Blog - Thewmatt Photography

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

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

Tags: Glacier National Park, Montana, Montana Wedding, Wedding, West Glacier

July 21, 2023

College Friend Reunion Portraits in Whitefish

This large group portrait session was such a joy to be a part of. I large group of college friends had gotten together here in Whitefish and wanted to commemorate the occasion with some big group photos, some individual family photos, and some couples photos. Large family reunions are of course a joy, but when that large family is people who have chosen to be 'family' it's truly unique. And frankly, all of the little children running around, inside jokes, and just general camaraderie is a blast.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Couples Portraits, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, Portraits, reunion portraits, whitefish

July 17, 2023

Senior Portrait Photographer, Taylor in Whitefish

Taylor's family has moved around a lot, but have spent a couple of lengthy stints in Montana, and they own some property in Northwest Montana. Unfortunately, they were once again moved out of the treasure state, but that didn't mean she didn't want her senior portraits taken here in Whitefish. And who can blame her really?

I was able to spend a wonderful evening hitting up several spots around town with Taylor and her mom as they said goodbye to the mountains for the time being. As such, she felt the need to take one last swim in a crystal clear Montana lake before returning to their current home where the water is, shall we say, less clear.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Portraits, Senior Portraits

Tags: Montana, Portraits, Senior, whitefish, whitefish city beach

July 12, 2023

Switchback Suites, Downtown Kalispell Boutique Hotel

Several months ago my friends Joe and Katie bought a boutique hotel right in downtown Kalispell. Then came a couple of months of frantic work as they refurnished, remodeled, and converting office space into two additional rooms. This brings us to today and eight rooms, conveniently located to major thoroughfares, walking distance from walking and biking trails, downtown shopping, and local food options.

I occasionally dabble in real estate photography so when they asked if I was available to help them get their listings ready for primetime I jumped at the chance. If you're planning on being in the Flathead Valley and need a place to lay your head, it's worth checking out. You can learn all you need to know about the accommodations at the Switchback Suites website.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Real Estate

Tags: kalispell, Lodging, Montana, real estate, real estate photography, vacation rental

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

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

Tags: Diamond B Weddings, kalispell, Montana, Montana Wedding, Wedding

July 9, 2023

Studio Portrait Headshots for Tracy McDowell

I met Tracy through my work with Alpine Theatre Project here in Whitefish, having photographed her performing in multiple productions from the annual "Yuletide Affair," and tributes to big band era music, the queens of country music, and well, "Queen."

It was a pleasure to get to work with her on some updated headshots for her portfolio. Largely because she's just awesome to work with, but also because it gave me a chance to exercise some photo skills I don't necessarily use on a day-to-day basis. That being of a studio portrait setup. I broke out my backdrops, my studio flash setup, and we cleared some space at ATP's rehearsal space to make some magic. Hair and makeup were done by Sieh Beauty.

You can see her on stage next month in ATP's production of "Million Dollar Quartet."

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Headshots, Portraits

Tags: Headshots, Portraits, Studio Portraits

July 5, 2023

Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer, Michelle & Tyler

I was so fortunate to team up with An Epic Elopement for this sweet little elopement at Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park. Just Michelle and Tyler, Tyler's parents, Michelle's best friends, myself, and Katie officiating. Michelle made her own bouqet with blooms from Two Kays Flower Farm, we took some lovely photos in a few different spots in the park, and they had dinner at the Belton Chalet just outside the West entrance.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Elopement, Wedding

Tags: Elopement, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits

July 3, 2023

Whitefish Portrait Photographer, The Mordis Family at Whitefish City Beach

It's always great to be able to capture stages of life for friends of ours. My family met the Mordis family several years ago through our daughter who shared an art camp at Stumptown Art Studio with their youngest daughter. Since then they've returned to Whitefish every summer and we've watched Whitefish Theatre Company acting camps together and had pool parties. This year their visit, unfortunately, coincided with my wife and daughter being on a vacation of their own, but I still managed to meet up with them at City Beach for some long-overdue family portraits.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, Portraits, whitefish, whitefish city beach

June 28, 2023

Whitefish Wedding Photographer, Krissy & Todd at Star Meadows Ranch

I had my true kick-off to my 2023 wedding season this past week out at Star Meadows Ranch outside Whitefish. It was so great to share that kick-off with Krissy, Todd, and their friends and family. It was almost more like a summer camp outing—though with a more formal dress code than your typical summer camp—than a big fancy wedding but it had all the elements you might want.

Your best friends standing up with you? Check. Surrounded by family? Check. Flower girl and ring bearer? Check. A Jello shot bearer... wait what?

Venue & Lodging: Star Meadows Ranch / Coordinator & Florals: Dear Dahlia / Hair & Makeup: Craft Society Salon / Catering: 406 BBQ & Montana Picnic Co. / DJ & Music: Kadin Beller with RMF Entertainment / Couture: Alena Leena & Indochino / Rentals & Decor: Empress Tents & Events

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Wedding

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

June 25, 2023

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Newmans

It's a bit of a cliché that the weather here in the mountains can be unpredictable. But sometimes clichés are created for a reason. My evening with the Newman family was a perfect illustration of that. Mid-June temperatures in the 40s? Why not?! It was a bit of a shock for these wonderful folks from Louisiana where the heat index was well into the 100s this past week. They braved the chill though, and the clouds, sun, and sky couldn't have been more cooperative for some truly amazing evening light.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family portraits, Glacier National Park, Montana, Portraits, West Glacier

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