September 25, 2023

Jennifer & Eric’s Glacier National Park Adventure Portrait Session

I met Jennifer and Eric at the My Montana Wedding Expo & Style Show in Kalispell this past January. They already had an amazing wedding photographer for their big day but weren't able to schedule an adventure session with that same photographer due to scheduling. They were on the hunt for a photographer who offered adventure portrait sessions and was familiar with Glacier National Park. I was happy to inform them that I fit both of those requirements and was more than happy to get them on my summer schedule.

We enjoyed a very hot but no less beautiful late summer wedding day along Going-to-the-Sun Road, getting to know each other, and making some stunning portraits. The session honestly couldn't have gone any better.

September 6, 2023

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Duecks

The Dueck's were on a cross-country trip visiting National Parks and just experiencing all of the amazing things the American West has to offer. We met up in West Glacier just outside Glacier National Park on a mildly smoky late summer day, which is a fairly common occurrence unfortunately. The good news is, sometimes the haze makes for some truly dreamlike light and backdrops. That feeling came through really well in this gallery of images.

September 4, 2023

Glacier National Park Adventure Portrait Photographer, Julia & Javier

Living in an area that is for many people a once-in-a-lifetime destination is a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it means I get to meet and work with so many couples and families from all over and often witness their first experience with Glacier National Park. The curse comes with the realization that I will not get to hang out with the vast majority of these individuals again.

But every once in a while the stars align, and I get to hang out with people who are now basically old friends. Those stars aligned for Julia and Javier when they were able to return to Montana for their first anniversary, and I got to introduce them to a large portion of Going-to-the-Sun road they never got to experience when they were here for their wedding. A wedding that was beset with absolutely relentless rain for probably 85% of the day but was one of the most memorable weddings I've had the honor of being a part of. Memories aside though, the rain prevented the appropriate amount of couples portraits that they—and the handmade dress Julia's friend made her—deserved.

September 3, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Owens

The Owens family were visiting from Canada. And while they'd visited Whitefish before, this was the first time they'd all been able to get together in several years. I enjoyed joining them at their vacation rental in the Beaver Bay area of Whitefish Lake and we set out getting individual families photographed, along with individual photos of the children, followed by big groups, and even popping some champagne.

August 30, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Hippersons

I finally was privileged to meet Mary, whose sister Anna I've enjoyed working with over the years. Mary and her family were in town and took the opportunity to get some updated family photos. I met them essentially immediately after they arrived at the airport, and we worked as quickly as we could before their little man was thoroughly done with the session having been taken well out of his typical schedule. But I think it all worked out quite well.

August 28, 2023

Whitefish Portrait Photographer, The Desmonds and Friends

Earlier this summer I had the pleasure of working with a large group of friends here in Whitefish. Much to my delight it led to me working with Renee's family, because her cousin was in that first group. Renee had some friends along for the ride as well and we had a great time where they were staying, and then on the way up to Whitefish Mountain Resort.

August 23, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Ewens at Whitefish City Beach

Reunited and it feels so good. I once again had the pleasure of meeting up with the Ewens here in Whitefish before the end of summer. If you've got a good memory, you'll recognize this family of three—though soon to be four!—from an engagement session many moons ago, and a portrait session last year. They were in town again and wanted one more chance to get some family photos before becoming a family of four, and I was overjoyed to oblige. We started at Whitefish City Beach and explored a newish trailhead on the Whitefish Trail system on the way up to Whitefish Mountain Resort.

August 20, 2023

Studio Style Portrait Headshots, Cody Craven

I had the unique pleasure of doing some updated headshots for actor Cody Craven who took on the role of Carl Perkins in Alpine Theatre Project's production of "Million Dollar Quartet" here in Whitefish.

August 18, 2023

West Glacier Family Portraits, the Feckes

I'm not sure what it is with so many of my family portrait clients who are vacationing from places I have deep ties to, but the Feckes were no exception. They were visiting from Northern Illinois, which is where my mom is from, and where many of my friends from my time at Eastern Illinois University live. I'm not mad about it, it's always fun to compare and contrast the geography of Western Montana—majestic mountains everywhere—and just about anywhere in Illinois which is decidedly lacking in majestic mountains, though there is often a small hill or two. In addition to getting family portraits, they also used it as an opportunity to snag individuals of each kiddo, as well as some 'senior style' portraits of their oldest.

August 17, 2023

Bigfork Family Photographer, the Cheneys

As with the majority of my extended family portrait sessions, the Cheneys were using their visit to Montana to get together as one big family spending time together and exploring the beautiful Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park regions. They were renting a vacation rental right on the Flathead River heading into Bigfork. I joined them there in the morning as the adults wrapped up their morning coffees and as the kids needed to get some energy out.

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

Copyright ©Matthew Wetzler 2008–2024