Montana Badlands Engagement Shoot

A stunning location off the beaten path.

Paige & Pierce

As a native Montana photographer, I have searched the state for beautiful areas largely unknown to the public. Montana’s landscape is incredibly diverse, with real gems often hidden away in the less-traveled regions. Contrary to popular belief, the state offers more than just glacier-style mountains; its lesser-known areas are equally stunning. Exploring beyond the usual tourist spots reveals some distinct beauty that is definitely picture-worthy! One of the Highline’s best-kept secrets is the Badlands along the Milk River just north of the Havre Area. It’s well worth the visit, despite the challenges in reaching it.

It was one of the warmer evenings at the end of March. We met up with Paige and Pierce a couple of hours before sunset so we had enough time to seize the opportunity to capture a few shots at her home with her horses before venturing out to the river.

Months of unpredictable weather left us continually rescheduling their shoot, as the sandy gumbo we would have to cross to get to the river became impassable with any hint of moisture. Timing was crucial.

We traveled by vehicle as far as possible and then continued on in a side-by-side across a few miles of farmland to reach the river. The journey proved worthwhile as we were rewarded with stunning views and an incredible sunset.

Paige and Pierce are adorable together. They were up for an adventure as Montana natives usually are. Paige and I enjoyed exploring all the different rocks we found and bonded over our tendency to bring home too many of them simply because each one holds its own unique beauty!

Typically, summer with lush green grass and warm evenings is the coveted time of year for a photoshoot. However, Montana’s beauty covers all its seasons. If you’re willing to travel off the beaten path, you will experience some truly breathtaking landscapes. As you can see, this spot is stunning year-round.