It was a ridiculously smoky day when Val and I met up for her senior pictures - however, that didn't stop us for one second. And Val seriously rocked her images to celebrate her class of 2013 status. As did her horse, Stitch. These two are so sweet together - he kept nuzzling her, and was a trooper even when he wanted to eat the yummy grass instead of looking at the camera. Val has been riding English-style since she was a young girl, and hopes to pursue a degree in equine veterinary medicine after graduating from Loyala High School. She's definitely got the magic touch with horses, so I'm sure she'll be a great vet! Here's to a fab ...
Spring Smiles – {Molly and Andy’s Missoula Engagement Session}
I met up with Molly and Andy a while back to do a super mini engagement session with them - it was short and sweet - just what they wanted - and their cat, Melvin, even got to share the spotlight. :) Can't wait for your wedding this summer, you two! On the docket: portraits! Cheers, -Kristine ...
My Little Blue Bird – {Flash the Parrotlet}
I don't often post personal stuff, but today I'm just feeling like it. Perhaps it was because Missoula hit a sunny 70 degrees and upped my Vitamin D? Perhaps I can't get over how stinking cute my little bird is? (Yes, yes, I know - I'm biased.) Perhaps I want to reveal "the man behind the curtain," as it were, and give you an idea of who I am? Who knows. But here it is. Some of you may know that I adore birds. Love them. Think they're incredible. This stems from the fact that I grew up with canaries, and with grandparents who loved birding, and taught my brother and I a lot about this favorite pastime of theirs. I also know that some ...
Of Horses, Haybales and Heartfelt Love – {Kim and Randy’s Montana Engagement Session}
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 ...
Dimples, Laughter and Smiles – {Shepard Family Portrait Session}
Laughter and giggles were in abundance during my autumn photo session with the Shepard family. We had such a great time making some family portraits for them, and the kiddos were terrific sports and had a blast in front of the camera. Thank you for such a fun session - you've got an awesome family! :) On the docket: portraits galore! If you haven't yet booked your portrait session, please be sure to do so promptly if you're hoping for an autumn look or would like to use images for Christmas cards. Cheers! -Kristine ...
Naturally Beautiful – {Jeff and Lauren’s Creative Montana Bridal Session}
We are so darn lucky to live in Montana. I mean, just look at what our eyes get to feast upon on a daily basis! Lauren and Jeff took advantage of the exceptional natural beauty of the Two Feathers Ranch where they were married and met up with me a couple days after their wedding to have fun rocking their creative bridal session. It really couldn't have been a more gorgeous evening - we caught the tail end of a summer storm, so we had some beautiful clouds in the sky and golden light towards the end of our evening. We got to hang out with their horses as well, who were exceptionally curious about my cameras. (See outtakes towards the bottom ...
In Love with the West, In Love with Each Other – {George and Emily’s Ranch Engagement Session}
It's been a bit rainy in Montana as you may have noticed. (What is that glowing orb in the sky?) But the sun finally came out, the clouds parted and gave way to a beautiful blue sky and gorgeously sunny evening for George and Emily's engagement session in Ovando, MT, at the Montana Mountain View ranch that George and Emily adore. Their dog Billy joined us for the shoot (and kept us cracking up by barking into gopher holes!), and George and Emily's two horses Linus and Deuce were happy to accompany us into a field of wildflowers (which they gladly ate). It really couldn't have been a better evening - we all had a blast - and we finished ...
Raising Piglets – {Collin’s Missoula Senior Portrait Session}
It's not every day that you meet someone so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about raising pigs, since so many of us haven't set foot on a farm in who-knows-how-long. But that I did when I joined Collin and his mom at the pig barn to greet his four favorite piglets that he's raising as a part of FFA (Future Farmers of America). Collin and his mom, Anna Marie, have a special bond with these piglets, as they both helped birth them and ensure safe passage into their new world. And they also have a fondness for the farm, too - as Collin told me, it's one of his favorite places. Which is truly evident - he's at home, relaxed and confident next to ...
Missoula’s Own Peter the Pie Guy – {Wordless Wednesday}
Today's Wordless Wednesday post features a video I just put together for Peter the Pie Guy who's become a regular at the Missoula Clark Fork River Market on Saturdays in the spring and summer selling his made-from-scratch pies. I call this: { Peter the Pie Guy - an Ode to Betty Lou } Now, let's let him do the talking! (Click the play button below to get it started. You may want to press play and then pause to let the video start loading. To watch in HD, click the HD button and follow the instructions.) On the docket: engagement sessions! Cheers! -Kristine ...
Kisses in the Snow – {Katherine and Mike’s Missoula Engagement}
Missoula has gotten a lot of snow this winter - and Katherine, Mike, their black lab, Buck, and I all found this out during their lovely engagement session. We had so much fun making some fun images for the two of them. Katherine and Mike are so warm and smiley, and very obviously in love with one another - I found myself grinning non-stop during their session. We all had some good laughs upon literally stumbling across some snow pack that was over our knees. Thanks again for being so gung-ho about everything, you two! I cannot *wait* for your wedding this summer! On the docket: engagement sessions and a video about pie ...