June 10, 2022

Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer, Dee & Steve

I met Dee and Steve through wedding planner extraordinaire Kate Jimenez with An Epic Elopement. They'd initially contacted her for her all-inclusive elopement package but after consultation—and because she's such a sweetheart—she realized they didn't really need that much for what they were looking to do. After contacting me to see if I was available, she basically handed them off to me and suggested they order a bouquet from Mum's Flowers in Whitefish, and it would be super simple. They weren't needing an officiant, they were simply going to exchange vows between themselves, which for now does not require a special permit to be obtained from Glacier National Park ahead of time.

Initially, our plans were for a part of the park that sometimes opens by early June but with the unpredictability of weather, and a very late winter storm we experienced in Northwest Montana that was unfortunately not possible, but I think we found a suitable alternate location, and it was such an honor to play my small role in documenting their exchange of vows.

May 11, 2022

Glacier National Park Portrait Photographer, The Rhodes

As you might imagine people arrive in Northwestern Montana from all over the place. Tina and her husband were visiting from the Southeastern United States where the mountains look quite a bit different and the spring climate is dramatically different. No matter, they simply embraced the chilly weather, admired the snow on the mountains across Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and we had a wonderful morning.

February 17, 2022

Glacier National Park Maternity Portraits, Cristine & Josh

Cristine and Josh seem to have developed a habit of finding themselves in front of my camera, and I do not mind one bit. We've met in Fall, Summer, and now winter. We need to get together in the Spring to complete the seasonal collection.

This session may have actually been my favorite as it's such an honor to continue documenting someone's life together as they move from a couple to a family.

February 15, 2022

Winter Engagement Portraits in West Glacier, Ashlyn & Patrick

Ashlyn & Patrick were recently engaged and in the area so naturally, they wanted some portraits taken in and around Glacier National Park. February weather and all. And like the vast majority of people that find themselves in front of my camera, they claimed to be totally helpless in photos. I had to vehemently disagree, however, as they absolutely nailed their session, especially the in-between moments where I simply take photos while not necessarily giving any direction at all. Just them being their natural selves. Which is actually a big pro tip. Just be yourself if you're having portraits taken, pretend the camera isn't there.

December 1, 2021

Glacier National Park Winter Engagement Photographer, Xaviera & Adam

Xaviera & Adam contacted me sort of last minute as they were visiting Whitefish for a quick vacation and visiting wedding venues for a wedding the following year. It'd been a while since I'd had the opportunity to photograph a winter engagement portrait session so I was thrilled that I was available and we made plans to freeze our collective rear-ends off and pay Glacier National Park a visit. In these scenarios, I always feel a little bit bad for the couple who is trying to be cute and handsome in below-freezing temperatures while I get to bundle up as much as possible. And of course, as is often the case in life, the women suffer more than anyone else, as cute women's clothing is typically offers less coverage, and is just generally not as warm, to begin with.

Xaviera and Adam were troopers about it though, and braving the frigid temperatures was totally worth it.

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 15, 2021

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Highleys

Often times as photographers we talk about capturing memories and moments for you and your family to look back on for years to come. Most of the time those memories are pretty straightforward and along the lines of "So happy we're spending time together in such a beautiful place like Glacier National Park!" However, sometimes they end up "Remember that time you took a rock to the back of the head?" While we took a short break to skip rocks allowing the kids a respite from posing and smiling, that is unfortunately what happened to the youngest male of the Highley family. Of course, I wouldn't be sharing this if he wasn't ultimately fine, but there was blood involved which was a first for me during a family portrait session. But now they have photos to commemorate the occasion, and all-in-all we had a really great time together!

October 13, 2021

Glacier National Park Engagement Photographer, Cassandra & Justin

The Eastside of Glacier National Park is typically far windier than the Westside. Surely it has something to do with geography and the presence of the continental divide running more or less vertically through the park. Regardless of the reason, whenever I have portrait sessions scheduled over there I try to suggest that "flowy" or "breezy" attire be worn. Cassandra very much understood the assignment. Had so much fun traipsing around the park—from East to West—with these two this fall.

October 8, 2021

Glacier National Park Wedding Photographer, Emily & Harrison at Apgar Amphitheatre

Emily and Harrison planned an intimate, laid-back wedding at Glacier National Park at the Apgar Amphiteatre. It's one of the locations inside the park that provides for a larger number of guests versus the vast majority of other permissible ceremony locations. Their photography requests were pretty simple. A few getting ready photos at their vacation rentals where they were staying with family and friends, some quick portraits in the "Big Bend" location along Going-to-the-Sun Rd, and of course the ceremony itself. Luck and fate shined upon us all that day, as previous days' wildfire smoke largely blew off providing for clear skies and the weather could not have been more perfect.

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.

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

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