August 18, 2023

West Glacier Family Portraits, the Feckes

I'm not sure what it is with so many of my family portrait clients who are vacationing from places I have deep ties to, but the Feckes were no exception. They were visiting from Northern Illinois, which is where my mom is from, and where many of my friends from my time at Eastern Illinois University live. I'm not mad about it, it's always fun to compare and contrast the geography of Western Montana—majestic mountains everywhere—and just about anywhere in Illinois which is decidedly lacking in majestic mountains, though there is often a small hill or two. In addition to getting family portraits, they also used it as an opportunity to snag individuals of each kiddo, as well as some 'senior style' portraits of their oldest.

August 16, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet”

A part of how Alpine Theatre Project made its name was bringing Broadway talent to the Flathead Valley to perform Broadway and off-broadway productions. As they've evolved over the years to focus more on youth education opportunities—and the start of the COVID pandemic—that aspect of their mission took a bit of a backseat.

Needless to say, it was such a pleasure to finally get to photograph one of those productions. This summer ATP staged Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux's musical "Million Dollar Quartet" which dramatizes the Million Dollar Quartet recording session of December 4, 1956, at Sun Records which featured Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

August 14, 2023

Missoula Wedding Photographer, Monica & Sean at St Francis Xavier and The Barn on Mullan

I was so excited to finally make it down to Missoula for a wedding this summer. Not that there is any problem at all with the Flathead Valley, but it's always exciting to check out new venues and areas I've not had the opportunity to photograph before.

It was also exciting due to the fact it was a church ceremony followed by an offsite reception, which I don't get to do too often. And what a beautiful church it was. St. Francis Xavier in downtown Missoula is truly impressive as you'll see in the photos below.

After the ceremony, the couple and wedding party made our way to the Blue Mountain Trailhead for some portraits and group photos, and finally made our way to The Barn on Mullan for the reception!

Venues: St Francis Xavier and The Barn on Mullan / Bakery: Bernice's Bakery / DJ: Hey Mr DJ / Florist: Farm Hand Farm

August 13, 2023

Studio Portrait Style Headshots, the Pickerts

It's always fun to expand one's skill set and try things that are just a little bit outside the normal day-to-day work that I do. So it's been fun this summer to get out a backdrop and do more studio-style headshots portraits. To have a project where Montana's unpredictable weather is not a factor, and have complete control over the lighting being used is so refreshing.

It was also a blast to work with siblings Gabby and Cole, whom I've photographed on stage many times in various Alpine Theatre Project productions.

August 11, 2023

Bigfork Family Photographer, the Larcombes

I've said this before—on social media for sure, if not here on this very blog—but one of the biggest compliments I feel you can give a photographer is inviting them back into your life after you've worked with them before. I had one such honor recently after I received a message from Kate and Benjamin. I photographed their intimate, backyard wedding at Ben's parent's house.

I got to return to that very same location to photograph them as a relatively new family of three, and it was so great to see them again.

August 7, 2023

Glacier National Park Family Photographer, the Hamiltons

Lauren, the eldest of the Hamilton daughters, was fortunate to be working as a seasonal employee at Glacier Raft Co., and even more fortunate that her family was able to come to visit her here! They spent time traipsing around Glacier National Park, and naturally—since you're seeing this on my website—took the opportunity to get some family photos in the Last Best Place.

August 4, 2023

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Jennifer and Chase at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake

It's always such an honor and pleasure photographing these intimate weddings. When the wedding is simply the couple, their families, and their absolute closest friends it's humbling to be included as a relative 'outsider.' Jennifer and Chase at the Lodge were no exception. The vibe of the day was "love and let's party" and that is what everyone did.

It was all the more awesome working with some of my absolute favorite vendors here in the valley kept in line by my friend Katie with Big Day Celebrations.

Venue & Catering: The Lodge at Whitefish Lake / Wedding Design: Big Day Celebrations / Bakery: Montana Wildflour / DJ: Sidecar Audio / Hair & Makeup: Covet Beauty / Florals: Conrad Floral / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events / Videographer: Treasure State Entertainment

July 26, 2023

Polson Elopement Photographer, Kelly and Mark at the Lake County Courthouse

Kelly and Mark were visiting friends who had recently moved to Lake County here in Montana and had been discussing eloping for a while. That being the case they thought Flathead Lake and the surrounding mountains seemed to be as perfect a place as any to do so!

We met up at the Lake County Courthouse in downtown Polson for a few quick portraits of them and their friends who served as witnesses, and then we headed down to the lakefront for some portraits of just the two of them.

July 24, 2023

West Glacier Wedding Photographer, Leah & Hans at Halfmoon Lake

I met Leah and Hans at the My Montana Wedding Expo and Style show this past January and they booked me on the spot. They were planning a "backyard wedding" at some property of family friends on Halfmoon Lake just a hop, skip, and a jump from Glacier National Park in West Glacier.

After a quick "fake first look" with the best man standing in for the bride, and then a real first look we hopped into cars and headed into and around Glacier for the wedding party photos before returning to the ceremony and reception location for the remainder of the night.

Venue: Private Residence / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events / Catering: Josh Auerhammer / DJ: Bradshaw Media / Florals: Bitterroot Flower Shop / Second Photographer: Porsche Jean Photography

July 10, 2023

Kalispell Wedding Photographer, Lindsay and Brady at Diamond B Weddings

One thing I always tell my wedding couples is that no matter how far out you begin planning, the wedding day will arrive before you know it. Time seems to accelerate the closer the big day comes. Lindsay and Brady's wedding was no exception. They booked my photography services 19 months ago, way back in 2021. Fast forward to the summer of this year and here we are!

This was such a fun and unique wedding, as just about everyone in the wedding both wedding parties and the bride and groom more or less grew up together. There's something really cool when everyone has that shared history together that makes the wedding day really intimate even though there are around 200 people there.

Venue: Diamond B Weddings / Couture: Mimi's Bridal / Hair & Makeup: Halo Salon / Bakery: Montana Wildflour / Sweets: Montana Sweet Traditions / Flowers: Two Kays Flower Farm / Catering: Dickey's Barbecue / Photo Booth: The Candid Caravan / Jewelry: Coins & Carats / Second Photographer: Cortney Foster Photos

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Matt Wetzler is an editorial, motorsport, portrait, and destination wedding photographer based in Whitefish, Montana.

Copyright ©Matthew Wetzler 2008–2024