Helicopter Memories

Photos by Larry Stanley Photography

By Justin Post

Yellowstone Newspapers

When it comes to wedding photographs, Katelyn and Tyler Matsuda took their special day to new heights. The Livingston couple, both 27, boarded a helicopter on their wedding day — Nov. 10, 2018 — and flew south from the Bozeman airport to a mountaintop high above the Madison River.
“It was the most amazing day of our lives,” said Katelyn. Once landed, they took a short walk — with Katelyn sporting cowgirl boots — to a rocky outcropping overlooking the river. It was there that photographer Larry Stanley captured a series of stunning photographs of the couple.

Stanley, a longtime photographer, has photographed from aircraft in the past, but said this was his first chance to ride with a couple aboard a helicopter to shoot wedding photos atop a mountain.

“Hopping in there with a couple, that was pretty sweet,” Stanley said. “It was really spectacular.” The couple returned to Livingston following the photo shoot and were married that afternoon at the Livingston Depot Center. They continued their wedding celebration that evening at the Murray.

Katelyn said Tyler’s uncle, who is a pilot and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Rotors, gave the couple the helicopter ride as a wedding present. “Time froze in the perfect moment,” Katelyn said.

Photos © Larry Stanley Photography