Lauren Grabelle Photography: Wedding Days & Dog Days

Wolf Tracking ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2012-01-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

In the depths of winter when canine portrait sessions have slowed down it's exciting to stumble on to a new canine species to photograph: Canis lupus. While hiking here in my hometown of Bigfork, Montana, I came across these lone, large prints in the snow. Although I never saw the wolf it was really interesting to follow her tracks for a bit and watch as her pace changed and her gait got shorter as she came to a sharp bend in the trail and then pick up pace again while she was on a straighter section. Her print was over 4" and the bottom image shows Sugar's print in comparison.

Luckily even though it was meant to be a short hike I did bring along my compact camera, a Canon G12, which is really fun to shoot with and I almost never regret not toting heavier pro gear.

WPJA Contest Winner ~ Montana Wedding Photography

2011-12-29T19:38:00.001-05:00

Another winning image from this past wedding season selected by the judges over at the Wedding Photojournalism Association (WPJA). It's a detail shot from Stephanie & Brian's gorgeous lakeside wedding at Rocky Point on Flathead Lake. See the blog post featuring their complete wedding here.

Wishing everyone a wonderfully sweet New Year!

Horses, Dogs, & Alpacas ~ Montana Dog & Animal Photography

2011-12-02T14:11:00.001-05:00

Two horses, five alpacas, and two Great Pyrenees dogs. What more could I want to see all together? Love, purpose (the dogs live with the alpacas to protect them from mountain lions), and interspecies friendship.

Alpacas are kind of hard to resist - see my previous session with Icicle here.

ISPWP Contest Winner! ~ Montana Wedding Photography

2011-11-28T11:56:00.001-05:00

Okay, only 20th place, but the ISPWP (International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers) contest is world-wide (over 90 countries represented) and only 8 out of the winners in this category were shot at weddings in the U.S. So I'm really pleased to have had my photo selected and included amongst so many incredible images.

For more images from this wedding see the complete blog post here and click here for the other winners in this contest.

Craig & Mandy ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-11-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

A man and his dog. Craig and his rescued lab-greyhound mix, Mandy, have been together since 2001, five years before he and Brittany got together and married. Brittany wanted to celebrate their bond and purchased a gift certificate from me for a portrait session of the two of them for Craig's birthday. It was hard to resist adding some time in for the whole family so jealous Belle (who was a holiday gift for Brittany from Craig and rescued from the Humane Society of NW Montana) got to get some on camera play time finally too.

Winter is coming! ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-11-14T10:58:00.001-05:00

Sugar High ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-11-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

Have I mentioned lately that my dog and muse, Sugar, is, as my polite friends tell me, a little exhuberant?

Allison & Paul's Wedding Album ~ Montana Wedding Photography

2011-11-02T11:18:00.000-04:00

Allison and Paul were married at Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ, and will be getting their gorgeous Queensberry album shipped to them this week. This is an 11x14 photo front pagemount album with ivory mattes on ivory pages. The cover is the understated gold buckram with the photo of their choice (although it was my favorite too!) filling half the page. Thanks to Riley for being so patient for their kiss.

For more images from their wedding see my original blog post which includes an award winning image from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) or you can view the slideshow below for their complete album.

Hellhound ~ Montana Dog Photography

2011-10-30T21:38:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween - and I hope your day is super spooky! Can you figure out how I got this shot of these two German Shorthaired Pointers?

Old Soul ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-10-24T20:23:00.000-04:00

Gunther. My favorite dog that's not mine. For more of Gunther's incredible soulfulness click here.

North Fork Faces ~ Montana Documentary Photography

2011-10-18T14:01:00.002-04:00

Returned to Polebridge and the North Fork of the Flathead River this weekend. I went there last year and had such an amazing experience meeting the talented Peter Moore and being in the only town in the lower 48 that runs off a generator. It is remote but filled with life with both smooth and furry faces and creatively inspired ones too. Click here to experience last year's journey.

Scenes from the Summer, Part I ~ Montana Documentary & Fine Art Photography

2011-10-04T22:14:00.001-04:00

Visit to a ranch in Marion, Montana.

NY Photo Festival Exhibit ~ Montana Documentary Photography

2011-10-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

I'm really excited to announce that my work has been selected for inclusion in an exhibition of music photography at the famed gallery and event space The PowerHouse Arena in Brooklyn as part of the New York Photo Festival 2011. The show, "Audio Visual", will be open from October 19th through November 3rd.

The jury chose "Waiting for the Bus, Graceland" which I took years ago while travelling through Tennessee. The jury consisted of the directors of Spin magazine, powerHouse Books, The Metropolitan Opera, and the NY Photo Festival so I'm kind of flattered to say the least and looking forward to seeing the other work that was chosen as well.

Stephanie & Brian ~ Montana Wedding Photography

2011-09-27T10:32:00.000-04:00

I am really pleased to be able to share the story of the wedding day of Stephanie and Brian, a couple that has been together since high school and also through her reign as Miss Montana 2007, and will clearly be together for decades to come. The location at Rocky Point on Flathead Lake was both intimate and grand and I'm pretty sure the whole town of St. Ignatius attended as both grew up there. And that's what made this wedding really special - not the perfectly thought out details (yes, those are beaver beer koozies for the groomsmen!) - but the perfectly thought out relationships between Stephanie and Brian and their family, neighbors and friends, including Catherine, Stephanie's 100 year old bridesmaid.

Frida & Pinky ~ Montana Goat & Pet Photography

2011-09-26T12:29:00.003-04:00

Last summer I photographed the friends and muses of the artist Kate Hunt. Their relationship is like any other between a human and her dogs but these creatures had horns and hooves. Two nights ago Frida (top photo) was killed by a mountain lion. I wanted to celebrate her here with a photo I took with my cell phone one day on my way out of Kate's home and have also included one of Pinky who will miss her terribly.

Frida

Pinky

Sugar Triptych ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-09-23T11:51:00.001-04:00

The final study of my muse, Sugar, in the 1930's log house that has housed my gallery and office for the past year and half since our arrival in Montana. We're sad to be closing but will still be available (worldwide!) for portrait sessions, weddings, and commercial and editorial assignments and will continue to be based out of Bigfork, MT. See my earlier post with the complete announcement and news.

Sunshine & Doug ~ Montana Wedding Photography

2011-09-19T12:41:00.000-04:00

On August 6, 2011 (8/6/11!) surrounded by the cutest kids I've ever photographed at a wedding, Sunshine and Doug were married on a private ranch in Whitefish, Montana. The horses, the antique car, the setting and details, and their family and friends made it a beautiful wedding to be at and to get to photograph. Check out their engagement session too.

Sunshine & Doug ~ Montana Engagement Photography

2011-09-14T17:02:00.000-04:00

We're Moving! ~ Montana Dog, Fine Art, & Wedding Photography

2011-09-12T11:11:00.000-04:00

Sugar and I are sad to announce that our lovely public space here on Highway 35 in Bigfork will be closing at the end of the month. We are staying in Bigfork but will no longer have a public gallery and meeting space in this great and cozy log building. We will be just a few miles away and still open for business documenting your lives but getting together will be by appointment only.

If you'd like to visit us before then drop on by or give a call in advance to make sure we're here - (406)837-3900. We'd love to see you!

And thanks to all that have stopped by to visit and welcomed us to this wonderful place.

Sugar in the Sunshine ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-08-11T11:05:00.001-04:00

My muse in the early morning sunshine.

Alpaca Study ~ Montana Documentary Photography

2011-08-09T16:16:00.003-04:00

Where Sugar gets her her nails clipped at Storm Mountain Grooming I fell in love with Icicle, a rescued alpaca, that lives there.

Views Near St. Mary ~ Montana Landscape and Fine Art Photography

2011-07-28T19:06:00.006-04:00

Views of a visit to St. Mary Lake at Glacier National Park last fall. Perhaps one of the most beautiful drives I've ever taken...

Scenes from a Powwow ~ Montana Documentary Photography

2011-07-25T15:50:00.005-04:00

113th Arlee Celebration on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Sugar in the Country ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-07-22T13:03:00.003-04:00

Some more recent images of my muse and love - Sugar - in the country.

Backcountry Dogs ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-07-19T15:43:00.004-04:00

Some animals I spent my weekend with - including one not so into the outdoors when there's lots of flies and mosquitos!

Maxie, Brownie & Wilson + Malinda ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-07-15T15:32:00.000-04:00

3 dachshunds plus a stunning and talented jewelry designer on a gorgeous summer day in Whitefish, Montana. Lots of love to go around for all.

Ryder Family ~ Montana Family Portraits

2011-07-14T13:50:00.011-04:00

Flathead Lake Lodge here in Bigfork is a great place to vacation and to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary with your extended family. The Ryder family gathered this week here and booked a portrait session to commemorate their parents' milestone. I was able to quickly turn around the proofs, display them here in my gallery on a large screen monitor for them to choose a favorite and then within the day present them with a print for the custom frame they brought with them. The remaining images are available for them to view online when they return to respective parts of the country after their Montana ranch experience.

Diversity in Montana ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-07-07T13:14:00.000-04:00

I have heard it said that there is little cultural diversity in Montana and the joke is usually that there's two cultures: the Levi's wearers and the Wrangler ones. But this weekend I came across two wonderfully diverse dog-loving Montanans in my travels: one fishing on Flathead Lake and the other celebrating the 113th Annual Arlee Powwow on the Flathead reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

Summer Laundry ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-06-23T14:35:00.001-04:00

Sugar's brother hanging to dry after a night in the rain.

Happy First Day of Summer! ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-06-21T13:04:00.003-04:00

Weim Owner's Manual ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-06-16T18:36:00.005-04:00

I just licensed 6 images to Barron's Educational Series publishers for use in the upcoming "Weimaraner Pet Owner’s Manual" - a book I know EVERY weim owner needs! All but one is of my muse, Sugar. They actually picked some interesting ones too. Thanks as always, Sugar, for getting me out there into the wonderful world of dogs!

Hungry Horse Dam & Reservoir ~ Montana Documentary & Fine Art Photography

2011-06-09T19:37:00.009-04:00

Lots of concrete just over the mountains from me.

Sunday in the Park with Dogs ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-06-08T15:02:00.003-04:00

Summertime Treat ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-06-07T12:35:00.003-04:00

One of Sugar's favorite things about summer is getting her favorite treat: frozen jars of baby food. Meat ice cream! Thanks to one of my dog-loving wedding client's I found out about this great, inexpensive, long-lasting, healthy treat alternative. I buy jars of the meat flavors, although Sugar likes some of the fruit flavors too, and stockpile them in the freezer. If you're worried about broken glass from strong jaws or nearby concrete you can buy it in plastic tubs too. They are all natural and long lasting to keep your dog busy. What could be more fun in the summer for our dogs?

Gunther in the Grass ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-06-06T14:51:00.003-04:00

It was a beautiful weekend here in Montana to do nothing but just lay around in the grass...

Gypsy & Andrea ~ Montana Dog & Pet Photography

2011-05-20T01:05:00.008-04:00

Friends for the past 14 years, Gypsy and Andrea got together when Andrea was looking for a dog that "nobody else wanted." Gypsy's previous owners couldn't handle all her energy and at 6 months old she got to live the life that all dogs dream of: running in the woods, hunting, protecting Andrea from mountain lions and doing it all with a great smile on her face. Now in her senior years, mostly deaf and having difficulty going down stairs, the two of them are living a quieter life at home just enjoying each other's company.

Fresh Connection Art Collection ~ Montana Documentary & Fine Art Photography

2011-05-19T13:41:00.009-04:00

Ok, so not nearly as exciting as my last blog entry but I would like to let everyone know about the Fresh Connection Art Collection right here in Bigfork, Montana. While shopping for organic fruits and veggies and other goodies take home some views of Montana's landscape as seen by me. Located just south of the bridge on Highway 35. Be sure to say hello to Panda too.

The Wild Mile ~ Montana Documentary Photography

2011-05-16T14:41:00.012-04:00

Got a call a few Saturday nights ago from an editor asking me to shoot a story on the kayakers that do the Wild Mile of the Swan River here in Bigfork. I was very familiar with this section of untamed water as I walk Sugar everyday on the Nature Trail that runs right along it. So no problem until he tells me he wants me to shoot the guys from the water as I go down in a cataraft along with them in order to capture what these guys are really feeling. I did the first run without camera holding on for dear life (that's the cataraft I was in pictured below) and then the next three runs with my gear. By the third run down I was so confident in the raft and the editor's navigation abilities that we turned the front seat around and I went down backwards, standing up so that I could shoot over him when he couldn't get the raft perpendicular soon enough after going over a drop. It was a crazy scene but so beautiful riding that water through some of the most spectacular scenery around, and a confidence booster that I could survive it intact (as well as my camera) and get some great shots. Look for the story in the premier sample issue of Montana Elements which will be available and distributed at the Bigfork Whitewater Festival Memorial Day weekend.

View of the Swan River from the Nature Trail

Sign on the bank warning about fast-rising waters

My ride

Falling waters over the dam

My view

Wilderness Hike ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-04-28T01:10:00.005-04:00

Since the spring thaw Sugar and I have been doing some hiking on local trails above Flathead Lake. You might be surprised to see photos of me in this post and oddly not only have I not posted any until this hike I had never photographed Sugar and I with my camera's timer. So here we are enjoying the great outdoors together. The large print in the snow next to Sugar's prints was on the trail without any human prints around and just might be mountain lion...???

Value of Professional Photography & Post-Production ~ Montana Dog & Fine Art Photography

2011-04-20T11:00:00.020-04:00

Do you have a photo of your dog that you love but you think could be better?

Few people know that most of the work that goes into great photography is in the post-production editing. And it's not just about the technical skills and having the right software but about having a vision of where to take the image for the most emotional impact.

Starting today the first 10 people that send in their favorite photo of their dog (alone, no people) that they would like to see improved or would just like to see the photo rendered artistically like the one of Sugar below should email the full-size file to me at lauren.lgphoto @ gmail.com (remove spaces). I will post the results here and on my Facebook page and email back the completed file.

I look forward to your submissions and creating a beautiful version of your favorite photo. Please note that I can fix a lot of things but cannot put in focus anything that wasn't well focused when captured in camera.

Sugar with artistic rendering
Out of camera images are dark and lack the mood that I really felt that day