gallatin River Lodge. I can’t wait to celebrate with them. Congrats on your engagement you two! -M

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Morel Mushroom Hunting Couple Portraits of Brianna and Kyle

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  • Bozeman Morel Mushroom Hunting Couples Portrait Photography

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of photographing the Morel Mushroom Hunting Couple Portraits of Brianna and Kyle.

Brianna and Kyle are two foodies who are planning their September wedding celebration later this summer.

This engaged couple has made a life together fostering their shared love of the outdoors and wild foods. They work hard for that lifestyle. Both are on the talented staff at the Gallatin River Lodge. Kyle works as a sous chef and Brianna is the kitchen, garden, and reservations manager for events.

Working in the service industry often requires long hours, especially in the summer. It can make personal time challenging to harness especially when your partner might not have the same schedule as you.

Through our numerous conversations leading up to our photo session, we discovered that it’s the little things that they shared together that help make their relationship so strong and satisfying.

For their couples portrait photographic experience, our conversations focused on all the things they love about each other, their relationship together, and their 8-year-old English Pointer dog named Speck.

For this engaged couple, life doesn’t get much better than when they walk the banks of the Gallatin River near with their dog and find wild morel mushrooms to turn into fancy meals.

The more we talked, the clearer our theme became. Their Morel Mushroom Hunting Couple Portraits would be the perfect recipe for their couple portrait theme – highlighting their passion for the outdoors and cooking good food.

I traveled out to their home west of Bozeman where we explored the Gallatin River banks together. Within an hour, we found a heaping bowl full of blond morel mushrooms and made some really fun, personal photos of Brianna and Kyle in their happy place with their pup.

Being an aficionado of foraging and cooking wild game meat myself, I joined them for a riverside campfire dinner. I loved photographing them creating together in their outdoor, fireside kitchen with uncontrollable smiles on their faces. These two were in their creative culinary zone. Kyle sautéed our prized morel mushrooms with garlic, spices, and asparagus then artistically dished them onto a perfectly grilled moose backstrap (donated by yours truly) prepared by Kyle.

We ate like kings and queens that night.

With our bellies full of delicious food and a couple of microbrews, we savored the moment. To close out our time together, I had these two snuggle up into their hammock. Kyle is also a musician and he played blues riffs on his guitar for us as the sun set over the mountains. It was a perfect way to enjoy a relaxing Montana summer evening.

I love the energy and the life these two have created together. I think their bond really shines through these photographs.

Congrats again on your engagement Brianna and Kyle. Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness! -M

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Indoor Business Portraits of Knoff Real Estate Associate Molly Ogle

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The other day, I photographed the Indoor Business Portraits of Knoff Real Estate Associate Molly Ogle.

Over the last few years, I’ve had the pleasure of creating numerous professional business portraits for the good folks at Knoff Group Real Estate in Bozeman, Montana.

Molly Ogle, their new associate, recently joined this talented team of realtors and was in need of some updated headshots and business portraits. We decided to explore the newly restored, historic Cannery District with her French bulldog, Pippa in tow and made some fun, indoor business portraits for her new position.

Here are some of my favorites from our portrait photographic experience. -M

Looking to get some fresh new business portraits for your own company?

Check out my business portrait services here and I look forward to helping you bring out the best version of yourself for your clients. 

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Ousel Falls Engagement Portraits of Taylor and Josh

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The other day I drove from Bozeman to photograph the Ousel Falls Engagement Portraits of Taylor and Josh in Big Sky, Montana.  I love a couple that is game to get outside even in early Spring weather.

In fact, it was their love of games and hiking in the outdoors that brought them together. This engaged couple met playing an intense game of parchesi at a friend’s place where Josh won on the last roll. As the Denver Bronco football season went on, they cheered and bonded over their shared passions and growing connection. He made her laugh and always knew how to cheer her up. She was loving and helped him open up and out of his introverted tendencies.

In Taylor’s words, “Our weirdness meshed well.”

These two have been dating for five and a half years and they were engaged in early March.

For their Ousel Falls Engagement Portraits session, we decided to check out Ousel Falls which is one of their favorite places to hike in Southwest Montana. The contrast of the light snowfall and ice intermingled with the lush green of the coming Spring made for the perfect backdrop to their couples portrait session. Here are some of their favorites from our adventure in Big Sky. Congrats on your engagement you two! -M

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Anchorage Alaska Family Kids Portrait Photography – First Birthday

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  • Anchorage Alaska Family Kids Portrait Photography

I recently photographed the Anchorage Alaska Kids Portrait Photography of Eric and Brandy’s family celebration.

With all the couples and family portraits I’ve been making this Spring, I got a break. I took the opportunity to spend a week with my family up in Anchorage, Alaska.

Their official Anchorage Alaska Family Kids Portrait Photographer was back for more.

It is so much fun being an uncle!

We were celebrating the one-year-old birthday of my nephew Paul. I wanted to see the look on his face as he bit into his first chocolate birthday cake.

Not having any kids of my own, it’s been such a fun experience for me to watch my younger brother Eric as a father and as a caring partner to his wife Brandy. Household laughter sums up the experience every time I visit. Eric and Brandy are so good at playing and engaging with their children. It doesn’t take much for them to get their kids to giggle.

There is a lot of love in this Alaska home.

I feel grateful that the flexibility of my work schedule allows me to travel up to see them a couple of times a year and be a part of these kids’ lives.

As a photographer uncle, I want my niece and nephews to be able to look back at their candid childhood selves in pictures years from now and see all the love that was and is all around them.

Photographing my family has become a fun, personal project for me. I get to observe how these little lovable humans process their world and continue developing their different and unique personalities.

It means something to be there on that lazy morning to capture the pure joy in the face of Molly, my niece, as she cruises down the hallway on her scooter with “Jones”, the family Labrador chasing in stride.

Laughing and watching smiling Paul, who is just months away from taking his first steps, currently opting to carry all sorts of items in his mouth and utilizing his new crawling habit.

The kid can move.

For me, the best gifts from these experiences are being present for the little things.

Watching them helps me receive the world in a whole new way. A glimpse into the perspective of all things a new.

Here are some favorite moments from my time making Anchorage Alaska Family Kids Portrait Photography of my Alaska tribe. I can’t wait to return. -M

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Alaska Maternity Portrait Experience of Jessie and Brendan

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During my recent trip to Alaska, I had the pleasure of photographing the Alaska Maternity Portrait Experience of Jessie and Brendan in Hope, Alaska.

These two expecting parents are dear friends to my brother and his family in Anchorage. Over the last five years, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know these two wonderful people.

Jessie and Brendan have been married since 2010. They love to travel together both throughout Alaska and abroad. Their passion for a full life in Alaska lead them to purchase land outside of Hope, Alaska where they have been building their own home together since 2011.

As that passion project comes to a conclusion, a new journey is about to begin for them. In two weeks, these two are expecting the arrival of their first child.

To commemorate this special time, Jessie and Brendan reached out to me about making some maternity photographs for them. For our Alaska Maternity Portrait Experience, we decided to explore their favorite walking trail near their home that looks out over the Turnagain Arm and the Chugach State Park landscape.

Here are some of their favorites from our photo experience. I can not wait to meet the new addition to their family! Congrats you two! -M

 

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Hyalite stargazing engagement portraits of Aysha and Brad

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I photographed the Hyalite stargazing engagement portraits of Aysha and Brad on the eve before the springtime road closure to Hyalite Canyon.

For Aysha, her love of Brad’s spontaneity and ability to make her laugh won her affection over quickly. Their relationship grew closer through their LDS faith, love of soccer and live music, and being together stargazing with each other in their Montana backyard. This couple is dedicated to their craft. Aysha helps run the family plumbing business and Brad is also working there as an electrician apprentice.

Brad summed up Aysha as nothing short of amazing and kept commenting on how much he cherished how every day, she gives everything her all.

After dating for seven months, they were engaged a few weeks back while next to a campfire.

For their Hyalite stargazing engagement portraits, we decided to highlight some of their favorite activities they love to experience together. We made a plan to meet up at the Hyalite Reservoir just outside of Bozeman for their nighttime, stargazing engagement portrait experience.

Upon our arrival at the snow-covered Hyalite parking lot, we were greeted with clear skies and a setting sun. We started by exploring the quiet, cold winter landscape with antique oil lanterns that lighted our path. As the stars came out over the frozen mountain scene, I made some long exposure photographs to make the sky really shine. Afterward, Brad made us a warm campfire to sit around. This couple came prepared with plenty of s’mores, cups of hot chocolate, and the arms of each other. We had found a perfect mountain atmosphere to showcase Aysha and Brad’s relationship.

It made for a really fun night.

Here are some of my favorite photographs I made during our evening together.

I’m so excited for these two and the good fortune that lies ahead for them. Congrats to Aysha and Brad! -M

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Bogert Park Snowstorm Portraits of Ali and Josh

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Even a Bozeman Montana winter snowstorm couldn’t dampen the spirits of Ali and Josh during their recent Bogert Park Snowstorm Portraits session.

Ali and Josh are seniors at Montana State University and besides finishing up school and internships, they have continued to grow their relationship. After meeting them at this year’s Montana Wedding Event, we got to talking about things they love about each other and the activities they enjoy doing together.

Hearing their story and learning about their relationship, they have found a shared interest in playing ice hockey together. We decided to incorporate that shared passion for their recent Bogert Park Snowstorm portraits photography experience.

The last few weeks in Bozeman have had frigid temperatures and lots of snow. This meant most of the outdoor ice rinks around town were buried under a few feet of snow. We headed over to Bogert Park in downtown Bozeman, Montana to take advantage of its covered, outdoor ice rink.

After a fun hockey-themed photo session, we noticed a snowstorm coming in. We shifted gears, took off the ice skates and went for a tromp around the park in the deep snow. These two had a great attitude throughout and their playful love for each other really comes through in their photographs.

Here are some of my favorite photographs from my time with them. Big things are on the horizon for these two and I couldn’t be more happy for them. -M

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Missouri Headwaters State Park Family Portrait Session of Eliza and Drew

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The other day I was out at the Missouri Headwaters State Park for a Family Portrait Session of Eliza and Drew. For this Three Forks, Montana family, there is no better way to spend a day outside than when they are trail riding with their young daughter Evelyn, horses, and dogs. We decided to incorporate all of their loves into one photography session timed perfectly with the Montana Fall colors.

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Fairy Lake Engagement Photography Session of Jennie and Mark

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I photographed the Fairy Lake engagement photography session of Jennie and Mark in the Bridger Mountains outside of Bozeman, Montana.

Fairy Lake, in the heart of the Bridger Mountains, is one of my favorite places in Montana to take destination wedding couples for their engagement photography session.

A few weeks back, I met up with my childhood friend Mark and is lovely wife-to-be Jennie during a stop on their Rocky Mountain road trip in Bozeman, Montana and took them out on an adventure.

The first time I talked with Jennie and Mark was during a video chat and instantly we reconnected over similar interests and many laughs reminiscing about stories from our youth growing up playing hockey together in the Chicago suburbs. It was clear to me from our online visit that these two were the perfect match for each other.

Mark’s tribe has been good family friends with my family for many years now. Despite going our separate ways almost eighteen years ago after high school, we kept tabs on each other through the parental telegram over the years and where I learned of this awesome woman named Jennie he had met. Suddenly here we were picking up where we left off years later planning out their Montana engagement session and the intricate details of their wedding day this upcoming summer in Springdale, Arkansas.

It’s always such a treat for me to photograph old friends. This was going to be fun.

Upon their arrival into Bozeman, we all saddled up into my 1984 Land Cruiser and made our way up into the beautiful Bridger mountains for our couples’ engagement portrait session at Fairy Lake. The Montana Fall colors were in full array and we took full advantage of them.

Here are some of my favorite images from our time together. I’m so excited for these two and can’t wait to celebrate their wedding day next October! Congrats to the newly engaged! -M

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Murrieta California Destination Wedding of Tandy and Rex

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About a month ago, this Montana destination wedding photographer photographed the Murrieta California Destination Wedding day of my two artistic friends Rex and Tandy.

There are few things in life that bring me more joy than being able to photograph the wedding celebrations of dear friends.

This wedding was particularly special for me to document.

Rex and I have been close childhood friends since elementary school. What started as a shared love of artistic endeavors growing up, went on to foster countless visual creative collaborations in our formal middle school and high school years.

It was with Rex at my side that I first discovered the possibilities of what a camera could create. Together we explored our surroundings and even went as far as to build a darkroom in my mom’s spare closet. Soon we were off to the races chasing this new creative rabbit hole. Little did I know then that those times with him would be the beginning of my life-long pursuit of exploring the photographic medium. I wouldn’t be the same person without knowing him in my life.

Rex also followed his creative muses through life. He graduated from art school and now makes his living in Missoula, Montana working as a remote video game designer. I heard he had found himself an equally talented creative partner in Tandy, a successful illustrator, I knew he had found his person.

When Rex and Tandy asked me to photograph their wedding celebration on her family’s property in Murrieta, California, I could not have been more honored.

Their Murrieta California Destination Wedding day was a lovely, intimate DIY wedding staged at Tandy’s mother’s large home. Their friends and family worked together to transform the newly renovated yard into a special and memorable wedding atmosphere. Cute, homemade gray and yellow decorations added a lovely pop of color to the green surrounding landscape.

As the sun set over the valley, the wedding couple said their vows witnessed by their close loved ones. They cheered as the newlyweds kissed to seal the deal. The rest of the night we laughed, told stories, ate homemade pies, and danced the night away.

Here is a selection of favorite photographs I made throughout their day.

I could not be more excited for these two. I wish them a lifetime of happiness! -M

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob

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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of photographing and celebrating the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob.

I met this engaged couple at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons in Bozeman, Montana. We hit it off after a friendly ten-minute conversation. It was clear my candid, documentary photographic style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family, and their devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration.

Teresa and Bob’s wedding ceremony was held in the grand space of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As devoted Catholics, their ceremony was complete with an hour of Mass service.

From there we made our way up Orea Creek Road to their Livingston, Montana home. On our approach, the beauty of the surrounding green mountainsides was too enticing. We couldn’t help ourselves and happily stopped numerous times to photograph portraits with the epic Montana scenery surrounding us. Upon our arrival, the sound of cheers from their awaiting guests greeted the newlyweds at their outdoor reception on their Livingston property.

It was a wedding reception celebration in the pure local Montana cowboy style.

The newlyweds hired a live country band who beckoned guests to the dance floor.  There, formal country two-step dance lessons were being given to the out-of-town guests. Everyone really got into it and had a great time. The yard games and a photo booth entertained the wedding guests in between songs. When the food was ready, the bride, groom, and their guests dined on good Montana BBQ and libations. It was a perfect Livingston, Montana evening to celebrate the union of these two amazing people. I could not be more excited for these two.

Congrats to the newlyweds Teresa and Bob! -M

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