July 22, 2022

West Glacier Family Portraits at Snowmoon Ranch, The Bratts

My portrait session with the Bratt family was another amongst the "delayed family reunion/vacation" that finally got to take place after COVID cancellations. They were staying at the amazing Snowmoon Ranch vacation rental as part of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets in West Glacier. After the standard group photos you really have to get at these moments, we had those who wanted to kayak or canoe do so and I snapped away. Such a great way to spend another evening of near-perfect weather this summer in Montana.

July 20, 2022

Whitefish City Beach Family Portraits, The Ewens

This family was so special if even just a bit bittersweet for me. I was supposed to photograph Anna and Lex's wedding in the early summer of 2020. As you can imagine, those plans didn't exactly move forward as planned because of... things... going on in the world at the time.

They ultimately tied the knot back home in Canada, and have since added a two-legged baby to go along with the four-legged child to make a family. Much to my excitement they came down to Whitefish shortly after the border between the U.S. and Canada reopened for non-essential travel and I got to see and photograph them for the first time since their engagement photos in 2019!

July 15, 2022

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Pattersons

What do you get when you mix a delightful family, absolutely perfect mid-summer weather, and Northwest Montana's beautiful scenery? Some truly amazing, almost unbelievable family portraits. I truly didn't want this portrait session to end, and the Patterson's to return to their home in Florida. I wanted them to find a house here not even so that I could have them as repeat clients, but just to hang out and chat.

July 4, 2022

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Andersons

The Anderson family have been regular visitors to the Whitefish area for years, but a global pandemic and a closed Northern border between the U.S. and Canada had prevented them from making the visit for the last several years. Hailing from Canada and points beyond, this was the first time the whole family has been together in over two years and it was such a pleasure to document the occasion with some portraits at Whitefish City Beach and Riverside Park.

July 1, 2022

West Glacier Portrait Photographer, The Colson Family

Nikki contacted me several weeks before her family's trip to Montana to have some portraits done while they were here, as one does. Or as one should do anyway. She was going to be with her husband, their children, her parents, and her aunt and uncle. They weren't interested in anything super fancy, just to capture them on a rare occasion when they were all together. I arranged to meet them at their vacation rental on Lake Five in West Glacier and we made quick work of documenting their vacation. It's always such an honor to share these moments with these families.

June 6, 2022

Columbia Falls Family Photographer, The Ahmads

If I'm ever feeling bummed about the status of my bookings, I can thankfully count on at least one thing a couple of times of year to bring me right out of it. And that is Maggie messaging me for some updated family portraits. I've now photographed them every season and a half-dozen times over the last 2.5 years. Love seeing their family grow and change.

November 3, 2021

Mother-Daughter Mini Session at Cypress Bend Park, New Braunfels

While I was in Austin for Formula 1 recently I made the short drive to New Braunfels to have dinner with some of my wife's extended family as well as meet up with a former coworker for a quick portrait mini-session for her and her daughter. As you can see, the daughter wasn't into the session at all and was just quiet and shy the entire time. Or maybe she was the opposite of all of that.

October 22, 2021

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Coxes

I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I'll keep saying it, I really do enjoy doing multi-family, multi-generational family portrait sessions. I get to meet people from all over the country and often get to witness their introduction to Glacier National Park and see their reactions that first time.

October 6, 2021

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Blanks

The Blank family was traveling the country in their fifth wheel camper and hoping to grab some family portraits along with "school portraits" for their kids and I was of course more than happy to oblige. And while I don't think I'll ever get jaded about visiting Glacier all the time, It's really great to be able to visit the national park with "fresh eyes" each time I get to meet a family or couple there for portraits.

September 22, 2021

Lakeside Family Photographer, The Schneiders

I know I must sound like a broken record with these blog posts, especially for family portraits, but I try to speak only the truth! I may be an introvert at heart, but I truly enjoy getting to meet families from other parts of the country, particularly when it is multiple generations of said families. Being able to see them all together and documenting their time here in Montana through photography really is lots of fun and I am fortunate to be able to do so. The Schneiders were no different, and they were all spending time together at a lovely rental in Lakeside. Smoke unfortunately mostly obscured any views of Flathead Lake we may have had otherwise, but we made do with the surrounding area and I'd say the results speak for themselves. Also, puppies! I will never discourage anyone from bringing their dogs with them for family portraits because after all, they are part of the family. As long as it is legal to do so of course, there are places inside National Parks you are not allowed to bring your four-legged friends.

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

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