A few days back I drove over to Livingston Montana for the Portrait Photographic Experience of Cassie & Abel.
These two were engaged earlier this year and wanted to have the mountainous background to Montana outdoors they enjoy spending so much time in.
We found some high ground overlooking the mountains in Paradise Valley and explored the terrain making photographs of them together.
Here are some favorites from their summer portrait experience. -M
The other day I drove over to Paradise Valley to photograph the family portrait experience of the Young family.
The Young Family ranch rests on the edge of the Yellowstone River – a timeless Montana scene tucked into Paradise Valley and a place that holds such special sentiment for them.
The old dairy farm was purchased by their great grandfather in the 1980s, and is his pride and joy home. Over the years, it has served as an anchor point for some many wonderful Montana memories.
A sanctuary where they can fish, ride ATVs and spend time together as a family.
For a family of twelve, they, unfortunately, don’t all get together as much as they would want to, usually only around the holidays.
This 4th of July weekend family reunion, they were celebrating having everyone together for the first time in two years.
I had a wonderful time with the Young Family exploring their special place and making fun portraits and candid photographs.
It was such a pleasure getting to know this family and finding out what they cherish most about each other and their relationships.
There is a lot of love in this family.
Here are some favorite photographs from our time together.-M
I met these two lovebirds at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons in Bozeman, Montana. 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 devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration.
Their ceremony was held in the grand space of St. Mary’s Catholic Church complete with an hour Mass service. From there we made our way up Orea Creek Road near their Livingston home. We couldn’t help ourselves to stop numerous times to make some portraits with the epic Montana scenery around us. It is so beautiful up that way. The sound of cheers from their awaiting guests greeted the newlyweds to their outdoor reception on their Livingston property.
The live country band beckoned everyone to the dance floor where formal country two-step dance lessons were given. Yardgames and a photo booth entertained in between songs and everyone got stuffed on good Montana BBQ and libations. It was a perfect 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
I met these two lovebirds at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons. After a friendly ten-minute conversation, it was clear my candid, documentary style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family and devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration. The day could not have been better. Here is a sneak peek of their wedding photos made at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and up Orea Creek near their home where they had their reception. So many more fun photos to share with you all! Stay tuned! -M
For newlyweds Erika and Josh, it was all about returning to the source.
Little did they know after a chance encounter over a foosball game table in Livingston, Montana, two years earlier, they would be surrounded by friends and loved ones celebrating their wedding in the beautiful Paradise Valley just south of town.
Both being well versed in hospitality (Josh as a chef at Feast Raw Bar & Bistro and Erika as a former wedding planner) wanted to have their wedding day be “about letting their friends and family know how much they’ve impacted us in our lives.”
Great food, meticulous decorations of 1,000 paper cranes and rock cairns, homemade booze-infused cupcakes and the right tunes to keep the dance floor busy.
It made the day a true delight.
Not even the constant rainfall throughout the day could dampen the spirits of those in attendance.
While I’m still working away at editing all the fun photographs, I wanted to share a small preview of their awesome wedding day celebration. Congrats to the newlyweds! Stay tuned for more photo goodness. -M
Unlike most of my wedding I photograph, these two opted for my two-hour elopement collection where I focused on documenting their wedding ceremony and making portraits of their friends and family.
While perhaps one of the shortest wedding days I’ve ever photographed, it was still just as fun.
These two had all of their wedding guests meet at this really cool VRBO rental south of Livingston, Montana in Paradise Valley right on the river. As the sunset over the mountains their family and friends circled around them for their intimate ceremony then the celebration evolved into one heck of a pig roast.
In my brief time with them, I had so much fun getting to know them and their tribe. Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding. It was a true pleasure to be able to document their union. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M
To view all of their wedding images, click here.
Here are some photos to help you think warm thoughts on this chilly December day. Earlier this summer in between all of my weddings, I made some family portraits of family friends Bob and Sydney and their sons. The two were good college friends of my parents during their time at the University of Montana back in the 1970’s. Great people. I headed over to their grandparent’s beautiful horse property in Livingston, Montana. Horses turned out to be a big theme for the day. I arrived to find a full household of their family glued to the television with intensity to watch American Pharoah Win The Belmont horse race. Before photo shoot began, I joined them in cheering on the moving horse and rider figures on the screen. Their excitement was infectious. I learned that they have a long family history of raising race horses, a labor of love business upheld by their grandfather. A dime tour of their house and backstories by Bob revealed decades worth pictures of celebrated horses, race memorabilia, and memories. It was fascinating. After an exciting finish to the race, we headed outside into the pristine Montana summer weather. Keeping in theme with the day, their sons bridled up their two favorite horses and we walked around the property making some fun family photos with equines in tow. I still geek out on the great light we had that afternoon. Here are some favorite family portraits I made of them that day. -M
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