Blog - Thewmatt Photography

June 7, 2021

Columbia Falls Family Photographer, The Fishers

Repeat customers are probably one of the most favorite things a family photographer can have, and that is especially true with this family. You may recognize them from a post late last summer, or possibly Nick from his video series "Small Business Every Saturday" promoting Flathead Valley small businesses that he invited me to be a part of this winter. Their daughter also happens to be one of my daughter's best friends! But unfortunately, they're having to move away from Northwest Montana but wanted to document their time here one last time prior to moving out of their house. It was such an honor to be the one documenting it, and I was sure not to actually say "goodbye," but leave them instead with a "see you around."

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: Columbia Falls, family, family photography, family portraits

June 2, 2021

Whitefish Family Photographer, Debbie’s Family Reunion

Debbie contacted me through my Instagram page in hopes of getting just a handful of photos of her family's spring visit to Whitefish. It was the first time they'd all been together in several years and was especially important to her parents. Multi-generational family sessions are always such a pleasure to do because there are always special moments whether it's between a dad and his daughters, some sibling tomfoolery, or grandparents and their grandchildren. Because of the toddlers and their diminutive attention spans to match their size, and the fact that Debbie is a pretty great photographer herself, I created a custom 'multi-generational family session' and we knocked these out in just 30 minutes.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family photography, family potraits, multi-generational family session, whitefish, whitefish city beach

April 8, 2021

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Joann & Ryan at Star Meadows Ranch

Joann and Ryan came to Whitefish from Colorado with their closest friends and family to hang out, go skiing, and get married! Their wedding at Star Meadows Ranch was the perfect match for their laid-back attitude full of dogs—they've got three—no attendants, unicorn socks, corn hole and hockey set up in the pavilion, a roaring fire, and fireworks to close out the evening.

They also had the most unique unity ceremony I've ever witnessed which involved them both pouring un-aged whiskey into a custom aging barrel to age over time and be enjoyed at a later date.

Venue: Star Meadows Ranch / Lodging: Star Meadows Ranch / Catering: DeSoto Grill / Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

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

February 15, 2021

Whitefish Montana Family Photographer, The Ahmads

I'd hate to speak for other photographers, but for this particular photographer, repeat business is one of the best feelings ever. I met the Ahmad family this past fall when they were paying a visit to Northwest Montana, and I was extremely stoked to get a text from them again this winter asking if I was available for some portraits this February as they were here for some powder turns at Whitefish Mountain Resort.

While it was certainly chilly we did manage to sneak in before an arctic system moved in and temperatures plunged below zero. We were also blessed with the most perfect light snowfall, something I've been wanting to have for a portrait session for the last three years but had never materialized until now!

Ahmad Winter Family Portraits in Whitefish Montana at Riverside Park

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, riverside park, whitefish, Winter, winter portraits

February 4, 2021

Whitefish Real Estate Photography, Iron Horse Custom Home

I recently had the opportunity to branch out a bit from my usual "people-in-the-frame" oriented work to document a custom home in the Iron Horse subdivision here in Whitefish. The real estate market in the Flathead Valley is out-of-control right now and reminds me a lot of the market in Austin when we left that area three years ago. The difference being the supply is far less than the demand. As such, this home was sold before it was ever finished. With that being the case the real estate agent never needed to photograph the house for a listing, but the builder still wanted a record of all the things they did in this particular house. It was really fun to try out some things I don't normally do. Thinks like doing 95% of the shoot on a tripod, and using my criminally underutilized drone for some exterior photos.

As you'll see, the way the house was situated with the back providing a beautiful view of Whitefish Lake. A winter sunset just bathes the living, dining, and kitchen area in the most beautiful golden light. Truly jaw dropping.

Whitefish Custom Home Real Estate Photography

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Real Estate

Tags: custom home, iron horse, luxury real estate photography, real estate, real estate photography, whitefish

January 11, 2021

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Connellys

My wife and I both come from a long line of teachers, with current and retired teachers on both sides of our respective families. As such we've got an immense amount of respect for those individuals that choose such a noble profession. So whenever I get an opportunity to work with one of my daughter's teachers it's always an honor. This winter I got to reconnect with her first grade teacher who had a profound impact on my daughter, and by extension us. She and her husband have three boys so it seemed appropriate to schedule the session in a location with an epic sledding hill to close out the photos.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family photography, family portraits, West Glacier, Winter, winter portraits

January 6, 2021

Glacier National Park Engagement Photographer, Sofiya & Collin

Living in the Flathead Valley—an area small in population but big on epic views—means the majority of the couples I work with tend to be from far away. This means there isn't often the opportunity to get together for engagement photos prior to the wedding. And while there are always phone calls, texts, emails, and yes videoconferencing that just about everyone grew accustomed to during 2020, there's just no better way to get to know each other than a pre-wedding photoshoot.

So when Sofiya and Collin, who live here in the valley, booked me for their wedding next year and asked for an engagement shoot I couldn't have been happier. The weather was bitter cold, but that's nothing a blanket, some snuggles, and okay plenty of hand warmers couldn't combat.

We had so much fun traipsing around West Glacier and Glacier National Park, I can't wait to party with them here in 2021.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Couples Portraits, Engagement, Portraits

Tags: couple, couples portraits, Engagement Photos, Engagement Session, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Winter Engagement

January 4, 2021

Montana Wedding Inspiration at Star Meadows Ranch, Whitefish, MT

This past fall Katie with Big Day Celebrations invited me to take part in a styled shoot at Star Meadows Ranch to celebrate their recently completed wedding and reception pavilion. It's an extremely cool space on the sprawling property that features open meadows, mountain vistas, and secluded wooded trails that are an amazing setting for a wedding, family reunion, or really any occasion where you might want to get friends and family together, particularly in these times where social distancing is prudent.

A huge thanks to Katie for organizing this and inviting me along, our models Cristine and Josh, and a shout out to the amazing team of vendors that made magic happen on this smokey September evening.

Planner: Big Day Celebrations / Venue: Star Meadows Ranch / Hair & Makeup: The Edge Salon / Couture: J Scott Couture / Rentals: With Love Vintage Rentals, The Party Store, BBJ Linen / Bakery: Montana Wildflour / Paper Goods: Simply K Calligraphy

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Styled Shoot, Wedding

Tags: Montana Wedding, Star Meadows Ranch, Styled Shoot, styled wedding, Wedding, wedding inspiration

December 11, 2020

Glacier National Park Wedding Photographer, Kaylee & Braxton’s Post-Wedding Portrait Session

Kaylee and Braxton didn't actually elope, bu they were celebrating their honeymoon here in Whitefish. And what is that saying "When in [Whitefish] you do as [Montanans] do." You put on your wedding attire and you book a portrait session in Glacier National Park!

Okay, maybe not everyone does that, but I am so happy these two Texans—by way of D.C.—ended up contacting me for said portraits. Kaylee is a photographer herself so it was really fun to talk a little shop. It was also a little different working with someone who knew just about all the prompts, and what those prompts were trying to accomplish. It made things super quick and efficient which was ideal given that it was below freezing. But I was once again blessed with a couple that was all smiles for miles.

Incidentally I'm so glad my wife insisted on buying a box of the little hand warmers to keep in the car to use for photoshoots. They've come in super handy this winter.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Couples Portraits, Portraits

Tags: couple, couples portraits, Glacier National Park, Montana, West Glacier, Winter

December 9, 2020

Glacier National Park Engagement Photographer, Michelle & Alex

Michelle and Alex were visiting all the way from North Texas and like any couple with taste, they wanted some engagement photos in Glacier National Park. They were actually my second of three Texas couples in the last eight weeks which has been really nice. It's always a pleasure to show people from the state where I grew up the area that has since captivated me. It wasn't snowing, unfortunately, but it was definitely more chilly than a couple of Texans were used to. It was actually a bit dreary this particular day, but you'd never know it from the laughter and the jokes shared during the session.

I may not be any relationship expert, but I like to think that laughter is an awfully solid foundation from which love grows. If that assumption is correct, these two are primed for many, many years of happiness. Congratulations to Michelle and Alex!