Blog - Page 9 of 28 - Thewmatt Photography

June 28, 2023

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Krissy & Todd at Star Meadows Ranch

I had my true kick-off to my 2023 wedding season this past week out at Star Meadows Ranch outside Whitefish. It was so great to share that kick-off with Krissy, Todd, and their friends and family. It was almost more like a summer camp outing—though with a more formal dress code than your typical summer camp—than a big fancy wedding but it had all the elements you might want.

Your best friends standing up with you? Check. Surrounded by family? Check. Flower girl and ring bearer? Check. A Jello shot bearer... wait what?

Venue & Lodging: Star Meadows Ranch / Coordinator & Florals: Dear Dahlia / Hair & Makeup: Craft Society Salon / Catering: 406 BBQ & Montana Picnic Co. / DJ & Music: Kadin Beller with RMF Entertainment / Couture: Alena Leena & Indochino / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

Tags: Montana, Montana Wedding, Star Meadows Ranch, Wedding, whitefish

June 25, 2023

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Newmans

It's a bit of a cliché that the weather here in the mountains can be unpredictable. But sometimes clichés are created for a reason. My evening with the Newman family was a perfect illustration of that. Mid-June temperatures in the 40s? Why not?! It was a bit of a shock for these wonderful folks from Louisiana where the heat index was well into the 100s this past week. They braved the chill though, and the clouds, sun, and sky couldn't have been more cooperative for some truly amazing evening light.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family portraits, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits, West Glacier

June 23, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Cisnados

Spent a lovely evening with the Cisnado family at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake for a quick family portrait session this week. Mom just wanted some photos while they were vacationing here in Whitefish, and the boys and dad didn't want to make too much of a fuss about it. So I simply met them where they were staying and used the wonderful view available just steps from the back of The Lodge. Just more proof that family photos don't need to be stressful, or overly fussy, so don't let that discourage you if that's what is preventing you from getting family portraits taken, here or anywhere else.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, Portraits, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, whitefish

June 1, 2023

Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “Suite Surrender”

Once again working with my friends at Whitefish Theatre Company, I had the pleasure of photographing the delightful farce "Suite Surrender." And what a classic farce this particular play is. Mistaken identities, missed connections, and misunderstandings abound. If you're in the Flathead Valley this weekend or next—June 1–4th and 8–10th—you should really check it out.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Theatre

Tags: Live Performance, Montana, Theatre, whitefish, Whitefish Theatre Co

May 22, 2023

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Wyatts

It's not every day I get to hang out with a family from Texas, and some newly minted University of Texas alumni. While photographing the Wyat family, however, that was just the case. They were visiting from Northeast Texas—a small town I was surprisingly not familiar with already—and two of the grown children are now former students from the campus where I spent a lot of time growing up.

As bad luck sometimes does, smoke from recent wildfires in Western Canada blew into Northwest Montana the few days before our session, and decided to hang around. That said, I think you'll agree it did nothing to make the backdrop any less amazing than it would normally be. Different? Yes. But Montana rarely disappoints.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits, West Glacier

May 19, 2023

Dana’s Surprise 40th Birthday Party

Nothing is more exciting, and a little anxiety-inducing, than when you're hired by another photographer for a job. But it's ultimately always a blast. My colleague Jennifer Vernarsky's husband was turning the big 4-O and was holding a surprise party for him at a Kalispell vacation rental. It was so much fun arriving early to capture some of the custom decorations she'd ordered from Etsy, and getting to hang out with her in-laws while we waited for them to arrive for the big surprise. Of course, I had a piece of the delicious cake from the Crumb Cake Bakery.

The good news, the surprise was a success, and everything went off without a hitch in the plans.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Event

Tags: birthday party, family, family portraits, kalispell, Montana, surprise party

May 10, 2023

West Glacier Elopement Photographer, Carly & Steve

A few weeks ago I got a text from my friend Katie with An Epic Elopement to see if I was available on a Tuesday for a quick elopement in West Glacier. As it turned out I was available and was happy to jump at the chance to once again work with her to document a lovely couple's nuptials.

Why only two weeks in advance? Well, Carly and Steve just happened to be in the area helping some friends move to the Flathead Valley, and decided they'd go ahead and get married while they were here. They've been together for years and engaged for several of those years. After getting engaged people would ask Steve when the wedding was and he would respond "Tuesday." Turns out, he's been telling the truth all this time.

We met up at the old Belton Bridge outside Glacier National Park for a sweet ceremony, celebrated with tequila shots afterward, and then headed into Apgar Village just inside the park for some portraits on the shores of Lake McDonald.

Planner: An Epic Elopement / Officiant: Raul with Best Day Officiants

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Elopement, Wedding

Tags: Elopement, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits, Wedding, West Glacier

May 8, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s ATP Kids! production of “Les Misérables”

Over the span of a couple of months, 50 plus middle and high school students throughout the Flathead Valley rehearsed and performed "Les Misérables," one of—if not the most—famous theatre shows in the world. It's a difficult show about love and loss set amidst the backdrop of the French Revolution.

If you've followed my work for any amount of time, you're likely already aware of how impressive Alpine Theatre Project's productions are. Their student productions in particular never fail to just blow me away. The amount of care and commitment ATP puts into each production, and the dedication the kids display is so evident when seen on stage, it is nothing short of inspiring.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Theatre

Tags: Alpine Theatre Project, ATP Kids, Live Performance, Theatre, whitefish

April 6, 2023

Whitefish Theatre Company’s production of “Evelyn in Purgatory”

Another fun project documenting a rehearsal of Whitefish Theatre Co.'s production of the play "Evelyn in Purgatory" written by Topher Payne. depicting teachers on a probation of sort in the New York Department of Education. Admittedly less frenetic than my last two projects with them. More talky, some humor, but more serious. The cast did an incredible job and includes 7 actors from around the Flathead Valley. Joy James plays Evelyn Reid, Andy Wilton plays Candace Metzger, Merannda Button plays Lila Wadkins, Dawn Watland plays Roberta Burke, Mikey Winn plays Toby Fleming, Malcolm Sharbutt plays Fred DiSalvo, and Laura Abernethy plays Ms. Atwood.

The preview performance is today, and it runs this weekend and next.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Theatre

Tags: Live Performance, Theatre, whitefish, Whitefish Theatre Co

March 22, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Cowarts at Whitefish City Beach

Those in the Flathead may recognize the Cowart name from local musician Todd Cowart. I've had the pleasure of photographing him as a performer a number of times in his work with The Alpine Theatre Project productions.

Needless to say when I got the call that his family would be visiting from out of town and he was hoping to grab some family photos with them I jumped at the opportunity to make it happen! We had an exquisite bluebird afternoon at—and on—Whitefish City Beach as our setting, and there were lots of laughs to be had.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, whitefish, whitefish city beach

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