October 17, 2022

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Sanders Family

Another evening of absolutely perfect Fall weather here in West Glacier and Glacier National Park. This time with the Sanders family.

September 30, 2022

Bigfork Family Photographer, The Gazieva Family

This family session, while maybe a little out-of-the-ordinary was such a delight. It was more along the lines of what you might call "a day in the life" session. We did a handful of posed photos, but the vast majority were really me fading into the background and documenting them sharing some family time. Whether that was reading a book, drawing dots, riding bikes, or going on a little family hike and building fairy houses.

So let this be your reminder that it's always okay to slow down, and take time for fairy houses.

September 28, 2022

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Buescher Family

The Buescher family from Alabama! We had a fun connection when I correctly pronounced their last name thanks to it being the same as a State Park in Central Texas. We talked about the 'Bama game against The University of Texas the previous Saturday where UT almost pulled off the upset, and I enjoyed attempting to get a smile from the very serious little toddler.

September 26, 2022

Columbia Falls Family Photographer, The Sperandio Family at Rivers Edge Park

A lovely weekday portrait session with the Sperandio family getting together before daughter Madeline was going to be on deployment for several months. Rivers Edge Park is such a lovely, surprisingly secluded park right near downtown Columbia Falls that is perfect for portrait sessions and family picnics.

September 5, 2022

Korpela Family Portraits at Abbott Valley Homestead

The Korpela family reunion I was fortunate to be invited to photograph followed a similar theme to so many large family gatherings I photographed in 2022. That the occasion was the first time everyone had been able to get together in one place, at the same time, in at least two years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It's always so fun to be a part of these large gatherings.

My favorite part of this particular portrait session though was eventually winning over the youngest member of the family. For the first 30 or 40 minutes she didn't want anything to do with this stranger in their midst taking everyone's photos. But after giving her some space, and having her race her brother to see who was fastest she warmed up and did a complete 180 from before, totally taking control of the session and art directing a good portion of the photos that came afterward.

August 8, 2022

West Glacier Family Photographer, The McDowell’s

Nothing like a simple and relaxed family portrait session in and around West Glacier. We kept this one pretty relaxed and informal with the little one because it's pretty easy to get tired of smiling for the camera (this applies to grown-ups sometimes too.)

July 24, 2022

West Glacier Family Portrait Mini-Session, The Burtons

The Burton family happened to be breezing through Northwest Montana on a cross-country road trip, and wanted to memorialize it with a quick family session, but nothing too involved. They didn't have a ton of time to carve out as they had plans to visit as much of Glacier National Park as possible. I don't often do one-off West Glacier mini-sessions, particularly in the summer, but occasionally my schedule lines up to allow it, and I'm glad I was able to accommodate.

July 22, 2022

West Glacier Family Portraits at Snowmoon Ranch, The Bratts

My portrait session with the Bratt family was another amongst the "delayed family reunion/vacation" that finally got to take place after COVID cancellations. They were staying at the amazing Snowmoon Ranch vacation rental as part of the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets in West Glacier. After the standard group photos you really have to get at these moments, we had those who wanted to kayak or canoe do so and I snapped away. Such a great way to spend another evening of near-perfect weather this summer in Montana.

July 20, 2022

Whitefish City Beach Family Portraits, The Ewens

This family was so special if even just a bit bittersweet for me. I was supposed to photograph Anna and Lex's wedding in the early summer of 2020. As you can imagine, those plans didn't exactly move forward as planned because of... things... going on in the world at the time.

They ultimately tied the knot back home in Canada, and have since added a two-legged baby to go along with the four-legged child to make a family. Much to my excitement they came down to Whitefish shortly after the border between the U.S. and Canada reopened for non-essential travel and I got to see and photograph them for the first time since their engagement photos in 2019!

July 15, 2022

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Pattersons

What do you get when you mix a delightful family, absolutely perfect mid-summer weather, and Northwest Montana's beautiful scenery? Some truly amazing, almost unbelievable family portraits. I truly didn't want this portrait session to end, and the Patterson's to return to their home in Florida. I wanted them to find a house here not even so that I could have them as repeat clients, but just to hang out and chat.

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

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