latest project

I am super duper excited for my latest photography fun! My sweet friend Sarah Knecht and I are collaborating food and photography to be published in her cookbook that is due out this summer . . . yay! Since I love everything about food, I am beyond thrilled to continue this project together. This past week I ventured out to her home to photograph some detail shots, as well as Sarah's incredible cakes that she was selling at the Livingston craft show. Here is a little snippet of what you'll be seeing much more of in future posts:



Sarah will also be working her magic at my wedding this summer, and I couldn't be happier to have her deliciousness at our tables. If you are searching for a private chef for your upcoming wedding or event, please call her!

michelle and jordan . . .

This lovely couple of mine were in town from Idaho visiting family and working on some wedding planning for their July nuptials, and we met on a very overcast, chilly Saturday morning this past weekend for their engagement photos. Michelle had an old beach cruiser and brought along some beautiful roses for the basket - so much fun!















I love the relaxed feel of these next two . . .









Stay tuned for these two in wedding attire this July! Happy Monday!

hidden treasures

After a portrait session, engagement shoot, or photographing a wedding day, I get extremely excited to upload, browse, and share the first little chunk of photos that stand out to me . . . and I love just as much when I am finalizing the images, and come across little treasures that didn't stand out to me as much at my first glance. This is a photo from my latest, just-blogged, most fabulous engagement shoot with Amy and Paul. There is nothing I love more than a little mood, emotion, and romance . . .



I will tell you that what I love most about this image is Paul's expression . . . while I direct these moments at times to be able to give the couple a handful of these moodier images, it's so wonderful when they truly make it happen with all of the feeling in the world behind their interaction. Paul's body language shows amazing love and gentleness towards Amy here. Ahhhh. Love.

amy and paul!

Amy and Paul are one of those couples who make you feel so incredibly welcome into their lives that you just cannot wait to spend their wedding day with them, and enjoy every piece of time with them in the meantime! We spent their engagement session frolicking around Bozeman in the mill district and Peet's Hill area - there was some snow still, but the temperature was perfection and so was this couple!



























September can't come soon enough! Much love to you two!

the engagement session

A good amount of clients these days are foregoing an engagement session, and everyone has their own reasons whether it be financial, they don't feel the need, their wedding portraits will suffice, they don't have the time, or they live out of town . . . but for those that want one, here is some good information, feedback and thoughts on the shoot for y'all on this lovely Wednesday!

1. To the photographer, the most important reason to have an engagement shoot is for the opportunity to work together prior to your wedding day. It gives me a sense of how my couples are in front of the camera, and makes me all the more prepared on your wedding day with direction, prompt, or having the knowledge that you two are relaxed, flirtatious, and create a more candid feel to your portraits.

2. To the client, I think it is a fabulous start to your wedding adventure! It is quite different to have a few dozen photographs of the couple in their everyday clothes, whether casual or dressed up, than it is to have your actual wedding photographs in traditional wedding attire. Enjoy having these two different sets of photographs that document you in the blissful engaged stage, as well as the incredible day of your wedding.

3. Casual or dressed up? Both, please! I encourage my clients to bring a change of clothes and nothing makes me happier than an excited bride-to-be wearing a fabulous dress and beautiful heels for this part of the shoot. :) Celebrate being a woman and enjoy! There is something magical that a pair of heels can do for us, isn't there?

4. An engagement photo is perfect to customize your Save-the-Dates if you choose to send those along to your guests!

5. Engagement photos can be incorporated into your wedding style and decor whether it be an engagement photo guest book, a canvas print, or displayed in beautiful frames. Everyone loves to look at pictures, right? :)

6. I love, love, love to watch my couples interact with one another during these shoots because it just makes my heart so happy to see two people in love, and making this commitment . . . what a better way to start off the celebration than to spend an hour or two kissing, canoodling, laughing, hugging and running around together with big, beautiful smiles?

Here is one of my favorite photographs from a beautiful couple I photographed over the weekend . . . stay tuned for the full blog post on this shoot, as well as details and photos of an engagement album that will be offered to all of my past and future couples!

kate and wade are engaged!

One of the most wonderful things that has happened in the past year of my business is letting go of fear, and creating an environment that attracts clients who let me photograph with inspiration and excitement . . . clients with beautiful style and ideas, and who choose ME because on a very important level, they see what my style is. Kate and Wade were a beautiful example of where I've come . . . I am falling in love with the simplicity of a photograph that shows two people in love, beautiful light, good exposure, classy styling, and a couple of elegant props!





















I loved this shoot so much and cannot wait to work with Kate and Wade again on the big day this August! Thank you for being so fabulous you two!

the boersema family

The Boersema family is a beautiful little family who I walked away from feeling so incredibly inspired and joyous, because of this amazing couple . . .



Steve and Vickie are the foundation of the rest of these images. They came to Montana to celebrate the Christmas holiday at the home of their son Nate, his wife Marcia and their beautiful little one, Haven. I know Nate and Marcia as she used to coach my almost-niece's volleyball team, and was very honored when they asked me to document family photos. Steve and Vickie also brought along Heidi and her family, and together the group was so lovely to be around. The above photograph is one I will cherish forever . . . as Steve put his arms around his wife, he looked at me and said proudly, "We've been married for 36 years . . . " and then he burst into tears! It made my heart melt, and Vickie beamed with pride. Although this was the first time I had ever met this couple, I could tell that Vickie's happy, kind and beautiful demeanor was that of a woman who was easy to love. Relationships can be hard and marriages challenging, but I hope I can take mine one day at a time so that in 36 years, Joe tears up, too. :)

Heidi and her family were darling . . . these little girls were so kind, well behaved and polite!



I love, love, love the light in this one . . .



Poor Haven had a bad cold and it was quite chilly out, but I got a few smiles from her. She and her mommy have the most beautiful blue eyes, and Nate is such a wonderful father! He and Haven have shared many snacks with my girls at volleyball games. ;)





It's very important to get mom and dad ALONE when you can! ;)





Cousins!



The beautiful crew . . .



We ended the shoot with a short walk on a gorgeous old bridge. I love how proud and happy Steve looks of his family :)



I received the kindest emails thanking me for these photographs, but it was just as wonderful for me to be there and witness such beautiful moments. I hope 2012 brings nothing but happiness to you all!

michelle and cole: july 29, 2011

Ah, remember those things I photograph called a wedding?! It's true, I have been so distant from my poor little blog and it's all because of a few certain social media websites I like to call Facebook (which is wonderful in how it reaches anyone and everyone and all sorts of new people on a daily basis) and Pinterest (I have become an addict, woops!). It's also the winter season and the photography business is just refreshingly quiet and a wonderful time to get prepped for the season ahead . . . and with that, here is another beautiful 2011 couple of mine, Michelle and Cole, who wed at the Springhill Pavilion on a hot, sunny, perfect day!



I just think these hangers are so darling!















Beautiful girls, gorgeous dresses, and a tractor :)



And an awesome group of guys! LOVED the suspenders!





I loved the decor! Very natural and personal at the same time . . . someone put lots of love into those plants!



A few after-ceremony portraits . . . the stunning bride!





And I will end with the fabulous getaway car :)



It was a perfect day for a very beautiful twosome! Much love and happiness to you both, Michelle and Cole!