Tag Archive for: outdoors

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

, , , , , , , , , , ,
Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding couple
Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer bride groom greenLivingston Wedding Photographer white roses bouquetLivingston Wedding Photographer groom getting readyLivingston Wedding Photographer bride getting readyLivingston Wedding Photographer white roses bouquetLivingston Wedding Photographer bride getting readyLivingston Wedding Photographer bride getting readyLivingston Wedding Photographer groom getting readyLivingston Wedding Photographer bride in white dressLivingston Wedding Photographer church weddingLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer St. Mary’s Catholic ChurchLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer train crossing couple kissLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy weddingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy weddingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding cakeLivingston Wedding Photographer outdoor portraitsLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding cake cuttingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding first danceLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding first danceLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancingLivingston Wedding Photographer cowboy wedding dancing

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

/by

Livingston Montana Wedding Day Photography Preview of Teresa and Bob

, , , , , , , , , , ,
Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding couple
Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding coupleLivingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding couple

Last Friday I spent the day photographing and celebrating the Livingston Montana Wedding Day of  Teresa and Bob.

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

 

/by

Yellowstone National Park Wedding Day Photography of Judy and Butch

, , , , , , , ,
Yellowstone National Park Wedding Day
  • Yellowstone National Park Wedding Day portrait

This summer I had the privilege of making the Yellowstone National Park Wedding Day Photography of Judy and Butch.

These two traveled from Beavercreek, Ohio to get married in our nation’s most popular national park. We had their small ceremony in the Mammoth Chapel then celebrated with a post-ceremony picnic where we ate lunch and had a small wedding cake. Because it was just them and their enthusiastic photographer in attendance, we took the afternoon to explore the park and make some fun outdoor wedding portraits on their special day.

It was a great way to celebrate the 4th of July this year! I wish these two years of happiness! Congrats! -M

 

/by

Missouri Headwaters State Park Portrait Photographic Experience of Dani and John

, , , ,
Missouri Breaks State Park Engagement Photo Session
  • Missouri Breaks State Park Engagement Photo Session

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of heading over to the Three Forks, Montana area to create the Missouri Headwaters State Park Portrait Photographic Experience of Dani and John.

These two were the winning recipients of my Portrait Photographic Experience contest at this year’s 2017 A Montana Wedding Event at The Commons in Bozeman Montana. After learning more about them and their relationship together, we decided to have their portrait experience at one of their favorite places to hike.

It’s a beautiful spot with a mixture of rocky cliffs and grasslands that overlook the confluence of the Jefferson and Madison Rivers where they form the mighty Missouri River.

These two are all set to be married in the summer of 2018 and I couldn’t be more excited for them.

Here are some of my favorites from our time together. -M

 

/by

Broken Hart Ranch Wedding Day of Madeline & Chase in Bozeman Montana

, , , , , , , , , ,
Broken Hart Ranch Fall Montana Wedding of Madeline and Chase
  • Broken Hart Ranch Fall Montana Wedding of Madeline and Chase

A few weeks ago, I photographed the Broken Hart Ranch wedding day of Madeline and Chase outside of Bozeman, Montana at the peak of the Fall season change. Fall in Montana this year kicked into overdrive and the autumn colors were popping all over southwest Montana. To my delight, Madeline and Chase’s wedding festivities nailed the timing of the colorful season.

This couple has been dating for the last four years. Over that time, they have fostered a loving relationship filled with gratitude and many great funny stories. Many of those stories were shared throughout the evening by their guests during the wedding toasts.

The Broken Hart Ranch venue that day was surrounded by fire-colored flora from the nearby Gallatin Mountain range backdrop. Madeline and Chase created a fall inspired theme for their wedding using the same color palate with great success.

The newlyweds, along with their out-of-town guests, spent the evening dancing, singing, and raising their glasses in celebration long into the night. This crowd knew how to celebrate with vigor. At one point, the wedding guests suddenly busted into a flash mob dance routine to the delight and surprise of the wedding couple. It was one of the great highlights of the reception.

In addition, Madeline, Chase, and their guests also dressed up in costume to play in the Broken Hart Ranch wedding photo booth I provided for the reception. The photo booth was a huge hit with the guests, young and old!

The positive energy of the wedding day was infectious. Looking around the reception hall, it was filled with smiles of the couple and their loved ones. Here are some photo favorites from their wedding day. Wishing the newlyweds all the best! -M

  • Broken Hart Ranch Fall Montana Wedding of Madeline and Chase
/by

Rockin TJ Ranch Wedding Day of Jenny and Ethan Bozeman Montana

, , , , , , , , , ,

I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding weekend of Jenny and Ethan at the Rockin TJ Ranch on the outskirts of Bozeman, Montana a few weeks back.

September in southwest Montana might just be my favorite time of year to be outside. The weather on their big outdoor wedding day was perfect. The full spectrum of Fall colors in the local flora accentuated the wedding party’s red color theme.

I had a lot of fun throughout the day celebrating with these two newlyweds and their out of town wedding guests. I was so thankful to be a part of it. A great day. Congrats again to Jenny and Ethan! -M

/by

Alaska Wedding Day Photography Preview of Eric & Brandy

, , , , , ,

A few weeks back my pilot brother Eric married an awesome woman named Brandy, the love of his life in Hope, Alaska. The first of the siblings to get hitched. It was also the first time I’d been assigned the roles as both a best man and a wedding photographer. It was a fun challenge. I’m editing through the mountain of photos and will post their full wedding soon. I’m so excited for you brother! Stay tuned… -M

/by

Triple Tree Trail Engagement Session of Bobbi Jean and Chris

, , ,
couple-embrace-under-juniper-tree-during-Triple-Tree-Trail-Engagement
  • couple-embrace-under-juniper-tree-during-Triple-Tree-Trail-Engagement
    I recently photographed Bobbijean and Chris' engagement photo session at the Triple Tree trailhead in Bozeman Montana.

I recently photographed the Triple Tree Trail Engagement Session of Bobbi Jean and Chris in Bozeman, Montana.

Wedding season is upon us here in the Big Sky state and I’ve been having a lot of engagement photo sessions lately. Last week I met up with Bobbi Jean and Chris at the Triple Tree trailhead in Bozeman Montana to photograph their engagement photo session.

Engagement photo sessions come complimentary with all of my wedding photography collections. I like it because it gives me and my clients a chance to get to know one another before their wedding day and make some fun photos in the process.

Bobbi Jean and Chris brought along their dogs as we hiked and explored the popular Bozeman trail system during their Triple Tree Trail Engagement session. Knowing Chris worked as a logger and Bobbi Jean as an employee of Yellowstone National Park, I wanted to photograph them in their outdoor element. Afterward, we ventured over to the wood shop of Montana Wildwoods artist and friend Tom Benedict where we played amongst his large juniper tree sculptures.

These two were great and I’m looking forward to photographing their wedding at the Old Faithful Inn later this summer. A fun day. -M

/by

Story Mill Park Winter Engagement Portrait Session of Samantha & Jonathan

, ,
  • Sunset-kiss-couple-during-Story-Mill-Park-Winter-Engagement-Portrait

Last week I photographed the Story Mill Park Winter Engagement Portrait Session of Samantha & Jonathan near downtown Bozeman, Montana.

These two Manhattan, Montana natives hired me to photograph their wedding day this upcoming August and wanted to showcase the winter Montana landscape in their engagement photo session. We decided to take advantage of the wonderful winter evening light we’ve been having lately here in the Big Sky country and walked around the historic Story Mill park area and Gardner Park in Bozeman for a couple of hours.

This time of year, the outdoor color palette yields a lovely mixture of golds, oranges, and blues and I wanted to maximize it. These two had a great attitude and were up for a fun adventure. Our Story Mill Park Winter Engagement Portrait session time went quickly as we enjoyed exploring the landscape and playing with their golden retriever.

These two are great. I’m thrilled with how their photographs turned out and I’m looking forward to photographing their big day later this summer. Congrats on your engagement you guys! -M

/by

Bozeman Montana Winter Engagement Pet Photo Session of Julia & Peter

, ,
  • couple-embrace-in-willows-during-engagement-photo-session-Bozeman

Last week, I photographed my wedding clients Julia and Peter for their Bozeman Montana Winter Engagement photo session.

We had the opportunity to venture out into the surprisingly mild Bozeman winter weather for their Bozeman Montana winter engagement.  These two have a great park near their home in southwest Bozeman where they often walk their dogs. It’s a place that brings a lot of happiness into their lives. We started our photo outing there.

On this day, I loved the winter color palette of blues, greys, and oranges that were standing out from the white snow blanketing the ground. It gave me some great negative space to play with. I was really pleased with the results.

These two are a great pair.

Looking forward to photographing their wedding day at Chico Hot Springs in June. Stay tuned. -M

/by

Bozeman Montana Engagement Photo Session – Sara & Cory

, ,

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going out for an afternoon with my wedding clients Sara and Cory for their engagement photo session throughout downtown Bozeman, Montana. I’m looking forward to photographing their wedding day at the Springhill Pavilion in September 2015. With the holiday season upon us, they wanted to get out and use their complimentary engagement photo session for a Christmas card/wedding announcement and wanted to take advantage of the unusually warm weather we were experiencing mid-December. It was a great time for us to get to know each other while breaking the ice and making some fun photographs. I always am inspired by my surroundings when photographing – be that a walk through Lindley Park, using the architecture along Main Street or even cool window displays like at The Bent Lens Optical Boutique. These two were up for the challenge and we had a fun day collaborating on making images. I feel lucky to know that in my line of work I get to meet and hang out with such fun couples like these two. September can’t come soon enough. A fun day. -M

/by

Manhattan Montana Backyard DIY Wedding of Christina & Levi

, , , , , , , ,

Wow! Is it August already? Time does fly when you are having fun. Looking back on my summer, I’ve been keeping busy photographing weddings and spending the remaining free moments mountain biking around the mountains of Bozeman, Montana. Life is good. I feel lucky to have found such happiness and fulfillment in documenting the love of others with my camera. It’s a continual reaffirmation that fills me with gratitude daily. The only thing better than documenting the big day of my new wedding clients are those times when an opportunity to document a good friend’s wedding comes around. A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of watching my buddy Levi marry the love of his life Christina in a beautiful and intimate ceremony on a family friend’s property outside of Manhattan, Montana. Levi and his family have been dear friends of mine for many years running. Having grown up in Bozeman, Levi was the guy who introduced me to great people and many places to explore when I first moved to Bozeman and I didn’t know a soul. It was a kindness extended at the time to the new guy in town that I will always be grateful for. I had been looking forward to them tying the knot for some time now. These two love birds met at a kundalini yoga retreat and quickly fostered a strong bond with each other. When it came time to planning their wedding, they decided to have a small ceremony with close friends and relatives contributing food in a potluck fashion. It worked out great. Their wedding day was simple but elegant collaboration. It’s was a great feeling to watch my friend be filled with such joy at having found a wonderful woman and partner in Christina. Here are some favorites from their wedding day. I wish them a lifetime of happiness! -M

 To see all of their wedding photos and to buy prints, go here.

 To see their Photobooth photos, go here.

/by

San Francisco Jewish Naming Party Photos for Gillian & Jeff’s daughter

, , , ,

One of the surprising twists and wonderful honors I’ve been fortunate enough to experience as I grow my wedding photography business is returning clients. In the wedding industry, that rarely happens. Much like age has brought some wisdom my way over the years, outcomes of how I once thought my path would play out, rarely in fact, did so. I’m so grateful. I have been fortunate in ways I never thought I would have had a chance to be. I photographed Gillian and Jeff’s wedding day years ago in Sacramento, California and ever since they have continued to bring me back into their lives to document their special events over the years. For those of you who may not know, weddings are just one of many facets to my creative photographic outlets. Years ago, Gillian expressed to me just how much I made her feel comfortable in front of a camera. I feel privileged that I can continue come back into their lives to document their celebrations. Without even realizing it, I find myself in the role of a documentary family photographer. These two have been huge supporters of my photography from early on in my career.

A month ago, I left Bozeman, Montana and hopped a plane to San Francisco to spend a Sunday afternoon with my old friends/clients to document the new addition of their daughter Miriam. I spent the day documenting a traditional Jewish naming ceremony at their home and the celebration afterwards complete with the portraits of numerous family and friends. Gillian was very clear in what she wanted – as many photos of her little girl as possible. I was happy to oblige. What a cutie. It was a wonderful time. I recognized many familiar smiles from the wedding years ago and realized I had seen many of Gillian and Jeff’s coupled friends back then early on in their relationships. Fast-forward five years and now I had this new window back into their worlds seeing them with kids in tow. Add some good caterer BBQ with sunny weather to boot and you’ve got all the ingredients for a beautiful San Francisco Bay Area fall day. It was fun for me to spend time with these good folks again. My, how time flies. So glad I could be a part of it. -M

To see all of the party photos and portraits click here.

/by

Real Weddings Magazine blog features Greener Visuals Photography

, , , , , , ,

Just found out my Greener Visuals Wedding Photography photo shoot from last spring’s Lavish and Fabulous Couture Bridal Event was just blogged about from my friends at Real Weddings Magazine. Behold the awesome colors of the Moroccan Lounge. What a fun event. If you are in the Sacramento area next spring be sure to check the event out. You can view their blog post here. Cheers, -M

/by

Sonoma California Rehearsal Dinner Photos at El Dorado Kitchen Restaurant of Molly and Brian

, , , , , , , ,

About a week ago, I left the mountains of Montana to head over to Sonoma, California to photograph the long awaited wedding weekend of Molly and Brian. Back in mid May, I made the same journey to photograph their engagement session. Sonoma is a truly beautiful place. This time of year the famous grapevines are starting to bear their fruit and the surrounding valleys are covered in multi-layered shades of green. Molly and Brian live in Chicago, Illinois, not far from my old stomping grounds of my youth. Rather than soak in the midwest humidity, they decided to have their wedding out west and bring out all of their friends and family out to California for their big day. I met up with them Friday evening at the famous El Dorado Kitchen Restaurant in the heart of downtown Sonoma for their rehearsal dinner with close friends and family members. Here are some of my favorites from the evening. I’ve been busy working on all of their wedding day photos and will post them soon. More goodness to come. -M

To view all of the images from Molly and Brian’s Rehearsal Dinner at El Dorado Kitchen Restaurant go here.

/by

Davis California Couple Portrait Session of Ben and Charlotte

, , , , , ,

I’ve been meaning to post these pics for a while now. A couple months ago, some friends of mine, Ben and Charlotte, approached me about making some fun portraits of them that they could send to their families both here and overseas in Germany and Belgium. They had never had professional portraits taken together and wanted photos that would accurately show their relationship. I really enjoy going out and making photos of friends. Having watched their relationship blossom over the past couple of years I was excited to try to capture it in a formal portrait setting. We ended up checking out the trail along side Putah Creek on the outskirts of Davis and as a added bonus, they brought their puppy Timo along for some entertainment. I find having dogs on a shoot can either be hit or miss. At times they can be very distracting to the subjects but more often than not they can be a fun addition to bringing out the best in my subjects by helping to make them laugh. Timo behaved perfectly and I think added a nice touch to their portrait session. Another fun afternoon with friends. -M

/by

The HideOut Wedding Day of Zack and Anna in Kirkwood, California

, , , , , , , ,
Bozeman Wedding Photography Destination Lake Tahoe
  • Wedding-couple-embrace-at-The-HideOut-in-Kirkwood-California

A few weeks back in the Lake Tahoe region, I had the pleasure to photograph The HideOut Wedding Day of Zack and Anna in Kirkwood, California.

Fall has come to California and I find myself meditating on my good fortune to have had the opportunity to photograph so many of my friend’s weddings this past year. But none have had so much anticipation and impact on me like Zack and Anna’s The HideOut Wedding Day did.

I’ve known Zack and Anna for almost four years now. They were some of the first friends I made after arriving to my first newspaper job in Redding, California. But when the time came to move on and travel to South America with my brother, our paths moved in different directions. Zack and Anna left their positions as bird researchers in Redding and began graduate school in Ecology at The University of California Davis. Little did I know that upon my return to the States six months later, we would reconnect. I got a new newspaper job close to Davis and would eventually become roommates with them and four egg-laying chickens.

Unlike other weddings I have photographed, being roommates to an engaged couple automatically made me apart of the wedding planning process.

It was fun to watch their excitement grow as the months and weeks counted down to their big day The HideOut Wedding Day in Kirkwood, California. Because of my inclusion in the preparation, I felt the whole wedding day to be all that more important. We headed out towards Lake Tahoe to a beautiful, secluded log mansion at The HideOut in Kirkwood, California for their wedding weekend.

They completely made their wedding day all their own with the help of great friends. The two wild pigs were shot then roasted over a borrow spit. Friends made homemade decorations and desserts. Despite plummeting mountain temperatures, their guests brought relentless energy and good spirits that helped keep the party going long into the night.

It was incredible to see the amount of giving. Each of their friends and family members contributed to help celebrate the union of these two individuals. We had a great time and I was proud to be apart of it. There are countless photos from their wedding day and I hope you get a chance to check them all out. I wish them all the best. -M

/by

County Line Orchards wedding day of Adam and April

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I recently traveled back to Chicago to photograph the County Line Orchards wedding of Adam and April in Hobart, Indiana.

Adam and his new bride April called me a couple of months ago and asked if I would help document their County Line Orchards wedding day. I always feel very lucky to be a part of the wedding day of old friends. This one was no exception. From the moment I arrived, it was literally a blast from the past and quickly turned into a high school reunion.

After so many years away, living out in Montana and now California, I don’t get as many chances to make it back home to visit. Adam and I played football together at Prairie Ridge High School and April attended school with my younger brother Eric. Despite a threatening Midwest thunderstorm, the wedding went off without a hitch. It was so great to see so many familiar faces all grown up. I had an absolutely great time documenting these guys. Crazy, summer humidity and all.

Here are some of my favorite images from the day. I’m anxious to hear what you all think. This is a mere small sampling of the 4000 images I made that day. I suppose that is to be expected when you have so many old friends around dancing the night away. There are too many good people to take photos of.  I wish these guys all the best. -M

/by

Davis California Engagement Photographer Session of Anna and Zack

, , , ,

I love this time of year. The rains are subsiding and California is enjoying its brief window of green before the summer heat scorches us to our usual golden brown hue. More importantly, the early springtime signals the start of the wedding season. My bookings are really starting to fill up. Always a good thing. Two of my good friends Zack and Anna recently got engaged and hired me to be their Davis California engagement photographer and wedding photographer.

Both are ecology graduate students at UC Davis and through their studies have come to really enjoy bird watching. They came to me looking for a creative photographic twist to capture their relationship. We spent an afternoon playing around one of the beautiful Davis parks and made some traditional and nontraditional images. We had a great time and I think their relationship really shows in their photographs. I’m looking forward to shooting their Lake Tahoe wedding in August.

/by

Teller Wildlife Refuge Slack House and Barn Wedding Day of Abby and Johnny

, , , , , , , , , ,

border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;

You know you’ve done something right when one of your past wedding couples refers you to their friends. I consider those gestures one of the highest compliments a photographer can receive. It lets me know that I am doing my job well.

Back in 2006, Abby and Johnny asked me to photograph their Teller Wildlife Refuge Slack House and Barn Wedding in western Montana after hearing about my photojournalistic style through their friends and my former clients.

It was the ultimate picturesque Montana cowboy wedding. Their outdoor wedding was held at this cute little ranch where the men were decked out in their cowboy boots and hats. They twirled the women in their summer dresses as they danced to the upbeat rhythms of bluegrass music. Summer was ending and with it, the days grew longer. Because of it, we were blessed with beautiful afternoon sunlight that made the dried wheat fields glow with a golden hue as the sun set over the Bitterroot Mountains. What more could a photographer ask for?

/by