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

Dancemania is probably an understatement because the ladies at Oula’s first annual dance party at the Stensrud Building in Missoula seriously ROCKED their FEET off. I had such a blast photographing so many happy people shaking their groove thang (huge kudos to Kali Lindner who created Oula!), and I hope you’ll investigate all the awesomeness that is Oula. (I swear, if I hadn’t been photographing, I would have been a “dancemaniac” as well!)

This fab party was put together by the lovely Kelsey Motes-Conners from Glacier Parks Weddings and Events, who did a seriously wonderful job. Accents of fuschia along with pink drinks really popped and added to the lively atmosphere. Not to mention, a variety of great prizes from local vendors – shop local y’all!

And now, on to the photos! There’s more where these came from, so if you’d like to see the rest of the photos, hop on over to the online gallery to peruse at your leisure. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to give a little Facebook love to both Oula and Glacier Parks Weddings and Events! :)

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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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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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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I hope you all got a chance to step outside last evening and witness the gigantic moon hanging low over the hilltops and reflecting into the Clark Fork – seriously beautiful. I was hoping to see some northern lights, which didn’t happen, but my…the moon sure was a good substitute. This photo isn’t from last night, but I was reminded that I still had it hanging out, waiting to be shared, and today seemed like a good day for that.

Enjoy! This was taken this past June after George and Emily’s super fun engagement session. This image is way more gigantic than I’d normally post, but I figured the moon kind of merits that treatment.

On the docket: portraits and engagement sessions galore – stay posted!

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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This is a bit of a departure from what I normally post….not a portrait session (of people anyway), and much too long for a Wordless Wednesday post……but I really want to share these images with you because, quite simply:

Owls Are Cool.

Especially snowy owls. And especially since they’ve been hanging out with us here in Montana.

Snowy owls don’t usually spend all that much time in our area, so it’s pretty rare to see them. They’ll hop on down here every 5 or 6 years or so, and when they do…oh my gosh…go and see them!

Admittedly, I may be slightly biased because I kind of LOVE birds (ok, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY love birds), but these creatures are simply stunning. Their bright white feathers, their sleepy little yawning faces in the light of day, the slow turns of their heads, the way their feathers softly ruffle in the breeze, and their absolutely incredible beauty as they fly.

So, please. Indulge in these photos. And if you get a chance, go scouting for the snowy owls on your own – it’s so worth the time, and they won’t be sticking around Montana a whole lot longer. Also, bring a good pair of binoculars if you go. :)

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers,

-Kristine

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