Ahhh, you’re ENGAGED!!! Your person put a fricken RING on it (as they should). One of the best parts of getting engaged is the gorgeous photos you’ll look back on foreverrrr. I may be bias, but everyone should take engagement photos in Missoula. There’s a place for everyone and I’m not just saying that. I am going to GIVE you the best spots all around as a Missoula engagement photographer. Out with stuffy portrait photos, we’re going to learn about you and what Montana vibe fits best for your photos! But first let’s get into some FAQs.
How to take engagement photos in Missoula
So, listen. It’s totally normal to feel nervous before an engagement session. Lemme give you some quick tips on how to prep for a photography session:
- Don’t expect yourself to be this “camera ready” model. I know this is your first time and I’ll guide you through every step of the way!
- Try not to overthink things! Don’t worry about what your hands are doing or if the double chins will make an appearance. I’ll pose you in a way that is flattering and fun!
- When in doubt, move it out! Movement is key! Try rubbing your hands up and down your partner’s arm or walking!
- Your only job is to come to the session madly in love! I do the rest!
- Let your photographer get to know you on a personal level!
- Share a drink with your photographer before your engagement session. It calms the nerves when we become besties.
How much should you spend on engagement photos?
You’re looking at engagement photos right now but whether it’s photos for your engagement, anniversary, proposal, honeymoon, vow renewal or just because… we’ll create some epic content for you two. Think of a couple’s session as a double date where we can create some cool shit together! Our cost starts at $1,200 and always includes the digital downloads.
What is the difference between proposal photos and engagement photos?
Proposal photography happens during the BIG ASK! I am notorious for hiding in the bushes and scaring the newly minted fiancé when I bust out of nowhere with a bottle of champagne. It’s my favorite party trick. Engagement photography can happen any time after the proposal and before the wedding. It allows both parties to be involved in the when, where, and how process. How long before the wedding should you take engagement photos? I’d recommend any time after the proposal up to 12 weeks before the wedding.
But why choose between the two? The Honeybee Proposal Package INCLUDES an engagement session. When you’re there, high on life, fresh in love, and OBSESSED with each other.
How many photos should you take at an engagement shoot?
I tend to take a lot of photos and then weed them out for you, choosing the best one out of similar options. Depending on how many locations we go to, you could have up to thirty to choose from per location. My goal is to always give you so many to choose from but making them all GOOD. No mid blinks or sideways saunters over here!
Take me to Downtown Missoula!
There are so many options in Downtown Missoula. Photos that show you being you is what we are here for! A good choice is if you have a local restaurant/bar that you and your boo frequent. We took Becky & Zach to drinks before their engagement session. I invite them back to the scene of the crime, Iron Horse, where they had their first date. It started with a fishbowl and it all came together in this beautifully blended family. Being at where it all started, I mean, you’re already glowing in the nostalgia before we even get started!!
If you’re taking photos at a restaurant or bar, we love to get a cheersing photo, or if they have any fun games – pool, air hockey, darts, hell even beer pong, those make great photos. The reasoning? Because it’s you doing you. Having a great time being yourselves and forgetting that the camera is there.
We also love to highlight Downtown Missoula artists and the incredible graffiti art. Especially if you opt for a white dress like our girl Cali, the vision will POP like champagne on your honeymoon in Mexico. Speaking of, after their kickass Missoula engagement, Cali and her hubs, Efren, then took us along for their Mexico Wedding in Puerto Penasco // Party-All-Night Wedding! Downtown is always a great time and we can hop around to a few locations in town!
Check out Blue Mountain Recreation Area for your engagement photos in Missoula
Smell the pine trees, see the golden hour light, and get STOKED on a Blue Mountain engagement session.
When Kendra reached out saying she wanted an engagement session in Missoula, I knew right away that Blue Mountain would be the perfect place for her and her honey! Every December, a couple hopes for a winter engagement session, but we got a gorgeous day instead and it was magical. The pink sunset was so worth our frozen buns.
We had some really cool poses, drank a little Whiteclaw, and pretty much became best friends. I mean, what better way to take engagement photos in Missoula?? They got all wrapped up in a Pendleton blanket to stay warm. We laughed, gossiped, and bonded over Stranger Things. It was such a chill engagement session.
Rattlesnake Trail for your enchanted forest dreams
When our couple asked for forest engagement photos, we knew exactly the place for them. The Rattlesnake Trailhead in Missoula offers gorgeous lighting and a woodsy feel. We had a mild winter that year, so no snow, but they made it magical without the winter wonderland. If you’re into the moody photos, this is seriously the place. Their Forest Engagement Photos in Montana then turned into a Montana Mountain Elopement! Gahhh we LOVE being part of alllll of the bigs days. Call us selfish, we don’t want to share our amazing couples with anyone else!
Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, rain or shine!
On my way to Kelsi and Tyler’s engagement session, it was raining literally everywhere but this beautiful little pocket of Lolo National Forest. I even saw wild turkeys and it basically made my day. Only in Montana, ya know?!
Kelsi and Tyler met me at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville and it was one of those things where I didn’t even feel like I needed to say, “nice to meet you.” We had already had so many chats and zoom calls that I felt like I already knew these two. They are both so invested in their soon to be marriage and their daughter, Kambrynn, who was able to make it for some adorable family photos. I mean, this girl is interested in math AND ballet. You GO girl!
The fall colors were poppin’! I love this time of year so much because of the yellows and oranges everywhere you look. Oh, and the salted caramel mochas. Don’t forget, I’m basic like that. Kelsi’s favorite fall drink is the pumpkin spice latte, so we’re basically besties. It’s fine. Tyler is even having apple pie moonshine as his signature drink on the wedding day. I mean, are these two TOO PERFECT?! The Missoula Engagement Session at Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge is just the start to their EPIC life together.
Have your engagement photos in Missoula at Maclay Flats
Maclay Flats is one of our favorites for engagement photos. We love that you can take photos right on the Bitterroot River and then we can capture some epic drone shots!
Get lost along the thin trees that are oddly reminiscent of the early 2000’s emo boys in their skinny jeans. There are also plenty of clearings giving way gorgeous bigger trees in the background – a little less sixteen candles, a little more touch me Travis Kelce. This Missoula Engagement Session at Maclay Flats also shows what can happen with a 3 hour shoot. It’s not just about where you can go, but also what you can do with different lightning! Not only did we get all the wholesome photos by the river to send to grandma, but as day turned to dusk, out came the FIRE!! These two, whewwwww! You can feel the passion.
Alberton, so many photo options!
In Alberton, we put together a Luxury Winter Elopement Inspo at White Raven and fell madly in love with the area. It would be such a great spot for engagement photos. First, White Raven is already set up for weddings so you know they have great options for photo spots. Second, it’s very accessible. Third, we can take magical photos at the White Raven AND get some epic river shots along Clark Fork River.
Rock Creek: get adventurous for your engagement photos in Missoula
Let’s. Get. ADVENTUROUS!! Engagement photos in Rock Creek must include wildlife. We insist. You can hike numerous trails along the Creek such as Welcome Creek Trail, Grizzly Creek Trail, and Trail 10 to Babcock Mountain. Spend the day and we can hike over the Sapphire Mountains into the Bitterroot Valley via the Wahlquist Ridge Trail. Or hike Butte Cabin Creek, Cougar Creek or the Hogback!
If you’re a fish person, you can find Cutthroats, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Bull Trout and Mountain Whitefish. On land, be on the lookout for whitetail deer, mountain grouse, elk and bighorn sheep. Honestly, we love animals creepin’ in the back of our couple sessions.
Over in Oregon we had an incredible Panther Creek Falls Couple Session and ever since we are obsessed with all creeks.
Blodgett Canyon Overlook
A mountaintop engagement session is the best way to show off Montana. The Lolo National Forest is the perfect combination of tall mountain peaks, beautiful valley views and the wildflowers that sprout all over the hillside. The views on the hike look so much like a Glacier National Park elopement, but there is no need for permits and sometimes not even a single hiker on the trail. We’ll stop along the trail and get engagement photos allll the way up! Check out the Blodgett Canyon Overlook elopement we captured!
We CRAVE adventure and meaningful experience! Engagement photos in Missoula are basically the most fun because there’s no pressure, you get to choose between so many location options, and experience new things with your lover. What could be better??? A pulsating strawberry smoothie?? 🙂
Tell me which location you like (or if you have an idea of your own!!)! If you’re ready to schedule your own proposal or engagement photography, fill out this nifty questionnaire. I’m really excited to create your dream photo adventure!!!
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