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

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.

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.

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

February 17, 2023

Glacier National Park Honeymoon Portraits, Morgan & Eric

Morgan & Eric visited Montana for their honeymoon after their Florida wedding. Going from one corner of the contiguous United States to virtually the opposite corner. Trading beaches for mountains and sun and warmth for winter.

They were absolute champs though, and Morgan fully embraced the winter setting by pelting Eric with snowballs—with a little bit of warning at least—to close out the session. Because if your winter portraits don't break out in a snowball fight, did they ever happen?

October 28, 2022

West Glacier National Park Engagement Portraits, Morgan & Bryan

It's always a great idea, if the schedule works out, to do an engagement session with your photographer prior to the wedding day. For one, it insures that you've got a good rapport with them ahead of time. There's nothing better than when I roll up to a wedding day and the couple are already "old friends."

Morgan & Bryan have grown up visiting Whitefish with their families and thus are here often so it made sense to meet up for a portrait session. I loved meeting their dog Bruno—we always talk about Bruno—and wrapping up the session at the Bulldog in downtown Whitefish. I can't wait for their summer wedding at Snowline Acres this year.

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 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.

August 31, 2022

Glacier National Park Elopement Photographer, Susan & Steve at Lake McDonald

When you get a call from your friend Sarah Harding to see if you're available on a weekday for an hour for a sweet elopement in the park, you don't say no. Bonus points for the couple wanting to include the Jeep they've been driving across the country.

Susan and Steve were visiting from Lousianna and while they were still going to have a big party for friends and family back home, they thought "why not do something intimate with just the two of us?" And I couldn't agree more. It was super low-stress, we chatted about life and Jeeps, and Sarah and I got to be part of something extremely special.

August 22, 2022

Glacier National Park Senior Portraits, Aspen, Class of ’23

Hey everybody, meet Aspen, Class of '23. Aspen is a badass softball player, you don't want to mess with her. Especially when this senior absolutely rocked a chilly August morning and a 4:30 am wake-up call to make this sunrise happen.

Prints & Canvas

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

Copyright ©Matthew Wetzler 2008–2023