Ashley and Nick celebrated their Missoula Montana brunch wedding with a picturesque autumn ceremony at the Missoula Country Club. It was a bit of a chilly morning, and we laughed together that the cloudy sky matched the sky from their engagement photos!

But the cooler temps didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, especially since Ashley and Nick’s ceremony was so delightful. It was filled with sweet, funny moments that had everyone grinning and laughing together.

The decision to opt for a brunch wedding is a testament to Ashley and Nick’s shared love for excellent food — especially breakfast and brunch goodies! (Can I get a heck yes?! ) The brunch spread was an absolute feast for the senses.

Laughter echoed through the venue as family and friends started up games the couple had placed at each table. And I’ve got to say, Ashley and Nick have such a wonderful group of friends and family surrounding and supporting them. There were more than a few moments that had everyone cracking up! (But I’ll let you scroll down to find a few of those photos yourself. ) The positive energy was contagious, creating an atmosphere filled with love, joy, and an unmistakable sense of camaraderie.

Ashley and Nick! Thank you again for such a fun-filled day with you and your family and friends. I just adore you both, and I’m so grateful our paths have crossed. Here’s to a brilliant future together, filled with all the best things — good food, great company, a whole lot of laughter, and last, but not least — goats galore!

Vendors for Ashley + Nick’s Missoula Montana Brunch Wedding:

Photographer :: Kristine Paulsen Photography, Missoula, Montana
Venue + Catering :: Missoula Country Club, Missoula, Montana
Cake :: ArtcakeMT, Missoula, Montana
Makeup :: Tres Chic Hair and Nail Salon, Missoula, Montana
Wedding dress :: from Bliss gown
Bridesmaid dresses :: from Azazie Bridal
Men’s suits :: from Men’s Wearhouse, Missoula, Montana

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Cassie and Drew’s Caras Park wedding in Missoula unfolded under a brilliant blue September sky and surprisingly warm temps (it was 82 degrees!). But the heat didn’t keep anyone’s joy or smiles away as they celebrated such a happy occasion.

Cassie was radiant in her custom-made cloak as she and Drew walked hand-in-hand into their ceremony. They exchanged vows surrounded by their closest friends and family members. As the ceremony progressed, Cassie and Drew were unexpectedly treated to individual bags of popcorn, a nod to how they first crossed paths. Their love story had its origins in a movie outing with friends. Drew, stepping out of the theater for a moment, entrusted Cassie with his popcorn. In his absence, Cassie (a big popcorn lover) couldn’t resist the temptation to indulge in a little (or maybe a lot ). Fast forward about 8 years, and there they were at Caras Park, smiling and laughing with each other as they pledged their love to each other…with a little popcorn on the side.

Amidst the warm glow of the sun, heartfelt toasts from friends and family filled the air, a delectable array of desserts satisfied those with a sweet tooth, and the dance floor beckoned, promising a night of lively celebration.

Speaking of dancing, Cassie and Drew wowed everyone with their first dance — a beautiful tango that left everyone smiling and clapping for them as the song ended and they took their bows.

As the day gracefully transitioned into night, Cassie, Drew, and I skipped over to the river to catch the most perfect evening light, a few more dance moves, and some epic dips.

Soon, the warm glow deepened to a lovely rich blue of the night sky, and everyone lit sparklers amidst laughter, music, and cheers to celebrate the newlyweds.

Cassie and Drew! What a beautiful day of celebration! Thank you again for inviting me to capture these memories for you — I absolutely loved getting to hang out with you two, and your sweet family and friends. Here’s to a wonderful marriage, and all the popcorn you could ever want!

Vendors for Cassie + Drew’s Caras Park wedding in Missoula:

Photographer :: Kristine Paulsen Photography, Missoula, Montana
Venue :: Caras Park, Missoula, Montana
Catering :: Burns St. Bistro, Missoula, Montana
Florals :: a Patty Malloy design with flowers from Bitterroot Flower Shop, Missoula, Montana
Linens :: Missoula Textile Services, Missoula, Montana
Glassware :: Montana Party Time, Missoula, Montana
Bartender :: Penny Farmer from the Moose Lodge, Missoula, Montana
Wedding dress :: a Madi Lane design from Velvet Bride, Missoula, Montana
Wedding cloak :: CostureroReal, Barcelona, Spain
Menswear :: Indochino (and others)

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

October 15th UPDATE:

Fall mini sessions are finished for 2023 (and were awesome!!). But you can still sign up to my VIP list directly below to be the first to know about future mini sessions and discounts I occasionally offer. Yay! (Have no fear, I won’t send you 1 billion messages either. Just the important stuff like occasional discounts and freebies!)

Oooooooh, boy! Am I ever thrilled to announce this: for the first time ever, I am offering Missoula Montana Mini sessions — specifically, fall family minis! (Just in time for those holiday cards. )

But even more exciting is the fact that 50% of proceeds support Earth Within Girls summer program for refugee youth. Let’s make some beautiful photos for you, and make a positive difference for Earth Within Girls!

Speaking of, Earth Within Girls is a local Missoula non-profit “that offers nature-based education for upper elementary and middle school children who identify as girls. Our mission is to teach plant wisdom and self care to empower our students to connect their internal cycles and natural environment.” As a woman (and once a young girl) myself, their mission speaks to me — our bodies are intrinsically tied to nature, no matter how busy or disconnected we may be with it at any given point in time. Reconnecting with the natural world and creating a relationship to it is such a beautiful thing!

We’ll embrace natural beauty in our mini sessions by photographing them at a gorgeous outdoor location in the Missoula area. (The location is still to-be-determined, but you’ll be emailed all the details far before your session.) These sessions are for children and their parents/direct caregivers, and are inclusive of all kinds of caregivers and ages. Love and care surpass any sort of age bounds! To make things extra special, you’ll also be treated to a stunning floral backdrop provided by Earth Within Flowers!

Sessions will be on Saturday, October 14 from 10am to 5pm, and I, Kristine, will bring my signature positive, playful energy to your session to put you and your children at ease. (Read more about my portraits and how I work here.) Get ready to giggle, smile, and be a little silly together! (And enjoy actually being IN your photos with your kids instead of the one always behind the camera or phone!) Earth Within Girls staff will also be there to assist you before and after the session to make it an absolutely delightful experience for your family.

If you’ve been reading this wondering what exactly a mini session is, that’s okay, too! Mini sessions are typically shorter than a full session (these minis will be 15 minutes), are offered in windows of time throughout a specific day, and take place at a predetermined location. They also include a set number of high-resolution edited digital files of your choice that you can download and print as you’d like!

For a limited time, I’m opening up booking for these sessions to my VIP subscribers at a nice discount.

To get on that VIP list and receive the discount, please sign up below, and you’ll be emailed all the details about these mini sessions! (Have no fear, I won’t send you 1 billion messages either. Just the important stuff like occasional discounts and freebies!)

Please share this opportunity with your other caregiver friends so we can contribute a nice donation to Earth Within Girls. Remember — mini sessions are a rare occurrence with me, so be sure to book your spot quickly before they fill up!

Sign up below to get early bird access to book your Missoula fall mini session!

Cheers!
-Kristine

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than getting to make Missoula lifestyle family photos, especially when you have the opportunity to work with folks as delightful as Jennie, Terre, Clara, Riley, Erin, Iona and Thea are. Erin and Riley and their daughters Iona, 5, and Thea, 4, were visiting his parents and sister in Missoula, and we even managed to include Jennie and Terre’s dogs, Zephyr, Pippin, and Clara’s dog, Skadi in their photos!  It was such a treat to capture the genuine essence of this super sweet family — and, to top it all off, we enjoyed a nice little sprinkle of fairies and magic, too. (I’m always a fan of that!)

As a photographer, I am constantly inspired by the beauty of nature and the imaginative hearts of children. During their family session, the kiddos stole the show as they informed me that tiny purple fairies lived in my camera. According to Iona, they vary in height between 1/8″ to 1/2″ tall. And, as we discovered together, the fairies got super excited when the kids smiled at me, as if their purply fairy magic intensified with the girls’ joy. Thea, especially, was so sweet as she peered intently into my lens, waiting for the fairy to show up. (And they did! She confirmed they were purple.)

The afternoon was filled with laughter and nostalgia as the family recreated their cherished tradition of hanging out on the porch, sipping coffee, and basking in the warmth of togetherness. The girls all picked a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers together, and to my surprise, they kindly gifted it to me — a touching gesture that just filled my heart to the brim!

Our adventure didn’t stop there. The children’s curiosity led us to search for baby grasshoppers, and Skadi, Clara’s playful pup, happily joined in the fun, chasing Thea around the yard. The energy was contagious as everyone laughed together, enjoying the hilarity of Skadi and Thea.

Opa and Oma, the doting grandparents, were great sports and let the girls “surprise” them and whisper secrets into their ears. Oma even helped the girls pick berries from one of their trees, and Thea loved counting out her treasures with Oma.

We all dissolved in laughter as Thea adopted a new funny phrase, “flower toot!” And that laughter continued as it became apparent (according to Thea and Iona) that I had both spiders AND fairies dancing around in my hair!

Just in time, we finished our session right before a big thunderstorm rolled in. This super sweet family truly embodied the magic of togetherness and imagination, and I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of their story. Thank you again for a beautifully real, love-filled session!

On the docket:

Lots more portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Oooh, am I ever stoked to share Maelyn’s University of Montana graduation images with you today! When Maelyn’s mom contacted me about making grad photos for her college graduation announcements, I was excited to get to work with her. Especially when she told me she wanted to go off campus to make her photos. (We opted to photograph towards the campus and have it just visible in the valley below.) Heck yes please!

Making these images to celebrate such a major accomplishment is always so special to me. I can’t help but remember that time in my own life, and how giddy, excited, nervous, and exhausted I was. I was beyond ready to graduate, while simultaneously terrified about what would come next.

Maelyn’s also “so ready to graduate,” and I don’t blame her. She’s been working hard in school these past several years, and will walk across that stage with not one, not two, but THREE degrees! She’s been studying Ecology, Organismal Biology, and Wildlife Biology — talk about wildly impressive!

As we meandered around the property close to where she lives, she told me that she made her own earrings (with feathers) and has been doing so for ages. She also ties flies and fly fishes. Upon heading into the trees, Maelyn’s experienced eye noticed some upturned rocks where a bear had been active. But thankfully the only critter we encountered during our session was her sweet cat, Tiger.

Maelyn and Tiger have been together since she was a kid. At age 19, Tiger is one of her best buds, and a really awesome adventure cat! Maelyn told me that Tiger is sort of a dog-cat — she likes to hike and ski with her! How cool is that?! These two clearly have such an incredible bond, and I was just so glad to capture it for them. (Big props to Tiger for being such a sweet participant, even though she really wanted to go on a hike and smell all the smells.)

Thank you again, Maelyn, for such a fun session, and for fitting it in amongst all the things I know you’re wrapping up with school! It was such a pleasure to meet you and Tiger. Happy graduation to you, too! 

I hope you all enjoy a little peek into Maelyn’s college grad session!

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings and more! Stay posted!

See another college grad session here!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’m so excited to share baby Mo and baby Liam’s Missoula Montana lifestyle newborn photos session with you today! After making Keriann’s maternity photos, I just couldn’t wait to meet these little ones! And how fun that Keriann and Alex have both a little boy and girl in their lives! There’s something just so, so special about documenting lifestyle newborn sessions. I love meeting the wee ones, but even more beautiful is getting to see people turn into parents. It was amazing to witness how absolutely brilliant they are in their new roles. Keriann and Alex certainly have a lot on their plates now, but boy, are they ever knocking it out of the park together in their new family of four!

I met up with them at their home for their photos, and, as it happens, the twins were one month old that day. Mo (short for Montine) and Liam (short for William) were absolutely incredible during their session! I was so impressed by how alert they were, and how big they are. Mo was 5 pounds and Liam was 7 pounds at birth (big kudos to you, Keriann!). They also have a super cool palindrome birthday — 3-20-23 — which also happened to be the first day of spring!

Being newborns, Mo and Liam had their moments, but Keriann and Alex were at the ready with an excellent pacifier strategy to keep the babies calm and happy. (Side note: I love how the pacifiers have names, related to the little stuffed animals attached to them. One is “Stego” and the other is “Drama Llama.” SO good. ) Keriann and Alex would count down “one, two, three!” Then they’d remove Stego and Drama Llama, and we’d have a few seconds to make photos before the babies realized what was up and staged a protest.

Liam completely passed out at one point, and Alex was a bit incredulous since “he never does this!” Mo, on the other hand, was so wide-eyed and seemed to be deeply taking in everything around her…including the weird black box I had up in her face. Liam about melted me when he gave us a few smiles here and there showing his sweet dimples.

And I was so happy to be able to make some images with Mo and Liam’s grandparents, too — Jo and Tommy. We also had fun creating photos with the beautiful quilts Jo made for the babies.

This was such a beautiful, delightful session, and I’m just so glad we got to capture this stage in all their lives together. Time flies, so being able to freeze these sweet moments just means the world to me.

Keriann, Alex, Mo, and Liam (and Jo and Tommy, too!), thank you so much for inviting me into your lives to capture these memories for you! Your family is so sweet, and it was an absolute treat to get to meet Mo and Liam. I can’t wait to see you all continue to grow together! 

Enjoy the following peek into this sweet newborn session!

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings and more! 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

When Keriann got in touch with me about making Missoula Montana in-home maternity photos to celebrate this time in her and Alex’s life before their twins’ arrival, I was absolutely thrilled! Though I don’t have any children of my own, I can imagine how exciting it must be to have two little ones joining the family. It was a snowy, sunny day for our session (we’d experienced a bit of a small blizzard the evening before), so we kept things close to their home, which was cozy, inviting, and full of beautiful light.

It was so nice to laugh with each other as we talked about what it felt like to hear they were having twins (exciting and terrifying!!), and all the new things they’ve learned about twins in general. Keriann (and Alex, too) were such naturals in front of the camera. Keriann had the sweetest smile as she talked about her babies, who were pretty chill for most of our session (though they did start kicking her in the ribs towards the end of our shoot). We spent our time making photos in their living room, the nursery (with the two cribs), and out on their snowy front porch, capturing Keriann and Alex’s connection as a couple and their anticipation for their twins’ arrival.

The twins are due in April, though they’ll likely say hello to the world sometime in March. I’m so looking forward to meeting these little ones upon their arrival, and getting to document Keriann and Alex’s interactions with them as new parents.

Thank you, again, Keriann and Alex for a really sweet session! I hope these next couple months go smoothly for you both, and I’m so looking forward to seeing you again soon with your new family of four!

On the docket:

Portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

You know how you feel when you’ve just accomplished something simultaneously so difficult and so rewarding? Pure joy! And Jordan embodied that feeling perfectly during her University of Montana graduation photos the other day. (She literally kicked up her heels from happiness!)

We had such a great time making these photos for her to celebrate her December graduation. Jordan’s getting her degree in Math (something I greatly respect as someone who is forever challenged by numbers). In between making photos near the beloved Griz statue and Main Hall’s clock tower, we popped into buildings around campus to warm up, one of which was the Math building. As luck would have it, we found a room that wasn’t being used, and Jordan had fun writing a quick equation on the board that we could use as a backdrop to some of her images.

I’ve also got to give her major props for braving the chilly temps when we weren’t indoors. A few snowflakes were coming down as we made her images, but even though she was freezing, you would have never known it!

Another one of our warm up pit stops was at the library, an old haunt of Jordan’s since she used to work the late late shift there. We had a good time playing with the leading lines of the endless shelves full of books, and captured some images of Jordan pseudo-studying. (And I promise, we were quiet while we made these photos!)

Jordan! Thank you (and your most excellent sister assistant) for such a fabulous session! Your joy and energy is contagious in the best way possible, and I left with a perma-grin on my face (always a wonderful thing). Here’s to you and all your hard work to reach this point, and congratulations again on your graduation!

On the docket:

After a little holiday break, portraits and weddings! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

The third time was the charm for Lauren, Garrick, Quinn, and Burke’s snowy Missoula family photos! The weather had a mind of its own and kept misbehaving and raining, but things got a bit colder and turned to snow, so we went for it, and were treated to that in-between time in the autumn where the leaves are still brilliantly colored, but there’s snow on the ground.

Quinn, nearly 3, was a big fan of the colliding seasons and had a blast playing in the leaves, while also making a (face-down!) snow angel and some snow balls. She was absolutely beyond excited for our photo session and was all about running hither thither and yon. She especially loved racing her parents and playing red light-green light.

It was a bit breezy the day of our session, so baby Burke (8 weeks old) remained bundled up and cozy in his chariot until he made a fashionably late entrance to participate in some family photos. He was a trooper and wasn’t too upset to be removed from his cozy cocoon, and was exceptionally curious about what Quinn was up to.

Quinn also showed us how to best throw rocks into the creek, and how to balance on wobbly rocks in her new boots! When she wasn’t throwing rocks, she was busy bargaining with her dad to be tossed high into the sky to catch some air. And did she ever! She was absolutely thrilled and full of giggles afterwards.

Lauren, Garrick, Quinn, and Burke! Thank you again for braving the chilly weather and bringing the joy and warmth to your session! It was an absolute delight to get to photograph your family and be treated to so many smiles and laughs with you all. Cheers to your fantastic family!

On the docket:

More portraits! Be sure to stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine