Montana Weddings

Alicia and Tyler make the commitment

2008-07-14T16:55:00.005-06:00

Riverside Country Club in Bozeman

From the soccer field to the golf course. This time it's for real. Tyler and Alicia tied the knot the day after Independence day and it was fireworks all over again. Not only did we attend and photograph a gorgeous wedding day, we shot a promo video for my photography work. I will post the link as soon as it's perfected!

This wedding day was perfect! Here are a few moments from a day full of beauty and love.

Aliciazoooooooooooooooooom had it all under control!

The dog had a taste for bouquets.

These two were cousins but they acted like brothers. Boys with a capital B!

And the Montana sunset was a sight to behold.

Alicia and Tyler. Thanks for having Jennie Lynn and me at your wedding. The album goes into design very soon and I can't wait to give you a look at what I witnessed on your wedding day!!!

Summer weddings in Montana

2008-07-08T17:30:00.003-06:00

Some things remain the same!

OK, so... I have come to the profound conclusion that some things remain the same regardless of highbrowed scientific and metaphysical thought on the subject. Look at these gorgeous images of a Montana wedding day in the mountains of Big Sky! Man and woman, sunshine and mountains, a Ford Mustang to zoom away in after the wedding and last but not least..... Miller High Life the champagne of bottled beer!

The day was so hot and the beer looked so icy and good that I went right home and stocked my fridge. It's amazing how that is.

The wedding was gorgeous. Beth and Aaron were fabulous to shoot for and the album design is next on my desktop.

Happy summer days!

London Observer

2008-06-29T00:24:00.003-06:00

Safraz Monzoor comes to Montana!

Saf was a wonderful subject and we had a great time running around photographing on the Ranch. It's not easy to get on a horse for the first time in your life and make a good show of it! Saf was a great sport and endured a bit of ribbing... but the bottom line is that he's the guy that's out running around the world getting these stories. Hat's off to my new friend Safraz! Enjoy the photos.

Last Friday I found myself at the Lonesome Spur Ranch in Bridger, Montana. I got a call from London mid-week and got hired to shoot a spread for the London Observer. Safraz Manzoor spent a week at a local Montana Dude Ranch and is taking his story and my photos back to London for a July 4th spread about Holiday in Montana! Lonnie and Elaine were delightful hosts, and I'm already planning another trip back to pursue some wild horses on horseback. Yep, that right... wild, untamed Montana horses that just run wild on the ranges of Montana. Pretty exciting!

Paradise Valley Family

2008-06-25T12:17:00.002-06:00

Summer is so beautiful!

I was down in the Paradise Valley yesterday evening shooting an ad assignment. My models were the Pitmans and I had such fun. I think these images are probably amongst my most favorite of late. I vicariously enjoyed the view and energy of these wonderful children. I think you will too!

Marriage is timeless.

2008-06-23T23:40:00.003-06:00

You don't have to be 20 something!

Ok, so... here is my commentary on marriage and love: marriage and love is not restricted to being 20 something. Marriage and love is ageless and timeless.

Without going into a lot of useless verbal elaboration, I submit to you a Montana Spring wedding that says it all.

A most beautiful Montana Wedding.

Big Sky wedding splashes

2008-06-22T21:51:00.006-06:00

Really cold water.

Friday I joined Beth, Aaron and their wedding friends for a rock'n ride down theGallatin River in Big Sky. It was one of the inaugural events of their wedding weekend. It was white water rafting at it's best!

I jury rigged a protective housing for my camera (aka: as a customized Ziploc freezer bag) and just hoped that we didn't all go swimming, which was a definite possibility in the class 2 and class 3 white water. This was a day that the bride and groom will never forget. Here are a selection of photos that will give you a taste of the action.

Saturday was as warm and beautiful as you could ever imagine in the mountains of Big Sky Montana. I'll get the album designed during the week ahead... so check back to share the moments with this great couple.

ps. I took some major water straight into face and the "water housing" worked like a charm. Although we came close to getting ejected we all stayed in the boat and the camera survived. Hence the photos!

Athleta - Om on the range

2008-06-11T20:57:00.003-06:00

Latest splash.

Here's the latest of my adventures in advertising photography. I met these wonderful women that mix yoga with horse back riding. It seems there are lessons to be learned about yourself from our noble beast and companion of man... the horse. I totally get it and Margaret is here to tell you about it. You can even come to Big Sky and partake of her Yoga/Horseback riding retreat with Big Sky Yoga Retreats in the most spectacular mountainous setting you can imagine.

I recently shot a series of images for Margaret and Annie's Hatha/Equine endeavor. She wrote a great article for her friends at Athleta and well... here's the latest splash on the front page of Athleta's website. Follow the link to the full content and photos.

Any Athleta brides out there looking for smashingly unique wedding photos? Drop me a line and let's collaborate.

Sunshine on a Bozeman Wedding

2008-06-06T17:35:00.004-06:00

Connie and Mike get the rays!

Ok, so. I'm starting to catch up with my blogging. I photographed a beautiful wedding for Connie and Mike at the Riverside Country Club last Saturday. And, while the rain storms crossed the mountains to the South, we enjoyed sunshine and a magnificent view of the dramatic weather. Here's a few quick images to share. Look for the album design in a couple of weeks.

Thanks to Jennie Lynn for her contribution to this collection of beautiful images.

Rainy spring in Montana

2008-06-04T09:56:00.003-06:00

It's going to be really green!

It's Wednesday and it's still raining! This is by far one of the wettest springs we've had in 10 years. The good news is that everything is turning so green. When summer weather finally makes an appearance it's going to be GRAND.

I'm out the door to a wedding on banks of the Yellowstone River this afternoon. I'm praying for at least a 2 hour window of sunlight and hoping for the best. It's an intimate occasion of about a dozen or so folks from Arizona. I've got my umbrella(s) ready... it should be fun!

A little over a week ago Jenny and Mike came in from Sacramento to plan for their August wedding in Big Sky. They came from 100 degree weather in California and were met by 50 degrees and rain. We got together to make some fun/wet engagement photos. We started off in my studio and then borrowed the historic Gallatin Gateway Inn. Such delightful people!

Engagement photo shoots

2008-06-02T21:43:00.006-06:00

They make great guest books for signing.

I've been doing some fun engagement sessions lately, and the images make for a very personal and exciting guest book. Here's the guest book I designed for Alicia and Tyler. Lots of white space for their friends and family to sign and loaded with remarkable images.

They come is a variety of sizes but I like the 10x10 and 7x10 formats. This one is 7x10 inches. The first image is the cover that wraps around the hardbound book. Enjoy!

Guest Book Design

Energetic engagement shoot.

2008-05-28T16:48:00.006-06:00

Soccer fun with Alicia and Tyler

Here's a video that friends of mine at Balanced Visions Productions did for me. This is the first in a series of videos that I'll be doing this summer. You've probably seen my images of Alicia and Tyler having fun on the soccer field. Well, here's the behind-the-scene process. All work is not drudgery! My work is fun!

Many thanks to Royce and Nate. They do great work! If you're looking for good videographers - check them out.

Big Sky Yoga Retreats

2008-05-23T16:31:00.003-06:00

and... horseback riding!

I shot with Margaret and Annie of Big Sky Yoga Retreats last week and we had an amazing afternoon. We were making images for their websites and a potential article in the German edition of SHAPE magazine. These ladies are great and if you love yoga and horseback riding you should check out the retreats they have planned for this summer.

How does this apply to weddings? Well, if you're looking for a relaxing yoga retreat before you tie the knot or maybe you just need a major stress reliever during the planning process... there you go.

Alicia and Tyler Trash the Dress!

2008-05-22T22:39:00.006-06:00

ON A WET SOCCER FIELD!!!

Ok, so Blogger is back up and running and I have lots to share. First of all I went to a soccer field with Alicia and Tyler for a frolicing afternoon of soccer. When I found out that this "married couple to be" are excellent soccer players and are coaching a State Championship team of 14 and 15 year old girls, I asked them if they'd like to do a
"Trash the Dress" photo session. They jumped at the idea. I'll be submitting these images to "Trash the Dress" in the very near future, but you can see them now right here, right now.

What started out to be a playful dribble and pass session turned radical as the competitive nature of this athletic couple came pouring out onto the field. I love it!

Alicia and Tyler are getting married on July 5th and I can't wait to photograph their wedding day. It's bound to be an event to remember!

Tomorrow I'll post images of my friends at Big Sky Yoga Retreats. Margaret and Annie do retreats in Big Sky that incorporate horseback riding and yoga. It's the "cowgirl way" here in Montana!

Ben and Jacob

2008-05-19T20:50:00.011-06:00

brothers with a passion!

These guys reminded me of me and my brothers three. Brother's with a passion for life and action! So you see, I fit right right in with Ben and Jacob. Last Saturday morning I met Krystal at the park with her two boys (spelled with capital letters - BOYS!) We romped around with Spiderman and tumbled, talked about boy stuff while I snapped away. I think Krystal sort of wondered what in the world I could get out of that blur of boy energy... but what I saw through the lens was very rewarding to me.

Happy spring days are here again!

Whoa. I have 7 images to put up, but Blogger is not letting me put the last 3 up. I'll try to add them Tuesday. Enjoy.

Heart beat of life...

2008-05-17T00:33:00.005-06:00

in every moment.

There is a heart beat to every moment of life. I approach each and every wedding with this awareness. The moments in our lives have a rhythm and pulse. When I photograph a wedding I am looking for those moments; the heart beat of life in the images.

Kristin and Evan got married last August on Holland Lake and their wedding was a prime example. The wedding was nearly rescheduled because of serious fires in the Seeley Lake area just miles from Holland Lake, but they made the decision to move forward. Their trust and faith that it was meant to be, moved them forward. The resulting event was one I will not soon forget.

Jennie Lynn and I left early Friday morning for the 6 hour drive, in the event that the most direct route was closed, but fortunately the National Guard let us pass through the road block to get to the wedding site. Miraculously, the smoke from the nearby fire cleared out for the rehearsal dinner on Friday evening and the wedding on Saturday before returning to the area the very next day.

See this wedding in the latest addition to my portfolio. See for yourself, check out the images.

I'm so pleased to have met Kristin and Evan, their family and friends. Cheers!

Photos of Kristin and Evan's wedding days.

Wendy and Ken

2008-05-12T16:26:00.004-06:00

Another eHarmony success story.

That's correct! This is the second wedding story that I've come across that has eHarmony in one of the chapters. And, I think eHarmony should grab this couple for their next TV commercial.

We got together this Saturday and ran around the rural west side of Bozeman taking photos for their engagement collection. It was a glorious sunny day, sandwiched between the rain and snow we are still getting here in Montana. Ken is a Montana boy that has his family roots right here in the Bozeman area. As a matter of fact we went downtown to get a picture of the two of them in front of a building that Ken's Granddad built. Sure enough, there's the family Fechter name right on the front.

Ken and Wendy are planning a classic Big Sky wedding and a Montana style reception on the Fechter ranch nearby. It's going to be beautiful event and I'm thrilled that I get to photograph for them! Enjoy the pictures.

It's not too late to book a 2008 summer wedding. I still have a few Saturdays open!

Dee Dee and Scott

2008-05-06T16:29:00.004-06:00

a magical day on the Yellowstone!

Deidrea and Scott are planning a February wedding next year. So, we got together last night to make some images for their engagement... and the dogs came along! Yeah, I like that. We went to one of my favorite spots along the Yellowstone and nature put on a show - it was soooooooooo gorgeous. And of course, we ended up in the cold water!

The water was quite cold.

To me, this is a timeless moment. A photo like this makes my day!

Portraits of Lauren Brown

2008-05-02T12:02:00.005-06:00

and the unused bouquet.

It's not often that I get to make portraits of another photographer.

So, I'm driving into Bozeman during my daily commute, watching this magic wet stuff fall from the sky. I had this bouquet that Lauren made me for another shoot that got postponed, and I'm saying to myself, "I'm not going to let this beautiful thing go to waste". Lauren happened to come to work looking all beautiful so outside we went. The result was a collection of magically quiet and insightful portraits. Enjoy.

A brisk and beautiful day

2008-04-29T09:46:00.004-06:00

at Chico Hot Springs Resort.

Cameron and John brought their family and friends together last Saturday for a brave adventure... an outdoor spring wedding at Chico Hot Springs.

Regardless of the blowing snow we had on Friday, the Montana spring weather held true to form, ie. FICKLE and UNPREDICTABLE. Well, they had a beautiful day as you can see from the outdoor photos at the Field of Dreams.

Enjoy these images that I quickly selected for the blog.
You've got to love the last two images that speak volumes about us boys!
Pick a winner! Wave when you get to the bridge!

Snack Time.

Economic stimulus

2008-04-27T22:59:00.009-06:00

and synchronicity package.

I've been thinking about this for awhile. The current economic situation in our country is affecting more of us than not. Most of us are more conscientious about what we're spending and why. If you're in the midst of planning a wedding, you are certainly looking at the budget carefully. I've decided to offer my own contribution to rebuilding the faith in our economy and hopefully see it thriving and growing once again. I have many key weekends open for weddings during the upcoming summer months. So I'm offering a tremendous savings on my photography packages during the remainder of the year.

If you are interested in the style of my work for your wedding and my calender is open on your wedding day, I will offer my services at a greatly reduced rate, giving you a value that you will find no where else.

I love being busy shooting weddings. Weddings are inspiring to me. I've always noticed that regardless of what else is going on in this world, we as human beings will cease our toils and troubles to celebrate love and the union of two people in love. I've experienced it time and time again, when two people stand up before their family, friends and community and profess their commitment to one another, time stops for a moment. The sky can be falling, but people will stop and celebrate this love. That's a miraculous thing when you think about it, that we as human beings can choose to celebrate love in the face of the arising of all forms of trouble and strife. It's my humble opinion that life on Earth would be much better if we would practice this more often in great ways and small.

Ok, so this is my "Economic Stimulus and synchronicity package" offer for the year of 2008. If one of my free days matches your wedding date, I will offer you a substantial discount on my photography services. Write me, call me and tell me that you've read this. If you've asked for my pricing and availability for a specific date in the past and have still not booked a photographer, please contact me again. Mention the Economic Stimulus package.

Best wishes for a better tomorrow.

The heart beat of life

2008-04-27T01:10:00.005-06:00

Defining moments.

Greetings friends, neighbors and blogographers. I just shot a very special wedding today. The flat out truth is that every wedding I attend is special. Why? Because life is miraculous. If we develop an eye for it, we can find this "heart beat of life" in every single waking moment that we are gifted with. Religious speak? No. Just the facts.

Capturing these defining moments, these "heart beats" is a gift. I shoot often and when I get back to the studio, I'm like a little kid that can't wait to see what Santa Claus has placed under the tree. I look through the images to find the magic. And lo and behold, there it is, regardless of all the myriad conditions and circumstances... if you look long enough, without tiring, you will find these moments.
I don't have pictures for this post, just words, reflections and thoughts, but I do have a link to a guy that I am inspired by. He has a Zen view and a universal soul. His work captures the "heart beat of life". I love it.

So, hat's off to my fellow photographer and WPJA member Joseph Kohn

I can't wait to share images from Cameron and John's wedding sometime this week. Smile, while you look for the magic of each and every moment we have.

University of Puget Sound

2008-04-23T20:48:00.006-06:00

Once a Logger... always a Logger!

...this post is for my daughter Lauren Brooke who is attending the University of Puget Sound with her newest and very close friends. Wilson, Rynne, Casey, James, Lizzy, Peter, Kapiolani (the sweetest room mate), Melissa and many more who's names I can't remember.

Heather and I spent 4 days in Tacoma and Bothell and Seattle enjoying a great time visiting classes, restaurants, cafe's, the mall, the shoreline, the most gracious Calla Allen and Jess in Bothell, wathcing soccer and well... it was a great visit.

Here are some photos to enjoy. Art squeezes out of this wet spring Pacific Northwest environment. The weather was an ever changing bucket of water!

This weekend I am excited to photograph Cameron's wedding at Chico Hot Springs. The weather is still a bit brisk but we're going outside for memorable and scenic photos in Paradise Valley. Keep an eye out next week for a preview.

Sea gulls everywhere.

Lauren go bump-de-bump.

Art in nature.

Art in surroundings.

Joy explodes on a snowy street in Bothell.

Still life mosaic.

Rainbow rain and blue sky.

Heather in her native habitat.

My bonnie Heather.

Alicia and Tyler's

2008-04-16T16:12:00.006-06:00

Engagement album.

Here's something new. Alicia and Tyler came by the studio this afternoon and I presented them with a design for their engagement album. I showed it on the big screen and, wow... I love this idea. The engagement photos I make are fun and romantic; no pressure of the big event with hundreds of people to greet, and formality of traditions to satisfy. This couple is so excited that we're actually planning another shoot. But I won't spoil the surprise, other than saying it's going to be like No Other engagement shoot you've ever seen.

The album showcase you're about to view is going to become a keepsake album and a book that friends and family can sign on their wedding day.

Alicia and Tyler's Engagement Album

Ethanol use promotion by MSU film students

2008-04-08T22:00:00.006-06:00

and I'm on the other side of the lens.

This has nothing to do with weddings directly, but read on... I think you'll see the value.

Ok... so!... these young guys that hang around at Chisel Industries next door and learn from the pro... that would be - Yarrow Kraner, have put together a big splash of their own and I'm really honored that they included me in their project!

These guys are super creative Film students at MSU. They put together a piece for a competition for a commercial to promote the use of Ethanol fuel and well... save our species from extinction. I'm so personally behind this project for a truck load of reason, the first being our annual national contribution to the diminishing of our clear air supply. I see so many folks driving fuel ravenous gas hogs that spew dirty emissions into our air for no good reason... but to look good. I think it's shameful that we don't all have keys to electric vehicles or at least hybrid vehicles.

Side bar: You like fast cars? Did you know that the fuel efficient hybrid Honda Accord is faster and quicker than the all gas version???? Yep. It's true. Check out it out.

Back to the subject. Royce (Rolls... the ride with glide) put this together with his fine peers pictured here. Check in, sign on, vote for this great piece of work. Student or otherwise, it's fine work, for a good cause and I hope to see it airing on national TV when the boys win this contest. Good work guys! Here's a link and some production stills I grabbed while they were shooting with me.

Royce did this

Obviously Royce want to shoot it right here. He's down with this spot! Great body language!

WPJA announces top 100 wedding photojournalist

2008-04-01T17:06:00.003-06:00

...and I'm 39th!

I just recently was informed that for 2007, the WPJA ranked me 39th amongst their international membership. I am thrilled about receiving this honor. I have always looked at the work of this group of photographers and marvelled at the broad range of talent. I'm honored that they deem my work noteworthy.

If you haven't seen the website, now is a great time because they have the 2007 4th Quarter contest results posted with all the amazing photos.

I just got back from shooting engagement photos for my July 5th couple. Yeah... I was so ready to go out and shoot something creative and fun. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool photographer, taking photos is what I love to do and sometimes business demands take me from my real work. But...Ha Ha... not today!

Alicia and Tyler are in love. No need to say another word! It was a treat shooting and spending time with this vibrant couple. Congratulations you two! I look forward to your wedding day.