Tag Archive for: Greener Visuals Photography
A week ago, I photographed The Woodlands rainy wedding day of Shannon and Liam outside Bozeman, Montana.
It has been lovely getting to know this couple and their five-year-old husky/shepherd, Iroh, over the past year.
Shannon and Liam met in Monterey Bay, California in the Fall of 2014. What started off as a friendship, quickly blossomed into a strong relationship. Together, they have been exploring the world together ever since. As an introvert, Liam loves Shannon’s extrovert energy. She cares so much about her relationships with others. She is loving and fits perfectly into his family dynamics. He admires her moral compass and how it constantly helps him navigate toward the right decisions.
Shannon loves how Liam truly understands her. He has helped her grow as a person and gives endless support to her. He keeps her accountable and showers her with love and patience.
Last summer I photographed their Mount Ellis trailhead engagement portraits in Bozeman. If one thing was clear, this couple was head over heels for one another and they were so excited for their approaching wedding day.
With friends and family traveling in from California and New Jersey, this engaged couple wanted a venue that could accommodate all of the fun.
They choose to celebrate their wedding day at The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon under the guidance of their wedding planner, Events by Killian.
The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon offered plenty of space for the wedding party to get ready – girls upstairs, gentlemen downstairs. The venue also offered plenty of space for the wedding guests to take shelter in a pinch.
Right before the wedding ceremony was to begin, a rainstorm came through that forced everyone to leave their ceremony seats.
As it turned out no amount of water could dampen the spirits of this group. Forward-thinking from the talented wedding vendors provided guests with clear umbrellas before the ceremony, just in case. The Woodlands Rainy Wedding didn’t phase anyone in attendance. After a brief delay, everyone returned to the outdoor lawn ceremony site for a heartfelt exchange of Shannon and Liam’s wedding vows under sunny skies.
Smiling ear to ear, Shannon and Liam welcomed their guests for a reception evening filled with great BBQ from Just a Taste Catering and the good tunes from Catered Rhythms DJ coaxed the wedding guests into dancing all night long. It was a really fun evening with everyone. Here are some of my favorite moments from Shannon and Liam’s wedding day.
I’m excited for these two and wish them a lifetime of happiness! -M
Wedding Vendors for Liam and Shannon’s Wedding Day
Venue: The Woodlands at Cottonwood Canyon
Wedding Planner: Events by Killian
Photography: Greener Visuals Photography
Catering: Just A Taste Catering
Rentals: Montana Party Rentals
Bartender: Jade Pierce Bartending Services
Dessert: Sweet Pea Bakery
Entertainment: Catered Rhythms
Florals: Bouquets and More
Videography: Cosmic Cine
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Late this summer, I had the pleasure of photographing the Chico Hot Springs family portraits of Annie and Erik in Paradise Valley.
Annie and Erik have been married for seven years and have made a comfortable life together in Louisville, Kentucky. They both love an excuse to travel. Frequently they take advantage of the summer months to road trip across the country. Over the past three years, Erik and Annie have found solace and joy in vacationing with their two dogs, Wallace and Davis, in Southwest Montana. They also make an annual stop to stay at the historic Chico Hot Springs in Pray, Montana.
In Erik’s eyes, Annie makes everything in his life better.
He admires how she intuitively reacts to help others in a time of struggle. He loves how positive a person she is. At times when his attitude can be “a stick in the mud,” Annie is there to bring him back to a place of calmness with a smile on his face – especially when she has baked one of her trademark pies.
Annie loves how taken care of she feels in her life with Erik. As an engineer, his intelligence and handy ability to fix all the things around the house is a gift she does not take lightly. His affection and dependability make her feel loved every day. Sharing family-orientated mindsets, both feel supported, strengthened, and grateful for the love they share.
After a recent family tragedy, this year’s trip to Paradise Valley in southwest Montana held a special need to heal. It would be a time to decompress and be present with one another after the past year of grief.
To mark the occasion, they decided to hire me to document their family portrait experience. Annie and Erik wanted family photographs that highlighted their love of each other and their dogs in a place that has meant so much to them.
Joined by her father and stepmother, Tom and Sherri, we hiked and explored the mountainous hillsides around the Yellowstone River during the “golden hour” of the setting sun. It made for quite a beautiful backdrop for their family photographs. From there we headed to Chico Hot Springs to catch the remaining sunlight and then into the bar for some cocktails and family storytelling.
This family has been through so much and it was wonderful to connect with them, create some lovely family portraits, and bring out their smiles. These are some of my favorite photos from our time together. I look forward to seeing this family in Montana soon, -M
Last summer I photographed the Mount Ellis trailhead engagement portraits of my wedding clients, Shannon and Liam.
It has been just lovely getting to know this couple and their five-year-old husky/shepherd, Iroh, over the past year.
This couple met in Monterey Bay, California in the Fall of 2014 and they have been exploring the world together ever since.
Now living in Bozeman, these two wanted their couples portrait experience to highlight one of their many outdoor activities together – walking trails with their dog, Iro. We explore the mountain landscape that was littered with yellow arrowleaf balsamroot wildflowers during their trailhead engagement portraits. In the spirit of celebrating, they carried up a bottle of champagne to watch the sunset over Bozeman from a great view at Mt. Ellis. It was a view that was pretty hard to beat. Here are some of their favorite moments from the day.
Now on the eve of their wedding day, it’s time to pop the champagne once again! Shannon and Liam are about to get married!
Looking forward to celebrating and It promises to be a great time.
I could not be more excited for these two and for their wedding day tomorrow. Let the celebration begin!
A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of photographing KELLY & SCOTT wedding. their celebration took place at Roy’s Barn Belgrade, Montana.
I met Kelly and Scott back when the pandemic first began through my Bozeman Front Porch Project. Kelly and Scott dated for the past 12 years. These two research scientists found a lovely balance working and living in Montana with their two German Shorthaired Pointers. Both are passionate about their careers and adamant about surrounding themselves with the community of friends they’ve fostered in Bozeman. They describe themselves as “chatty introverts at heart” and treasure spending time hiking and hunting Montana’s wide open spaces with their pups.
Kelly accepted a faculty position at UC Merced this past spring. Suddenly, wedding planning coincided with packing up their home for the anticipated move. Happily, their wedding celebration was the perfect opportunity to bring friends and family together, and be the grand finale to their Montana experience.
It has been a joy getting to know Scott and Kelly over the last few years. Kelly pushes Scott to be better, really understands him, and supports his outdoor passions. Scott feels so lucky and grateful that he can often share those experiences with her. When thinking about how Scott elevates her life, Kelly really appreciates his patience, which can be challenging for her. “He always can calm me down,” said Kelly.
She continued, “I love that I have this peaceful feeling that I’m enough and don’t have to change who I am.”
Their intimate, DIY wedding was hosted among the friendly confines of Roy’s Barn in Belgrade, Montana. Set against the Bridger Mountain range, the charming, big, red barn and its mature trees provided cool shade. Guests played yard games and were protected by the strong storm, wind, and rain that quickly blew through. Kelly and Scott created a relaxed atmosphere that emphasized a candid, good time with their loved ones. Everyone savored a delicious BBQ spread and homemade desserts from the bride. The property offered us a wide variety of photo locations. We explored and played in and around the teal color of an old Ford 100 truck on loan from a family friend. Afterwards, as the sun set, the DJ cranked the music as the wedding party transitioned from dinner to celebration. Everyone enthusiastically danced and sang into the night.
You could not have asked for a nicer day and a sweeter couple. I’m excited for Kelly and Scott and wish them nothing but happiness on the road ahead. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M
To view all of the fun photos from Kelly and Scott’s wedding day, click here.
Back In late August, I traveled up to the Flathead Valley in northwest Montana to photograph The Nest on Swan River Wedding Day of Lisa and Thomas.
While Lisa is originally from Montana, this couple resides in Hawaii with their children. They wanted to have their wedding celebration in the culture of her home state.
For these two newlyweds, their shared love of country music quickly fostered a strong bond between them when they met in January of 2019. They’ve been singing and dancing together ever since.
During the build up to their wedding day, I got to know these two and what they cherished about their relationship. Both commented on how perfect they felt for one another and their mutual down to earth approach to life. As Thomas puts it, “God put her in my life for the better.”
Thomas loves how her sparklely personality and great sense of humor is enhanced by her thoughtfulness towards others. Lisa has a charming humility that teases out the best in the people around her. He loves seeing her engage and love his three children from a previous relationship as her own. Lisa smiled as she told me about Thomas’s big, marshmallow heart. “He’s so intelligent and spiritual. I love how we can both express our values and ideals to eachother,” she recounted, “He cares so much about my feelings and is so loyal to me and the kids.”
While the surfable waves of Hawaii were absent, The Nest on Swan River Wedding was the perfect setting for their waterside wedding day.
When it came to their wedding plans, Lisa and Thomas wanted to have a relaxing, peaceful time with their friends and family along the water. The versatility of their The Nest at Swan River provided the perfect backdrop. As the bridal parties got ready, their guests enjoyed walking the lush riverside property. Everyone was enjoying the lovely late summer Montana weather. Some guests even assisted the curious local whitetail deer to forage apples on the property. Their lovely, intimate wedding ceremony was held under the tree canopy shade surrounded by their loved ones.
As the sun set over the Swan River, their focus transitioned into a classic Montana celebration. Wild game appetizers paired with great local microbrew beer enticed their wedding guests. The conversation and laughter flowed. Despite a leg injury that limited the groom’s mobility, he traded his usual dance moves for singing on stage. Backed up great live music tunes from the Band of Drifters, Thomas performed a variety of his songs for his new bride. Soon after dinner the band got people twirling back out on the dance floor.
It was a lovely Montana evening enjoyed by all.
Here are some favorite photographs I made through out Lisa and Thomas’ wedding day. It was such a fun event and I was so excited to be apart of their wedding celebration. -M
To view all of the photos from Lisa and Thomas’ wedding day, click here.
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of setting up my Photo Booth at Headwaters Ranch for their annual MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH.
For the annual Mother’s Day brunch celebration at Headwaters Ranch, over 250 families gathered dressed in their Sunday best clothing, to honor and celebrate the wonderful women in their lives. during . Over the years, I’ve photographed numerous weddings at this lovely Three Forks, Montana wedding venue. The venue asked me to participate in this year’s event, I was happy to set up my photo booth for families to play in.
I love creating opportunities to bring out the best versions of people.
That’s one reason I love the spontaneous creativity that Photo Booth at Headwaters Ranch provided. They are a wonderful invitation to get goofy for extroverts and introverts alike. Guests started their experience with a delicious breakfast buffet provided by Cinnamon and Sage Catering. From there, the kids and their parents curiously wandered over to the photo booth and completely leaned into playful, self-expression. I loved seeing how the kids would play and then drag their family members into the fun. Nothing pleases me more than watching all the smiles on the faces of photo booth participants after they leave it.
After a year like 2020, these families had a lot to celebrate this Mother’s Day and they made the most of the creative occasion. We all had a lot of fun.
These are some of my favorites photo booth photos from the day.
To see all of the fun photos, follow this link to view the online gallery.
I’m so glad I could be apart it. -M
The other day I had the pleasure of photographing the Peet’s Hill Couples Portrait Experience of Jenny and Cooper in downtown Bozeman, Montana.
During their busy lives working in Bozeman, these two often find relaxation and solace with their dogs, Dalia and Mr. Krill, during their frequent hikes along their favorite Bozeman in-town trailhead. For their Peet’s Hill couples portrait photographic experience, we wanted to highlight a place that was important in their relationship. Peet’s Hill was a perfect choice. On a lovely early May evening, we set out on the trail. An opportunity to celebrate this time in their lives together and make some fun photos.
These two have been dating for the past four years. From the moment you meet them, it’s clear that these two compliment each other so well. They have such a playful way about them and in conversation each commented on the absolute kindness of the other. For Cooper, he reveled at just how much fun they have together. He said he loves Jenny’s strength, her go-all-in passion for her art, and her ability to care deeply for the relationship and their friends.
“The way she approaches her life is so heartfelt and pure,” recalled Cooper, “She’s just so wonderful.”
For Jenny, she absolutely cherishes Cooper’s contagious enthusiasm for life and admires his ability to talk to anyone. Cooper’s social skillset has helped her feel more comfortable to open her own life more to others. As a result, he has positively impacted her growth into the best version of herself. Jenny loves Cooper’s commitment to being a role model. His passion for others shows when he is coaching free ride skiing to his twelve to eighteen-year-olds students. Most importantly, Cooper has a unique ability to make her feel safe. His kind presence empowers and allows her to let go of past shame. Such a gift from a loving partner.
With high spirits, we explored Peet’s Hill Park and played with their dogs as the sun set behind the Madison Mountains to the west. These are some favorite photos we created during out time together.
I loved getting to know these two and discovering all that they loved about each other and their relationship. I’m looking forward to photographing their wedding celebration at the Star M Barn venue in late August this year. Congrats to the newly engaged couple! -M
I had the pleasure of photographing the Triple Tree Trail Family Portrait Experience of Lexi and Dan in Bozeman, Montana.
The couple’s sweet young boys were full of energy and up for some exploration. Lexi and Dan were keen to document their young family’s adventurous spirit. They were growing up so fast, and the parents wanted to document this time in their family’s life.
The Fall colors made for the perfect backdrop for their Triple Tree Trail Family Portrait family session. With their chocolate Labrador in tow, together we went for a hike along the popular Bozeman hiking spot and documented the fun along the way.
Here are some of my favorite photos we made during our afternoon together. -M
Family portraits from afar to raise money for those in need.
This past weekend, ten gracious Bozeman families participated in theย Bozeman Front Porch Project to celebrate their loved ones, be a part of a community art project, and raise money to support theย Bozeman Area Community Foundation during this unsettling time in our community and country.
As a self-employed photography business owner navigating the uncertainty of theย COVID-19 virus, I wanted to create a little something to uplift the mood for local families and support our incredibly hard-working not-for-profits in town while we collectively maintain safety with social distancing.
While our normal lives have been turned into a holding pattern itโs important to remember that โ Love is not cancelled. Friendships are not canceled. Emotional support is not canceled.
With all the uncertainty and fear circulating around. I wanted to change the narrative to focus on the positives that are still around us.
I wanted to create a reminder of all the good things these families have to celebrate in their lives.
We are all doing our part to change the curve of our predicament. We can also safely from afar give ourselves permission to celebrate the people who give our lives meaning.
Family is everything and is worth celebrating right now.
These precious moments of togetherness with our families, loved ones, and pets โ our relationships, are what matter most.
The love and support we give and receive from others will help us all get through these times of difficulty.
It’s through our shared, sheltered experience, that we can still foster connections and our combined communityโs resilience.
Right from the start, the health and safety of every one were at the forefront of importance for me.
Stay-at-home directives started last weekend for Montana byย Gov. Steve Bullock. I’ve been personally exercising stringent social distancing practices while closely monitoring new developments.
In the end, under my already stringent safety measures, I decided to continue forward. By photographing everyone from afar with my telephoto lens (on average at least 20 feet), we created some really genuine fun family portraits.
Like the week before, the outpouring of support from the Bozeman community was incredible.
I am happy to announce that together this past weekend we raised $500.00 that will be donated to the Bozeman Area Community Foundation!
I feel so thankful for all of the generous donations to this giving organization. Iโm proud to be a part of our Bozeman community of helpers and look forward to a time when we can put this challenge in our rearview mirrors.
Thank you to all the wonderful families that participated in the Bozeman Front Porch Project!
Stay safe, stay healthy and soak up this time with your loved ones.
When this storm passes, Iโll be here to help you showcase everything you love about your family relationships during your own custom family photographic experience.
Together, we are all going to get through this. -Mike Greener
P.S. As a candid, creative family photographer, I canโt help but capture a moment if itโs happening in front of me. Here are a few bonus photos that I liked from my weekend of giving back.
Last weekend I photographed the Salem Connecticut Destination Wedding celebration of Knikka and Greg on her family’s property.ย
This was a special wedding for me.
I came to know Knikka years ago while working as a photojournalist for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. At the time, she was a young parent raising a child and about to have another, I followed her and her family as part of a documentary story for the newspaper.
What started out as an assignment, turned into a friendship.
As the years have gone by, I’ve remained in touch with Knikka. I’ve even gotten to know her family members during their frequent visits to Montana over the years. They are wonderful people.
Through her family grapevine, I heard the news of her engagement to Greg. I was thrilled when they reached out to ask me to be their wedding photographer and was over the moon with excitement.
It’s always such a joy for me to document the wedding celebrations of friends.
While I’ve visited NYC and had a life-changing experience at the Eddie Adams workshop upstate, I have never visited New England.
It was time to remedy that.
This destination wedding would serve as a chance to photograph and celebrate two amazing individuals in a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
The wedding day took place on Knikka’s large family property. It’s an old farm homestead that’s settled amongst the historic Connecticut countryside outside of Salem.ย Their fall wedding was timed perfectly with the peak Fall colors of the trees.
Greg and Knikka’s DIY wedding had all the custom touches of a tasteful, rustic wedding shaped by their own personal styles.
The newlywed’s friends and community all contributed making everything special for the bride and groom. Everything from cakes and bread pudding to the homemade smoked BBQ, antique table settings, and the elaborate outdoor scene.
It was a hoot. For their Salem Connecticut Destination Wedding, the newlyweds even hired a minstrel band in costume to entertain the festivities at their themed wedding.
Here are some favorite photographs from their wedding day festivities.
I could not be more excited for these two. Congrats my friends! Cheers to a lifetime of happiness! -M
A few weeks back, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Green Oaks Creek Wedding Sangeet of Marit and Samir outside Santa Cruz, California.
Marit and Samir are dear friends of mine. It was an honor when they asked me to document their hybrid Jain and Jewish multicultural wedding weekend celebration. The experience was a complete joy to be a part of.
For this couple, they wanted a wedding highlighting all the important aspects of their lives – honoring their numerous religious traditions, celebrating of their family and friends, and a dedication to ethical green practices.
The best weddings are where the wedding couple creates an experience that uniquely reflects their shared interests and values.ย
Being surrounded by so many of my favorite people, it was bound to be an incredibly fun weekend event.
We started the celebration on Thursday with Marit and her female family members getting their traditional bridal mehndi artwork by the talented Modern Mehndi.ย
Saturday marked the welcome wedding Sangeet celebration before the actual wedding on Sunday. Marit and Samir hosted their wedding festivities at the peaceful Green Oaks Creek Farm, a beautiful organic farm north of Santa Cruz, California.ย
The premise of the Sangeet is not only to kick off the wedding festivities but more importantly, to join their two families from Texas and Chicago. The goal was to create a space that they could familiarize themselves with one another prior to the big wedding day.
What better way to do so than through laughter, song, food trucks, and dancing.
Everything with their Green Oaks Creek Wedding Sangeet went off without a hitch due to the careful guidance and care of wedding planner Aimee Newlander, of Weddings by Aimee.ย
Relatives and friends of the bride and groom performed music, taught line dancing, ate delicious food on compostable dishware, and gave toasts of good wishes. Then we danced and danced some more.
The warmest congratulations to the bride and groom Marit and Samir!
Here are a few of my favorites from the evening.ย
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I’m working hard on finishing up their wedding day photos. Stay tuned for more…-M
Fellow Vendors:
Venue: Green Oaks Creek Farm
Wedding Coordinator: Weddings by Aimee
Wedding Photographer: Greener Visuals Photography
Food: Gerard’s Paella, Wah Jee Wah Street Food, & Wood Fire Woodie pizza.
Live Music: Pallavi Mehta & accompaniment, from Soor Academy
A week ago, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding of Courtney and Josh.
On a cool August sunny day, their small intimate Countryside Bozeman Montana Wedding was held at her father’s property here in the Gallatin Valley.
I met Courtney and her family a few years back when I photographed her sisterย Jennyโs wedding celebrationย here in Bozeman.
While Courtney and Josh have only been dating for the last two years, they have known each other since they were twelve years old. Josh admitted that he had a life-long crush on her when they were growing up together in Bozeman.
As they were coming of age, he was her first kiss. They stayed friends.
Years later, they reconnected and began cultivating a stronger bond with one another. For her, it was his unconditional support and selflessness. For him, he loves her confidence, intelligence, and nurturing presence.
Over the last six months, it’s been great getting to know these two even more and discovering what they love most about each other and their relationship.
After getting to know these two this past year and photographing their portrait photographic experience, it was wonderful to see these two lovebirds say their vows and celebrate at their countryside Bozeman Montana wedding.
Surrounded by family and friends, they spent the evening eating great food and dancing the night away.
Here are some favorite wedding photos from their wedding day. I could not be more happy for these two. Congrats to the newlyweds! -M
A few weeks back, I photographed the Bozeman Holy Rosary Church Wedding of Cassie and Justin and their wedding reception at Bridger Bowl Ski Resort.
After dating for the past eight years, Cassie and Justing wanted to say their vows during their Holy Rosary Church Wedding surrounded by the most important people in their lives. Their celebration after the ceremony would be amongst the mountainous backdrop of Southwest Montana at a place they both love so much, Bridger Bowl Ski Area.
For many of their family members (coming from Florida, Maine, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington) their wedding weekend would be the first chance to see the place the newlyweds have called home for the last few years.
After an unusually soggy Spring and Summer in Southwest Montana this year, we had high hopes of avoiding the recent rain weather patterns. Alas, on a Saturday in mid-July, the rain found us.
Luckily, it just so happened that Cassie and Justin’s wedding ceremony and reception were preemptively planned for a rainy day – they had an indoor Catholic mass ceremony at the church and then lovely intimate reception at the Bridger Bowl mid-mountain lodge.
The rain couldn’t keep us down.
We celebrated indoors at both locations by dancing, eating crusted trout and elk tenderloin (delicious!), and playing in the Greener Visuals Photobooth.ย Many of their guests had taken advantage of the close proximity of Yellowstone National Park and were telling stories of their recent adventures. It was a lovely evening in a great place with good people.
I could not be more excited for these two. Congrats to the newlyweds Cassie and Justin! -M
I welcome and support everyone.
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