Tag Archive for: outdoor portraits

Missouri Breaks State Park Engagement Photo Session

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of heading over to the Three Forks, Montana area to create the Missouri Headwaters State Park Portrait Photographic Experience of Dani and John.

These two were the winning recipients of my Portrait Photographic Experience contest at this year’s 2017 A Montana Wedding Event at The Commons in Bozeman Montana. After learning more about them and their relationship together, we decided to have their portrait experience at one of their favorite places to hike.

It’s a beautiful spot with a mixture of rocky cliffs and grasslands that overlook the confluence of the Jefferson and Madison Rivers where they form the mighty Missouri River.

These two are all set to be married in the summer of 2018 and I couldn’t be more excited for them.

Here are some of my favorites from our time together. -M

 

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing the destination wedding celebration of Heather and Andrew at Chico Hot Springs in the small town Pony, Montana.

Such is the case with early spring weddings in Montana, I was expecting to photograph this wedding in the snow or rain. Alas, when the big day came, we were blessed (by some miracle) with the first sunny 70-degree day of the year. You could not have asked for better weather…well perhaps a little less wind. That’s always a fun challenge. Spirits were held high by all in attendance at their Chico Hot Springs Wedding Day.

Heather and Andrew are amazing people and their family and friends welcomed me with open arms. Such a fun day. Here is a preview of some photo favorites that have stood out in my editing thus far. Many more photos to come. Wishing these newlyweds all the best! Stay tuned for more photos. -M

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