hey hey

These sweet babes just wanted a day of adventure + sharing vows in a space that took a little more effort to get to it. We didn’t anticipate rain, but the rain came. We debated on whether we wanted to hike as far as we were thinking or not and said let’s just go for it.

We hopped on board the boat at the hotel in Many Glacier in Glacier National Park and rode across the lake, hiking up and over a little hill and onto another boat deeper into the mountains. The rain still steadily fell and we started to make our way though a little marsh up the mountain aways until we had a beautiful view of the lake below, mountains around us and a couple glaciers in the distance. Chantelle’s shoes + the bottom of her dress brown from the mud on the trail. Her and Andrew held hands and shared their vows to each other. A few tears and a lot of laughter they promised to forever there in the beauty of mother nature.

We danced our way down the mountain. Soaking wet. Running through the marsh and taking photos all along the path as we walked back to the hotel along the lakes instead of getting on the boat.

There is something really special about making an adventure of their I Do’s. An afternoon they’ll never forget, not just because they got married but all that happened in their getaway. The views, the wildlife, nature, the rain, a whole new experience in a new place they’d never been before. It’ll be the most special place to them now to return to in the years to come.

Cheer’s to you two + many more adventures to come!!

I can’t wait to do more hiking + exploring with more couples on their wedding day after seeing this beauty, even on a rainy day!

Xx, J.

You can do anything you want with your wedding. It’s YOUR wedding. But with elopements you can really do whatever the hell you want haha. You can take all the time in the world sharing your vows, or have the simplest short and sweet ceremony ever. You can adventure or take it chill. Hiking, boating, chillin’ at the beach or in your own house or backyard, a random park. Can stop by your fave bar and get a burger or pizza or camp the night away. Whatever you want! You aren’t hosting anyone, no one’s waiting on you. You are literally free to do ANYTHING. One of the things my couples eloping have started doing is having a little picnic and it’s amazing!

Emily + Jax took their officiant and I to this spot in the Beartooth Mountains of Southwestern Montana, we parked along the road and they said ok up the hill! So we hiked up this hill right on the side of the road with their sweet pup and once we got to the top it was the most beautiful views!!! They just happened upon this spot once and this became it!

They chose to read each others vows! It was something I’d never seen before and so sweet and emotional for them to each read aloud the words the other had written for them. Their dog roamed around and sat beside them at times. They promised forever and opened the cooler for some whiskey to cheers to that!!

We wandered down to a field of sagebrush as the sun tried to shine through the storm clouds but the snow dusted mountains were just visible. They danced in the field and then sat together taking it all in with a homemade meat + cheese board put together on the tailgate of the truck and a couple Modelo’s. And the pup sneaked some snacks too.

It was absolute perfection + so true to them. There isn’t anything more a couple really wants. 

Cheers babes!

Xx, J

I know I always say this couple is one of my faves cause they’re all my faves but somehow I swear they are haha. Sasha + Josh decided to elope on Maui and asked me to join them and photograph their day and that was amazing! But then months later Sasha emailed and said ok we’re doing the real deal for the fam + friends what do you think about industrial Atlanta? Next thing I know I’m headed to the King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta!!!

And to top it off they were planning a Jewish ceremony. I LOVE JEWISH WEDDINGS!! They are actually my favorite. They’re the perfect amount of tradition, family, commitment + a good does of LETS PARTY. 

They got ready at the incredible Hotel Clermont. Ran into each other in the hotel hallway and finished getting ready together. At the King Plow Arts Center they had set up a stunning chuppah in an old brick building lit only with candlelight. They’re little girl joined us and we took some of the cutest photos outside with her. Then took a moment with their fam + inner circle to sign the ketubah and then had a beautiful ceremony with all their favorite people. They walked back down the aisle again together with their little girl. Just pure magic! 

The room was transformed into the most incredible romantic candlelight layout by Pearl and Sky Events. The chuppah became home to the most amazing dessert spread. Tables filled with flowers and glitz. Greenery hanging from chandeliers. They ate, drank, laughed so SO much and danced and partied the night away. It was so fun and exciting I actually cracked my shin on a chair and limped for weeks lol. Pretty sure I hairline fractured it so that’s a fun party! #success

So grateful for these two! Trusting me with their special moments twice on opposite ends of the country. ILY.

Xx, J

These two are so incredibly in love + there isn’t a person on the planet who can deny their connection. A rando on the street would say they were made for each other only seeing them for 1 second. They have the best hearts and surround themselves with the most amazing people.

Trina dreamed of a winter wonderland wedding at her family’s house by the river outside of Missoula MT. A ceremony in the trees with the white snow everywhere and then a clear tent to dance the night away in. Well when the day arrived the weather had another plan!! The temps dropped so low it was crazy cold so last minute they decided to keep everyone comfortable to move everything into the tent and do the ceremony and reception in there. It turned out perfectly!! They had the sweetest vows as their pup laid right down the aisle haha. He actually stepped on the back of Trina’s dress and veil as she was walking down the aisle to Shane, it was hilarious! Love their dog being a part of the whole day!

They looked absolutely incredible, toasts were had, a live band, dancing all night, some singing + playing from Shane + his best man! Mo Club came out and made us burgers in a snowstorm! It was epic!

The day went by in a flash and we came up with this idea of snagging lanterns from the walk way and shooting out in the trees after the sun had gone down since they didn’t get to have their ceremony down there and it was so fun. Such a good little challenge to work outside of normal daylight and sunset but to create in a way we don’t normally and the images are so beautiful! I wanna try this again!

I spent 3 days photographing these two and the events leading up to their day and their day after brunch and I just adore them, their family + friends. I wanna do it all over again! Can’t wait to photograph these babes again this summer for something else 😉 Just wait!!

Xx, J

My first phone call with David + Justin I spent the whole time laughing getting to know them, their story, family dynamics, + all the shenanigans to get them + their friends from Cali to Montana for a weekend of fun. I was so stoked to finally hug them on their wedding day I ran down to a little cabin they were getting ready in and almost burst in as David showered in this open shower area lol. Justin saved the day hahaha. 

I’m obsessed with these two. Absolutely. They planned this beautiful wedding at White Raven outside of Missoula, MT. They brought at least a dozen ties each and we stood there for a good 5 minutes going through them all and deciding which one they’d each wear. Davids belt was too long so he cut it off in the sink as we laughed he just cut $20 off his designer belt LOL. 

They’re so funny and so sweet. Watching them getting ready together. Perfecting each other. Sharing little jokes. They wrote some of the most amazing vows I’ve ever heard. I even cried! The best drinks were shared. I created absolute shenanigans in the field at sunset as they told me how ridiculous I was making them be, haha but they’re so effing cute I can’t stand it.

They had they best night of music. So good that when I was done shooting I slammed my face with the best cherry pie I’ve ever had, and I typically don’t like cherry pie, and then danced the night away with them. All the best 90’s hits and a sparkler exit to Kygo + Whitney Houston. I stayed til just about every guest was gone chatting with them. They sent me off with mugs I actually use once a week and promises I’ll come to Cali to visit, and I’m freakin’ gonna!!!Justin + David, you’ve greatly touched my heart!!

Xx forever, J.

Glacier is huge, it really is. And there is sooooo much you can’t see by driving there. There’s one area though that you can drive to but it doesn’t get as much traffic, Polebridge and the the North Fork area. It’s a little bit of a longer trek and dirt road part of the way that people kinda shy away from it. So when Meredith told me she wanted to head up there to Bowman Lake I was so intrigued!

Meredith + Austen are from the big island of Hawaii and were coming to Montana for little conference for Austen and then gonna road trip down to Wyoming. But they thought you know let’s elope in Glacier! She got online and just fell for Bowman Lake. We talked about all if it they’d never been to the park so she thought ok we’ll try to go into Glacier and look around when we can. They didn’t get a chance with the conference and she messaged say yea whatever lets go to Bowman. So we did! 

I adore these two. They didn’t want all the things and all the images in all the places or photos individually. They just wanted to have an incredible moment together in a new + glorious place and images to preserve that moment. It was like a breath of fresh air to photograph them just being.

They shared the most incredible vows and we wandered a few places as they took in the majestic views around them and held each other tight. Not making a production or real direction of anything. Just being in the moment for a couple hours. And in the end they were sooooooo appreciative of us just being there to preserve their moments together. So simple, beautiful and so powerful. I could do with more of that!

Xx, J.

These sweet babes had a wedding vision of them + Glacier National Parks mountain views in the back. To dance on the shore line in one of the most heavenly places on earth. But it was also important to them to have their family and close friends with them + to create something that was more accommodating for everyone’s needs. 

I hear this A LOT.

Glacier is kinda out of the way. And it’s a national park so it’s not a cheap place for everyone to travel to and visit. Accommodations are limited. Full wedding + reception options inside the park are limited (more like possible if you’re game for a twist but not possible for the regular ceremony + party all night under the stars with dinner catered). I regularly talk with couples trying to make it work for everyone and not lose sight of what they want to.

Good news! There is a way to do it. There is actually a few ways to do it. Allison + Brandon chose one of the ways 🙂

Allison + Brandon brought their family to beautiful Whitefish MT. A fun ski + outdoor town with little shops and restaurants and a village at Whitefish Resort. A little something from everyone and a half and hour or so from the Glacier National Park.

I met up with them at the resort while they were getting ready with their friends and fam. They didn’t want to make the first look a big thing and I can appreciate that. So they met outside the lodges to say hi, embrace and then said LET’S DO THIS! We all headed for the park. 

They walked along the shore of Lake McDonald, danced, and took in the views, embraced in forest and crawled down the rocks to the creeks with deep blue color. We played music the whole time and they just lived in moment of time just the two of them before their ceremony with family and friends. It was beautiful and magical and just what they were wanting.

We made our way back to Whitefish Resort and it was POURING rain the whole drive. It rained so hard they shut down the chairlift that was supposed to take us up to the top for their ceremony. And 10 minutes after we got there the rains stopped and we made our way where they shared personal vows with each other in front of their loved ones with mountain views in every direction.

Everyone was a part of their special day. And although its not your typical gig to drive about an hour and half in the middle of the day to experience the park if you want to, it’s possible. 😉 You can have it all!

Xx, J.

Haylee grew up just outside Glacier National Park and spent much of her life going into the park and exploring. She’s especially fond of Many Glacier. That area is just UNREAL views. She went off to Wyoming for college and there she met Sam. The rest is pretty much history. They’ve moved to his hometown in Washington so whenever she gets to come home she’s dying to get back into the park and explore. So there was nowhere else on the planet she wanted wedding photos.

They planned a small wedding with their family members at the local church and dinner with the fam. Not a big celebration, more on the informal side but she needed to have wedding photos still. So a couple days before their ceremony I met up with them in Many Glacier at sunset so we could have all the time and freedom to shoot magic.

These are easily some of my favorite photos to date. And honestly so many are just unintentional beautiful accidents! I was so in the zone and low key FREAKING OUT I was just shooting like crazy and not even paying attention to lighting and settings. Just so lost in the moment. When I went through the photos on my computer I just kept asking myself what on earth were you doing?!??! But this is AMAZING!!!!

I think sometimes as creatives we can get in our own way with our creative ideas. This we want to achieve and our focus is so narrowed in on that. Not intentionally we just know what we want to happen and we’re gonna get there. But if we can loosen up a little and enjoy the ride as we create that vision ohmygosh there is SO much magic in that. Since Haylee + Sam this has been a goal at each shoot, to remind myself it’s cool to be in the zone but don’t let the zone block your peripheral views 😉

So cheers to these two and living in the moment of my full blown hyperventilation of a shoot lol!

Xx, J.

I’m obsessed with engagement shoots. I just recently started doing more and I’m so excited about it. So many of my couples are destination couples coming here for their wedding or bringing me to them so in the past we often haven’t seen each other in the flesh til the day of their wedding lol. But lately I’ve been getting more and more local couples with I LOVE and have so many amazing couples that don’t live here still investing in engagement photos and coming here or bringing me to them somewhere in the world. Engagement sessions are just pure and simple FUN. No agenda, no timeline, just the coolest people in a an awesome with pretty light and usually some drinks!

Jamie said her and Emery love the mission mountains outside St Ignatius MT so she thought it’d be nice if they could be in view in some of the images but didn’t care where. So one night I picked them up. We hit up the truck stop outside town for white claws and drove 45 minutes out of town rambling the whole way about who knows what haha. Then I just turned off the road where the mountains are in view and the sun was setting in another direction. We ran around in the fields, blowing dandelions, experiencing some curious cows, lots of boob + ass grabs, and laughter overflow. 

After the sunset we wandered down to another field to take in the views of this amazing mountain range as they embraced and loved on each other. The perfect way to end the night. These images are sooooo pretty and so full of life. Their sweet love comes through in each one. I flippin’ adore them!!!

I cannot freakin’ wait for their upcoming wedding in her parents backyard its gonna be a beautiful party night!!! So stay tuned for this summer!!

Xx, J.

When you want to get married in an amazing location kinda off the grid and out of the way but you need to have your people with you… that is this wedding! Lorissa + Derrick love Glacier National Park and couldn’t see themselves getting married anywhere else but also needed to have their family and closest friends with them which isn’t always easily accommodating when it comes to national parks but they made it happen!

They chose the lakeshore in Two Medicine as THE spot. Brought out beautiful benches to a quiet little area of the shore near the picnic areas. Mountain views for days and a breeze off the lake as Lorissa walked through the trees with her dad to see Derrick on the shore for the first time that day. They wrote the most beautiful vows as her grandpa officiated their wedding. 

After their sweet ceremony they gathered in the trees and turned up the speaker to have a first dance together with their loved ones gathered around followed by a father-daughter and mother-son dance. I love how small and untraditional it was yet had touches of a traditional celebration. There were drinks and shenanigans with friends as the sun really started to come out.

Then Lorissa, Derrick and I adventured on for photos along the lake, out to a waterfall and then overlooking the whole valley at one of my favorite places in the park. I was actually quite sick and ran out of my normal off the charts energy but these two had the most perfect day they didn’t need my energy to fill the space. They just needed each other which creates the best photos anyway. After taking in sunset on the ridge they ran off as a married couple to meet all their friends and family for dinner at a restaurant. So beautiful, relaxed and perfect! Intimate weddings in off the grid places might be my favorite thing ever.

Xx, J.