Recently I had the pleasure of going on assignment for Cyclist magazine to photograph Tyler Hamilton for a feature the magazine was doing on him for their summer issue, which is on news stands now.

Tyler Hamilton was one of the whistleblowers who helped to reveal cycling’s doping scandal — including doping by Lance Armstrong, as well as his own use during his own racing career. Tyler detailed all of that in his autobiography (co-written with Daniel Coyle), The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France. (It went on to become a New York Times bestseller.)

We fit in our shoot during Tyler’s son’s nap time, and he was just so fantastic and gracious to work with. Thankfully, Missoula’s strange spring weather held out for us (though we did get snowed on, sprinkled on, and sunshined-on during our shoot…because, spring in Montana!). And I even was treated to some doggo snuggles with his sweet pup, who starred in a handful of our images.

The magazine’s story is incredibly interesting (you can purchase a copy of Issue 128 on their website, or access it via Apple News), and I’m looking forward to reading Tyler’s book, which I’ve been told is absolutely fascinating.

Thanks again for sharing your time with me and helping to create a stellar shoot, Tyler! And thanks to Cyclist magazine and their deputy editor and art director for being fantastic to work with, too.

Now, onto some tearsheets from the feature as well as some of my favorite outtakes from the shoot. (To be respectful of the magazine and their paid content, I’ve blurred out the article text.) Enjoy!

On the docket:

Lots of portraits and weddings — stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’m so excited to start off the new year by revealing that I was recently on assignment for People magazine for their “Half their Size” shoot in Stevensville, Montana. The lovely Jeannette Asbury was featured in this article, and this week the story went live — both on the front page of People’s website, and in print. You can read Jeannette’s story in the new issue on newsstands as we speak!

This shoot was such a blast! People magazine’s photo editor, Sarah Fernando, contacted me in early December to ask if I’d like to do the shoot (but I didn’t know what I’d be photographing), and it was a no-brainer to say yes. Fast forward a bit and it was revealed to me that I’d be photographing Jeannette, who was just beyond wonderful to work with!

Because Jeannette had made changes to her lifestyle following the method outlined in Rania Batayneh’s book The One One One Diet, and had become healthier through biking and running, it was important that I picked out a location that could facilitate both, wouldn’t be dangerous, and boasted gorgeous backdrops close to where she lives. Stevensville has no shortage of beautiful scenery, but I’m not gonna lie — I was more than a little nervous that our December 10th shoot was either going to be 1) freezing 2) snowy 3) freezing and snowy 4) blizzarding 5) foggy 6) muddy. I mean…December weather in Montana is a bit of a crapshoot!

But somehow we managed to luck out! Missoula got some snow that morning, so I was bundled up, ready to be tromping through some snow-dusted scenery, but as we drove into Stevensville, it was pretty apparent I was a little overdressed. That said, it was chilly! So I’m grateful I was wearing warm clothes.

As Natalie Mourton (my friend, photo assistant, and photojournalism grad school classmate) and I waited for Jeannette and crew to arrive, we watched it go from sunny, to completely foggy and socked in (hiding the mountains! the horror!), back to on-and-off sunny again. Thankfully, as the shoot time got closer, the clouds mostly behaved and the sun popped in and out from behind the clouds and was just gorgeous! While we waited for Jeannette to arrive, Natalie was kind enough to pose for me as I determined how and where I wanted to shoot. (She had some fun with this, as you’ll see in our behind the scenes images below.)

Soon, Jeannette drove up with crew in tow, and we were ready to get rolling. Jeannette’s husband, Rob, also accompanied her, and their dog, Stella, waited patiently in their truck. However, Stella was a little confused as to why she wasn’t going for a walk since Jeannette had her “fun clothes” on — poor Stella!

Candace Corey (the fabulous traveling hair and makeup artist) styled Jeannette’s clothes to the tee (per over-the-phone direction from the stylist for the shoot), she perfected Jeannette’s hair, added a touch of gloss to her lips, and we were off to the races!

We started out making images of Jeannette biking, and big thanks to Rob and Natalie for making sure none of us were run over as we made these images. In between shots, I’d text images I loved to People‘s photo editor so she could have an idea of what we were creating and let us know if we needed to change anything up (we were all good!). After we finished Jeannette’s biking images, she had a quick wardrobe change, we changed up our location, and were ready to get going again.

Jeannette was such a good sport for her shoot since she did a lot of biking and running that day for us! And she absolutely dominated her photos! (She got the main image for People‘s story!)

Just as the sun decided to sink behind the mountains, we declared our shoot a wrap! (See a fun little behind the scenes video below.)

Thanks again to all the wonderful folks who made this shoot possible! What an absolute treat! And congratulations again, Jeannette! It was such a pleasure to meet you, hear your story, and get to document your beauty — both inside and out!

Behind the scenes from our shoot. Photo credit: Natalie Mourton

Prior to getting started with our shoot, Natalie, my photo assistant, was kind enough to model the light for me so I could determine ahead of time how and where I wanted to photograph Jeannette.

Jeannette’s husband, Rob, took a moment to hold the reflector since he said “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do after seeing it on TV.”

We were all pretty stoked to have finished up such a wonderful shoot (and were very ready to get warm!). Video credit: Natalie Mourton

On the docket:

Portraits and weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Way back in July I was hired by Politico, a well known political news magazine (it has both an online and printed presence), to exercise my Montana photojournalist background, and make images for them for an upcoming article they were working on about Montana’s newly designated 2nd congressional district (and the seat it opens up). My specific assignment was to cover a fundraising event held by the only Republican challenger of Ryan Zinke, as well as to document some of Zinke’s properties in Whitefish. Fast forward to today, and I’m happy to say the article is live (as of right now, it’s the cover story on Politico).

It was such an interesting assignment, and I’ve shared a few tearsheets from the article, as well as some outtakes that didn’t make it into the story. One of the great things about working as a photojournalist is that you really learn so much about what you’re documenting. And it’s always intriguing to hear so many different sides of a story. The reporter, Miranda Green, did stellar work (and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Politico’s director of photography, M. Scott Mahaskey), so definitely check out Politico’s entire story. Well worth the read, especially if you’re a Montanan! (And even if you’re not, too.)

On to the tearsheets and photos:

On the docket:

Portraits and brand sessions! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of doing another shoot for the Institute for Justice, this time featuring Vicki Baker. When the photo editor for IJ told me a little bit about Vicki’s story and case, I honestly was in disbelief. It’s truly shocking to hear what she has gone through. And even more unbelievable when you see the printed photographs depicting the destruction of her home.

As a quick summary of her story, Vicki was ready to sell her home in Texas, but right before a new owner was about to close on the property, a fugitive broke into the house with a girl he had taken hostage. He released the girl to safety, but he told police he wouldn’t leave the home alive. The man ended up taking his life in Vicki’s home, and a SWAT team destroyed much of Vicki’s house, knocking down her fence, ripping apart her garage door, blowing out all the windows, and leaving tear gas residue throughout the residence. Needless to say, the new owner legally backed out of the purchase, and Vicki was left to pay for and repair all the damage from the unfortunate incident. You can read more about her story and watch video here.

Vicki has since retired to Montana where I made these portraits of her. It was such a pleasure to meet her, her husband and her dog, and make these images for the Institute for Justice.

On the docket: portraits, weddings, and brand photography – stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

In early March I had the pleasure of heading north to photograph Cody Sifford for a Winds of Change magazine shoot. The Pohly Company out of Boston, Massachusetts had contacted me to shoot images of Cody who was their cover feature (along with a story inside). I always love doing editorial work (to hearken back to my photojournalism background), so I was super excited to hear how eager the Pohly Company was to work with me on this shoot.

Thankfully our shoot date didn’t get rained or snowed out due to the wet weather we’d been experiencing, so I met up with Cody to make some cover-worthy portraits to go along with his magazine feature. He was so great to work with despite being understandably a little nervous (magazine cover – no pressure, right?!), and was game to tromp around with me in search of cool locations, even though we had to wander through some mud puddles to get to the best spots.

As their description says on their website, “Winds of Change is the premier nationally distributed magazine published with a single-minded focus on career and educational advancement for American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians/First Nations, with an emphasis on STEM.”

Which is pretty cool, don’t you think? It was great meeting up with Cody and hearing more about his story as well, which you can read about in the latest Spring issue (scroll down to read Cody’s story, or you can read the entire magazine on the Winds of Change website).

Below I’ve included images from the magazine piece as well as other favorite images I made that didn’t end up in the publication. Enjoy! Thanks again to Winds of Change and Cody for a wonderful shoot!

On the docket: more editorial work and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Last February I was hired by a photo agency out of France to photograph James Lee Burke for a piece they were writing about him for their publication, and I loved every. single. second of it, and couldn’t help but wax poetic about the experience, which was beyond wonderful. I initially wrote about it on the blog here, and shared images as well.

Fast forward about a year, and I was contacted by the lovely folks at Missoula Valley Lifestyle Magazine asking if they could feature my images and my original blog post in their upcoming February issue. So, here you go – the magazine has gone to print and the Missoula Valley Lifestyle Magazine feature is live!

Enjoy, or perhaps, re-enjoy below! :) And indulge in some of Mr. Burke’s writing as well! (Or, you can read the article and the whole magazine here.)

P.S. Click any of the spreads below to be taken to a new page where you can click again to zoom and read. I know that text is tiny otherwise! 

On the docket: portraits and weddings! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

A couple weeks ago, I received a message from Agence RÉA in Paris, France, asking me if I’d be interested in an assignment photographing James Lee Burke and his Montana ranch for the French magazine, Le Point. Oh my, twist my arm, YES!

So off I went on a foggy, damp Montana Valentine’s Day to hang out with Jim, listen to his incredible stories, and even get to meet his four sweet horses.

I walked up to the door of his ranch, and he and his wife, Pearl, greeted me with smiles and a warm welcome and offers of tea. We sat down at his kitchen nook and spoke while we both munched on chocolate covered almonds. It didn’t take long for Jim to launch into some great tales, one of which was about the man who photographed the portraits at Charlie B’s bar in downtown Missoula. It’s no surprise that Jim is a wonderful storyteller in person, too – he’s animated, gesturing with his arms and raising and lowering his voice at the perfect moments – always punctuated with hearty laughter.

Jim invited me into his office where he began pulling a few of his favorite things off his shelves and desk to tell me a little bit more about them. Civil War-era bullets rolled around in his palms, his hands traced the frame of a portrait of his great grandfather, and then, picking up what appeared to be a skull, Jim began to chuckle a little. “This,” he said, with a mischievous smile, “is the remains of a New York critic who gave one of my books a bad review!” We both exploded in laughter. “Actually,” he admitted, “it’s a cast of Lucy, one of the first hominids.”

We decided to head outside to the barn to feed the horses. As Jim was lacing up his boots and putting on his hat, I thanked him for being so gracious to do this shoot since he was in the midst of a pretty terrible cold and cough.

“Are you kidding me?” he said. “It’s a pleasure. And you know,” he looked at me intently as he opened the door, “you’re a real pro.”

My eyebrows leapt up my forehead and my smile about split my face in half. “Oh, thank you! Wow, thank you!”

“I’ve been photographed a lot,” he said, “and I know a true professional when I meet one. You’re the real deal.”

We headed out the door, my smile going on for miles, and Jim pointed out the best way down the steep and icy slope. His horses were so excited to see him, and though I haven’t spent a whole lot of time around horses, I’ve never met such sweet beasts. They honestly reminded me of super-sized golden retriever puppies.

They nuzzled into Jim, leaning their furry faces into his chest and arms, and clearly soaked up the kisses he had to give them. As he popped into the barn to retrieve some alfalfa treats, the three horses would poke their heads in, sometimes sneaking into the barn itself, like overeager little toddlers.

“Oh, look at you!” Jim said. “Look at you taking liberties because Miss Kristine is here! You know you’re not allowed in here! Now you get back out there where you’re supposed to be!” He’d gently nudge them out the door again, turn his back, and a few minutes later, one hoof would poke its way onto the concrete pad and Jim would kindly push the sweet offender back outside again.

After the three horses had been fed, we walked down the road a way to go feed Two Bit, the other horse in the other pasture. Two Bit is apparently a bit of a troublemaker with the three other horses, so he needs to be separated from them. Jim warned me to move slowly around Two Bit – not because he would be aggressive toward humans, but because he’s slightly unpredictable, according to Jim.

“He’s a little…spastic,” he explained. “He won’t even go into the barn because he gets so worked up seeing his reflection in the windows!”

We passed through the gate and Two Bit immediately walked up to me and reached out his nose to say hello and get a good sniff. I put my hands out to him and he inhaled. “He NEVER does that!” Jim said. “Never ever! He must really know a good’un when he meets one.”

I grinned again – compliments from Jim AND his horses! I was on top of the world.

After we fed Two Bit, we walked back to the main house where the French journalist, Julie, had showed up to interview Jim. She and I chatted a bit (I asked her what she thought of Montana – her giggled , wonderfully French-accented response: “Is this Switzerland?!”). We continued our conversation as Jim went into the next room to fetch something before I headed out for the afternoon. I tried to convince Julie that should she ever need a photographer in France, I’d be more than happy to hop on a plane “because I’m sure there’s not a single photographer in France, right?” She grinned, “Nooooo, noooo. Of course not! No photographers at all!”

Jim returned with a hard copy of his newest book, House of the Rising Sun, and began to write an inscription. He handed me the book, and I thanked him profusely for such a pleasant, happy afternoon, and for his complete and utter generosity.

“Thank YOU!” he said. “Come back any time you want – we’d love to have you visit.”

I left his ranch feeling so thankful for this job, but more importantly, thankful for good souls like his in this world.

Upon returning home from the shoot, I opened the cover to his book and turned to the inscription he had written in dark blue ink: “To Kristine, With thanks for your gracious manner and wonderful sense of humor —- All the best, James Lee Burke.”

What a perfect Valentine’s Day. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

On the docket: more portraits!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was such an honor to photograph Richard Hoover for Paralyzed Veterans of America. PVA hired me last December to do this shoot, and I can only say that I left Richard’s home feeling so grateful to have met him, completely inspired by his stories, my heart full to the brim.

Richard Hoover was a fighter pilot in Vietnam and had flown 148 missions. As you might expect, this time was no walk in the park. He told me of bullets whizzing past the engines and propellers of his jets, many long intense hours in the air, and bombs going off near their camps as they slept at night. Visiting the latrine was a gambling with your life. Just unimaginable.

Even more unimaginable is what happened to him next. In 1973, working as an instructor and test pilot in Florida, the engines of his plane “flamed out,” and he ejected. However, his parachute never deployed, and he plummeted 2,000 feet into the Florida swamps. Miraculously he survived, but he had broken his back and became paralyzed.

Richard showed me the helmet he was wearing that day. He pulled it from one of the many bookshelves in his house along with a pack covered in patches from the many missions he flew. He rotated the white shell in his hands showing me the faded blood stains that weren’t able to be removed, serving as a reminder that he is lucky to be here today. His fingers traced the patches on the pack as he told me of its importance – important not only because of the history it displays, but because a friend of his and fellow veteran had saved it from the wreckage of the plane.

Richard has been incredibly grateful for what Paralyzed Veterans of America has done for him, and after serving as president of the organization for several terms, he’s now editor of PN magazine and Sports’n’Spokes.

It’s an understatement to say that it was beyond special to be able to make these photos of Richard. He told me so many amazing stories and time flew by as we chatted and made photos. Richard, what an honor to have met you. You’re a shining example of what it means to live life to its fullest, no matter the obstacles you must face. I tip my hat to you, sir. Thank you so much for your service, your sacrifices, and your beautiful spirit.

On the docket: weddings and portraits coming up!

Cheers,

-Kristine

This is a bit of a departure from what I normally post….not a portrait session (of people anyway), and much too long for a Wordless Wednesday post……but I really want to share these images with you because, quite simply:

Owls Are Cool.

Especially snowy owls. And especially since they’ve been hanging out with us here in Montana.

Snowy owls don’t usually spend all that much time in our area, so it’s pretty rare to see them. They’ll hop on down here every 5 or 6 years or so, and when they do…oh my gosh…go and see them!

Admittedly, I may be slightly biased because I kind of LOVE birds (ok, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY love birds), but these creatures are simply stunning. Their bright white feathers, their sleepy little yawning faces in the light of day, the slow turns of their heads, the way their feathers softly ruffle in the breeze, and their absolutely incredible beauty as they fly.

So, please. Indulge in these photos. And if you get a chance, go scouting for the snowy owls on your own – it’s so worth the time, and they won’t be sticking around Montana a whole lot longer. Also, bring a good pair of binoculars if you go. :)

On the docket: engagement sessions!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I love my family dearly. Which is a huge understatement. They mean so much to me, especially since we are kind of scattered all across the U.S. So when I get to spend time with them, I adore it.

I drove to Spokane to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with my grandparents and uncle, and it was absolutely delightful. I spoiled them with pumpkin pies I made, received wonderful warm hugs and got to cook with grandma (which involved a hilarious turn at trying to figure out how to flatten a duck – long story – it involved a couple YouTube videos and resulted in one funny-looking duck!). Cooking with Grandma is especially dear to me since the last time I’ve really cooked with her must have been when I was eight or nine. And of course, sitting around the table, we got to regale one another with some pretty amusing stories.

These are just a few portraits from my visit – they mean so much to me…and I really didn’t take nearly as many photos as I should have. Quite honestly, I don’t take nearly as many personal photos as I should and that’s something I’d like to fix in 2012. I hope you do too.    (P.S. My apologies for the less-than-flattering self portrait. My arms are only so long.) ;)

On the docket: engagement sessions! Let’s hope snow comes our way soon!

Cheers,

-Kristine