Blog - Page 10 of 28 - Thewmatt Photography

March 10, 2023

Ammie & Blake’s Courthouse Ceremony and Glacier National Park Portraits

My friend Katie with An Epic Elopement texted me one evening as she and her husband were having dinner with one of her neighbors to see if I was interested and available for a weekday portrait session with them. They were going to be getting married at the courthouse soon and were hoping for some portraits at the courthouse, and then 'somewhere epic' later on.

Well, it doesn't get much more epic than Glacier National Park in this neck of the woods, even if it is winter and there are low clouds everywhere. We left the sunny, blue skies of downtown Kalispell to the completely socked-in winter setting of Lake McDonald and took advantage of all the beauty it has to offer.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Couples Portraits, Maternity, Portraits

Tags: Civil Ceremony, couples portraits, Flathead County Courthouse, Glacier National Park, kalispell, maternity, Montana, Portraits, winter maternity

March 2, 2023

Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “Bedtimes Stories (As Told by my Dad, Who Messed them Up)”

This was such a fun performance to photograph with Whitefish Theatre Company. A double feature night of theatre with children making up most of the cast it featured the children's classic "The Velveteen Rabbit" and some modern takes on beloved children's stories in "Bedtime Stories (As Told by my Dad, Who Messed them Up)"

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Theatre

Tags: Live Performance, Theatre, Whitefish Theatre Co

February 24, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s “In the Mood”

This Valentine's week Alpine Theatre Project produced another two-night run of big band music featuring some of the most beloved songs from the American songbook, and some Bjork and a big band arrangement of Brittney Spears. Because why not?

The evening starred ATP's own Luke Walrath along with Tracy McDowell, Eric Krop, N'Kenge, and Dewitt Fleming Jr. along with an all-star backing band.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Music

Tags: Alpine Theatre Project, In the Mood, Whitefish Performing Arts Center

February 17, 2023

Glacier National Park Honeymoon Portraits, Morgan & Eric

Morgan & Eric visited Montana for their honeymoon after their Florida wedding. Going from one corner of the contiguous United States to virtually the opposite corner. Trading beaches for mountains and sun and warmth for winter.

They were absolute champs though, and Morgan fully embraced the winter setting by pelting Eric with snowballs—with a little bit of warning at least—to close out the session. Because if your winter portraits don't break out in a snowball fight, did they ever happen?

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Couples Portraits, Portraits

Tags: couples portraits, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits, West Glacier, winter portraits

February 10, 2023

Kalispell Wedding Photographer, Leila & Jay at Diamond B Weddings

I don't want this post about Leila & Jay's wedding to sound like a paid promotion for another business that is completely unrelated to photography, but that is actually how I first met Jay. He runs Rocky Mountain Power Systems here in the Flathead Valley and was responsible for selling and installing an on-demand power generator at my house. And what I didn't know at the time was I'd actually met his mom through My Montana Wedding when I first joined the association.

Fast-forward a couple of months after his initial consultation visit to my house but I run into him at Kaite & Beau's wedding at Diamond B Weddings because—surprise!—Katie is Jay's youngest sister!

Then a few months ago I get a call from Jay saying he's found the love of his life and he's going to be getting married in January for a winter wedding. Naturally, I was more than happy to oblige, even with the stress of working in front of one of the Valley's long-established photographers Joanna Adams who was in the wedding as the Aunt of Leila.

It's a small world after all.

Venue: Church at Creston and Diamond B Weddings / DJ: Destination DJ / Second Photographer: Kyle Stansbury

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

Tags: church, Diamond B Weddings, kalispell, Montana, Montana Wedding, Wedding

December 21, 2022

Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “Little Women”

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Theatre

Tags: Little Women, Live Performance, Theatre, Whitefish Theatre Co

November 2, 2022

2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix for Texas Highways Magazine

This year I was fortunate to cover my seventh Formula 1 United States Grant Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. It's truly amazing to witness the growth the sport has experienced in the United States due in no small part to the Netflix series "Drive to Survive." My first year covering the event was 2015, and were it not for booking Taylor Swift to perform during the Grand Prix in 2016, that could've been the final race in Austin. Instead this year we enjoyed an all-time weekend attendance record for an F1 race weekend.

Formula 1 Goes 'Full Texan" at the 2022 United States Grand Prix in Austin

McLaren F1 Team's Daniel Ricciardo crests the hill at turn 10 with the iconic COTA observation tower in the background as well as the always iconic Texas flag, a physically huge new addition to the track at turn six.

Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas rounds turn 13 with the large stylized Texas flag that is painted on the runoff area of turn 12 in the background during Saturday's qualifying session.

Eventual pole winner Carlos Sainz of Scuderia Ferrari speeds through turn three as seen from the general admission fan area.

Scuderia Alphatauri's driver Pierre Gasly waits at pit exit to take a practice start during FP1 on the opening day of track action.

From left to right, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Charles LeClerc pose for photos on the podium.

Cars round turn 20 just before half-distance during the race, having been bunched together during a 'safety car' period after Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were involved in an on track collision.

The "Fan Track Invasion" takes over the hill at turn one at the conclusion of this year's Grand Prix.

The view from thet op of turn one provides a sprawling look at the Circuit of the Americas campus with the Austin skyline visible in the distance.

With Austin's proximity to Mexico there has always been a large contingent of fans attending the race from South of the border. This has made Sergio "Checo" Perez one of the crowd favorites at the United States Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen powers up towards turn one leading Charles LeClerc.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen crests the hill at turn 10 with a giant Texas flag waving in the background.

McLaren F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, as is his tradition, once again has fully adopted his cowboy persona on his return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix, going so far as to arrive to the paddock via horseback.

Eventual race winner, and recently crownded two-time world champion Max Verstappen exits turn one as he built a solid—if not commanding—lead at the beginning of the race..

The back of Haas F1's Kevin Magnussen's car scrapes along the tarmac sending up a shower of sparks as he speeds through turn three early in the race on Sunday.

Racing legen Mario Andretti preparing to get out of the car after his demonstration laps.

As in years past the Longhorn Band from the University of Texas played a big role—literally and figuratively—in the pre-race festivities.

At the start of the race, pole sitter Carlos Sainz unfortunately found himself facing the wrong direction after contact with George Russell as they rounded turn one. To add insult to injury, that contact resulted in damage to his car forcing him to retire from the race, ruining what had started out as such a promising day initially.

Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin speeds past the turn 15 grand stand during qualifying of the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix.

Scuderia Ferrari performs pit stop practices on Thursday evening prior to track action starting on Friday.

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1's driver Sebastian Vettel speeds through turn six at Circuit of the Americas during FP3 of the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix.

Fans of newly crowned two-time World Champion Max Verstappen look into the Red Bull Racing garage during the fan pit walk event on Thursday evening.

Haas F1's drivers Kevin Magnussen (left) and Mick Schumacher (right) take part in a fan team experience in the Germania Insurance Amphitheater.

The horse driver Daniel Ricciardo arrived to the paddock on in front of the McLaren F1 hospitality area, with required "F1 VIP" lanyard to insure no one harrased him on the way in.

A more complete view of the giant Texas flag at turn six. Because as they say, everything is bigger in Texas.

The timing tower located at the pit lane exit.

BWT Alpine F1 Team's Fernando Alonso exits turn one as the sun begins setting on the first day of running for the weekend.

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's driver George Russell leaves the pit lane during the first Formula 1 practice session of the weekend.

Oracle Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen stands atop his car as he celebrates taking victory at the 2022 Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.

When your a beverage company sponsored team and you have reason to celebrate, you spray said beverage over everyone instead of champaign. At the conclusionof their celebratory group photo Red Bull team members scatter in all directions as Red Bull drinks spray everywhere.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Motorsport

Tags: austin, Circuit of the Americas, F1, Formula 1, Motorsport, texas, Texas Highways

October 28, 2022

West Glacier National Park Engagement Portraits, Morgan & Bryan

It's always a great idea, if the schedule works out, to do an engagement session with your photographer prior to the wedding day. For one, it insures that you've got a good rapport with them ahead of time. There's nothing better than when I roll up to a wedding day and the couple are already "old friends."

Morgan & Bryan have grown up visiting Whitefish with their families and thus are here often so it made sense to meet up for a portrait session. I loved meeting their dog Bruno—we always talk about Bruno—and wrapping up the session at the Bulldog in downtown Whitefish. I can't wait for their summer wedding at Snowline Acres this year.