Kristine Paulsen Photography – Lifestyle Portraits, Editorial and Wedding Photography in Missoula Montana

This shoot was all about drama drama drama – in a good way. I knew going into this that I wanted it to feel dark, dramatic and raw, and that I’d be shooting for black and white. So we styled Joelle very casually, and got all dark and smudgy with her makeup to really add to the drama of the photos.

This is pretty different from what I usually shoot – which is very happy, bright, and full of color. I wanted to go in the total opposite direction with these photographs and capture the vulnerability of someone who’s feeling sadness, curled into themselves and just letting go. Because I couldn’t go all sad and dark with every shot (I’m a super happy person by nature), we mixed it up with some softer images and expressions – and of course, there were a lot of giggles in between serious shots. Don’t worry – no Joelles were harmed in the making of these photos. If only you could have seen the behind-the-scenes hilarity….. ;)

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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I love light. And I love that Joelle and I got to really play around with it during our latest Missoula fashion session. The weather couldn’t have been better – a balmy 87 degrees (in April of all things!), a slight breeze, topped off with a drop-dead-gorgeous sunset. That’s definitely the recipe for a sweet session. And, of course, Joelle was brilliant, too. :)

P.S. If you’ve got a dress you want to rock like Joelle did, let me know! These types of sessions are a blast and a great way to show off that prom dress or wedding dress! And I’m sure Joelle can attest to that, too.

A huge big shout out to the people who helped make this shoot happen:

Hair: by Boom Swagger Salon.

Makeup: by Alchemy Mineral Blends.

Clothing: blue top, white shorts, white bag, gray tree-print dress, black and white top, and jean shorts from One Eleven.

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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I met up with Molly and Andy a while back to do a super mini engagement session with them – it was short and sweet – just what they wanted – and their cat, Melvin, even got to share the spotlight. :)

Can’t wait for your wedding this summer, you two!

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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So I love color. Especially bright colors. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. And I admittedly get beyond excited when I have the opportunity to have fun playing around with it. For Joelle’s model shoot we styled her wardrobe to contain little pops of color and interest – from fire engine red skinny jeans, to bright bags, to a super fun animal print coat and a red and purple clutch.

The light also happened to be deliciously awesome during our shoot (after a few weeks of reschedules due to rain, rain, rain), and I had fun working with it – both on its softer side, and more on its harsh, shadowy side. I love getting to exercise my creative photo muscles, so this was a really fun shoot for me. And Joelle, too. :)

We had a blast playing up the fun pieces of clothing, not to mention Joelle’s own natural beauty. And I’m happy to say we’ve got plans for more shoots in the future, so stay posted – we’ll be sharing many more fun photos to come!

Thanks again to Joelle for “working it,” to Alchemy Mineral Blends for doing Joelle’s makeup, and for One Eleven and the Mood Boutique for providing us with some of these great items for Joelle to model. To learn more about which store carries which fashion piece, please check out the images, and scroll down below the photos for info.

You can find these items at the following locations – some items may no longer be available, or inventory may have changed, so act fast if you want to get your hands on any of these fun pieces! I know I’ve got my eye on a few….

Lacy tank, red skinny jeans, cream off-shoulder sweater, dark wash jeans, orange bag, turquoise bag, Frye heels: the Mood Boutique downtown Missoula, Montana.

Brown and black flower patterned lacy dress, animal print coat, red and lavender clutch: One Eleven, downtown Missoula, Montana.

On the docket: portrait sessions! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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I had the pleasure of meeting up with Hailey and Greg in sunny Stevensville the other day to photograph a mini maternity session with the two of them. They were both visiting from Washington state, and spending some time on family land. What a beautiful place for some photos showing off Hailey’s 33-week-along silhouette!

Thank you again for having me photograph such a milestone – and congrats again to you both, or all three of you I should say!

On the docket: portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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Maggie and Tyler – I swear – their smiles could rival the brightness of the sun! We had such a fun time during their Missoula engagement session, and even managed to luck out with the weather, getting a bit of sun for our little walkabout. (I think they brought it with them from California!)

These two are so clearly meant to be with one another. They’re a lot like puzzle pieces – fitting together perfectly, but unique in their own right, too.

Maggie and Tyler, I’m so glad you were able to make it back to Montana for our session – thank you so much for all the smiles and laughter! I’m not sure summer can get here soon enough since I know your wedding is going to be such a happy celebration, and I can’t wait to document it!

On the docket: engagement sessions and some rad portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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There is just something so sweet about newborn babies. Their little noises, their teensy-ness, their fuzzy dandelion hair…I could go on and on. And Mirai is definitely the epitome of a bundle of cute!

Just shy of a month old (she’s a 2012 leapling baby, born on Leap Day), she was content to cuddle with her mom and dad, getting little kisses every so often by the household Labradors. Mirai was pretty curious about everything going on around her, and gazed at us with her newly-focusing eyes – she was such a good little baby for her newborn photographs!

Thank you, Rachael, Mike and Mirai for a lovely session – your brand new baby girl is such a sweetie pie, and I couldn’t be happier for you all!

On the docket: engagement sessions and some spunky, fun portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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It was so great to finally meet Sara and Ryan the other day for their sweet little Missoula engagement session. We’d been in touch through the various long-distance means: mainly phone and e-mail, so it was wonderful to meet these two in person. And it’s so clear how in love they are with one another and what a perfect pair they make.

Their engagement session was short and sweet and we even managed to catch a little sun towards the end, too!

Thank you again, Sara and Ryan, for taking the time out of your busy schedules whilst in Montana to make some fun images of the two of you – I’m looking forward to making more on your wedding day! :)

On the docket: a newborn baby session, engagement sessions and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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The other day, I had the pleasure of meeting up with Kim and Randy in Stevensville, Montana, to trek around Randy’s family’s ranch and make some engagement photos of Kim, Randy and their horses, P, Q and Dinero.

We had so much fun despite the deceptively chilly weather (yet no snow!). And I swear, these two are so perfect for one another – they goofed around with each other, showed off some sweet dance moves, made me (and themselves) laugh a lot!, and just plain had a good time.

Not only were they radiant in their photos just on their own, but holy moly – our backdrop for the day wasn’t too shabby either (oh Bitterroot valley, you make me swoon). Thank you SO much, Kim and Randy, for inviting me out to your place to make these images. I seriously cannot WAIT for your wedding – we’re going to have a blast!

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers!

-Kristine

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I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ciche and Haley the other day for their fun Missoula engagement session – a few raindrops included! (Thanks, you two, for braving the rain!)

We had a nice little walkabout, and these two are so sweet together – laughing and joking and lots of smiles despite how wet and cold conditions were outside.

Thank you again, Ciche and Haley, for having me photograph your engagement session! And congratulations again on your upcoming nuptials!

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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