Tag Archive for: flowers

Virginia City Montana Wedding Day Photography of Marissa and Tyler

, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Virginia City Montana wedding day bride and groom train station
  • Virginia City Montana wedding day rustic bride and groom

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of photographing the Virginia City Montana Wedding Day of Marissa and Tyler.

It’s not every day that I get to go photograph a wedding in the historic small town of Virginia City, Montana. This place is special and one of the most authentic, historical sites in Montana.

The old west city and its neighbor Nevada City, lie along Alder Gulch about one mile apart. It is a true piece of history. In fact, it is considered a National Historic Landmark. Of the nearly three hundred structures in town (standing in their original condition), almost half were built prior to 1900.

When Marissa and Tyler told me they wanted to have their wedding celebration at the Virginia City Depot standing in the old territorial Capitol of Montana, I could not have been more thrilled.

It was like stepping back in time to the Old West.

Between Nevada City and Virginia City, we took advantage of the fantastic Old West architecture and explored the area making fun photos of the bride, groom, and their bridal party along the way.

To reach the ceremony, we all took a ride on the Virginia City Shortline Railroad. From Nevada City, we traveled one mile over to the wedding ceremony site at the Virginia City Depot. It was a huge hit with all in attendance.

Marissa and Tyler are Helena residents and work in state government. They are also huge history buffs. The couple styled their wedding day with their own nod to history. A combination of their love of politics, and love for each other. Their boss just happens to be State of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock who with humor and charm, officiated the ceremony.

It was a rare cool August day and the perfect venue to celebrate the start of their new journey together.

After these newlyweds tied the knot, we walked the streets of historic downtown Virginia City making couples portraits along the way. Eventually, we steered our procession over to the Virginia City Community Center where we spent the night dancing, playing in a photo booth, and celebrating these two amazing people. It was such a fun day and I felt so grateful to be a part of it. Here are my favorite images from the day. I wish these two all the best! -M

/by

Wild Blume Floral Design Business Portrait Session

, , , ,

  • Wild-Blume-Floral-Design-owner

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon photographing business portraits of my friend Sue, of Wild Blume Floral Design, in her home studio.

I love watching other artists work to create something beautiful. Sue is a talented lady and worked quickly to construct some lovely bouquets on the spot.

Here are some favorites from my time with her. The next time you are in need of some beautiful floral arrangements to give to a loved one in Bozeman, Montana, Sue is happy to oblige. -M

/by

Montana ends same-sex court marriage ban – Love Wins!

, , , , , ,

  • same-sex-court-marriage-of-michaelanne-and-shannon

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of photographing the same-sex court marriage of MichaelAnne and Shannon in Bozeman, Montana!

In the early morning, news had spread around the State of Montana that a U. S. District Court Judge struck down Montana’s same-sex court marriage ban which effectively made the Big Sky country the 34th state to allow gay marriage. I was so happy to hear it. It was some good news that has been a long time coming. Positive change. Love had finally won!

So as I was sipping my late morning coffee and reading the Bozeman Daily Chronicle newspaper article about the court decision for ending the same-sex marriage ban, I got a surprise call from a friend. She let me know that my two friends MichaelAnne and Shannon had decided they had waited long enough. They we’re going to quickly tie the knot at the Gallatin County Law and Justice Center at 11:30 am.

They suddenly needed a wedding photographer!

I had about ten minutes to get to the other side of town and I wouldn’t miss such a special occasion. Grabbing my camera gear, I rushed out the door.

Sprinting up to the second floor, I arrived to find the Rev. Nina Grey, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bozeman performing free wedding ceremonies to LGBT couples in the hallway as they lined up to the County Clerk’s office to get their new marriage certificates. It was a beautiful and emotional scene to witness. There were many tears of joy. Sweet beautiful victory.

I photographed a few couples and then waited to see my two friends finally join in union. MichaelAnne and Shannon met in Eugene, Oregon has been together for the past 15 years. It was so special to see them finally tie the knot surrounded by close friends. I’m so excited for them and all the other LGBT couples that finally got their big day. Today love won! Congrats to all! -M

/by

Chico California Wedding Day Photography Preview of Sara & Jason

,

Just got back to Bozeman, Montana after spending the last four days traveling to Chico, California to photograph the destination wedding day of Sara and Jason on their family farm. Such a fun weekend with great people! This was a fantastic DIY (Do it yourself!) wedding. I’m excited to show you more of the fun. Here is a quick preview of their wedding celebration photographs. Many more to come! Congrats to Sara and Jason! -Mike Greener

/by

Sacramento Wedding Day of Gillian and Jeff at The Firehouse Restaurant

, , , , , , , , , ,

The first weekend in May I had the pleasure of photographing Gillian and Jeff’s wedding day at the beautiful Firehouse Restaurant in Old Town Sacramento.

You could not have asked for a nicer day. The comfortable mid-day California sunshine warmed down on their outdoor wedding at The Firehouse Restaurant where big oak trees in the historic outdoor venue gave a lovely cool shade over the festivities.

I met Gillian and Jeff back in February through a wonderful wedding planner I’ve been working with named Catrina Arcularius of Catrina Maria Designs.

Right from the get go of our first meeting in Sacramento, we hit it off. We talked for a solid hour and I learned all about their story. Gillian through the encouragement of her good friend Bianca (who would eventually be her maid of honor) and Jeff upon the suggestion of some friends met through the online dating site called JDate, a Jewish community online for dating singles. Neither of them had ever used the online dating service before yet on their first date back on July 9th, 2009, they found an instant attraction to each other and have been dating ever since.

The way these two talked, joked, and looked at one another during our meet up it was apparent that they are just crazy for each other.

This couple has made a life together in the San Francisco Bay Area – Gillian as a lawyer and Jeff as an entrepreneur – while sharing a love for each other and their two dogs. They were quick to tell me all about the antics of their two border collie/chow mix dogs Lila and Maggie. I had no doubts that they would be a great fun couple to photograph on their wedding day.

And they did not disappoint. The wedding was beautiful. Between my assistant Brad Zweerink and I, we ended up taking over 6300 photographs from the wedding.

With so many smiling faces, great finger foods, friendly guests, and plenty of dancing that kept everyone entertained throughout the afternoon, it was hard to stop photographing all the great moments in front of me. Catrina along with Shannon and The Firehouse Restaurant staff created a beautiful outdoor atmosphere and layout across the brick patio while flower arrangements from florist Cheryl Sage of Accents by Sage added just the right amount of spring colors to the mix. Subtle yet elegant.

Yet another fun day celebrating with and photographing some new friends. I wish Gillian and Jeff all the best. -M

/by

Chico California Wedding Day of Lauren and Richard in Bidwell Park

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the Bidwell Park Chico California Wedding Day of Lauren and Richard.

Lauren is an old friend and colleague I worked with when I was a staff photographer at the Record Searchlight newspaper in Redding, California. At the time, she was a reporter, and for over a year, we would accompany each other to assignments around the town. You really get to know your colleagues well at a newspaper because you are all working together to put out the newspaper every day. Often times while waiting for an assignment to begin, conversations turn to personal stories and day-to-day ramblings in your life. I was always about my latest fishing trip. Lauren, it was her boyfriend in Chico.

For as long as I’ve known Lauren, she was living in Chico and then would commute up to Redding for work. It was an hour’s drive on a good day. I could never understand why anyone would willingly put themselves through that kind of inconvenience. And during our assignments together, I would constantly let her know I thought she was crazy. Looking back on it, I don’t think I was seeing the big picture. Her reasoning was always the same. She kept talking about her wonderful boyfriend turned fiancée now husband Richard and the life they were living together in Chico.

When Lauren called me up a couple of months ago asking me to shoot their wedding, I just had to smile. It was a long time coming. Last weekend I finally got to meet Richard and from the very moment I saw them together, it was clear that they were head over heels for each other. I realize now that her driving commute was a small sacrifice compared to the overall happiness that these two shared together as a couple. To Lauren, it was well worth it. Ah, the things you do for love. It’s good to see.

Their Bidwell Park Chico California Wedding Day was a lot of fun to shoot. A beautiful outdoor ceremony in Bidwell Park then the wedding party walked through downtown to the reception. You couldn’t ask for a nicer day. I love watching friends get married through my lens. -M

/by

Teller Wildlife Refuge Slack House and Barn Wedding Day of Abby and Johnny

, , , , , , , , , ,

border: 2px solid black; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;

You know you’ve done something right when one of your past wedding couples refers you to their friends. I consider those gestures one of the highest compliments a photographer can receive. It lets me know that I am doing my job well.

Back in 2006, Abby and Johnny asked me to photograph their Teller Wildlife Refuge Slack House and Barn Wedding in western Montana after hearing about my photojournalistic style through their friends and my former clients.

It was the ultimate picturesque Montana cowboy wedding. Their outdoor wedding was held at this cute little ranch where the men were decked out in their cowboy boots and hats. They twirled the women in their summer dresses as they danced to the upbeat rhythms of bluegrass music. Summer was ending and with it, the days grew longer. Because of it, we were blessed with beautiful afternoon sunlight that made the dried wheat fields glow with a golden hue as the sun set over the Bitterroot Mountains. What more could a photographer ask for?

/by