Started off the day yesterday morning shooting in West Yellowstone. It was a beautiful morning, and I had set up the hexa-cam to fly up and get a few shots above the Madison Arm of Hebgen Lake for a new fishing book project.
Just before taking off, I noticed a few bison and their calves crossing the river, so I paused, took a few shots and did not think anything of it. After that shot was done, I proceeded to finalize setup of the chopper, and started the flight. Got up in the air and the shot I wanted, then noticed a few more bison crossing, so decided to take a few shots of them crossing the road. It was then I started hearing whistling and yelling in the distance.
It is very hard to take your eye off of the chopper when flying and shooting, but the screaming kept coming, and I specifically heard "BISON RIGHT BEHIND YOU, LOOK OUT!" As I glanced back to see several Bison mothers and calves barreling down behind me like I was the enemy.
I was faced with a decision I did not want to make. Take my eyes off of the chopper and risk a crash landing, or get brutally gored by 5 charging bison. All within a split second, I also notice 6 men & women on horseback with badges, two sheriff trucks, and three dreadlocked buffalo field campaigners on bikes with video cameras driving right at me! Where had my peaceful moment gone?
Chaos ensued, and I decided a crash landing was probably the best course of action as I quickly ran to the cover behind some trees. A hard landing followed with a little damage to the chopper, then a short conversation with the Sheriff and the crew on horseback about the coolness of my camera. Moral of the story? I'm not quite sure....but one thing is for sure and everyone agrees, flying cameras are cool.
Slideshow Below:
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Grateful for Commercial Work and Why it Matters
May 01, 2026
Commercial Clients & Expanding Community Presence:
I’ve always believed that great work doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s built through strong relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to quality. This past season has been a great reminder of that, and I want to take a moment to recognize a few of the organizations and partners who continue to support my work in the commercial space.
Whether with law firms, municipalities, or local businesses—these projects carry a different kind of responsibility. These aren’t just one-off pieces; they live in spaces where decisions are made, relationships are built, and communities are shaped. Working with partners like MacKenzie River Pizza and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, the Ridge Athletic Club, the City of Bozeman and many others reinforces what I already know:
* Quality work gets noticed
* Relationships matter more than transactions
* And local partnerships drive long-term success
New massive 60 ft x 9 ft double sided glass image to be installed at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport:
Excited to announce a new image being installed at the at the Bozeman airport as part of a large expansion over the coming years. Needless to say, am honored to be part of it, and it is great exposure to a record-breaking 2,809,419 total passengers in 2025.
The new image is shot from the 3 Dollar Bridge on the Madison River, and was custom shoot done for the airport in June of 2025.
Current airport permanent installations: "Missouri Headwaters Map"
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New Large Format Images at the Remodeled Bozeman City Hall:
I’m excited to share a recent installation at the City of Bozeman Hall. Projects like this are especially meaningful—they’re seen by locals, visitors, and community leaders alike. It’s a small way to help shape the visual identity of Bozeman as it continues to grow and evolve.
New large format pieces at City Hall: "Hyalite Spillway #2"
New large format pieces at City Hall: "Palisade Summer"
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Thank you to Crowley Fleck Law Office in Helena:
Local businesses like these are the backbone of our communities—and their support for local artists.
New 160"x30" triptych canvas in Helena: "Sleeping Giant"
New 160"x30" triptych canvas in Helena: "Sleeping Giant"
I’m truly grateful for the continued support—it means a great deal to have people who believe in the work and help it grow after 23 years of community support. Each bit of encouragement, feedback, and shared enthusiasm makes a difference and keeps the momentum going. I’m excited about what lies ahead and look forward to building on these connections, exploring new ideas, and creating more meaningful collaborations together in the future.
Best,
Craig
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Honored to have these two large pieces part of a permanent collection in the grand entrance of the new Montana Historical Society in Helena!
December 05, 2025
Honored to have these two large pieces part of a permanent collection in the grand entrance of the new Montana Historical Society in Helena. This place is absolutely stunning, and due to the generous gifts by many benefactors and the hard work of countless people, this museum is open to the public and always free. The art galleries alone are worth seeing, let alone the amazingly displayed history of Montana.
I used to wander the halls of this old building almost 30 years ago, browsing through the historical archives of photos and art, getting excited as a young buck in my early 20s, fresh out of MSU as a naïve intern for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks - design and construction. To see it now, so many years later, in its brilliant new found glory, and to have some of my work part of it now, is truly an honor.
Here is a link to my youtube with short video at the start of the presentation:
And here is another link to a short video on Facebook made by Kevin League Photography. Kevin is a very talented photographer based in Helena, and has 2 pieces up in conjunction with my images up in the permanent display.
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Christmas order deadlines 2025:
December 01, 2025
"Harper Puckett" Spanish Peaks, 2014
I will be closed from Dec. 23rd through January 6th.
LOCAL ORDERS & PICKUPS:
-Local orders can be placed and picked up through Dec. 23rd.
IN STOCK FRAMED PRINTS and BOOKS:
In stock framed prints will be shipped out in 1-2 days from order date, and will ship up to Dec. 22nd depending on location. Local orders can be placed and picked up through Dec. 23rd.
NEW FRAMED PRINT ORDERS:
All new framed print production orders must be in by December 5th to ensure delivery by Christmas. (orders may still be placed, but may not arrive in time) For orders that will not arrive by Christmas, I will send you a 8.5x11 pdf printout with a sample of the photo to give as a gift before the print arrives. (see below sample)
Questions? Check the FAQ page, then shoot me an E-Mail or call my office at 406-522-7798
(I rarely answer the phone these days, but leave a message or text, and I will call you back)
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