hey hey

My summer wedding season really could not have started any better than it did! Brittany + Duane were my first couple of the summer and they are some of the sweetest people there ever was. Duane got ready and was so calm. In the cabin next door Brittany nervously rambled about all the strangest thoughts that came to mind, using her hands to explain everything to us. I get it, I talk with my hands too. As her veil was put in her mom started to tear up and stood in front of Brittany smiling with pride. Brittany continued rambling and talking with her hands and her dad came up to just stand in front of her and hold her hands to calm her. So freaking sweet.

They had a simple and perfect ceremony on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. As Brittany and her dad came through the trees he stopped her, smiling, pressing his forehead to hers. They smiled so big their noses crunched as he told her let’s get you married. It was beautiful the obvious love they all share, the guitar playing in the background, her dad’s last kiss on her cheek, the blessings over their rings with Duane’s two boys. It was absolutely stunning. I held back tears going through the photos haha, and I’m not a cryer. They left their ceremony to board a boat and treat their family to a boat ride on Lake McDonald relishing in the magic that had just happened and sharing their first dance.

We then spent the afternoon running down trails and jumping on docks, soaking in the sun, and they kissed every second they possibly could. They had a beautiful set up at the Belton Chalet all put together by Field | A Wedding Design Studio, these girls are amazing! And what a way to spend your wedding day. Promises at the lake, fun in the woods, and dinner around a long table with your parents and siblings. So perfect!!

Brittany + Duane, CONGRATULATIONS you babes!!!

XOXO, J.

Tessa is so sweet and I totally fell in love with her over email when she was getting ready to book, and as soon as she told me Chris was her fiance I wrote back I KNOW HIM. But I don’t. I mean somehow I know of him, we have a million friends in common, so we must have crossed paths at some point. Apparently Chris told her the same thing HAHA. But we don’t know when or how or any details lol. I’m super stoked for their wedding next year, it’s going to be an unfair amount of fun.

They knew right away they wanted engagement photos in Glacier, make a little adventure of it. They were drawn to Many Glacier but none of us had been there this time of year and it’s WAY up on the north east corner of the park near Canada. Everyone says the west side has more color than the east side. So we left it to think about. But last week I started seriously creeping instagram for photos of Many Glacier and there was lots of color, and it looked soooo pretty. Who ever keeps saying the west side is more colorful never made the effort to go around to the east side cause it’s UNREAL! They wanted mountains and up there is just prime. The weather didn’t look ideal by any means but it looked doable. We decided doable was worth the risk and we all drove the 5 hours up there.

I went up early to get a little grasp on what we were gonna have. It rained the whole drive. Rained as I pulled onto the road going in and then turned to sleet and quickly it was snowing. The mountains were totally socked in. I almost cried. Did we just come 5 hours for this?!?! Took a breather and went to the bathroom and came out and the sun came out and it cleared up!!! I about died, this I could work with! I drove out to a spot to meet Chris + Tessa and it snowed again!  But then it cleared and then the wind came. The sun tried to peak out later and the mountains never fully cleared but ohmygosh you guys it was sooooooooooo BEAUTIFUL! We couldn’t have planned this!

The wind whipped at almost 30 mph and left us with -5 degrees with windchill!! AH! But we jumped right into photos, running through fields and so much laughing. Tessa killed it in the crazy wind on the side of a mountain in a gorgeous dress. And the snow fell. It was so cold I felt almost creatively stuck cause I wanted to keep them warm so rushing through thoughts and ideas and they were so amazing, the photos are just incredible. I’m seriously showing them off on my phone with everyone I run into!

Everytime a couple takes a risk on photos I’m at awe with what happens. It never goes out as we planned and although in the moment it might not have seemed ideal. The images are so much more than we could have ever planned. And the memories to go with it, you’ll never forget!

Tessa + Chris, thanks for the wild ride already!!! Hope you love them <3

XOXO, J.

A southern belle and the ultimate gentleman. Ashley and Nathan are some of the most kind hearted people. Ashley messaged me about photographing her and Nathan’s elopement in Glacier Park and asked for recommendations on where to which I said well do you want to go on an adventure?! This girl was in. Cover as much of the park as we could in half a day and she’d go anywhere. Then she broke her foot!!!! She should have actually been in a boot on their wedding day but she pushed through and when necessary Nathan CARRIED HER!! Literally carried her down rocky paths to get to a waterfall!! I told you he was a gentleman!

Amanda helped Ashley get into her stunning dress in the park bathroom. Seriously fit her PERFECTLY and soooo pretty in the light all day. Nathan and I took a walk along the trail to find this quite spot with the sun peaking through to meet Ashley for their first look. She looked like an angel all freakin day! They had this short private ceremony on the rocks above St Mary’s Lake. The smoke from the recent fire filling the valley giving them this dreamy sky. Getting all teary eyed saying their vows to each other. Nathan held her hand everywhere they went, unless he was carrying her haha. Through the forest trails, down rocky paths, through a field, up onto rocks, down to waterfalls and out on a dock. Always whispering in her ear and then the biggest smile would stretch across her face! They’re absolutely soulmates! It was so beautiful!

Ashley and Nathan! CONGRATS you two!!!! Thank you thank you for including me and my team on your big day. It was really something special! You two are gems!!!!

XOXO, J.

You can see the Sprague fire burning off on the right here that was pouring smoke into the valley where they had their ceremony. Unfortunately now this fire has blown up, destroying a historical backcountry chalet, and pouring smoke into this valley where you can’t see the mountains at all and closing down half of the park. So send us some good thoughts! Fire season this year is brutal and extra long!

This session and experience with Kaitlin + Steve is one I’ll just never forget. I had planned this mini vacation away with my daughter, a last hoorah before she started school. As I planned everything I decided last minute to leave a day later than I had planned. I didn’t know why just had a feeling and booked an airbnb a day later and figured whatever I’d stay home and pack. The next day Kaitlin messaged me on insta and said her and Steve were coming to Montana and was I available any of her days there. The only day that worked was the day they were flying in. That day I had decided not to go on vacation. As she explained her vision I started to feel like this was meant to be. This was the reason I suddenly felt that I should hang back from vacay for a day. This was it.

We planned this idea to hike out a little over a mile in Glacier for this certain mountain view. I spent days trying to figure out the sun just right. When and where it would set if we were surrounded my mountains. I felt this was gonna be so good and with that felt pressured to nail the lighting. It totally worked out. We planned it perfectly with when to meet, how long it’d take to get to trailhead, hike, out and get the light we wanted the whole time. I’m still so stoked that we got it perfectly. And a goat briefly joined us in the beginning haha!

And these two. WOW. They’re love is just beautiful. Every embrace, every laugh, every move you could just feel it.

I lost it. It felt like a panic attack of joy not fear. I couldn’t contain my happiness and just felt so overwhelmed with them and how perfect they are. I’m so excited to share these images with you guys. I’m beyond obsessed! This session will always be a highlight for me!

XOXO, J.

Stephanie started following me on instagram, randomly, one day. I noticed her notification saying she’d followed and I looked at her feed thinking daaaayuuummm this Florida girl is pretty! I always wonder how people even find me on instagram. How did they get to my profile and what about it made them click follow. And she was no exception. I was actually quite intrigued with her. I thought maybe she’s engaged and looking for a photographer! Usually in those scenarios brides message or email quickly after following to inquire. But I didn’t hear from Stephanie.

It must have been a month or so later I had a new message on insta and it was from Stephanie. I got a little excited hoping this would be the message asking me to photograph her. And sure enough it was!! Her and her boyfriend had been planning a trip to Glacier National Park the next week and was there any chance I could meet up with them for a shoot! It actually lined up perfect and I was so pumped to meet this girl and photograph her and her man.

You guys, they’re a dream. No direction from me needed. They’re lovers and laughers. The way she steps into his arms, and how he can light up the biggest smile ever on her face was so beautiful! They had me either totally swooning over them or laughing so hard with them I could hardly keep my camera to my face.

We wandered trails, crawled the rocks around a waterfall, were eaten alive by mosquitos in a field, took in the sight of the sun setting on the mountains (fire burning in the background!) and they played in the water. That’s the best combo ever for a summer couples session!! Loving these images!!!!

XOXO, J.

I first met Andrea when she asked me to photograph a boudoir session for her. It was early on in my career and she had booked a wedding photographer way before but asked if I’d do the boudoir session. She was just the sweetest. That was FIVE years ago!!!! A couple weeks ago I met up with her and David in Glacier National Park for an anniversary session and asked how long they had been married. HOW HAS IT ALREADY BEEN FIVE YEARS!?!?!? Most days I feel like I just started photography. One, cause time flies when you’re having fun but two, I feel like I have so much more to accomplish with it. I must still be new to it lol.

I planned this shoot for this cool spot that’s been closed up the last couple years and I wanted it right at sunset. I drove into the park and there is a small fire but the wind had been blowing for days so the smoke didn’t settle. Well that night it started to settle. And then there were clouds. I started to get a little nervous. But like always somehow, someway, things magically work out. The sun peeked out at times. The smoke left dreamy backdrops and the light was so perfect that the colors just popped! And Andrea in her red dress which was a bridesmaids dress she ended up loving. Total win! There was wind on the cliff and stillness on the trails. And we laughed and laughed. They claimed to be so awkward but to me these two just look happy!!! Happy five years you two!!!!

XOXO, J.

Alexis and Joshua came all the way from New York to do engagement photos way up in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. Well ok actually Joshua’s family has a house nearby in Whitefish and they’re getting married up there next summer so they wanted to have engagement photos in the park this summer and it was so much fun!

These two are sooooo good looking! Ohmygosh! And they brought the best outfits. I love the juxtaposition of formal wear in nature. It’s so pretty! And they didn’t mind a thing climbing up hills and out on cliffs, down trails. It’s such a cool area up there.

Traffic in Glacier this year is INSANE!!! Everyone from everywhere is visiting. And because of that we started a little late since traffic isn’t usually something I have to tell couples we should factor in lol! But this day it was something and the park is the ultimate disconnect as you have no cell service and no wifi. You’re out there. So we actually started a bit later than planned and honestly on the inside at first I was a bit nervous as we had planned everything specifically for a certain type of light and look. That’s what happens when you plan too much 😉 Or what happens to me, I’m all about plan little and go with the flow and it’ll work out right?! We didn’t even take one photo before the sun had set!!!! This entire shoot was done after sunset. I can’t believe we were able to shoot as long as we did and I’m in love with the photos!!!!

Can’t wait for their wedding next year, it’s gonna be GORGEOUS!

XOXO, J.

I’m not sure how every wedding can feel like a dream especially with as much as I’ve been shooting, but my gosh every wedding is a D.R.E.A.M. Leslie and Tim came from Louisiana without ever have visiting Glacier park, or even Montana for that matter! They just love the outdoors and wanted to experience somewhere new and get married there. They picked this beautiful little spot off the trail near Swiftcurrent Lake in Many Glacier. They picked evening for their ceremony time which just had me swooning knowing we were going to get some beautiful light. And we sooooo did!

We hiked through the woods and climbed up hills over the lake and ventured back to cliffs, just laughing and goofing off the whole time.  And as the sun started to set we went in so many directions at the base of the mountain and I joked that I created them a sunset 3 times during this shoot HAHA! But it really does look like it!

They looked amazing and they hiked a few miles like this! And willing to try anything I asked with enthusiasm even though Tim tried to tell me he lacks in the enthusiasm department. Or that he can’t dance. Are you kidding me?!?!?! I now have proof!

I really can’t rave enough about how much I love elopements. Their so personal and intimate and carefree. Hyperfocused on just them and their love and promises to each other. And we can do whatever we want, whenever we want. They’re free from timelines and expectations. And every time the images that come from them are just so beautiful I can’t even handle it. I love when couples come and do it in a cool new place too! A new set to the next chapter of their love story. I’m still asking every day how did I get to be the lucky one to preserve these memories for lifetimes?! Feeling so grateful but oh my gosh enough cause the images are to die for!!!!!!!!! Check ‘em out!

XOXO, J.

We planned a day after photo session for Will and Kate a couple days after their wedding so they could spend some time with all of their friends and family before they headed home. Will looked at me and said straight up he needed a boat photo. Just them in a boat and mountains. That’s what he wanted. So I pulled a few images and just asked ok these mountains and these mountains? And location was decided…. Many Glacier. Many Glacier is part of Glacier National Park but it’s a bit disconnected from everything, way up there almost to Canada. 5 hours each way from my house and 2.5 from where Kate and Will were staying. People said we were crazy to drive that far just for a photo shoot but that place is crazy beautiful. Neither of them had been so I was so excited to show it to them.

We showed up and the lighting was awesome, a few clouds, and some sun. I thought I had planned it right to grab a boat as they didn’t close for an hour but turns out the last hour you can’t take them out but I swooned the guy working the latest to let us take one out. Really how could you say no with a bride and groom standing there. And away we went!

As the night went on a storm started to roll in making crazy skies, then we had a bear scare and then the storm started to settle in but I wasn’t finished I was just trying to figure out what to do to keep the landscape amazing, avoid the bear, and deal with how dark it was getting and when I looked over there was Kate standing there with the sunset stormy sky behind her just playing with her dress and that was it. I pretty much died after that.

I’m loving these images as it isn’t normal to get so many different looks and lighting. We got lucky. And just as we called it quits the rain started to fall and we ran in to get some dinner and it poured, lightning striking everywhere, so much wind. It was insane to sit and watch.

These are some of my all-time fave photos so enjoy!!!

XOXO

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Kate & Will’s wedding at Great Northern Resort in West Glacier is one of those that I keep asking how is it over? Can we do it again? Can it just keep on going? I actually spent 4 days with Kate & Will and their 40 some guests. And by the wedding day I knew everyone in attendance by name. They brought their friends and family to one of the most beautiful places on earth and gave them quite the adventure. We spent one day on these fun red jammer tours all the way from one side of Glacier National Park to the other with a stop at a restaurant for lunch. We went rafting another day. And had a sunset dinner cruise on Flathead lake. They made this a time all of their guests won’t forget. Everyone came for a vacation, from Texas to Pennsylvania to Colorado to Montana to…. Jakarta…. and everywhere in between. It was incredible to become friends with all of these people and be on the “inside” yet still get to see the magic from the outside perspective.  Kate and Will mentioned in their thank you speech to everyone that our characters aren’t completely original, that we are built with pieces from everyone in our lives and that they are the people they are because of those surrounding them. Even their wedding had a small touch from all of the weddings of their friends and family.

The wedding was beyond words. This perfectly curated elegant event set out in the woods. It fit Kate and Will to a tee. Every detail so beautiful. But the energy from those there is what made it come alive.

I’ve sat here typing and deleting and then pacing my apartment to come up with the words to describe it and each time I’m left blank… speechless. It was indescribable. The love and commitment these two have had to put into their long distance relationship to not only make it work but to have it thrive. Her father’s strong love and no matter how hard Kate and her dad tried to build up these walls to barricade their emotions the tears of joy fell anyway. The amount of ridiculousness and laughter that happened with them and their friends. And how they even stayed up til 4am on their wedding night just to see off the first set of friends leaving to the airport. Kate and Will your hearts are pure, generous and overflowing and surely we know you learned that from the people you have surrounded yourselves with.

Thank you for the honor of just witnessing it and the privilege of preserving it.

Two days after their wedding Kate, Will and I drove up to Many Glacier for a day after session with a sunset and a storm and the photos are unreal!!! This post is long enough so tomorrow I’ll share the day after as it deserves a space of it’s own.

XOXOXO

The Dream Team

Venue – Great Northern Resort
Dress – Bibhu Mohapatra
Suit – Tom Ford
Planner – Field: A Wedding Design Studio
Flowers – Habitat Floral Studio
DJ – RMF Entertainment
Baker – Black Cat Bakery

Contact Jackie | Join the Facebook Fanpage | Follow My Life on Instagram | Check out the Website