Last year, after enjoying my friend Ali’s annual Montana visit, she and I couldn’t help but chit chatting about how we needed to get her brother, Aaron, and his wife, Sarah, to visit the following year as well. This set into motion an idea that we’d surprise them with a Montana anniversary photo session to celebrate their first year of marriage.

Fast forward one year and Ali and I were giddy to finally make this idea happen. After spending the most delightful day taking a quick hike to some hot springs, soaking in the placid pools, dashing into cold creeks to cool off, scarfing down huckleberries, and hitting up a backwoods saloon for burgers and beers, Ali and I told Aaron and Sarah the next item on the agenda was for all of us to get spiffed up since we were going to head downtown to enjoy some evening cocktails. But not before making a detour to show them some cool views. (That’s what we said anyway.)

Aaron and Sarah were none the wiser and played along with our sneaky little idea perfectly. We finally arrived to our destination, we all hopped out of the car, and I whisked out my cameras to their complete surprise! They had no idea (and let me tell you – it’s not easy to sneak giant cameras around!), and man, did we have such a blast making some fun photos for the two of them. We laughed, and laughed and laughed, and it was such a treat to do this for them.

We did eventually make it to our cocktail final destination – which was the perfect end to the most amazing Montana day.

Aaron and Sarah – thanks for being so gung ho for this crazy little idea Ali and I had, and congrats again on your first anniversary! It was so much fun to do this for you, and I’m so glad Montana treated you so well while you were here visiting! You’d better come back again soon! :)

And…here’s what it looks like when your photo subjects rush the camera – complete awesomeness!

Cheers,

-Kristine