You know when you talk with people and just instantly connect? That’s how I felt when I first chatted with Brenna and Nathaniel over the phone about their engagement and wedding photography. And I was just so, SO excited to get to make their Butte Montana engagement photos. We somehow avoided the rain, too! (Though it was cold enough we were actually wondering if it might snow, ha!)

Brenna and Nathaniel are just the sweetest, and have been together for 10 years. I met up with them at their (gorrrrrgeous) home in Butte that has a beautiful view of the Tobacco Roots. Brenna’s family used to own a ski hill right nearby (when it still got snow). And holy smokes, is it ever a stunning property!

We had so much fun traipsing all around, and finding the prettiest little pockets of aspen and sagebrush and wildflowers, hooray! As we were making photos, the running joke was that we were being watched (literally) by their cats, Milo, Purrkley, and Tapper, who were hanging out in the windows of their home, keeping an eye on us. (Also, how awesome are their cats’ names?! They’re all named after Butte-related things!)

As a bonafide nerd myself, I was pretty stoked to hear that Brenna and Nathaniel also consider themselves nerdlings (yay!), and wanted to make a few photos of them gaming together. (Yas, please!)

Suffice it to say, we just had so much fun together, and there was no shortage of laughter and smiles and blissful nerdiness.

Brenna and Nathaniel! What I’ve shared here doesn’t do justice to what an absolute delight it was to hang out with you and make these photos! You two are just wonderful, and I cannot wait to document your wedding day for you! Woohoo! :)

On the docket:

Lotsa portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Ashley and Nick truly are two wonderful people — and I was so excited to be able to make Garden of One Thousand Buddhas engagement photos for them, which is one of their favorite places. Ashley shared with me that it’s particularly significant to them because it’s the spot they’d often visit together when they first started dating. (And if there’s one thing I love, it’s being able to make photos in meaningful places for folks!)

Zipping up to Arlee from Missoula, we somehow managed to be treated to one of Montana’s balmier days this winter, complete with a little sun and blue sky, which I think must’ve been timed just perfectly for Ashley and Nick’s session. The universe knew!

If you haven’t been to it before, the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a special place, surrounded by stunning mountains, dotted with Buddhas of all shapes and sizes, and permeated by a tranquil, positive energy that we all appreciated. We wandered through the grounds, stopping at various points to laugh and chat and make photos. I think everyone’s faces hurt from smiling and cracking up so much — always a good thing in my opinion!

Speaking of which, Ashley and Nick are just a blast to photograph, and I love to see just how much fun they have together! Even though things were somewhat chilly (I mean, it is still winter after all), the warmth and love they radiated made the temps barely noticeable.

I am just so excited to get to photograph their wedding in October, and I already know we’re going to have the best time together capturing such a special day! (Photo ninja mode, here I come! )

Ashley and Nick! Congratulations again on your engagement, and thank you for being just an absolute delight to photograph! You two are the bees knees, and I’m seriously stoke, stoke, stoked for your wedding! Woohoo!

P.S. Here’s a fun little GIF to enjoy, too.

On the docket:

Portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

As I write this we’re getting our first real snow of the season, and it sure makes me glad we had such a beautiful day for Emily and Andy’s Missoula Montana autumn engagement photos!

I was so excited to get to meet Emily and Andy for the first time (after having chatted with them for a while), and these two are are just beyond sweet together. There’s an ease, a happiness, a warmth that’s just so wonderfully apparent between them, which is so wonderful to see and document. And it’s immediately clear how much in love they are with each other

We had such a great time making these engagement photos for them, though Andy did admit to not loving being in front of the camera. As they described it when we were initially talking about their wedding photography, “There’s pain behind Andy’s eyes in photos.” And, wouldn’t you know it, I’d guesstimate that 70% of the people I photograph mention something similar. My goal is to make sure there’s nothing of the sort in the images we create together. And Emily and Andy absolutely blew their session out of the proverbial water.

They are so quick to laugh together and be playful, and had wonderful energy in front of the camera! (Which I know isn’t always the easiest thing to do.)

Emily and Andy are both originally from Michigan, and actually met at Michigan State University where they both played trumpet in the marching band. How cool is that?! I love it!

During our session, we had the most comments from passers by that I’ve ever encountered during a session, which had us all cracking up. (I’m glad I’m not the only one who could see just how awesome Emily and Andy are together!)

Emily and Andy! Thank you again for such a stellar session! I absolutely loved getting to make these images for you, and I’m just giddy about your wedding next year! I can already tell it’s going to be such a happy, joyful, wonderful day for you both! Can’t wait!

On the docket:

Lots of portraits – stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was so fun to photograph Rilee and Nick’s colorful autumn engagement photos – not only because we timed our session perfectly and were treated to some absolutely brilliant yellows oranges and reds, but because these two are just a blast to work with! I’d photographed Nick’s older brother Jamie’s wedding a few years earlier, so when Rilee and Nick contacted me about doing their engagement and wedding photos I knew we’d click (no pun intended!).

As was standard for this year, we had some rain clouds threatening in the background as well as a few raindrops to start out our session. But thankfully the impending storm skirted around us and allowed us to meander, chat and spend a lot of time cracking up together!

Part of why Rilee and Nick chose the location they did for their session was because Nick had actually proposed to Rilee not far from where we were photographing! They also invited their 7-year-old dog, Bear, into a few of their images too!

Bear is just the sweetest doggo, and was all about sharing in the excitement of the day, including giving both Rilee and Nick some big “Bear” hugs! And then giving us all funny looks when our walk didn’t really turn into one that made sense to him. (Humans, why do you keep stopping to kiss one another? haha)

Suffice it to say, I’m super stoked to get to photograph Rilee and Nick’s upcoming 2020 wedding, and can tell we’re going to continue having a blast on their wedding day as well!

Rilee and Nick – congrats again! I know you said you were a little nervous about being in front of the camera, but as I told you the day of your session, you don’t have a thing to worry about, and I cannot wait for June to get here! :) Woo hoo! Way to rock your session, you two!

On the Docket:

Elopements and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I had the pleasure of photographing Laura and Melinda’s summertime couple’s session just a few days before their wedding date at Holland Lake Lodge. I was so eager to meet them after having chatted with them back and forth for a while talking about their wedding day plans, and we really couldn’t have been treated to a more gorgeous day for their more causal images prior to their wedding day celebration.

Melinda, especially, was super happy to be back in Montana and creating photos here, since she had spent quite a bit of time in Hamilton when she worked there previously. Montana treated the two of them to the most splendid of summer days – the sun just glowed, it wasn’t too hot or too cold, and Laura and Melinda shared smiles with one another that, I swear, easily rivaled the sun’s brightness.

We had a great time walking, talking and laughing together, and at the end of our session, Laura and Melinda even braved some slippery walks to wade into the river and treat themselves to some water images in that gorgeous evening light, and really rock the end of their session.

Laura and Melinda! Thank you again for such a wonderful session – I love seeing how much you two love one another, and I can’t wait to share more images from your wedding day soon, too! Here’s to you two, your joy, and being so totally fun to work with! Yay!

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

A few weeks ago, Sammy and James got to zip on over this direction from Manhattan (the New York kind) for their Missoula Montana springtime engagement session, and I’m so glad Montana decided to play nicely and treat them to a beautiful evening in town since we had a pretty rainy springtime this year. Sammy is originally from Missoula, and she and James currently live in NYC.

When I asked them how they met, they both happened to be at a mutual friend’s birthday party, and the rest is history. James proposed to her on the Tower Bridge in London, and, as it turns out, it seems that bridges are kind of a theme for them. We started out their session on the new pedestrian bridge over the south side of Reserve Street, for which Sammy’s dad did structural engineering work. (They fondly refer to it as “Dad’s Bridge.”)

It was such a beautiful evening – gorgeous light, fantastic views (which James was really happy to see since the last time he visited the mountains were rendered invisible due to all the wildfire smoke in the air), and these two are just so, so in love, which is always so fun to see and document.

Even despite being eaten alive by gangs of gnarly, carnivorous mosquitos, Sammy and James didn’t let that bother them one bit. They were all about the hugs, the kisses, the soft shoulder caresses – and it was absolutely, perfectly beautiful.

Sammy and James, it was so nice to meet you both and have the opportunity to make these images for you (seriously, you guys are so darn sweet together!), and I’m so glad that Missoula treated you to a splendid week here! And, last but not least, here’s another huge congratulations to you on your engagement!

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements and portraits! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

So, you know how you talk with someone and you just click? I totally felt that way when chatting with Melisa initially about her wedding day. We both love words. We both love birds. (Words and birds! See what I did there?!) And her goal was to get married on her wheat farm to the love of her life, surrounded by her family and all of their farm critters (horses and dogs and chickens and turkey included!). Hooo boy, yes please! Therefore it was no surprise at all that when I zipped up north for Melisa and Zack’s Dutton Montana farm engagement, that it was just such a wonderful time.

Dutton treated us to a beautiful sunny, windy day just outside of Great Falls, and we had such a nice time poking around Melisa and Zack’s farm, and getting to meet all of the above-mentioned critters. I can’t tell you how excited I was that they got to be featured in Melisa and Zack’s engagement photos too! As Melisa had told me prior to our session, one of their horses, Song, is a big time photo bomber, and she wasn’t kidding! That horse knows how to work it for the camera!

We also had a few moments to talk more about Melisa’s family’s farm, which has been in operation for five, yes FIVE, generations! How cool is that?! Zack also grew up farming in Minnesota, and eventually made his way out west. And the two met while attending a rodeo where they just happened to be sitting next to one another – kismet, I say!

As we strolled through the pastures that evening, Gypsy and Junebug (Zack and Melisa’s dogs) stuck around close by as well, and we all giggled and laughed as Song stopped to chew his lead rope every now and again, and dole out some big ol’ horsey licks here and there from his soft, velvety nose.

Because several of Melisa and Zack’s chickens had had a chance to star in some images earlier in our session, Carol, the turkey, not to be outdone, made a cameo as well. I’ve got to say, this is the closest I’ve ever been to a turkey, and she was a sweetie! (As were all of Melisa and Zack’s animals.)

But I think the best part of their entire session was watching these two interact with one another. Seeing them look at each other and smile at one another just warmed the cockles of my heart – and getting to capture this in a place that’s so important to them – well, that’s just icing on the proverbial cake.

Melisa and Zack! Thank you so much for such a delightful photo shoot – and it was so good to finally get to meet you, Zack! Additionally, though I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – I cannot thank you ENOUGH for helping me with that crack in the oil pan of my car.

(Context for those not-in-the-know: as I was driving in to their farm, a big ol’ rock kicked up and left a nice gash in my oil pan, effectively releasing ALL of it right as I pulled into their driveway. Egads!) You and your family didn’t need to take the time to help me out, especially as late as it was in the evening, but you did, and I’m just so incredibly grateful. You are good, good folks!

But most importantly, it was a blast to get to work with you two, and I’m just so excited for your wedding day! Please give all your critters big hugs for me in the meantime. :)

On the Docket:

Portraits and weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

You know when the stars align, the weather is perfection, springtime in Montana is just exploding, and you get to work with the sweetest of people? Yeah, that’s what Breanna and Branden’s Corvallis Montana engagement photos in the Bitterroot Valley were like. We lucked into a day that showed off the Bitterroots to their fullest potential, and had an absolute blast together making their images.

When we were talking about their session, Breanna and Branden told me that they really would love to be able to make their images down in the Bitterroot, since when they were first dating, they’d spend many days driving and exploring around the area – so it’s got a super special significance to them, which I loved hearing!

They also told me they wanted to recreate a vintage tintype look for one of their images (which you’ll see below), and hoped to incorporate photos of their parents, grandparents and pups. I always love fun, unique ideas like this, so I was super tickled to help make this happen. We found ourselves an old homestead house, hung their photos on the clapboard behind them, they provided a vintage chair and clothing, and bam! We went to town making these photos – so fun! And what an awesome idea! (Our non-serious outtakes were pretty funny because when we’re having as much fun as we were, being serious is never an easy thing!)

The lilacs were also in bloom during their session, so of course we had to take advantage of that bit of lovely serendipity, too.

After our vintage shots were done, Breanna and Branden had a quick wardrobe change and we headed out to visit another beautiful spot in the Bitteroots – this time with their chiweenie pups along – Bonney and Wally! These two were such adorable little troopers, ready for a hike, eager to explore, and ridiculously photogenic. (Wally’s sweet little face just *kills* me – in the best way possible – in the last shot.)

To top off our absolutely delightful afternoon, Breanna and Branden treated me to a beer and some apps at Lolo Peak Brewery on the way back into Missoula, and it’s an understatement to say just how nice it was to get to hang out, sip on some beers, talk drones, and swap stories. (Thank you again, you two!)

It certainly goes without saying, but I’ll say it again – Breanna and Branden! I just adored your session, and thank you again for such a fantastic afternoon with you and your pups. I am beyond excited to get to photograph your upcoming nuptials and I’m so glad that we all get to work with and get to know one another. Here’s to you two, the beauty of the Bitteroots, and more brews in the near future! :)

On the Docket:

More engagement photos and wedding photos coming your way – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When I first met Christine and Alex to talk about photographing their wedding day, we just clicked (sorry, sorry – I know, bad pun), and I couldn’t wait to get these two in front of my camera! So when it came time to make their Missoula urban engagement photos it didn’t surprise me in the least just how much of a blast we all had making their images.

We were treated to a beautiful fall day in the city along with some fantastic light, and we had a great time wandering around some of the funky little locations in Missoula. Christine and Alex are beyond fun to photograph, and just so head over heels in love with one another it was hard for me not to get all totally giddy while I photographed them – ahhhh, who am I kidding – there was giddiness in abundance!

The way they laugh and smile and hold each other was just such a joy to document, and I was stoked that we got to capture them in their element – since as they told me, they’re more “city people.”

I also am so happy that we remembered to photograph their matching tattoos, which is the latitude and longitude of their first kiss. How cool is that?!

Christine and Alex! Thank you again for such a fun, fun, fun engagement session! (And for saving me from random, scary dudes who question my “prolificness.”   ) I am just so excited to get to continue to document the love the two of you have for one another and can’t wait for what can only be a fabulous wedding day next year! Here’s to the awesomeness that is you two!

On the Docket:

Portraits and weddings! Don’t miss ’em, folks!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I have to say outright, I just feel so lucky I get to work with such cool people. I actually met Emily and John last spring when Emily contacted me to make some graduation and couple’s photos for the two of them and we just had a blast! Fast forward a few months and they were engaged (yay!). So I was even more tickled when Emily and John asked me to be the photographer for their wedding next year, especially since I know we already have a great connection in front of and behind the camera. And that connection continued as we made their Missoula riverside engagement photos just a few days ago. I’m fairly certain we didn’t stop giggling during our entire shoot. Always a good thing (wait a second – a GREAT thing!) in my book!

We had such a good time wandering around the shoreline of the river, catching great light, walking through the woods, and even getting treated to a great evening glow by the time their session was wrapping up. But I think the best part about making their engagement photos was getting to watch these two laugh together, be a little goofy together (my favorite!), and just flat out be in love with one another.

We joked that we were going to do our best to not make apocalyptic engagement photos (because the smoke clouds around Missoula were blowing up that evening!), they told me some hilarious stories about an accidental river-tube-floating encounter they had (hello baptism!), and we all cracked up when I got so excited my words turned to pure gibberish (I can’t help myself sometimes!).

Emily and John! Such a delightful evening with you two, as per usual. :) I’ve said this about a gazillion times already, but I just love getting to make photos for you both, and I am SO excited for your wedding next year! Have a safe move west and I’ll see you two again in Missoula for your wedding day!

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine