I’m just going to come right out with it – I absolutely, unequivocally adored Tim, Courtney, Teddy, Violet, Bill and Lorie’s Flathead Lake family portraits in Polson Montana. Not only are they such a sweet family, but they were willing to just have fun, play with their kiddos and let their kids be kids with them. That to me is the definition of a perfect family session. No rigid line-ups in front of the camera. No constant adjustments of clothing. No commands to force smiles.

Instead we goofed around on their slide, we picked cherries (and three-almost-four-year-old Teddy insisted I have one too and was kind enough to remind me to “spit the pit out, Kristine!”), we wrestled in the grass, we marveled at the power of Flathead Lake’s waves crashing into Finley Point, we played pat-a-cake, we giggled on swings, we chased mayflies, and to sum it up, we simply enjoyed the heck out of a perfect summer evening in Montana.

It’s, of course, an understatement to say just how glad I am that Tim and Courtney and their two cute-as-cute-can-be children, Teddy and Violet (10 months) contacted me to do this session. They came all the way from Rhode Island to visit Tim’s parents Bill and Lorie at their lakefront property for about a week and wanted to capture how much they love their time on the lake and how much they love one another.

And I’d like to think we did exactly that. :)

Thank you again, Tim, Courtney, Teddy, Violet, Bill and Lorie! It was SUCH a treat to get to meet you all and make these images for you (I still can’t believe Teddy is usually shy around new people!). I had an absolute blast and I’m so glad we got to document a little slice of your time on the lake this summer. You have such a beautiful, vibrant, happy family, and making these images for you just made my heart sing! Thank you again, and come back to Montana again soon!

On the Docket:

Weddings and portraits and elopements! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Sarah and Matt truly had the definition of a perfect wedding at the Barn at Finley Point in Polson Montana. It wasn’t too hot, nor too cold; they got to visit some of their favorite places on earth whilst enjoying their wedding day (Sarah grew up visiting her grandparents’ place on Flathead Lake, which is just a hop and a skip away from the Barn at Finley Point); and they enjoyed it all with the people closest to them.

Their day started out with their first look in Ronan by a favorite barn of Sarah and Matt’s – and some “bushwhacking” through fields (we had permission, don’t worry!), which ended up being pretty memorable (I think most of us had wheat kernels in our shoes by the end of our trek!), and stunningly beautiful. (Can’t beat the gorgeous Mission Mountains set off perfectly by a beaming couple!)

Soon it was time for Sarah and Matt to walk down the aisle and say their “I Do’s.” Willow leaves and a pond framed their ceremony, and friends and family smiled and laughed along with Sarah and Matt as they spoke their vows to one another. They kissed to a chorus of cheers and walked down the aisle again, this time as beaming newlyweds.

Not long after they sealed it all with a kiss, we bopped on over to Sarah’s grandparents’ place on the lake to make some images at one of her favorite places – and they were both brave enough to jump into a canoe and paddle out onto the lake a bit. Worth it!

We rejoined everyone at the barn for a tasty dinner, some heartfelt toasts, an abundance of donuts and candy, some fantastic dancing, and fun photobooth shenanigans.

Soon, the sun slid behind the clouds, leaving the warm light of the dance floor and peals of laughter spilling out into the dark Montana night.

Sarah and Matt! What an amazing day for you two! I just loved every second of your wedding, and had such a wonderful time photographing such a special day for you both. Your friends and family are the sweetest, as are you two, and it’s a complete understatement to say that I wish you all the best this world has to offer! And here’s to being back in Montana again soon! :)

Vendor Information for Sarah and Matt’s Wedding at the Barn at Finley Point

Venue: The Barn at Finley Point, Polson, Montana
Videographer: Jon Gednalske, friend from college
Florist: Dawn’s Flower Designs, Polson, Montana
DJ: Big Mountain DJs, Whitefish, Montana
Makeup Artist: 406 Beauty, Bigfork, Montana
Hair Artist: Dylen Zetterberg McCrumb
Officiant: John Christopherson
Caterer: Bravo Catering, Missoula, Montana
Rentals: Celebrate Rentals, Bigfork, Montana
Bar and Spirits: Glacier Brewing Company, Polson, Montana
Wedding Dress: the bride’s grandmother and mother’s dress
Bridesmaid Dresses: the Lauren Conrad collection from Kohl’s
Menswear: Norman’s Menswear, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

On the docket: portraits and weddings in abundance! 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