Ryan & Allie - Yosemite National Park, California

When we started discussing this trip with my photographer girlfriends to Yosemite, I honestly wasn’t sure how Yosemite would be. I mean there is so much about Yosemite, you see it romantically depicted in photographs all the time. It’s hard to know will it live up to it’s expectations? I have to say it exceeded them and was even better than I imagined. I kept thinking, I have to come back here and wander in this vast country on some big hikes. Of course, hiking the half dome is also on my bucket list. Watching the sun come up over Glacier Point was mesmerizing. Ryan and Allie were so easy going and just the most adorable couple, they made my “job” easy. Huge shout out to all of my photo friends who made this trip possible and such a blast! And…always check to make sure you have your keys before you start hiking out.

Joe & Aparna - Elopement - Grinnell Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT

When Joe and Aparna started planning for their intimate elopement in Glacier National Park, I knew it was going to be a spectacular moment. We started the day off in East Glacier where Joe and Aparna got ready at a quaint adorable cabin. Stopping by the Many Glacier lodge for a cup of coffee from Montana Coffee traders was a must. We began on the trail as the sun was coming up. This time of year in the park is simply magical and the best part is that it tends to have fewer people that you have to share it with. I loved exchanging adventure stories with Joe and Aparna and learning about their lives. Aparna chose colorful, traditional Indian attire (I loved learning about her culture) that she could hike 11 miles in comfortably. When we got to the Glacier and the incredible color of water flowing out of it, Joe and Aparna exchanged their vows and promised the rest of their lives together. We wandered around the Glacier and the different perspectives depending on where you are standing are astonishing. I am so grateful for this part I got to play in Joe and Aparna’s elopement and wish them many adventures and love together :)

Ben & Haley - Elopement - Pray Lake, Glacier National Park, MT

I met Ben & Haley at their vacation rental in Essex, Montana. If you don’t know where Essex is, it’s a community nestled back in the forest between the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park. It’s the perfect place for a first look and as you can see in these photos fall has started to kiss the mountains a little bit early. Depending on how the light hits these mountains, they look different every single day. Ben & Haley chose to seal their vows and express their commitment to each other in front of Pray Lake. It boasts of some ginormous mountains surrounding it although the lake itself is quite shallow. Sally of Marry Me in Montana did a great job officiating this time. It’s also fun to see her! . I loved getting to know Ben & Haley a little more, hearing of their adventures together, and house they are working on building! It was a splendid evening. Cheers!

Derek & May - Glacier National Park, Montana Elopement

Derek and May met at a friend’s birthday party. They said they didn’t talk to each other much then, but 6 months later they ended up running into each other at the grocery store and then they happened to move into the same apartment complex. Derek asked May out and the rest is history.

I met Derek and May in West Glacier. I definitely was bringing my umbrellas on this trip, but as I tell people about Montana, “If you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes and it will change.” We ended up with a beautiful dramatic sky for Derek and May’s vow exchange and a great view of the mountains. We ventured down the park exploring the forests and Lake McDonald.

I loved getting to know Derek and May a little more and wish you guys the best times together!

~Joanna

Matt & Emily - Glacier National Park, Montana

When Emily reached out to me, I was super sad because as she was telling me about her intimate wedding and it sounded incredible; but I was already booked. Thankfully, she was able to work around her date and I’m so glad she did because this was such an adventurous, nature-filled wedding.

We started out the day in Whitefish actually where Matt and Emily had their first look. From there we all caravaned to Many Glacier. It is hard to choose one spot in Glacier where I can pinpoint it down and say, “this is my favorite.” But, if I had to, Many Glacier would be at the top of the list. I had so much fun exchanging hiking stories gone wrong on the drive up. And…we saw a black bear on the drive up.

When we got to Many Glacier, we all boarded a boat across Swiftcurrent Lake. From there, we were dropped off on the shores of Lake Josephine. Emily had done a lot of research and found a place on google maps where she knew the view would be perfect and it was the perfect ceremony site. You will have to scroll down to find it.

Matt is a skilled woodworker and made his own vow box and wedding ring! Also, all of the guests had matching Glacier National Park cups (they even thought to give me one, still one of my favorite cups) and shared a toast of champagne after the wedding. And then the matching backpacks, these were fitting for the hike we embarked on afterward.

After their intimate ceremony, we wandered to our next destination - Grinnell Lake. The trail meanders through the woods and over a bridge that really does sway a lot! When we got to the lake, everyone was quite hot from the August day and a lot of people took a dip. It felt really refreshing!

Matt & Emily, I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you and hope you have a radically fun life together!

Josef & Laura ~ 5 years married ~ Glacier National Park, MT

When my friend Michelle of MEE Photography reached out to me wanting to partner together for a styled shoot in Glacier National Park, I was totally in. Basically, any excuse to wander up to Glacier, I’m in. Josef and Laura were celebrating 5 years of marriage together and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for an anniversary session. We headed out to the Hidden Lake trail at sunset to capture the sun dropping below the majestic mountains and saw some bighorn sheep that seemed quite ok with people. Laura, Josef, and I have known each other since we were kids ourselves. It has been amazing to watch them grow up and raise a family of their own. Here’s to many more years of happiness. By the way you should check out Laura’s photography work here. Michelle, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed the rest of your exploring this great park!

Carter & Jenna - Roadside Adventure

I met Carter and Jenna in Columbia Falls, Montana to begin our adventure. I was particularly excited about it because it was from this session we would use the behind the scenes footage to create a promotional video for my business. They both climbed into my ford pickup and it would come in handy as the road up has some fairly gnarly potholes. We exchanged hiking, mountain climbing stories. Turns out Jenna has a case of mountain wanderlust also. Mark and Carolyn from Storybright Films were so fun to work on this project together with. We found this lovely little campsite with some great views of the Great Northern mountain and Hungry Horse Reservoir in the backdrop. Watching the sun dip behind the mountain and wandering down the dirt roads is always a wonderful time! Carter and Jenna were so sweet and willing to do any adventure together. Carter was even showing off his yoga moves towards the end. Enjoy!

Mark & Carolyn - Vow Renewal

Mark and Carolyn and kiddos took an extended road trip around the country to visit and take in some of our national parks. They picked Glacier National Park as a location to do their family photos and vow renewal. I’d say they made a good choice! We got up super early (because we all know the sun comes up early in the summer) and started our journey to this large rock. So majestic and so amazing to be able to capture this vow renewal for eons to come! Thanks for the fun time and amazing ice cream topping stuff straight from South Carolina. Mark and Carolyn own Story Bright films. In the evening, I got the opportunity to have them shoot my promo video for my business. I cannot wait to see it!

Andrew & Vanella ~ Glacier National Park Montana Hiking Adventure

When Andrew and Vanella contacted me about doing a hiking adventure, I was immediately “all in.” I always tell people to experience the park fully I feel like you need to go and wander around in it for a bit. Fully engulf yourself in it’s mountains. I loved getting to know this couple a little more and I love it when people get to experience these mountains that I have known and loved for so long.

Let’s talk about this epic storm. When we started this hike, it was nice T-shirt weather. This storm rolled in and looked harmless. By the time we made it back to the parking lot, it was 42 degrees and we were soaking wet. In July. In Montana. I always tell people the weather here can change so quickly! I love the colorful Arcteryx jackets that they chose also for this trek.

I hope you guys can make it back to the beautiful Glacier National Park sometime soon. Thanks so much for adventuring with me!

Greg & Erin - Engagement - Montana Spring

Springtime in Montana can be very unpredictable. The day was sunny and warm and quickly the clouds rolled in. I’m so glad Greg and Erin stuck it out. We dodged the rain and ended up with some nicely textured clouds.

Greg and Erin love to enjoy life together. I told them at what point during our session, “Just do what you would normally do in the woods.” And they said, “Well, we would probably be waiting for deer to hunt.” That’s my kind of people.

I can’t wait to document Greg and Erin’s wedding this fall. Fall is such an incredible time of year.

Jakob & Jessica - Columbia Mountain Ranch Montana - Styled Elopement

Putting together this styled shoot I had a vision for a cozy, sweater, mountain, winter elopement style at sunrise. Who else does this at sunrise? If you are interested in getting married at sunrise, hit me up. Huge thanks to Hannah at Columbia Mountain Cabins. She was so helpful and you should check out her venue here if you are eloping or getting married Jacki at J Scott Couture runs a boss bridal shop. You can see more of her gorgeous dresses here Thanks to Poshmark for the sweater. Huge thanks to Conrad Floral for the flowers, Christina over at Soucie and Soucie for the hair and makeup (special thanks for getting up so early to get the work done before sunrise). And finally, my awesome models Jakob and Jessica. You guys were so flexible and fun!

Josef & Laura - Ice-skating Adventure - Holland Lake, Montana

The winters around here can be long. This year in particular we have gotten more snow pack then usual and have had some pretty insane low temperatures. Looking for places to ice-skate is not actually as easy as one might think, but when the snow piles up; a shovel definitely comes in handy. Josef and Laura are such a fun couple, have untouchable fashion, and are bringing back timeless love. And. . . this sunset. Josef was building the fire, when I turned around and could not resist photographing it. I have to tell you, as gorgeous as these sunset photos are, they don’t actually do it justice.

.

By the way, Holland Lake is one fine lake that is often overlooked. If you do decide to ice-skate on it, watch out for the springs. I don’t want to be responsible for giving people ideas that get them into trouble.

.

I truly believe it is so important as a couple to adventure together and keep having fun. Do you agree?

Aron & Gunndis - Iceland

My sister in laws and a friend and I took a trip to Iceland, because, why not? I’m telling you the whole country of Iceland is paradise. It’s mossy, it boasts of endless dramatic skies (a photographer’s paradise), waterfalls cascade around every corner, it’s untouched, it’s wild, and it’s free.

When I decided to go to Iceland, I could not pass up this opportunity to shoot a couple’s session there. I did a lot of cyber stalking to find this couple and they were perfect! Aron showed up in his traditional sweater his Grandma sewed for him, Gunndis had this classic dress on. They were so kind to us and gave us lots of amazing travel tips. . . not to mention, the best tip of all; don’t get caught by the sneaker waves. I felt like grabbing one tourist off this iceberg, because I was pretty certain the waves were coming for him, but he was fine.

I’m still overwhelmed by Iceland. I’m telling you, you have to go see this beautiful island of God’s creation.

Joanna AdamsJanuary 22, 2019 Comments