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Married in the mountains of Montana

There is something very magical about our mountains here in southwest Montana. Their allure is irresistible and the view, well… ‘breathtaking’!

Gary and Edna came to Paradise Valley for their very private ceremony. Beth Renick of Big Sky Ceremonies and I were honored to be witness to their wedding vows in the hills above Chico Hot Springs Resort on this brisk November afternoon.

I walked about the upper fields of Chico with Gary to help him select the perfect spot while Beth assisted Edna with her dress and the final details of the ceremony. Soon Beth joined us in ‘field of dreams’, followed by the beautiful bride. It was a long aisle of over 200 yards of browning sage grass which juxtaposed the most amazingly blue sky. Fall was in the air and the breeze was brisk. The entire expanse was filled with a palpable sense of joy.

Enjoy the view!

Brisk engagement in Paradise Valley

I had scheduled an engagement shoot with Miranda and Richie several weeks ago on a warm fall afternoon, knowing that we might well be into some colder temperatures or even some snow by the date. Fortune shown up us on this brisk afternoon and Paradise Valley was spectacular with her mountain tops capped with snow. It was a quick and breathtaking photo shoot beside the Yellowstone River and on a hill top above the valley just before sunset. Enjoy the view!

Fall engagement in Montana

Alanna and Brent took a break from their busy and demanding schedule in residency in California to fly up to Montana for their engagement shoot. They said they flew all that way to Montana just for the photoshoot… that’s very kind, but I also know that they were visiting Alanna’s mother in Bozeman! Well, they struck it rich with the weather and golden trees from one end of Paradise Valley to the other. It was phenomenal! Everywhere we went there were these incredible WIDE vistas. So, I shot ‘wide’ every where we went.

We ended up against the mountains with nearly a 360 degree view of the valley. We hiked up the hill and I popped out my portable studio light and giggled with delight as I extracted the last bit of beauty of this awesome day!

Alanna and Brent… what a joyous day! I can’t wait to witness and capture the arisings of your wedding day!

enjoy the view!

Nastasya and Tony at Lone Mountain Ranch

There is something very special about a private elopement wedding in the altitude and vastness of the mountains of Montana and the quietness of nature. Nastasya and Tony were married on a Saturday in August on a beautiful mountainside at the Lone Mountain Guest Ranch. I felt blessed to attend and capture the beauty and the feeling of this occasion. Enjoy the view!

Nicole and Will at the 320 Guest Ranch

Nicole and William married at the 320 Guest Ranch on a beautiful day in August. Families and friends gathered alongside the river on this lovely historic Montana ranch. At every wedding there is always a bitter sweet environment that is always with us as human beings. That is the truth of life and death. This occasion was immensely sweet, beautiful and wonderful in every way and yet the knowledge of the recent loss of the bride’s father was in everyone’s heart. His presence was tangible at his daughter’s wedding! It was an honor to photograph with this couple, their families and friends. The pictures tell the story!

Many thanks to my fine friend Carlie Breen for her talented help with capturing the beautiful moments of this wedding day!

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.