Jen and Kyle were married at the Daly Mansion a few days prior to our Trash the Dress/Day After session. (Check out a sneak peek of their wedding photos.) We met up, ready to get a little bit dirty, and boy did we have fun making some beautiful images! The light was to-die-for, the water was pleasantly warm (Jen braved it and got her dress wet - not a requirement, by the way, ladies ;) ), and we just had an all out good time. As Jen said, "I don't know why everyone doesn't do this! It's so FUN and not stressful at all!" (Thanks Jen! I couldn't have said it better myself!) Speaking of which, I'll let the photos do the talking. Check them ...
A Dazzling Love Runs Through It :: {Jen and Kyle’s Daly Mansion Wedding}
Jen and Kyle - what a beautiful pair they are. They are absolutely, hands-down, unequivocally MEANT for each other. There is such a beautiful love - nay - a dazzling love, between them, and it was front and center during their wedding at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton, Montana. From Kyle's sweet gifts to Jen before the ceremony and the card he wrote to her that nearly caused tears to fall, to Jen's voice, thick with emotion, as she vowed to Kyle that she'd always love him, for all eternity. It was a beautiful wedding. Emotional, funny, and moving. Thank you Jen and Kyle for allowing me to witness such a special day for the two of you - I had ...
A Boy and His Rabbit and a Few Goats for Good Measure – {Western Montana Fair}
I decided to swing by for the opening day at the Western Montana Fair since my mom was in town visiting. She and I are big fans of cute animals, and we happened to find some super adorable ones at the fair. There were chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, goats, llamas, bulls - you name it. I'm always impressed by the kids (and adults) who take such good care of their animals. This young man with the rabbit was no exception. His rabbit, R.J., was getting all sorts of pets and hugs from his youthful owner. He was kind enough to let me take some photos of him with his rabbit (who is a lion head breed, by the way), and to tell me a bit about how his ...
Raindrops + Horses :: {Elizabeth and Odin’s Boulder Ridge Great Falls Wedding}
I've always got to hand it to a bride who doesn't break down at the site of raindrops. I've got to credit her even more when she LAUGHS in the face of pouring rain as she goes after the photos she really, really wants. Yes - Elizabeth and Odin totally rock. Period. The day at Boulder Ridge in Great Falls started off sunny, but as the ceremony drew nigh, vows were said, rings were exchanged and alas - the thunder boomed and lightning crackled! Elizabeth really wanted some photos up on a ledge by the waterfall, and I assured her that if she was game, I was too - since, as sweet as I may be ( ;) ), I don't melt. We dashed up the hill as fast ...
Love on a Mountain Top – {Panika and Austin’s Corvallis Wedding}
Oh, to be married at the very tippy top of a mountain - the blue sky embracing you, the surrounding mountains offering a solid hug, the warm breeze whispering across your face. Panika and Austin had just that experience at their very own mountain top wedding in Corvallis, Montana on her grandfather's land, and I was lucky enough to be there to document their day! It was a steep, bumpy drive to the ceremony location, but its remoteness was gorgeous and just perfect for Panika and Austin's wedding. Panika's grandfather officiated, the ceremony was short and sweet and lovely, and the party continued on in Missoula at Caras Park. But now ...
Shawn + Monica, Five Years in Love :: {Anniversary Portrait Session}
As you may have noticed, I've been a bit quiet on the blog lately. But it's because I've been busy! I jetted off to northern Wisconsin last week for a working vacation and also to attend a high school reunion. (I'm not going to tell you which one - you'll have to guess. ;) ) During my quick trip I was lucky enough to photograph some super awesome portrait sessions - and this was one of them! Monica and Shawn have been married for 5 years - happy anniversary, you two! They weren't entirely happy with the photos from their wedding (according to Monica, the woman wasn't as good as she had touted), so they wanted to get some nice photos ...
Ah, to be a Kid in the Summer :: {Missoula Family and Children Portraits}
Is there anything better than a happy, smiling, giggling child? I'm not sure there is. It's magical, intoxicating and the essence of everything that is pure and good. And there was a LOT of happiness, smiling and giggling during my session with Christy, Alan and their three children, Kaely, Wynter and Karu. We all had a wonderful time - the kids enjoyed having little races with one another and showed me some of their best dance moves and subsequent grins. They even doled out a few hugs and high fives! I love editing photos and after having gone through to find my selects, realizing my face hurts because I've been grinning the entire ...
Warning: May Melt Your Heart :: {Missoula Puppy Portraits}
First off, happy Fourth of July! I hope you're all celebrating safely and having a great day! Make your day a little greater by checking out the photos of these adorable, ADORABLE puppies! I had the pleasure of photographing these 7-week-old Yorkshire terrier puppies last week, along with their lovely owners. I've got to hand it to them - because of all the rain we've been having the mosquitoes were out in full force and they didn't complain once. Seriously folks. These mosquitoes weren't like anything you've ever seen. I know we all went home with some war wounds from our photo session (and I know that the word "some" is probably an ...
Angie and Ken’s Just Because! Photos – {Missoula Portrait Session}
Eeek! I've gotten a bit behind in posting sneak peeks from my photo sessions - life's been so busy! I met up with Angie, Ken and their handsome dog, Rivet. (I think I'm spelling his name right?) Angie wanted to have a "just because" photo session - which I love! We all had a nice time tromping about near the river, and Angie and Ken braved the chilly water for a few shots. Rivet also kept himself amused by barking at a few kayakers paddling downriver. Angie is a photographer, too, and wanted some portraits with her camera, so we had fun being a little camera-nerdy and taking pictures of one another. Here are my faves from our ...
True Love :: {Nicole and Jason’s Montana Ranch Wedding}
Nicole and Jason's wedding at her brother's Ninemile Ranch could not have been more stunning. Not only did they get married in a jaw-droppingly beautiful location, the weather was perfect, too. Beautiful blue skies, white fluffy clouds, a warm wind, and a divinely glowing sunset. Everything was planned so well - the whole family took part in making sure every last detail was perfect. From the beautiful programs, to the vibrant flowers, to the dancing - it was just all so, so wonderful. I'm usually pretty good about keeping my emotions in check during weddings, but there were several moments during this wedding that made me go all ...