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Portraits in Paradise

I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Just down the road from my home is the breathtaking Paradise Valley. I call it my studio… where miles and miles of the mighty Yellowstone River careens through the valley, surrounded by mountains and capped with the ever changing big Montana Sky. Add a sundown like none other and you get perhaps as close to heaven as you can without actually leaving this temporal place on earth.

Last summer I spent a couple of hours with a returning client that wanted to take advantage of a summer day making photos in a couple of locations including an sundown dip in the Yellowstone, a baptism of sorts.

It was breathtaking!

So, whether you are planning a wedding, a surprise proposal, an elopement or simply portraits in a place you will never forget, give me a call or contact me via this site. I’ve lived here over 30 years and I have access to many amazing vistas and ‘secret spots’ both public and private in which to photograph. Enjoy the view!

Senior portraits

What a great photo session with Toby! We hopscotched around around the calendar to find a date to make our schedules match with some decent weather. Winter has shown it’s frosty face earlier than usual, but at last… a window of opportunity. As it turned out, we landed on an afternoon that was pretty amazing. Toby has some serious modeling potential in front of the camera! This looks more like a magazine shoot than a senior portrait session.

Thanks to Toby’s mother Anne for carrying camera gear up the hill, holding a light stand against some serious wind and being such a great assistant. She was implemental in the success of this photo shoot.

And then right at sunset, their dogs got into the action and I grabbed the fleeting moment that you just can’t plan or pose. That is what I love to do!!!

Enjoy the view!

Big Sky Wedding, Rainbow Ranch Lodge

The Rainbow Ranch Lodge has always been one of my favorite places for a Big Sky wedding. 15 years ago I photographed there and became friends with Patrick Hurd who was part owner and General Manager at the time. He had a sand volleyball court built on the lawn near the river and it was a tradition to pack up on Sunday and head for the RR! Many great times were had followed by dips in the cold river and amazing dinners afterwards. Thank’s Patrick where ever you are.

On this Saturday, July 21st it was the congregation of the family and friends of Breckyn and Thomas that brought their joy and love to this place in celebration of their wedding day!

Credit and thanks to all of the excellent vendors that helped make this wedding so amazing!
Dress: Essenes of Australia from Plume Bridal
Bridesmaid’s gowns: Azazie
Flowers: Carr’s Posie Patch with Kim Miller’s help
Rings: Engagement Ring – Harry Glinberg Jewelry (Milwaukee, WI), Wedding Band – Miller’s Jewelry (Bozeman, MT), Tom’s Wedding Band – Grandfather’s Ring
Men’s attire: Tom’s Suit – Hart Schaffer Marx from Squire Fine Men’s Apparel (Milwaukee, WI)
Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Pastor Officiant: Kelly Krueger
Hair: Britney Williams from Theory Hair Salon
Makeup: Erin Mulhern from Hair Shop of Big Sky

In front of the camera

I have been photographing people, places and things for years. However, I am not always the ‘Montana Wedding Photographer’ dude wading into the river and squatting down on the rocks with my camera strapped around my wrist like some sort of high tech appendage! hahaha. Occasionally, I’ve been known to venture out in front of the lens.

The latest episode was a project that I was happy to be involved with. Billings Clinic serves many Montana communities and beyond in other states. I was selected for a part in this production and had a tremendously enjoyable day running around with a talented crew of professionals in the making of this and other TV commercials.

Enjoy this little 1 minute piece!

Billings Clinic – We care where you are – 60 Final – v2 from Billings Clinic on Vimeo.

Paradise Valley studio

Yesterday found me shooting in my favorite outdoor studio… Paradise Valley Montana. I like to think of it as my BIG BACKYARD! We had been waiting for the last week or so to get the weather to cooperate. On this day, we were gifted with a comfortable 57 degrees with luscious sun and just a slight breeze. Perfect weather for family photos in our scenic home in Montana.

The youngest showed up in his Buzz Lightyear outfit and his older sister was being a bit shy. Evidently, he was determined to wear this costume for his photo session! Sooo… I jumped in with both feet (being the silly kid that I am ) conversing with the kids, falling down while snapping away with my camera like everything was perfect!!! Soon ‘Buzz’ was happily giggling at my schenanigans and his beautiful older sister became a shining ‘star’.

The stars of the show had arrived!

Then the Buzz Lightyear outfit came off and we were all playing happily together, making fun and beautiful photos that Mom and Dad will cherish for years to come.

Enjoy the view!

Big Sky wedding at the 320 Ranch

One week later and here I am again at the scenic 320 Ranch in Big Sky Montana. Personally I can’t get enough of this place and I love making images in this luscious mountain valley.

Holden and Greg convened with their family and friends for this splendid wedding day. The weather was wonderful and they were spared the afternoon showers that had been the normal course of events on the ranch this summer.

Abundant and beautiful flowers were produced by the talented Katalin Green. The wedding arbor was simply gorgeous. Thanks to Carlie Breen Auger for joining me as second camera. Many of the photos in this collection were captured by her adept perception and eye for beauty!

Enjoy the view!