Montana Western Ranch Engagement | Levi + Grace

The Proposal | “For Levi and Grace’s one year anniversary, they went to north western Montana for Levi’s family branding. Levi asked Grace to brand one of his calves with him, and when she stepped off her horse, he surprised her with much more than a branding iron. She was met with the statement, “ I want to be sure that you’re riding for the brand before you brand one of my calves with me.” Needless to say Grace is now riding for the Rockin W brand.” – as featured on Western Wedding Magazine 

 

The Engagement Photos | This shoot was like a Cinderella story, but the wild west version with horses, cowboys, and Montana’s smoky August sky. The couple, Grace and Levi, are two true horsemen that have spent their lives ranching, rodeoing, and riding. The kind of cowboy love that reminds you of all classic western love story shows like 8 Seconds, Longest Ride… or whoever your favorite couple is on Yellowstone (; This kind of love gives me all the warm and fuzzy feelings, far and beyond my favorite couples to shoot are my fellow ranchy people– something about the work ethic that comes with working a ranch always breeds the most down to earth people and I DIG IT. That being said, never hesitate to bring your horses (or cows lol) to one of our shoots. Grace and Levi brought their horses and kiddos and we had such a fun afternoon riding around taking some bomb pictures. 

How to be Prepared for a Western Styled Shoot

1. Bring two outfits, one that’s dressy and cute and one outfit that you don’t mind getting a little dirty, and obviously no matter the outfit, stack on that turquoise! Isn’t Grace’s dress from Lulu’s the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!? We love a girl in a cute little dress paired with a guy in a straw hat! 
2. Bring your animals! Whether that’s your dogs, horses, cows, pigs, goats, whatever! Okay maybe not all of them but whatever animal you have that connects you as a couple, I’m always down for a little rodeo. 
3. Pick a location that resonates with you, Grace and Levi chose a ranch that had sentimental value to them. Wherever your love story takes root, that’s where we should take pictures. 
4. Think about how you want your pictures to look hanging on your wall at home. Are you next to a barn, in a field, in the mountains, maybe in the back of your pickup truck? What fits your style the most? Bring props to help personalize your pictures, like maybe a cowhide to sit on or a rope to lasso your loved one. 
5. Bring your favorite drink! I think it helps my couples, especially the cowboys, chill out in front of the camera a little better when they can crack a cold one. 
6. Don’t worry about the weather! I’ve shot beautiful pictures in all weather conditions. This particular session was super smokey and it made the pictures so moody and added even more to the Old West vibe. Let me do my job in worrying about the lighting, you worry about having fun with your partner.