hey hey

Vanessa and Matt left Connecticut to visit Glacier National Park and she just wanted engagement photos somewhere in the mountains. Just surround them with mountains. Not a problem in Glacier! I adore these two. She told me so many times that they are so awkward in photos, just totally uncomfortable. I giggle to myself when couples say that. Cause often the couples who think they are so awkward photograph the best. They’re so uncomfortable they just find comfort wrapped in the arms of the one they love or they laugh through the whole thing which really is actually perfect for a photo session haha.

The night before their session my cousin suddenly and tragically passed away. At first I had 2 shoots for this day and figured I could do it. But after only 3 hours of sleep and continuous tears I reached out to my morning couple who were somewhat local and they immediately responded with ‘don’t come we’ll figure this out later.’ But I knew I’d have to pull it together for Vanessa and Matt. They came all the way from Connecticut for this session and they needed it. I reached out to her to just let her know what was going on and my current exhaustion and emotional state. I’m normally a pretty wild one at sessions. So loud, lots of ridiculousness and laughing. But that day was difficult and I knew I had to prepare them for my current state of mind. They were the sweetest, so grateful and so understanding. I showed up totally beat in gym shorts, a tank, no makeup and a puffy crying face. They gave hugs and that whole we’re awkward thing went right out the window as they took the reigns of the shoot with little direction from me and the images are just stunning.

So incredibly grateful for my clients and their sweet generosity and understanding. These two were so in love, all over each other and even had me laughing at times and I’m stoked on the images from it. Not only are they beautiful it’s really them, just them doing their thing. Stunning.

Congratulations to these lovers. So blessed to have this life and these souls to photograph! All my love!!!

XOXO,  J.

These babes have a deep love for the mountains and wildlife so without question once they were engaged and planning a wedding it’d be in Montana. The day before their wedding Brittany text me that she was officially standing in the spot they were going to have their ceremony on the edge of Lake McDonald and it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen and could not wait for the next day.

The next day I met up with them in that spot. Bryan was already down by the lake with their family waiting for some direction on where to be and Brittany waited in the trees. I asked her if she wanted me to set them up on this grassy area in the sun above the shore or down on the rocks at the lake. She said where ever you think the views are best. I had to inform her there were no views that day ahhhhh. Wildfire season had settled in and the smoke from out of state fires had settled into the valley and the mountains were no where to be seen. But assured her I thought we’d see them later as we had planned to drive up higher. Still a beautiful ceremony by the lake. Cause the the views are only bonuses they aren’t what a wedding day is about. They said personal vows to each other as their parents watched and their son through rocks into the lake non stop haha. It was perfect.

We later headed up the pass and sure enough the socked in smoke turned to just a haze as we hiked back a trail to the most amazing overlook. Bighorn sheep running down the mountain. Mountain goats cruising through our photos. Bryan lost his mind. He was on such a high the whole time just being in the mountains but having all the wildlife RIGHT there. On the way down a little black bear walked out in front of my car and Brittany saw her first bear ever. Who cares about the photos there was so much happening haha. Just kidding! The photos are amazing they put in the extra work for killer views and a chance at seeing all these wild animals and the effort is always worth it. It’s pretty from the road but this is so much better.

We had a blast together. I’m so happy they got married the day they did, the next day lightning started a fire just down the lake from their ceremony location and has pretty much shut down that entire side of Glacier National Park since! Timing is everything 😉

XOXO, J.

I first photographed Katie + James a year and a half ago. I had been creating some ideas I wanted to try out and was working on honing in my editing style the way I really wanted it so I threw out a model call to find some couples to try these new ideas with. Katie + James were one of them. And I showed up to the shoot with no memory cards cause I’m smart and had to run to Best Buy and come back haha.

I guess I made up for it at some point cause Katie + James are getting married next year and asked me to photograph their big day!!! SO stoked!  Last month we did their engagement photos in Many Glacier and they are so freakin’ amazing. We had planned to go up there at the beginning of the summer but the weather that day was horrible. It was pouring rain and we decided whatever it’s just rain we’ll go for it. But I was also photographing another couple that day and they were already up in Many Glacier and said the mountains had just been totally socked in all day and mid-drive we all decided nah, the 5 hour drive isn’t worth it if we can’t see mountains! So glad that all worked out that. Not only at the time was I in desperate need of a day at home to stop going for a second but the day we did end up there was perfect weather wise.

These two are just babes and so in love. I love photographing them. And so cool we did this this way. They have some incredible mountain view engagement photos and in May we’re headed to Jamaica for their destination wedding!!!!!! AH!!!!

Until then…

XOXO,  J.

One of the greatest things happened this year when I decided to expand my team. It can be lonely working alone but I also saw some demands + needs within my business. One thing that really got to me was how many weddings I can’t photograph each year just simply because I’m already booked. It crushed me when these couples would message me + say I’ve been following you forever + it’s finally my turn I have to have you + their date is set + I was already booked. This year I added Esther to my team as a lead photographer. First of all she’s the absolute sweetest, why she takes the shit she does from this team I will never know but we tease her relentlessly + she takes it + at times dishes her own back when we never saw it coming haha. She’s been a second photographer of mine for years + been creating her own amazing business. Just as she was about to really launch into her first year of weddings on her own she found out she was pregnant. She’s an incredible mom to her now 1 year old guy + the funnest stepmom to her husband’s 2 girls. I approached her with the idea of joining the team as a lead last fall knowing it’d either be absolutely perfect for her life + biz or it’d be absolutely the wrong deal, hoping not the latter. I’m so stoked she agreed to it + we’ve had the most epic summer EVER as a team.

Heidi + Cory eloped in Many Glacier last month, just the two of them. They booked Esther + this was awesome cause I was actually shooting up there that night as well so we got to go together! Just a few weeks before their plans for an officiant fell through. I reached out to Amanda, our in-house officiant haha. We don’t normally offer her in Esther’s elopement collections to keep her available for the couples I’m working with + she’s also my personal second shooter so to keep her available for that as well. But that day I didn’t need one + Amanda couldn’t imagine the stress that may have been for them to have that come up last minute + jumped in to make their elopement official. She officiated so many elopements this summer + still says that Heidi + Cory had her favorite vows. Their love for each other was clear, they were so heartfelt, their hands together + tears streaming down their faces. I wish I had been there for them!!!!

This ended up so cool as they had all their correspondence with both Esther + I leading up to that day, then I didn’t shoot right away so I met up with them + joined them on the walk out to their ceremony spot chatting the whole way. My other couple + I ran into them a few times shooting around the area constantly yelling how good looking they are + congratulations. Typical, making a scene everywhere we go 😉

Heidi emailed me after to say thank you for everything. She used to be a photographer herself but found herself getting burnt out + uninspired. Which is actually very common in this industry. She moved on to a new chapter in her life. But in her email saying thank you she told me how great the experience was + how inspired she felt that day + has decided to chase after her photographer dreams again. Plan made + in motion! Hearing that is not only an incredible compliment but so inspiring for us as well! That our shenanigans + dream chasing could impact you in just a few hours together to run after that thing your heart desires. Absolutely amazing + so incredibly grateful for these two!

Esther crushed it on their elopement so I wanted to share a few images! For those curious how this team gig works just a rough overview the couple works with us as a team throughout the entire planning process with me in the lead most of time. Esther shows up + works magic photography with them + I do the edit giving it my personal style + touch. Voila.. Jacilyn M Team amazingness!

XOXO,  J.

Earlier this summer Emily + Kevin went up to Glacier the night before their engagement photos in Many Glacier. The next morning half of Montana was covered in pouring rain and radar showed it was supposed to continue all day. We didn’t know what to do. We had a chat and thought we’d feel it out a bit cause weather is unpredictable here. I left a bit later for my drive up there and they messaged me an hour into the drive that they had gone up to Many Glacier and the mountains were just socked into the clouds. Ultimately we decided let’s try again another day. Why drive the 5 hours up there for unfavorable weather and then not even be able to see the grand views we were going for.

So a couple weeks ago we met up in Many Glacier for their photos and it was the perfect night for them! Sunny with some clouds. And the bugs were insane! Which ultimately was awesome because Emily is actually quite intrigued by the bugs and when the sun sets they light up the sky like glitter. And they were caddisflies, they don’t even have mouth parts so they’re harmless. It was amazing to look at something in nature that most people can’t stand and swat at and see how beautiful they could actually be. They aren’t there anymore so we timed that just right for a girl that loves bugs.

The light that night was to die for. I say every session is my favorite, it’s my new favorite. But this one will definitely stay on the faves list. These two lovebirds, the lighting, and mother nature’s natural sparkle are hard to beat. I’m up there a few times each week and it’s never been like that again. So incredible.

Emily + Kevin congratulations you babes!!! So excited for you and your future together!!!

XOXO,  J.

Wynn planned a quick getaway to Montana to propose to Jen and the week leading up to their trip he started writing her love notes each day. At the end he’d give some hint to what was coming. Such as PS you’re going to want to pull out a bag to pack. And, don’t forget hiking shoes. Another ending with make sure you have something nice for dinner. And in Wynn’s own words a little information led to alot of preparation and Jen had everything she could possibly need haha. She had no idea even where they were going til they check in at the airport.

Meanwhile he messaged me and planned out this sweet day of going through Glacier National Park, doing some small hikes, just hanging in mountain fields, and then would take her to dinner and afterwords take her for a walk to a waterfall and propose to her and we’d surprise her and do engagement photos at sunset.

A few days before their trip Wynn emailed and said hey ok I have to tell you what I’m thinking. He started to feel like there might be some point in the day as they ventured through the park that it might just feel right and he’d want to propose. And if he did he’d set up the camera and nonchalantly take a photo and propose but he’d let me know and still do engagement photos and asked if that was ok. Which I absolutely loved. I get the point of proposal photos, I do. But I’m just someone who goes with the moment and how it flows. And it doesn’t have to be a big planned out thing to be special. I actually think it’s those smaller moments between you that are the most meaningful. And that if in that moment you can’t look at her an not ask her to marry you, please please please do it! Regardless if I’m there, or even if you had the camera rolling. The memories will be documented even if it’s a selfie. But nothing should stop you in the moment.

That afternoon I got a text that he proposed while they were chilling in a wildflower field staring at the mountains towering over them. I couldn’t be more happy for them! That’s perfect!!

Wynn still surprised her telling her they’d be doing engagement photos after dinner. We met up in Two Medicine hanging on the lakeshore, driving like wild people to get up above the lake in the coolest spot looking out at the valley. And then even though it was dark we still had to go down to the waterfall that Wynn initially planned to propose it, it was just right.

It was incredible and so beautiful! Congrats you two!!!!!!! So excited for you!

XOXO,  J.

These babes roadtripped from Arkansas to Montana to elope in the mountains. They bought a truck camper a few months before to revamp and camp their way through their honeymoon and they lovingly named it Tramper. HAHA. They rolled in and I met Brandie in the camper to lace her into her dress and meet Nathan on a hill over the lake. I loved their carefree spirits. Literally leaving town and buying Nathan’s attire and ring along the roadtrip. Cruising in just before their vows in the camper with hoodies and flannels on. And then dealing with such cold weather in July with smiles and laughter. They are awesome.

It was so gloomy and raining and the wind whipped through the valleys again. At one point they looked at Amanda and I and said “You guys, this is an Arkansas winter!” We laughed. It was 40 degrees and much colder with the wind but then 2 days later it was over 90 degrees. That’s Montana for ya! Even though it was an Arkansas winter out there they were such troopers, down for everything, constantly making me laugh, and not even asking for a jacket! Ok, they wanted one but it was hard to take off once it was on hahaha. They said quick I Do’s above the lake and then ran down trail, stood on cliffs, hugged in fields. Absolutely perfect.

And Brandie’s ring…. Cannot get over this! Nathan made it! He made her ring with his own hands!!! When I saw it I just yelled nooooo cause it’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. I would never have believed him that he made it but he showed me photos he took during the whole process which he had them made into a book for Brandie telling the story of her rings creation. It was freaking unreal. I’m still so amazed! Nathan has really set the bar high! DANG DUDE!

Loved running around the valley with these two in the wind and rain and with Tramper haha. Wishing you both all the best in life and so grateful you included Amanda and I on your day!!!!!

XOXO, J.

Danielle + Andrew asked if I’d do a bridal session, which really I wish more couples did. They’re so fun. A few days before their East Glacier wedding they went up into Waterton and actually started their bridal session up there with a first look in the morning, photos galore, lunch, and then came down in Glacier where I met up with them.

We had the most wild and freaking awesome weather there ever was! For many it may have seemed awful with 3 rain storms rolling through. Wicked winds again. Sun. Clouds. And again more rain. But these two ran and laughed through the whole thing. We’d chill as it poured rain and you could see the storm passing and we’d run out again getting killer light all day. I was like a hyperventilating puppy at times it was so beautiful. I had asked them to just trust me and follow me and go where we end up and they did and my gosh the images are bomb. I knew we just had to go with the weather and when we started it was so harsh and bright so I just wanted to follow the light where it may take us. We wandered areas around Many Glacier and then into the St Mary’s side of Glacier National Park. Crazy all of these images are from the couple hours before sunset! So much changing light. And in some you can see the rain as it starts to come down. I’m just dying over the scenery and how it looks different from image to image.

Danielle + Andrew thanks so much for going on this little wild ride!!! My girl, Esther, came up that weekend to photograph their wedding and I can’t wait to get through those images and share more of these babes!!!!

XOXO,  J.

My first Many Glacier elopement of the season and ohmygosh it was a complete dream. Ashley and TJ escaped here to take in the mountain air, a full moon, and say I do. I loved that even though they were eloping just the two of them they opted to not see each other getting ready. I had the team along on this one with Amanda officiating and Esther came to shoot and help out. So we met up with TJ in the lobby already ready and walked with him out to a small meadow along Swiftcurrent Lake. And we ran up to their hotel room to say hi to Ashley, do the last little clip on her dress, help her pin her hair and greenery crown in and walk her down to meet her man in the meadow. Such a sweet moment of them seeing each other and then they stood together just taking in the view, not a care in the world, and not noticing us. Just the way it should be.

Such a beautiful evening ceremony on the lake and then we explored around the area. Ashley killed it in her heels and along the real rocky trails TJ carried her! What a guy! Everything was perfect. I love showing couples around the area and just witnessing them take it all in for the first time.  As stated by pest control chantilly va, it’s such a magical area even though we were being completely attacked by mosquitoes and black flies. If you control the growth of mosquitoes and flies in this area with the help of expert pest control san antonio technicians, it will be totally worth it! And the sunset lighting was just a freakin’ dream. The connection between these two is undeniable, each image with such emotion. I can’t create that stuff, it’s all them.

So excited to share this set of images! Ashley + TJ all the love to you and thank you so much for including us in your special day and moment. We love you!

XOXO, J.

I always say I’m obsessed with my couples, I am. I truly am. But this wedding is on another level. I’m dying. Beki saw photos of the Rocky Mountains and said yep that’s the place for her, haha. She started planning away for this small wedding getaway to Glacier National Park with her and Alejandro’s families and closest friends. They’d never even been to the park til the day of their wedding.

It amazes me and it’s such an honor when couples reach out to me not to just capture these precious but ask for my help in where to go, what to do. They invited my girl, Amanda, up to officiate for them too so we had a little Jacilyn M team day. I loved it.

These two are clearly crazy in love. They wrote the sweetest vows to one another and Beki even learned to read hers in spanish for Alejandro! They decided to drive into the park in separate cars and have a first look moment together in this beautiful place. Start it off with just the two of them to soak in all the magic that was about to happen. Right as we started the first look it started to rain and as they finished it stopped! The sun peeked for their ceremony overlooking Wild Goose Island at St Mary’s lake. We went to multiple spots for photos after their intimate ceremony. Starting on a cliff with 30 mph winds, freezing our asses off, getting epic photos. The lighting was my dream. And as we left one location they got to drive up the road with a Grizzly! Day freaking made. And then we ended with sunset in a field with the most killer mountain backdrop. It was pure magic.

Beki + Alejandro CONGRATULATIONS you babes! Hope you’re as obsessed with these as I am 🙂

XOXO, J.