Portraits Archives - Thewmatt Photography

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 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 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

June 23, 2023

Whitefish Family Photographer, The Cisnados

Spent a lovely evening with the Cisnado family at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake for a quick family portrait session this week. Mom just wanted some photos while they were vacationing here in Whitefish, and the boys and dad didn't want to make too much of a fuss about it. So I simply met them where they were staying and used the wonderful view available just steps from the back of The Lodge. Just more proof that family photos don't need to be stressful, or overly fussy, so don't let that discourage you if that's what is preventing you from getting family portraits taken, here or anywhere else.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

Tags: family, family portraits, Montana, Portraits, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, whitefish

May 22, 2023

West Glacier Family Photographer, The Wyatts

It's not every day I get to hang out with a family from Texas, and some newly minted University of Texas alumni. While photographing the Wyat family, however, that was just the case. They were visiting from Northeast Texas—a small town I was surprisingly not familiar with already—and two of the grown children are now former students from the campus where I spent a lot of time growing up.

As bad luck sometimes does, smoke from recent wildfires in Western Canada blew into Northwest Montana the few days before our session, and decided to hang around. That said, I think you'll agree it did nothing to make the backdrop any less amazing than it would normally be. Different? Yes. But Montana rarely disappoints.

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Family Photography, Portraits

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

May 10, 2023

West Glacier Elopement Photographer, Carly & Steve

A few weeks ago I got a text from my friend Katie with An Epic Elopement to see if I was available on a Tuesday for a quick elopement in West Glacier. As it turned out I was available and was happy to jump at the chance to once again work with her to document a lovely couple's nuptials.

Why only two weeks in advance? Well, Carly and Steve just happened to be in the area helping some friends move to the Flathead Valley, and decided they'd go ahead and get married while they were here. They've been together for years and engaged for several of those years. After getting engaged people would ask Steve when the wedding was and he would respond "Tuesday." Turns out, he's been telling the truth all this time.

We met up at the old Belton Bridge outside Glacier National Park for a sweet ceremony, celebrated with tequila shots afterward, and then headed into Apgar Village just inside the park for some portraits on the shores of Lake McDonald.

Planner: An Epic Elopement / Officiant: Raul with Best Day Officiants

Published by Matthew Wetzler in Blog, Elopement, Wedding

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

March 10, 2023

Ammie & Blake’s Courthouse Ceremony and Glacier National Park Portraits

My friend Katie with An Epic Elopement texted me one evening as she and her husband were having dinner with one of her neighbors to see if I was interested and available for a weekday portrait session with them. They were going to be getting married at the courthouse soon and were hoping for some portraits at the courthouse, and then 'somewhere epic' later on.

Well, it doesn't get much more epic than Glacier National Park in this neck of the woods, even if it is winter and there are low clouds everywhere. We left the sunny, blue skies of downtown Kalispell to the completely socked-in winter setting of Lake McDonald and took advantage of all the beauty it has to offer.