I’m happy to present my Best of 2021 Portraits from Greener Visuals Photography!
2021 was a wonderful, whirlwind year. I helped some great couples and families celebrate their relationships and created a lot of solutions for business professionals to elevate their visual story brand. It ended up being one of my busiest years since I started Greener Visuals Photography back in 2002.
I feel so grateful. I loved the wonderful diversity of my 2021 clients and how their needs shaped and inspired my creative approach in my photography.
There were so many wonderful stories to tell.
This past year, I photographed an engaged couple whose excitement to be back in a movie theatre helped set the scene of their shared love of films. Another couple wanted to feature their relationship and life on the farm they are creating together. There were families who were adapting to unplanned changes and families who saw now as the moment to gather and start anew. Or documenting the annual family fishing vacation to the Gallatin River – a place that holds deep significance to every family member. It was so much fun to go back over the year’s worth of moments to find my favorites for my Best of 2021 Greener Visuals Portrait Photography highlights.
In hearing your stories, each of my clients shared that now is the time to celebrate the people that give their life meaning. Now is the time to celebrate your relationships and come together, because you can. I’m so glad that we could.
We so rarely have permission and time to slow down and really think about why our relationships mean so much to us. Sharing these stories of love heals and galvanizes. In discovering what you cherish about your daughter, your partner, and future spouse, your mother, your pet, or your family, I get a chance to see them from your perspective, and truly understand what your relationships mean to you. As a result, I was able to create a completely customized photography experience for each of my couples, families, and business professionals that uniquely resonated with them.
It was a true pleasure.
Thank you to all of my clients for sharing your stories and allowing me to continue the work I love so much. I look forward to what this new year holds. -M
I’m happy to present my Best of 2021 Wedding Photography!
Happy new year! It’s been this winter fun reflecting back on all of the great times I had with my 2021 wedding clients.
The pandemic of 2020 forced many brides and grooms to put their wedding celebrations on hold. Gratefully, the vaccine rollout of 2021 allowed more wedding couples to safely gather with their friends and family. Still, the ongoing pandemic continues to be a source of uncertainty for engaged couples. If a theme resonated for my 2021 wedding clients, it would be their capacity to be flexible.
Even in normal times, there is so much that goes on during a wedding that can surprise you. This past year had some unique challenges for my clients that they overcame.
For one couple, there was wildfire smoke blocking mountain views. After the pandemic forced another couple to have a Zoom wedding, their long anticipated wedding reception was dampened by rain. At another wedding, there was a rush to locate a spare suit for a family member two hours before the wedding. A groom on crutches could not dance but instead sang songs for his bride with the band playing behind him. One engaged couple started a CSA farm from scratch to grow their own food and flowers for their wedding day. Their hard work created wonderful accents to their story that they shared with their loved ones on their big day.
It just goes to show. You can plan all the things, set the tables and get everything “perfect” on your big day, but in the end, weddings turn out the way they turn out. They have a wonderful life of their own.
All of my wedding couples smiled at adversity and gracefully overcame whatever wedding day hiccup came their way.
Having positive attitudes made each wedding an authentic reflection of who each couple was. Regardless of what happened, the true beauty of it was found by focusing on the bigger picture.
My wedding clients could finally celebrate their love alongside their friends and families bearing witness to it. What truly mattered.
For what is a wedding but a wonderful, sweet slice of society pie. A sacred event that celebrates the best things in life – our loving relationships.
As I sorted through my Best of 2021 Wedding Photography, I kept that thought in mind. As a Montana wedding photographer, you expect to find excitement from people attending a wedding. But this past year was different. You could tell that the pent up energy of the world made this year’s weddings more rich and rewarding. The societal faucet of normalcy was partially turned back on. A return to the ability to come together and feel human again.
As a visual storyteller, it warmed my heart to see my 2021 wedding clients and their loved ones embrace this moment. To truly savor these time-honored celebrations that I think many of us have taken for granted.
Beyond the obvious celebration of two people in love, to me, weddings are one of the few places where the young and the old can get together and honor what matters most.
Weddings are a chance to show the youth the ways of community – this is how we act in the good times. These are the things in life we value. These are moments that are worth everything.
This year nothing was taken for granted.
Personally, I’m thankful that I got to be in my element again; making people feel seen, laughing and joking with them, and photographing people being authentic and real. It was such a wonderful release for so many people. You could tell that the guests needed the celebrations just as much as the couples needed them.
I love witnessing the mixing pot of friends and family at a wedding. Most people know either the bride or the groom, but not many others. Strangers meet and mix. The stories start coming out. The laughter, fueled by good food and libations begins. Then the groups become one to dance and sing all the lyrics of a song with the people brought together by a newlywed couple. All awesome ingredients to honor and celebrate love.
The wedding event galvanizes a couple and their path forward.
This past year I was so grateful we could all gather. I’m proud to showcase my Best of 2021 Wedding Photography.
Looking forward to what this new year holds. -M
Happy New Year everyone! I’m proud to present my Best of 2020 Wedding and Portrait Photography and storied reflections on a year during great uncertainty.
What a wild ride 2020 has been.
At the beginning of 2020, my year was lining up to be the best ever for my business. I was looking forward to photographing a full schedule of wedding dates and also had a dozen or so portrait sessions already on the books.
As the coronavirus pandemic spread its way across the country and quarantine began, most of my clients, rightfully so, made the difficult decision to postpone their celebrations.
Suddenly, I was forced to pivot.
With the uncertainty of how to move forward weighing heavily on many. I too wondered how I would support my photographic livelihood moving forward. It was also a heavy time for my family with the realization that my grandmother was to be admitted into hospice for her end of life care.
An ironic twist to an already surreal time in our world.
I was at home with my family in Missoula in late March, giving support to my grandmother the week before stay-in-place directives kicked in. During that time, I came across some old, favorite family photos that I had made of her throughout the years.
I kept thinking about the nearing end of her life and all of the great times we’ve had together. I realized those photos had suddenly become priceless to me. Captured memories that brought up so many wonderful emotions of love.
I wanted to make sure that my clients had the same chance to celebrate their own relationships.
It was a reminder that good storytelling photography can be that bridge to tap into all those emotions we hold dear towards our loved ones.
How many of us have made excuses over the years, not making the time to be present with our families? And in doing so, have we missed an opportunity to celebrate them and this time together with photography?
I think we’ve all been guilty of it.
Yet, once those loved ones are gone, we would do anything to be back in their presence once more. Crave just one more time to savor their cherished expressions that encapsulates who they are.
Looking back on 2020, I think as a society, we came away with many gifts from the year. For many families it was a time of heightened awareness that while we were socially distancing from our neighbors, some of us were getting to experience the precious moments of togetherness. A new appreciation of our families, loved ones, and pets during this time of unpredictability.
That was something to celebrate.
Giving Back and supporting local charities
During quarantine, I decided to create the Bozeman Front Porch Project. I was looking for a creative path to give back and use my photography skills to help my community in any way I could. The premise of the project was a brief, socially-distanced mini family photo sessions. I photographed families on their front porches, offering it as a chance for them to refocus and celebrate all the good that surrounds them while raising money for local charities.
At the conclusion of the project, I photographed a total 55 different families. Together, we raised almost $3,000.00 that was donated to One Valley Community Foundation and Greater Gallatin United Way.
It was such a joy and highlight for me to give back to the community that has given me so much.
Best of 2020 Wedding & Portrait photography – Positivity comes to fruition
As the year went on, I was blessed to meet an assortment of new clients. Families that wanted to capture and celebrate this time in their lives. I also helped businesses and professionals put their best selves forward by creating fresh business portraits and engaging photographic content for their business websites.
While most of the weddings in 2020 had been postponed, I was still able to photograph a few wedding with their close immediate families present.
As we’ve seen from 2020 worldwide pandemic, sometimes the best-laid plans don’t always work out. But it’s amazing how we can adapt to life’s changing circumstances.
Harley and Amanda were so excited to have a snowy winter wedding at the Gallatin River Lodge. When their wedding day arrived, unfortunately there wasn’t any snow on the ground, only a frigid cold outside . Making the best of situation, we wandered out to the frozen pond to remedy the problem.
When the pandemic canceled the big wedding plans of Addie and Nate, we changed course and instead rode up a backcountry mountain on horseback to photograph their small, intimate wedding ceremony. It ended up being better than they could ever imagine.
During Jordan and Raven’s elegant wedding in the Bridger Mountain foothills, a fast-approaching wildfire forced an emergency evacuation just hours before their ceremony was set to commence. Thankfully, on short notice, another venue was secured. Despite the hiccup, we rolled with it and celebrated their relationship well into the night.
The year seemed to be full of unexpected challenges but in the end, everything worked out. Each of these unique weddings was wonderfully imperfect in its own way.
Despite the struggles of 2020, I think as a community and country we have realized some of the hidden gifts of this pandemic like cherished time with the people that give our lives meaning.
Looking back on my Best of 2020 Wedding & Portrait photography, it wasn’t the year I expected. But all of it was a blessing and a well-needed time for reflection.
Now, with hope on the horizon for the vaccines being distributed, I look forward to the possibilities of 2021. The love I’ll get to document, the families I’ll get to celebrate and the businesses I’ll be able to make shine even brighter.
I’m optimistic about what the future holds.
I’m so grateful for the clients that supported me this past year. I cannot wait to embrace my friends safely again once this storm fades.
Above are some favorite wedding and portrait photographs I created this past wild year. I hope you enjoy them. And when the time is right, I look forward to helping you celebrate what matters most in your life. Happy New Year everyone! -M
I’m proud to share my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography!
I’ve been looking back on this past year and the photos from my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography with so much gratitude for the couples, families, and business professionals I had the privilege to photograph and build relationships with.
As a destination family photographer, I was lucky enough to travel to Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, many parts of New England, and all over Montana this past year for my portrait photography clients.
Everyone had so much to celebrate in their lives.
I harbored so much fulfillment in helping each one of my photography clients rediscover what they valued most in each other and their relationships – in turn helping to bring out the best versions of themselves.
This year I chose the photos for my Best of 2019 Portrait Photography that showcased the photographs that meant so much to my clients.
For me, 2020 is shaping up to be another great year of celebrating the best in life.
Thanks for the continued support everyone! Happy New Year! -M
Best of 2017 Wedding Photography by Greener Visuals
Backyard Weddings, Barn Weddings, Best of the Year, Best of Year, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Church Weddings, Country Weddings, Featured, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Small Weddings, Spring Weddings, Summer Weddings, Virginia City Montana Wedding, Yellowstone Country Weddings, Yellowstone National ParkI’ve gathered up my Best of 2017 Wedding Photography by Greener Visuals that made during this recent trip around the sun.
As the last days of the year tick away, I find myself reflecting back on my Best of 2017 Wedding photos and all of the fun I had with my wedding couples over the course of this past year.
2017 was a lot of fun!
It was a year with lots of growth, new places explored, new challenges overcome, and many good times were had. I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year. It was so much fun being able to tell candid, creative stories through photographs of my incredible clients!
I look forward to what “adventures in documenting the love” await me in 2018.
If you or a loved one you know is in need of new family portraits, business portraits, headshots, engagement photos, boudoir, or an epic Bozeman wedding photographer, Greener Visuals Photography is available for all your professional photographic experiences in 2018! I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy New Year everyone! -M
I love this time of year. It’s a chance to reflect back on my Best of 2017 Portrait photos. To remember all of the fun I had with my clients over this past year. 2017 was a blast!
I feel blessed for all the new relationships I made throughout the year. It’s a gift for me to be able to tell candid, creative stories through photographs in southwest Montana and beyond!
During this recent trip around the sun, here are some of my favorite Best of 2017 Portrait photographs that I made. I look forward to what adventures await in 2018.
If you are in need of new family, business headshots, engagement photos, or an epic wedding photographer, Greener Visuals Photography is available for all your professional photographic needs in 2018!
Happy New Year everyone! -M
Best of 2016 Wedding Photos from Greener Visuals Photography
Barn Weddings, Best of the Year, Best of Year, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Country Weddings, Featured, Illinois Weddings, Montana, Montana Weddings, Mountain Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Outdoor Weddings, Rainy Weddings, Spring Weddings, Summer Weddings, Sunset Weddings, Types, Winter Weddings, Yellowstone Country WeddingsI’m proud to present the Best of 2016 wedding photography from Greener Visuals!
Winter has arrived and it’s snowing in Montana now. I’ve been reminiscing about the past year. It’s funny how time flies when you’ve been having so much fun. 2016 was another great year of documenting the fun memories of my client’s wedding day. I kept busy this year photographing over the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Southwest Montana offers up so many beautiful places to get married and I feel thankful that I was able to continue to explore the hidden pockets throughout. It was such an honor to be a part of my client’s wedding celebration.
I feel so grateful to be doing the candid wedding storytelling photography that I do.
My travels this year took me all over Montana. Traveling up to Whitefish down to Yellowstone National Park and as far away as downtown Chicago, Illinois. I even got to witness a wedding in northeast Mongolia.
In addition to having fun documenting the love, one of my favorite highlights of the year was when I moved into my new photography studio inside of Gallatin Event Rentals. It has been a wonderful place to house my wedding and portrait photography business. Having an inviting, comfortable space to host my clients and hear their wedding story has been such a pleasure. If you haven’t stopped by already, I’d be happy to give you the dime tour and geek out on photography with you.
Here are a few of my favorite wedding images that stood out to me from this past year.
I am now booking for the 2017 wedding season and I travel all across the country. I’m looking forward to the new smiles and faces I’ll meet and photograph in the new year. Wishing you all a fantastic new year ahead! -M
Best of 2015 Wedding Photos from Greener Visuals
Alaska Weddings, Best of the Year, Best of Year, Blog, Bozeman Weddings, Broken Hart Ranch - Bozeman, Chico Hot Springs - Pray, Destinations, Discovery Cafe - Hope, Featured, Montana, Montana Weddings, Rocking TJ Ranch, Settings, Springhill Pavilion, Bozeman, MT, The Woodlands - Bozeman, Types, Venues, Weddings, Y Knot Barn, Yellowstone Country WeddingsIt is with great pride that I present my Best of 2015 Wedding Photos from Greener Visuals!
As the final hours of the year countdown, I find myself looking back on my client’s wedding photos I made over this past year with a smile and a lot of gratitude.
I feel fortunate to have been able to document and celebrate my wedding clients during their special events. I have a lot of fun telling stories with photographs and I am so thankful for their support.
This past year I traveled all over southwest Montana to photograph weddings. Each new venue set the stage for me to explore and get creative documenting candid moments that told the story of my client’s wedding day. This past wedding season kept me busy. I was on a quest for good light and color. The changing outdoor color schemes of the seasons were my muse at the moment.
Here are a few of my Best of 2015 Wedding photographs that I made in the past year. Now booking for the 2016 wedding season. I’m looking forward to the new smiles and faces I’ll meet and photograph in the new year. Happy holidays everyone! -Mike Greener
I’m proud to present my Best of 2014 Wedding Photographs from Greener Visuals!
Another year has gone by and another chance for reflection on all the blessings and celebrations I was fortunate to experience and photograph in 2014. Time truly flies when you are having fun. My passion for photographing destination weddings brought me all over the country this year including to Davis and Chico, California, Idaho, and numerous wedding celebrations throughout Montana. All were unique and special.
I was thrilled to learn the news that Montana this past year joined the ranks of 35 other states to allow same-sex marriages. A good decision that was a long time coming. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to love and marry who they choose. Progress march on!
I am so thankful for all of my wedding couples who trusted me to deliver a fun, photographic experience. It was an honor to be a part of your special day. Here are a few of my Best of 2014 Wedding photographs I made from the past year. Looking forward to the new smiles and faces I’ll meet and photograph in 2015. This wedding photographer is open for business! Now booking for the 2015 wedding season. Happy holidays everyone! -Mike Greener
Happy 2014 everybody! What a year! I feel very fortunate. Rounding off my second year being based back in Bozeman, Montana, I feel like I have really come into my own on many fronts – creatively, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Most importantly it was a year for me to realize just how much I love doing what I do. I had the great fortune to photograph weddings in Charleston, South Carolina, Vail, Colorado, and through out Montana. A big thank you to all of my wedding clients from this past 2013 wedding season. Wish you guys all the best and thank you for letting Greener Visuals Wedding Photography be apart of your wedding day celebration. Here are a few of my favorite wedding images from the past year. Looking forward to the new smiles and faces I’ll meet and photograph this year. Stay tuned! -Mike Greener