Missoula Wedding Photographer ~ Albums

The week of my & Mike's wedding, our wonderful friends Rachael & Scott opened up their home and we basically took it over. Every morning the four of us would have breakfast & coffee together, but armed with our own key, we'd be in and out, in and out, in and out. We stored things in their garage and borrowed things we had forgotten. It was home base, and their gorgeous house just happened to be a hop, skip and a field (literally) away from the venue.

The morning of the wedding, I woke up at 7am. Of course I couldn't sleep, and was ready to just GO already! After taking a minute to pack up my overnight bag and slow down, I had a cup of coffee with my soon-to-be husband, Rachael & Scott then headed across the field. The wedding wasn't until five, but that seven hours flew by faster than I could have imagined. There were snacks, music and a fast little thunderstorm. There was dancing, laughing and a football game to watch. But all of sudden, I was walking down the aisle. Then like a snap, the dance floor cracked (another day, another story) and we loaded up to visit the local bar. Then it was 2am and I was in a limo with my husband, MOH and a really, really bad driver on our way into town. Just like that, nearly 20 hours were gone, I was married and the day was done.

Twenty years from now, when I've forgotten what time the thunderstorm rolled in (approximately 2 and they had to postpone the football game), that the Griz won (73-2 actually), and that lightning struck a mountain and my brother had to call the forest service ...

When I forget that my great friend Ryan was not only AT a wedding in Seattle the night before, but IN IT and then turned around to be in Missoula the next day, just for me ...

When I forget how, after the blowing winds and dumping rain, the Miyamoto clan seem to just appear with a Suburban full of towels donated by the owners of Days Inn and how both sides of the family rallied to reassemble everything - I never even noticed a difference ...

I will have my pictures. Because at the end of that very long/short day, it's a story. An album embodies all of that day. It holds the images that aren't really ones you'd frame, but tells people that weren't there how it went. It reminds people that were there how great it was. And it lets you and your spouse remember. Just ... remember.

A few spreads from Rachael & Scott's album. Yes, that Rachael & Scott. You can see their wedding here & here.

As always, just click on any image to see it larger.

Ciao!
~di

Missoula Wedding Photographer ~ Shelby & Shawn: Married

I feel like I've spent a lot of time apologizing on my blog lately, so I'm not going to do it again. Honestly, I'm not sorry! Not only did I get married two weeks ago {yay!}, but as the summer has progressed and I've booked more clientele, I'm getting a better feel for my workflow, my turn-around times, and am streamlining my editing process to have an A, B, and C. If you know me at all, creating that "A, B and C" process is extremely important to my mental well-being as I'm slightly OCD. Well, I'm Type A. 'Nuff said.

Getting down to the nitty gritty ... Shelby & Shawn were married July 10th {I know, two months ago - eek!} on a mostly gorgeous day at Linda Vista Country Club in Missoula, Montana. Yes, mostly gorgeous. The day dawned bright & blue, families were a-workin' for the B&G at the venue, the gals were getting gussied up at the local mall, and those classic Montana thunderclouds were floating above the Bitterroot Mountains like unwanted hangers-on at a party.

Mid-afternoon, the thunderclouds were no longer hangers-on, they were major party crashers. The skies opened up and they unleashed their fury, monsoon-style. Wait, we're not in Arizona! But they did. I know a lot of regions use the phrase "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" but in Montana, nothing could be more true. Within fifteen minutes we were no longer under the pouring bucket and instead back to sunshiney skies.

To Shelby & Shawn: I hope every day of your lives together is like this day. I do not wish you raining fury, but I do hope you maintain the positive attitudes, smiles & laughter you both exuded despite the "interruption." Cheers!

PS ... I'm coining "sunshiney." Consider it copyrighted as of September 15th, 2010. :)

And because I'm a total sucker for cute babies ...

Cheers!

~ di

Montana Wedding Photographer: Rachael & Scott ... Round 2

Ding Ding Ding! Round 2 begins ... 

{if you missed Round 1, you can remind yourself of the June goodness here}

The Daly Mansion:

Flower girls are always good for a giggle ... Grace did so well!

Married!

Love these, love them, love it all.

Let the party begin ...

Yes, that is a dude in the AIR.

{Yes, I said "dude." It's part of my daily vernacular, so why not on the blog too?}

Cheers!

~di

Montana Wedding Photographer: Rachael & Scott ... Round 1

So what happens when a girl shoots a) her good friends' wedding and b) it's located in her most favorite place in the world?

Well ... A+B = inability to narrow down favorite photos!  Thus, Rachael & Scott's June nuptials will be featured in two rounds (yes, like boxing.  One.  Two.  Punch!) so as not to overload your senses.

Rachael & Scott were married June 19th in Hamilton, Montana at the Marcus Daly Mansion.  The day dawned bright and blue, with some wispy clouds in the mountains.  The afternoon brought a quick thunderstorm, but it quickly (and I mean quickly) dissipated.  Of course, said storm decided to grace us with its presence immediately following the ceremony.  It held off!  Wahoo!

Anyway, let's get on with the pretty stuff.

Hamilton, Montana

Rach, you're stunning ... on a side note, the middle photo is one of my favorite getting ready shots ever.  The angles in the elbows I think ...

The boys.

... and for round two, the wedding and reception ... here's a sneak at the gorgeousness:

Cheers!

~di