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marriage and maternity photos

Recently I was speaking with an old friend that I have photographed with over the years and the subject of maternity photos came up. She was all about it! So we put our heads together and agreed to plan something SOON. Well you know how that goes! We all three are busy people, and the ‘soon’ kept creeping away from us. Finally, we stopped our busy lives and made it happen. Sean and Brett met me at my studio for a jam packed hour of photography, and then we switched gears and headed to the river to catch the late evening light on the Yellowstone. Walking out over the rocky shore line, into the water on slippery rocks, with camera in hand was a bit tricky. I know the same was true for my young pregnant friend. Sean was a huge help in the studio and in the water! The experience inspired the desire for more shoots like this, and the images are breath taking! Thank you Brett and Sean… and ‘happy baby’! Enjoy the view.

surprise Yellowstone Park proposal

I got a call from a gentleman named Shawn a few weeks back and he told me that he wanted to give his lady “the most beautiful proposal in the world” during their visit to Yellowstone! So we began the process. Maps, photos, conversations, location decisions, logistics and timing… It takes quite a bit of planning to pull off a secret proposal when the couple and I are coming from different locations near Yellowstone. When you’re in Yellowstone there is very little if any cell service, so everything has to be nailed down in advance, and the you hope and pray we don’t have a “bison traffic jam”, or an auto accident that stops traffic in it’s tracks!

The weather was great and the light was beautiful as I was headed toward the trailhead when I saw Shawn and Felicia just getting out of their vehicle, so I knew everything was a ‘GO’! I took to the mile long trail down to the location and found the viewing platform nearly empty with only a few onlookers. Then the fireworks began!!!

Seeing this huge strong man melt in his shoes as he poured his heart out to his companion was very moving! He INDEED gave her the most beautiful proposal of marriage! Her reaction was so amazing. She just melted closely into him with comfort, joy and acceptance.

After all the celebration we took to the trail and off we went to several other locations for photos with smiles, laughs and tears of joy! YEP, that was my day at the studio. Oh God, I love my job!

Enjoy the view!

Congratulation to Shawn and Felicia!!!

Yellowstone Park Wedding

Fairy Falls YNP

Yellowstone Park weddings are always an adventure.

Sommer and Ryan brought their families and friends together in Yellowstone National park for an intimate wedding. It was quite the experience! First of all I was held up in traffic by a motorist that went off the road in Yellowstone and traffic was stopped cold for 30 minutes. I always try to account for traffic when I’m meeting clients in the park, but this nearly exceeded my buffer time. I arrived at the trail head parking area, grabbed my gear and headed to the meeting place. There they were all waiting… yikes! Fortunately I was only 4 minutes late, so off we went at a good clip up the trail that was 2.4 miles to the falls.

Well it seems that in all the excitement, the junction in the trail that headed to the falls was overlooked and we walked a mile in the wrong direction. Yikes. Fortunately Ryan caught the error and we all turned around and back tracked awhile to redirect up the correct trail toward the falls.

Alas, we reached the this amazing place to find the perfect early evening light. It was absolutely gorgeous. This place took my breath away, as if i wasn’t already breathless! It was a lovely wedding with hearts afire in the joining of these two and their sons and daughters.

Enjoy the view!

And then there was the bubbly!!! cheers!

Gallatin Valley Wedding

A Grand Wedding day!

Exactly one year and week ago to the day, I photographed Michael and Rebecca’s engagement session at the Gallatin River Hideaway. I knew then that this was going to be a most wonderful occasion. We walked through the property shooting here and there, getting to know each other a bit. Right away we connected and I knew this was going to be a humdinger of a wedding! Pardon my midwest slang, it means remarkable or outstanding!

AND THAT IT WAS!

I was smiling all through the day as I was watched the magic of love play out in the arisings of this couples deep and sincere love for one another, and the beautiful bonds of family and friends.

Take a look for yourself!

Thanks to my side kick Carlie Auger for her excellent second shooting and delightful friendship!

A few notes of recognition for all the finery and support.

Becky’s Dress: Belles and Lace Bridal (Great Falls, MT)
Hair/makeup: Shayla Snow at Beauty and the Belief
Flowers: Karen’s Floral Artistry
Food: Kick Back BBQ (dinner) & Cupcake Mountain (dessert)
DJ/MC: Monte Anderson
Beer Truck: Tailored and Tied

Yellowstone proposal in Spring!

Last Friday Ryan surprised the love of his life with a proposal in Yellowstone National Park. The lookout over Yellowstone Falls was quite busy early for 9:30 in the morning, but that didn’t stop Ryan from negotiating his space in front of the railing with the amazing rainbow display that was occurring below! Leslie was visually surprised and moved to tears of joy! Those that were present cheered heartily and congratulated the couple, many taking time to chat and share their own stories!

We hiked out of the canyon and proceeded to another scenic, wide open location beside the Yellowstone River and then upward onto a bench above in the Hayden valley. We finished with a quiet moment by the river with some ice cold celebratory bubbly served in Montana style champagne glasses, aka (Ball canning jars) !!! I love spending my mornings like this!!!

Enjoy the view!

Springhill wedding

I was back at home this week shooting at the gorgeous Big Yellow Barn in the Springhill valley. It was such a spectacular day with these families on a warm sunny day in June. I met Ryan and Emily last winter for their engagement shoot in Paradise Valley when the temps were just above freezing. Thank God for springtime in the Rockies! It was a heartfelt day full of love and tears, of joy and laughter… lot’s of laughter! Then in the evening we had the most beautiful sunset to put the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful day.

I was so pleased to once again photograph with my daughter Jennie Lynn, and true to form… she created some amazing images to add to the collection. Enjoy the view!