Best of 2011 :: Montana Destination Wedding Photographer ::

It’s that time.  End of the year list time.  It’s one of those things that I love reading what other people have to say and then I procrastinate forever about doing my own.  I’m really lucky to consistently have great clients who I love working with every year.  And I’m normally so focused on what’s next that I don’t want to stop and look back — I’m ready to just dive in to what’s new.  But rainy weather here in Montana (not snow…do what!?) has made me sit down and pull some favorite photos from this past year. 

Thanks again to everyone for having myself, Lido and the always amazing Sarah be a part of your weddings, celebrations, and family get togethers.  We are lucky to have fun folks like you to keep us hoping on airplanes, climbing mountains, and generally fading into the background to catch great moments on your special days.  For that we are the luckiest.

Julia and Mark tied the knot in May at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.  Despite rainy and foggy weather they had a beautiful outdoor ceremony with friends and family present.  We snapped this pic just after the ceremony before they made their grand entrance inside as man and wife.

Erin and Kyle were married this November at a resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  We shot this portrait of Erin just after she finished getting ready and the image of the two of them just following the ceremony.  Seriously — this wedding was so much fun.  Erin and Kyle make a great case for escaping south of the boarder to say “I Do.”

Beth and Robert were married June 18th in Memphis, Tennessee.  Their ceremony at the Catholic church downtown was followed by a trolly ride to the train station where their reception took place.  These two were so laid back and their reception was a PARTY.  People were seriously ready to get down to some Motown tunes.  Awesome fun with a fabulous couple.

I love detail pictures and this was one of my favorites from Julia and Mark’s Whitefish, Montana wedding.  The Springy program with their rings made for a neat momento.

Mike and Tom’s wedding celebration at a private ranch here in Whitefish was nothing short of beautiful.  The people.  The weather.  The delicious treats from Rising Sun Bistro.  Everything came together so smoothly that it really was delightful to shoot.  I thought Tom looked extra “Great-Gatsby-esque” in our portrait shoot before the ceremony and the moon coming out for the reception was just icing on the cake.

This year wasn’t just about weddings but family pictures too.  The Jurgen family was willing to hang out in the rainy, cold weather and I’m so glad they did.  This pic of the family and their dog jumping towards me was one of my favorite moments from the year.  I always like shooting kids and this was a fun shoot with their two boys.

Emily and Mark’s Bigfork wedding made for some fantastic moments.  You know you have a great couple on your hands when their ride breaks down on the way to the reception from the church and they have no problem turning it into a photo op.  Lido and I had a great time capturing moments on their wedding day, right down to their shoes.  And seriously — the groom’s Dad getting down on the dance floor was one of my favorite things that happened this year.

The Donlan family’s photo shoot in Atlanta brought this quiet moment that I thought was a sweet capture of their family.  I just loved the way their little boy is eyeing Dad.

Teague and Monica were willing to traipse around in the rain for their photo shoot and I’m glad they did.  This was such a fun moment between them–and they ended up using it on their Christmas card.  Cute!

Molly, Chip and their little girl Hollis had two moments at their house in Atlanta that I thought were so sweet.  The family under the magnolia tree outside their new home and the new baby’s little toes.  Hollis is kind of adorable. And by kind of I mean definitely.

Thanks to everyone or making 2011 such a fun whirlwind.  Cheers to 2012 …..