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Wanna know the great thing about Montana mountain engagement photos? You’ll come for the mountains, but you always get so much more. Hidden lakes, rocky shorelines, trails in lush forests – they’re all waiting for you when you go exploring in a mountain range. Madisen + David knew the magic of the mountains all too well, after taking one trip to visit Montana they fell in love with the wild beauty of it all. Flash forward a few years and they were planning a trip back, but this time scouting for a place they might call home! 

So while their trip wasn’t just to get some mountain engagement photos, the session made it all the more special as they explored these new areas. I’m a sucker for all things sentimental, so commemorating their search for a potential new place to call home puts me in my feelers. Madisen + David are from a small town in New York and were driving in and out of small towns all over Montana, checking the vibes and views. As a Montana local, I had to show them around some of my favorite spots for beautiful views away from the hustle and bustle of the summer time crowds. We talked about what they wanted and I sent them over some galleries of photoshoots I’d done in different spots with mountain views (including this stunner engagement shoot). We landed on a special little spot outside of Missoula. 

This location, of course, has everything you’d want to find when itching for a little adventure in the mountains. Though the lake is too full in the summer for much of a beach, the huge boulders jutting out of its water provide perfect perches to cuddle your lover + soak in the view. And they sure did! Then we skipped over to a trail in the trees before cruising around the shore for a different view. All the while we made hilarious inappropriate jokes and cracked up at Bill (my assistant aka my Frenchie) when he got a crazy case of the zoomies through nasty fishy mud. The coolest part? We didn’t have to hike hours into the backcountry to get pretty scenes + privacy! We were just a short walk from the car. 

I think Madisen + David are going to like their new home in Montana, wherever they choose. No doubt about it, most people do (*cough* Justin Timberlake + Jessica Biel *cough*) And now they have some mountain engagement photos to remember their find-a-new-home roadtrip. 

What’s better than splashing around in the creek for some outdoor family photos with your bff’s family? As a Missoula photographer, I get to spend my days hanging with my crazy-in-love couples, honeys saying ‘I Do’ and nature lovers visiting for their annual dose of the mountain magic, but some of my favorite shoots are when I get to hang right around the corner from my house and capture some of the people I love most in this world.  

Truth be told, I take family photos of my best friend, Amanda, her partner Ryan all of the time. Add their twin girls (who are somehow now TEENAGERS?) to the mix and it’s bound to be the best day ever. So when Amanda + I were throwing around some family photo ideas for summer, we were like why not full send our fun day and go play in the river??? 

Oftentimes my clients, especially when I am shooting a destination wedding or adventure elopement, want those big beautiful mountain views that Montana has to offer. I loveeee the mountains and they definitely make for some awe-worthy photos, but sometimes it’s so nice to ditch the tourists, hang out in a quiet spot you love, and soak in the fact that we live in a freakin’ stunning place! No big views or wild adventure needed. So if you’re looking for some secret spots and hidden gems for a photoshoot in Missoula, I’ve got you! 

Now that I’ve convinced you there is beauty to be found everywhere, let’s get back to my bestie’s outdoor family photos. She brought along her husband, Ryan, and her twin daughters for our biannual photo sesh. It was boiling hot that day and we had already planned a little dip into the river to cool off, but the heat made us dive immediately into a water fight. 

As the afternoon went by and sun dipped lower into the sky, rays scattered through the trees and into the shaded river below, lighting up the clearing with glowy rays of magic you couldn’t plan if you tried!!! Don’t believe me? Take a peek at some behind the scenes video snippets in this Instagram reel from their shoot! Dreaaaaamy stuff, am I right?!? 

So don’t sleep on Missoula my local babes! Who wants to plan outdoor family photos in a field somewhere or maybe even take a dip for a couples photoshoot this summer? Hit me up cause I am SO ready!

When you go searching for the best engagement photo ideas, you’ll likely find endless big views and epic scenery and curated spaces. But what if I told you that it can be more simple than that? This session with Marissa + John was at a quiet spot alongside a river behind their property and it was just as dreamy as any engagement photo inspiration I’ve seen out there. 

It’s true that I shoot a lot of adventure sessions. And typically, I don’t even get to take engagement photos for my wedding photography clients because most of them are from out of town! They come to Montana for the landscapes of Glacier National Park or stunning resort towns like Big Sky. And as a destination lover myself, I am all about it! 

But when I get to take engagement photos for a local couple in Missoula, I geek out over the possibilities of quiet locations, sentimental spots, and laid-back shoots that showcase their love just the way it is. And when it was time to think up some engagement photo ideas, that’s exactly what Marissa + John wanted! 

While the spot was definitely pretty, there wasn’t anything famous or epic about it. But it was woven into their everyday life, a little oasis to walk their pup, spend some time by the river soaking in the sun, to retreat to and unwind after all life throws your way. It was a view they knew all too well, every twig we passed and twist in the trail was so familiar to them. 

This is your permission slip to throw away all of the engagement photo ideas on Pinterest of places that mean nothing to you and replace them with sentimental places you spend time with the one you love most. The pub where you play trivia every Thursday. The couch where you snuggle while watching your favorite show. The river where you walk your dog. 

When Marissa + John look back on these photos, they’ll always remember the moments spent together in this spot. Their home by the river in Missoula. The way the leaves turn quickly in the fall and bloom slowly in the spring. All of the good, real life moments that fill their relationship. What a freakin’ sweet tribute to their love!

So where are my Missoula babes? Let’s comb through your favorite engagement photo ideas and capture your love just the way it is. I’m ready when you are! In the meantime, here is another piece of inspo for you + your partner! Check out this in-home engagement session!

There’s a reason White Raven is a favorite Montana wedding venue and Olivia + Josh’s summer wedding was absolute proof of why. Their dreamy destination wedding weekend just outside of Missoula, MT started with exploring the area with some outdoor fun like whitewater rafting, celebrated the couple in a stunning ceremony, and ended with a late night dip in the river. 

Based on their plans for a wedding weekend extravaganza, I knew Olivia + Josh’s entire guest list was going to be a good time. Not a single person was local to the area, so everyone treated it like their own little getaway, which is such a fun idea for your wedding. 

Leah + Aaron did something similar at another top-tier Montana wedding venue, Lone Mountain Ranch! Get more destination wedding inspo from their blog, too! 

Olivia + Josh’s day started off with Olivia getting ready with her mom, hair + makeup by Micha V Beauty  and doing a first look with her bridesmaids! Rather than doing a first look with Josh, they opted to do a “first touch” – this is a great option if you want the emotion of seeing each other while you walk down the aisle, but still want a moment together alone before the chaos of the wedding day ensues. 

This first touch was incredibly sweet. They spent time talking about everything that got them here and that’s when Josh told the best story. They went on a trip together a few years earlier and when they got home, he immediately started writing his vows because he knew he’d want to marry her one day. It was always gonna be her for him. COME ON, how amazing is that? Olivia couldn’t help but turn around and give him a little squeeze. I won’t lie, I’m not a huuuuuuuge first look fan personally, but this one easily goes down as one of my favorites. 

When it came to their ceremony, they centered it entirely around them. Even the wedding party was seated, so just Olivia + Josh were up under the altar. The entire weekend was planned by Emily Summer Studios and was perfect.  They chose a ceremony site with a sweeping mountain valley in view – one of the multiple incredible spots to exchange vows at this particular Montana wedding venue. The altar was covered in greenery and stunning wildflower flower arrangements by Earth Within Flowers were laced through the bouquet + decor. I’m a sucker for wedding florals and Melissa killed it with these drool-worthy blooms! 

When it came to the reception, I knew it was a small group, but wasn’t sure what to expect. Would they party hard? Just chill + hang together? (Both equally fun, by the way!) They did all of the traditional wedding reception things: family photos, cake cutting, cute toasts, sunset wedding photos, and a sparkler exit. They partied hard lol.

But all night long, there was talk of going to the river. Of getting crazy and jumping in, something I wouldn’t dare miss! And eventually they did! The wedding party piled into golf carts and off they went, down to the river nearby! One by one, they jumped in, Olivia still in her dress + Josh in his suit pants, wedding party losing their clothes along the way lol. I was right there with them, camera flashing to capture some seriously epic after-dark photos! 

Straight from the river they headed back to warm up in the hot tub, leaving more water on the ground than in the tub itself. It was spontaneous, fun, and an absolutely fitting end to an incredible wedding day at White Raven. 

Take a look at these photos! Make sure to scroll until the end so you don’t miss those river photos. They’re too good! 

And if you’re thinking about getting married at White Raven (or any Montana wedding venue), I’d love to be right there capturing it all. You can tell me about all of your plans right here!

Xx, J

There’s nothing like a spring engagement photoshoot after a long winter in the mountains! And Ky + Sky brought some bubbly spring time energy to their session in Missoula. Seriously, it was almost an entire shoot of cracking jokes and being total idiots goofing around!!!! If you’d meet these two, that wouldn’t surprise you at all! 

I won’t lie to you, a spring engagement photoshoot in Montana comes with a bit of uncertainty weather-wise. One day you might have a few inches of snow, and the next day sun, followed by a forecast of doom and gloom. But that’s just springtime in the mountains!!! The morning of Ky + Sky’s session was not looking the best. In fact, I even encouraged them to consider changing the date! But due to scheduling issues, we went through as planned, and hallelujah the rain held off!!! Well kind of. There was a bit of a drizzling and some moody clouds moving in, but the skies held off for our quick little session and honestly, we love a moody sky!!! 

Even with a bit of haze, the mountains were in full view and the grasses were just turning green after a freezing winter here in Montana. Being from the plains of Iowa, these two were obsessed with the rugged landscape of the area! So I knew a good little spot in Missoula with mountain views and some magical little forested sections for some variety in their shoot. It was best time photographing them as they loved on each other and yes…laughed their asses off the whole time. 

Kylee is a real goofball, always joking around and embarrassing Skyler every chance she could get. This girl had no shame in her game and honestly maybe I should hire her for just that! Her jokes kept these two babes smiling and completely comfortable which created beautiful natural + candid images!! A crush-worthy spring engagement photoshoot for sure! 

Engagement sessions are soooo freakin’ fun! They can be whatever you want them to be. These two were in town for a wedding so they decided to get some while on vacation! But you can create stunning engagement photos anywhere. Your backyard, your favorite pub, your house or some tropical island somewhere!! Looking for some engagement photoshoot inspo?? I’ve got ya babe! Head over to the blog and browse anything from a spring engagement photoshoot in the mountains to a waterfall session in Glacier National Park to a black and white in-home session! 

I realize that I say I have the sweetest couples quite often. But each time, I swear, they’re the sweetest couples! How they end up with me at their wedding is mind boggling haha. Chris and Tessa are so sweet, so generous and just want to have a good time, with everyone. They had a beautiful wedding out at Seven Mile Meadows outside of Missoula MT a few weeks ago. Which it’s name totally describes what it’s like! Miles of meadows, wait for it, you’ll see!

They included their dogs which any couple who incorporates their pups into their wedding have major bonus points with me. And even when the dogs were tied up they’d manage to con their way out and make it to the dance floor with Chris + Tessa. Chris would have had 40 groomsman if Tessa let him. But instead he had just 6 guys stand beside him, but all of them as best men, including the officiant! Each with a special hand shake as they walked down the aisle, or he literally just jumped into the arms of one of them haha. When it came time for the rings they started at the end of the line making their way down to Chris + Tessa touching the hands of all of his best men. AND why have flower girls when you can have FLOWER GRANDMAS?!!?!?! This may be one of my most favorite things to happen at a wedding ever. It was so cute and so hilarious as Tessa’s grandmother carefully placed one petal at a time on the ground and Chris’ grandma threw them in to the crowd. Hilariously cute!

They have such a love for adventure + exploring and as the night went on the stories were endless of how perfect they are for each other finding their forever crazy adventure partner. An ice pick was even gifted during speeches hahaha. And the laughter continued every second of the night. I can’t imagine any better way for a wedding night to go than drinks in hand, dancing, and laughter echoing through the valley.

Thanks T+C for having us there and making us laugh alllll day!!!! Stoked to FINALLY share these!!

XOXO, J.

Ashley and Andy are total babes and amazing photographers themselves! A couple summers ago Ashley was one of my second shooters. She spent countless hours in my passenger seat listening to all of my music and my ramblings and all those hours together our relationships were topics that were often discussed. So even though I didn’t really know Andy, I’ve always felt like I know Andy.

He asked her to marry him recently and I was SO excited for them I quickly sent Ashley a text. A few texts later she told me I was on their list of photographers. I laughed. First of all, I’m just happy for you I don’t care if I’m on that list. Secondly, you’re sweet, but I know your list and a few of those amazing people are my own idols. It’s ok, I’m fine. I was surprised a few weeks later when she asked if I’d get a drink with her and Andy. I figured this would be one of those get together discuss details and then they’ll think about it. I was just excited they even asked, expecting nothing from it. But as soon as all 3 drinks hit the table we grabbed them and mid cheers Andy asked if I’d be their officiant. Thank god he was joking! I would have done it. I’m sure it’s not a strength I have but I would have done it! And the rest is history. I’m blown away. Even now, months later. Such an honor to be the one to preserve these memories for this incredible couple! I can’t wait for next fall to come, wait til you see the custom dress (that was bought from Mr Beast Merch Store) she’s having made! I die.

We planned this fall engagement session and ending at this beautiful little knoll in the mountains at sunset. Montana had other plans and it was more like winter but we didn’t care. Andy’s mother has this incredible property outside Missoula and we went out there and took a couple horses out for a bit. They were HILARIOUS always trying to get their little nudges in. It couldn’t have been more perfect with mountain views, black horses, her maroon dress and some snow on the ground.

We ended in the spot they’ll have their ceremony next year and before even getting out of the car I was straight up squealing. It’s AMAZING!

Ashley + Andy, first, THANK YOU! I’m so grateful for you and so appreciative. You’re perfect together. And, a dream to photograph. You two crushed it in the freezing temps with no jackets. I can’t wait for this place to light up next fall when you say I do. It’s going to be so magical! I’m so in love with your photos! Enjoy!!

XOXO, J.

Every time a couple tells me their awkward I know right away this is gonna be good! Hahaha. Haley actually text me last night after I instagrammed some photos from this session about how she loved them and I had to give her shit and remind her how awkward they supposedly are 😉

This is so fun cause something is happening that I haven’t fully announced and put out there just yet BUT I’ve been building a full team. Haley + Jaris are one of the first couples to jump in on this! I have brought on a team lead photographer to help with weddings + elopements when I’m already booked or trying to work with different budgets as we’ve built different collections for her. So on their wedding day they’ll actually have my team lead photographer photographing their day but it’s so fun cause they get to correspond with us both as a team and while my lead photographs it I will still do all of the editing so it will look and feel just like my photos. These two included an engagement session and we gave them the option to book with my lead or I could photograph it and they asked if I would so they’re really getting the team experience. And it’s amazing for me to be able to connect and work with multiple couples on the same day and this time even though I’m not there on their wedding day I still got to hang with them and shoot their engagement session.

These two are hilarious! Jaris is a totally goofball and all Haley can do is smile and laugh. And that whole we’re so awkward bit went right out the window when I started having them running at each other, hipchecking, running at me, spinning around. And a few adult beverages was also pretty helpful hahaha. They just had so much fun and it totally shows. I hope you two goof off like this for the entire rest of your lives. Even as the oldest people on the planet, haha.

Super stoked on these, thank you Haley + Jaris for trekking back a mile with clothes and drinks in hand and being up for anything. You’re amazing!!!!

XOXO, J.

I love it when brides meet up with me before they’ve totally settled on a date and haven’t booked a venue. Way to make this girl feel special you guys!! Amy and I did just that, and it’s been so fun getting texts from her through the whole planning process. The Barn on Mullan in Missoula was so perfect from them and had me excited as it’s 15 minutes from home and I’m never home during wedding season! As the day went on the smoke from our wildfires really started to fill in the valley again, no mountains to be seen. And it was sooooooo hot and muggy. And these two babes went through the day as if nothing could stop them, and nothing did!

Just before the first look I was told about Sheryl the sheep. Amy’s mom used to work for a children’s boutique and one day brought home this stuffed sheep from the shop and it’s really become part of the family. They take her along everywhere and Sheryl has her own adventures. Seeing photos of Sheryl on all their travels and activities was HILARIOUS. So this idea was set up for their first look to have Steve come around the corner expecting to see Amy but instead there would be Sheryl sitting in a chair and Amy would come behind him. Which played out just like that although Steve walked to Sheryl, even at one point turned towards Amy, looked at me for a photo with Sheryl all with Amy standing right there and him totally oblivious. I was laughing so hard I was crying. Then he finally noticed Amy there and gently put Sheryl down to say hello to his bride. One of the funnest first looks ever.

The whole day was filled with so much love. You could just feel it. In all the laughter to the way Amy’s kids clearly adore Steve. So amazing getting to photograph this special day for their family. Thank you, thank you, thank you, you two for giving me the privilege! From the mouth of Steve’s grandpa “Drink beer, live life…. And don’t go to bed mad at each other.”

XOXO, J.

Breanna emailed me one day asking if I’d photograph their upcoming wedding at the end of June…. to which I said YES! We started chatting through what they wanted and needed, timelines etc and I was just falling in love with her, Trenton and their wedding. At the same time my little sister was planning on getting married in Ireland this summer but had not picked a date. I started bothering my little sister that she had to pick a date and let me know cause this summer was booking up. And sure enough my sister picked a date just before Breanna and Trenton’s wedding.

I had to write the hardest email I’ve written to a couple and send it over to Breanna that I wasn’t going to be able to photograph their wedding afterall. Such a bummer to spend time talking and working with a bride and then come back and it just not work out because of ME not them. Breanna was so sweet about it and god damn it bugged me. She actually started working with my best friend so I finally met her in person.  And last week we got together and did some pre-wedding images for them. Which made me feel so much better to get to photograph them a little. And holy crap it was AMAZING. Their images are unreal. We laughed almost every second of it and the sun decided to come out on a week of rain. It was pure magic in such a small amount of time.

I know you guys are gonna die over these images. And to think they were nervous. Any couple that tells me right at the beginning that they’re super nervous and need instruction or are awkward in photos…… generally aren’t. I mean they might be nervous but they’re usually not ones that need instruction and what they think is awkward looks freaking unreal in imagery. This set of photos has quickly become one of my all time faves!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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