Tag Archive for: summer

Bozeman Wedding Photographer Springhill Pavilion Bridger Mountains couple portrait
  • Springhill_Pavilion_Montana_Wedding_Photographer

I’m still buzzing with excitement after photographing the Springhill Pavilion Wedding of Allison and Matt outside Bozeman, Montana.

I’ve gotten to know these two Montana transplants over the past year. I have been looking forward to documenting their wedding day for some time now.

And it’s all because they happened to meet by chance.

At the time, Allison and Matt were studying Ecology in their graduate programs at UC Davis in Davis, California. They didn’t know each other but fate would soon change that.

One night after class, Allison was planning to catch up with a friend, but there was a location mix up. She ended up in the wrong bar. As fate would have it, it was in that wrong bar where she met Matt. They instantly hit it off.

Davis, California was a place where I used to call home back when I was a newspaper photojournalist. It’s a place that is close to my heart. When Allison and Matt came into my studio to discuss their wedding day plans, we bonded immediately over Davis stories and the realization that we knew many of the same people.

Sometimes you encounter certain people in your life that you know will instantly become friends. These two are wonderful, hilarious goofballs.

Their Springhill Pavilion wedding day was everything you would hope one could be. We had lovely Spring-like weather, the perfect rustic setting, and a gathering of friends and family that were ready to get down on the dance floor. Their wedding day was an absolute blast to photograph. Here are some of my favorite photographs I made on their wedding day. Congrats to the newlyweds! -Mike

Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding couple
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Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of photographing and celebrating the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wedding of Teresa and Bob.

I met this engaged couple at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons in Bozeman, Montana. We hit it off after a friendly ten-minute conversation. It was clear my candid, documentary photographic style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family, and their devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration.

Teresa and Bob’s wedding ceremony was held in the grand space of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. As devoted Catholics, their ceremony was complete with an hour of Mass service.

From there we made our way up Orea Creek Road to their Livingston, Montana home. On our approach, the beauty of the surrounding green mountainsides was too enticing. We couldn’t help ourselves and happily stopped numerous times to photograph portraits with the epic Montana scenery surrounding us. Upon our arrival, the sound of cheers from their awaiting guests greeted the newlyweds at their outdoor reception on their Livingston property.

It was a wedding reception celebration in the pure local Montana cowboy style.

The newlyweds hired a live country band who beckoned guests to the dance floor.  There, formal country two-step dance lessons were being given to the out-of-town guests. Everyone really got into it and had a great time. The yard games and a photo booth entertained the wedding guests in between songs. When the food was ready, the bride, groom, and their guests dined on good Montana BBQ and libations. It was a perfect Livingston, Montana evening to celebrate the union of these two amazing people. I could not be more excited for these two.

Congrats to the newlyweds Teresa and Bob! -M

Bozeman Wedding Photographer Springhill Pavilion
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I’m still buzzing with excitement after photographing the Springhill Pavilion Wedding Day of Allison and Matt this past weekend.

I’ve gotten to know these two Montana transplants over the past year and have been looking forward to documenting their wedding day for some time now. Both got their Ecology graduate degrees from UC Davis, a place where I used to live and a place that is close to heart. We bonded immediately over Davis stories and the realization that we knew many of the same people. Sometimes you encounter certain people in your life that you know will instantly become friends.

These two are wonderful, hilarious goofballs.

Their Montana wedding day was everything you would hope one could be – lovely Spring-like weather, the perfect setting, and a gathering of friends and family that were ready to get down on the dance floor. Their wedding day was an absolute blast to photograph. As I begin editing through all of the photographs, I wanted to share a preview of them. Many more to come! Stay tuned… -Mike

 

Livingston Wedding Photographer Paradise Valley wedding couple
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Last Friday I spent the day photographing and celebrating the Livingston Montana Wedding Day of  Teresa and Bob.

I met these two lovebirds at last year’s A Montana Wedding Bridal Event at The Commons. After a friendly ten-minute conversation, it was clear my candid, documentary style resonated with their wedding day vision. They booked me on the spot. For these two, their love for each other, their family and devotion to their Catholic faith would the focal point of their wedding day celebration. The day could not have been better. Here is a sneak peek of their wedding photos made at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and up Orea Creek near their home where they had their reception. So many more fun photos to share with you all! Stay tuned! -M

 

Bozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker Wedding ceremony
Bozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker WeddingBozeman Wedding Photographer Kelly Canyon Quaker Wedding

Montana native newlyweds Lisa and Noah got married on his family’s property in Kelly Canyon just outside of Bozeman Montana last weekend. Perfect sunny weather blessed the day where these two celebrated their Quaker wedding with their close friends and family. I’m working hard to edit through all of the fun photos I made throughout their wedding day.

For now, check out a preview of some favorite photos I made for them. Stay tuned for more… -M

Livingston Wedding Photographer Yellowstone River wedding portrait
  • Livingston Wedding Photographer Yellowstone River wedding portrait

A few weeks back, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Livingston KOA Montana Wedding of Erika and Josh.

For this engaged couple, their wedding day was all about returning to the source of where they met.

Little did they know after a chance encounter over a foosball game table, two years later they would be celebrating their wedding at the Livingston KOA in the beautiful Paradise Valley where it all started.

Both Erika and Josh are well-versed in the art of hospitality. Josh is a chef at Feast Raw Bar & Bistro and Erika is a former wedding planner and now operations manager for the Shane Center for the Arts.

Erika and Josh wanted to have their wedding day focus “be about letting their friends and family know how much they’ve impacted us in our lives.” They intended to create a personal wedding experience for their guests. They wanted their wedding photography that honored their guests in the same way.

In a wonderfully intimate setting along the Yellowstone River, guests were met with great food, meticulous decorations of 1,000 paper cranes and rock cairns, homemade booze-infused cupcakes, and the right tunes to keep the dance floor busy.

Their attention to the little details made their wedding day a true delight.

Not even the constant rainfall throughout the afternoon could dampen the spirits of those in attendance.

The sounds of the consistent rain and the high waters of the nearby Yellowstone River serenaded the evening. The big pavilion worked as a perfect, versatile space. It began as the ceremony site and transformed smoothly into the catered dinner area. Soon after, it transitioned into an energetic, all-night dance party at their Livingston KOA Montana Wedding.

Happiness smiles, and good times abound. What a fun day!

Here are some of my favorite highlights from my day photographing their wedding celebration. Congrats again to the bride and groom Erika and Josh! Wish you guys a lifetime of happiness! -M

Bozeman Engagement Photographer Middle Cottonwood Canyon couple
  • Bozeman Engagement Photographer Middle Cottonwood Canyon couple

The other day I photographed the Middle Cottonwood Canyon Engagement Portraits of my wedding clients Lisa and Noah in Bozeman Montana.

Lisa and Noah wanted to feature a special place as the setting for their engagement session.

It was here that Noah brought Lisa on their second date for a hike up Middle Cottonwood Canyon.

These two have been living in their new home in Washington for the past year. Lisa works as a software engineer and is Noah working away on his pursuit of a science graduate degree. They were home visiting family and wanted to have their Middle Cottonwood Canyon Engagement photos to remind them of their Montana roots.

When it came time to plan their wedding day, choosing their Montana home as the backdrop was a no-brainer for them. These two will be tying the knot tomorrow up Kelly Canyon! I’m so excited for these guys! Stay tuned for their wedding photo preview! -M

Bozeman Engagement Photographer Hyalite Canyon couple portrait
  • Bozeman Engagement Photographer Hyalite Canyon couple portrait

Capitalizing on a recent break in the rainy weather, I met up with my wedding clients Allison and Matt for their Hyalite Canyon Engagement Photography Experience.

Over these last few months, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know these two.

They recently moved to Bozeman from Davis, Montana where they attended school as Ecology grad students. Back during my time working in California newspapers, I too lived in the city of Davis. As we got to know each other, we quickly realized we had many overlapping UC Davis friends and shared outdoor leisure activities. We quickly hit it off and had a blast exploring the scenic local landscape during our Hyalite Canyon Engagement Photography session.

These two are wonderful humans.

And their big wedding day is quickly approaching. I’m looking forward to documenting and celebrating them at their Springhill Pavilion wedding day in a few weeks! -M

Bozeman Portrait Photography Engagement Couple Sunflowers Madison River

The other day I drove out to the Madison River to meet my friends Sky and Tara for their evening Madison River Couple Portraits Experience.

I’ve known this great couple for years. When the news of their engagement was announced, everyone knew it had been a long time coming. It’s so exciting to see them together as their wedding date approaches and their love and excitement grow.

I would be hard-pressed to find a better match of personalities. These two friends graciously modeled for me a while back for a styled wedding photo session at Rocky Creek Farm. I was honored when they approached me to photograph their engagement portrait session.

As avid flyfishing and river people, we decided to photograph their engagement photos in a spot near and dear to them, the Madison River.

Both Sky and Tara love to fly fish and spend their free time being close to the rivers around Montana. As friends, we’ve we have all spent many a day together trying to entice the Montana trout to eat.

When we arrived at the put in, we loaded up Sky’s drift boat and cast off into the current.

As we floated downstream, we stopped to take photos along the way. It was an absolutely fine way to spend an afternoon – floating a blue ribbon trout stream and documenting the love. This couple tie the knot in two weeks! I am so excited for them. Congrats you guys! -Mike

This past weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the Virginia City Montana Wedding Day Photography of Marissa and Tyler.

These two wanted to celebrate their wedding celebration standing in the old territorial Capitol of Montana. The town 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.

It was like stepping back in time to the Old West period and we took advantage of the amazing architecture and made some cool photos.

These two Helena residents work in the state government and styled their special day with their own nod to history, to their love of politics and each other. Their boss just happens to be State of Montana Gov. Steve Bullock who officiated the ceremony. It was a rare cool August day and the perfect venue to celebrate the start of their new journey together.

Here is a preview of some of their wedding photos I made throughout the day. I still have many more to go through and I’m excited to show you all. These two are incredible people and I wish them all the best. Stay tuned for more. -M

Montana Family Photography Hyalite Canyon family portrait
  • Hyalite-Canyon-Family-Portrait-Photographic-Experience
    I had the pleasure of joining the Rigard Family for their Hyalite Canyon Family Portrait Photographic Experience near Bozeman, Montana. Jen and Ryan have been friends of mine in Bozeman for years and I was honored when they hired me to photograph their family reunion.

I had the pleasure of photographing the Hyalite Canyon Reservoir Family Portraits of the Rigard Family.

Jen and Ryan have been friends of mine in Bozeman for years. I was honored when they hired me to photograph their family reunion.

Mindful of Ryan’s need for wheelchair access, we explored the areas around the Hyalite and played around in the evening sunlight photographing their relationships.

I was really pleased with how they turned out. Here are some of my favorites from the day. -M

Over the 4th of July weekend, I was up at the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Montana photographing the summer wedding day of Tim and Jill. These two Bozeman locals wanted a destination feeling for their wedding celebration without leaving the Big Sky state. Northwest Montana was the perfect answer. There are so many more great photos to show you all. For now, here is a preview of a few favorites so far from the wedding day. I’m hard at work editing the rest. My congrats to the newlyweds! Stay tuned for more awesome. -Mike

In between all of my weddings this past summer, I also made some Livingston Summer Family Portraits of Bob and Sydney and their sons at their family ranch. Bob and Sydney are good college friends of my parents and met during their time at the University of Montana back in the 1970s. I’ve known them for years myself. They are great people.

For their family portrait experience, I headed over to their grandparent’s beautiful horse property in Livingston, Montana.

Horses would turn out to be a big theme of our time together that day. I arrived to find a household full of family members glued to the television with intensity. They were cheering on “American Pharoah” to win The Belmont Stakes horse race. Before our family photo session began, I joined them in cheering on the moving horses and riders figures on the screen. Their excitement was infectious. I learned that this family has a long family history of breeding racehorses. The business was their grandfather’s labor of love and a passion he upheld for decades. A dime tour of their house revealed decades-worth of framed pictures of celebrated horses, race memorabilia, and wonderful family memories. It was fascinating to learn about.

After an exciting finish to the race, we headed outside into the pristine Montana summer afternoon weather.

Keeping in theme with the day, we decided to highlight Bob and Sydney’s love of horses during their Livingston Family Summer Portraits session. Their sons bridled up their two favorite horses. Then we explored the ranch property and made some fun family photos with their equines in tow. It worked out splendidly. I still geek out on the great Montana light we had that afternoon during their session.

These are some favorite family portraits I made during our family portrait session.  -M

I’m happy to present the Chico Hot Springs Montana Wedding Preview of Elizabeth & Ryan’s wedding day!

Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana is one of my favorite wedding venues to photograph.

When it came to these two New Mexican residents planning their wedding day, Elizabeth and Ryan opted to return to their old stomping grounds of southwest Montana. I’ve picked out a couple of images that caught my eye during my day documenting these two. Good times with great people and a great dance party. So many more great photos to show you all.

Congrats to the newlyweds! Stay tuned for more… -M

Update: Check out all of Elizabeth and Ryan’s wedding day photos on my blog here.

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to photograph the wedding of Bobbijean and Chris at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park. The two met while working at the park a few summers back and decided to tie-the-knot in a place that was so special to their hearts. While Chris has moved on to work in the logging industry, Bobbijean still is a proud park employee and with her position, was able to gain some perks for her special day – like a visit up to the historic Crow’s Nest high up in the historic log and limb lobby for some portraits and having their first look atop the Inn roof overlooking the erupting Old Faithful geyser. It was pretty special and a great view to say the least. After an emotional ceremony filled with tears of joy and laughter, the wedding celebration transitioned outside the park boundaries to the town of West Yellowstone where the reception festivities filled the historic Union Pacific Dining Lodge. A fun day throughout. I was so glad to be a part of it. Congrats again to the newlyweds and I wish them all the best. -M

Bobbijean & Chris Wedding Day in Yellowstone National Park

I recently photographed Bobbijean & Chris’ Wedding Day in Yellowstone National Park. What a cool experience! It’s not every day that I get to photograph a wedding in the most famous national park in the country. I’m excited to show the full celebration but for now, I give you a preview of a few favorites so far. I’m hard at work editing the whole lot. Many more great wedding photos to come. Stay tuned… -M

I recently photographed the springtime Peets Hill Engagement Photos of Courtney & Jordi in Bozeman, Montana.

The other day I was able to meet up with my wedding clients Courtney and Jordi from Big Sky to make some engagement photos of them before their wedding happens later this summer.

Rainy, springtime Montana weather had unfortunately postponed our two prior meetups. Alas, we finally found our weather window and spent some time utilizing the green Montana landscape and abundant wildflowers around Peet’s Hill and the surrounding bike trail system. We rode our bikes around to different spots. These two were all about having an adventure during their Peets Hill Engagement Photos session.

I’m looking forward to documenting their big day later this summer. Congrats on your engagement you guys! -M

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

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding day of two amazing people here in Bozeman, Montana. Courtney and Chris had their late summer outdoor wedding at the beautiful Springhill Pavilion just outside of town. It’s funny how some people come into your life. I first met Chris during a friendly (but intense) game of garage ping pong with mutual friends at my old place in town. Little did I know that a few months later I would run into his bride-to-be Courtney at the 2014 Bridal Affaire Bozeman Montana last February and we hit it off. From the get-go, I loved the energy these two brought to the table. Such endless positivity and smiles. I love a wedding couple that takes the traditional concepts of a wedding and instead go in their own direction to make it entirely an unique experience. Such was the case with them. Their wedding honored their friends just as much as the day was meant for them. They had all of their friends contribute and participate in some way to make their wedding day special. Some performed songs, others read poetry, spun fire and gave blessings. They even had a friend perform numerous AC/DC songs on a cello. By the time DJ Missy O’Malley cranked up the beats, everyone celebrated into the night dancing their faces off. It was a wonderful celebration and I was so thankful to be there to document the fun. A big thank you to Time Of Your Life Events wedding planner Genevieve Burmeister and crew for making it all flow so smoothly. I wish these two all the best. -Mike Greener

To see all of their wedding photos click here

Whew! What a weekend! I’m going through all of the fun captured from Courtney and Chris’ wedding day at the Springhill Pavilion last Friday. These two were an absolute blast. Here’s a couple sneak peeks at their wedding photos. I’ve so many more photos to show. Check back soon. Congrats again to such a fantastic couple! Stay tuned. -M