When I hear the word “Glacier,” I have to admit – my heart goes pitter patter. And when I hear the words “Glacier National Park elopement” I darn near about have a heart attack. That’s how much I love it up there. So when Meagan and Brian contacted me about meeting up with them to photograph their wedding ceremony (with just them, their officiant and me), I was more than a little excited.

They had never been to Glacier, but had always wanted to visit, and figured this was a great place to be married. And oh, it was. It was, it was, it was, a million times over. Montana pulled out all the stops for them and the weather was perfect, complete with blue skies, brilliant sun, fluffy puffy clouds, and goldilocks temps – you know, not too hot, not too cold…juuuuust right.

They were married on the shore of Lake McDonald – a quiet spot, surrounded by trees, beautiful tall grass, that gorgeous lake, mountains and sky. Pure poetry. They spoke their vows into that wide open space, signed their marriage license on the side of a toppled tree, and in the skip of a stone across the lake, they were married!

After their ceremony, we ventured around Glacier a bit to take in what makes it completely awesome. We only got to see a fraction of it, but holy moly, did we have a great time. We scrambled boulders and rocks (kudos to Meagan on doing this in heels!), laughed as we chatted while driving the Going to the Sun Road, ogled at the views, and got seriously excited about the amazing light we were experiencing (ok, maybe I was the most excited, but that LIGHT! Again – heart attack!).

Meagan and Brian – what a truly special day for you two! I am so honored you invited me to document this moment in your lives. If I could photograph your elopement every day, I would. Here’s to years upon years of happiness, adventure, and exploring new and beautiful places this world has to offer! Congratulations again!

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When Miranda and I met up for her senior photos and she showed me her pair of zebra-striped converse sneakers, I was beyond excited. We’d already gotten together before this, and she had told me she loves playing with color and being creative, and, not only that, she also digs photography and plans to attend RMSP after graduation from Big Sky High School.  So…kindred spirits we definitely are, and our session only became more awesome after her sweet shoe-reveal.

What all did our session entail? These are just a few things…

Color? Heck yes. Sweet light? You better believe it. Twirly prom dresses? Oh yeah. Bare feet? Sure thing! Jean jackets? Totally. Laughing our heads off? Always.

Miranda – I had SO much fun photographing you! You did such a fantastic job and left me with a perma-grin. :) I hope you have a truly wonderful senior year and keep pursuing your love of photography!

On the docket: more weddings and portraits! Be sure to keep your eyes open!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It’s not every day that I get asked if I’ll photograph a Montana waterfall wedding. But holy moly, I wish it were! When Megan contacted me a while back and asked me if I’d be willing to hike up to the falls for an intimate wedding with just her, her fiancé Zach, and their families, I was absolutely stoked. I truly love this type of creativity, adventure, and pure Montana awesomeness, and I knew we’d all have so much fun together.

Megan told me that she and Zach had been road tripping in Montana a few years ago (they are both from Ohio) and had stumbled across this hike to the waterfall. When it came time to get married, they both knew they wanted to return and have their ceremony at the base of this beautiful, tumbling cascade of water. And so they did!

We all hiked up together, everyone carrying their respective finery on their backs. We started out fairly early in the morning to avoid the heat, and meandered our way through tall, tall trees, fields of ripening huckleberries, and a smattering of beargrass and wildflowers. Soon, we could hear the roar of the falls, and everyone’s reactions were priceless as we rounded the corner to see the spectacular sight.

Makeshift changing rooms were set up (i.e. a sheet tied between two trees), and folks started getting ready. Smart phones were used as mirrors, real mirrors were propped up in tree roots, and branches made the most perfect way to hang dresses. Hiking boots were traded for dress shoes and heels, Megan wore her mother’s wedding dress that had been redesigned just for Megan, and soon it was time to start.

Everyone stood on a small rocky “island” of sorts as we awaited Megan and her father to emerge from the forest. She beamed as she made her way through the trees and across the shallow streams, and Zach had eyes only for her as he smiled at his bride.

Vows were said, rings were exchanged, knots were tied, and kisses were had – all to the background music of the roaring waterfall. We all cheered and laughed as Zach scooped Megan up in his arms to carry her over the watery “threshold,” and they kissed again as newlyweds.

Zach’s brother popped the cork and we all shared in a champagne toast. Soon we had time to zip around and make some fun portraits. These two were brave enough to stand in the freezing cold water, traipse around in the surrounding streams, and clamber up some fairly large boulders – to which I say, thank you!

I returned home, boots soaking wet, pants muddy, hands stained by huckleberries and with a smile wider than you can imagine, full of pure happiness for Megan and Zach. This is what I live for and what I love.

Megan and Zach – congratulations again! I am SO grateful that you invited me to document such an incredibly special day for you and your families. What an absolute honor! I wish you many, many years of happiness, love and laughter, and frequent trips back to Montana and your waterfall. :)

Montana Waterfall Wedding Vendors:

Flowers: Paula Jean’s Garden, Missoula, Montana

Officiant: Beth Rennick, Bozeman, Montana

Lodging: Double Arrow Lodge, Seeley Lake, Montana

On the docket: weddings, weddings, portraits, and more weddings! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Reason number 5 million and one why I think Lauren and Thad are the bee’s knees: they are avid rock climbers AND they wanted me to document, quite literally, a rock the dress session for them the day after their wedding.

When they first told me this, in my head I was all giddy and yelping and saying (in my head, mind you), “Can I get a heck YEAH!?!!!” (Though now that I think about it, maybe that wasn’t all in my head.)

Because 1. How completely, totally awesome.

And 2. I’m a rock climber as well. Albeit a bit rusty after not having had a partner for a couple years, but I GET rock climbing. I get it. I love it. I understand it. I know the thrill of it, and the mental hurdles you’ve got to tackle. And the pure exhilaration of being on top of the world. So, this made me pretty darn excited, if that wasn’t already apparent. Plus, they wanted to climb near Lake Koocanusa, which is one of my favorite spots to climb, and also a place where I did a little write-up and photo story for the Daily Inter Lake (when I was working there), about my own climbing adventures.

And 3. How completely, TOTALLY AWESOME. (Yes, I had to reiterate that.)

Anywho….the day came, it was early and a wee bit on the chilly side, but holy moly. SO worth it. We all giggled and shivered a bit as Lauren and Thad slipped their rings onto necklaces, got their harnesses situated, the rope flaked, knots tied and wedding dress and suit adjusted. But as soon as they hit the wall to climb “Road Kill” and “To TNT or Not to Be” (the names of their routes), it was game time. And oh….how unbelievably beautiful!

I love climbing. I also adore watching climbers do their thing. There is something so amazing and truly incredible about witnessing the human body defying gravity, and seeing muscles come to life, fluid and beautiful in the light.

Add wedding day finery to the mix and a touch of a breeze – holy HECK. I was practically beside myself with pure excitement. (There may have been some leaping around involved.)

Have I mentioned how much I adore Lauren and Thad? :)

And now, I’ve gone on far too long with my words….I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves. Prepare to be awed by these two. They. Are. Amazing.

On the docket: portraits and weddings! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

What’s better than Montana’s Flathead Lake in the summer? Not much. But… if you add the adorable House family to the mix- Hallie, Ryan and their kiddos Jude, Lyla and Piper….then you’ve got a recipe for pure sweetness for lifestyle family portraits.

I had the pleasure of meeting up with them at their family’s lake house on Finley Point to make some fun, spontaneous photos of them as they enjoyed the woods, lake and cherry orchard surrounding the property.

We skipped stones, said silly words at the top of our lungs, wiggled our toes in the lapping waves, ran races, rolled around in the soft grass, climbed trees, and ate ripe, juicy cherries – just to name a few things we all had a blast doing. :)

Thanks again for inviting me into your evening to document your lovely family – I had such a great time! And here’s to a family full of love and happiness – come visit Montana again soon! :)

On the docket: portraits, weddings, and more portraits! Don’t miss out!

Cheers,

-Kristine