I had the pleasure to work with Cat Crawford-Deriana at a styled shoot in March, and ya’ll, not only is she kind, funny, and attentive, she does BEAUTIFUL work!

I’m excited to be able to feature this boss babe–Not only does she own S&C Studios Salon, with TWO locations in Three Forks, MT and Belgrade, MT, she also offers incredible hair and make-up services for weddings and events.

*Spoiler alert: She loves to pamper her bridal parties–read on to learn how!

What inspires your business? What is your biggest passion?

Cat: “What truly is the vision behind S&C Studios Salon is a deep desire to uplift people and love on them!

My heart is to be the safe place that most people need. So many people experience things that they have no one and nowhere to go. My faith in God has allowed me many things and a true understanding of what my calling is. We offer people an opportunity to receive prayer if they want it and support in anyway they need!

I live to create and help people see their true beauty! It’s awesome to be able to be someone’s best hair experience, that is my goal for every client! The mission came from witnessing and experiencing the salon atmosphere for 9 years. Studying at an Aveda Institute, we learned all about what a high end experience looks like but I knew it could be even more than that. I had a vision that was placed in my heart. The goal is to offer people a high end experience that’s more affordable! I knew that I wanted to impact people’s lives by being that sometimes one person who is there for them. My salon is a safe haven for people to enjoy their service and be able to confidently share what they are going through!

There’s always a way to give people what they want whether that’s customizing a more affordable hair color option for them or a wedding package. We give people all the workings of an all around fulfilling, uplifting & refreshing experience!”

What is your biggest passion?

Cat: “My biggest passion is mentoring young stylist in the hair and makeup industry as well as business.”

What is your proudest accomplishment so far?

Cat: “I feel my proudest accomplishment next to my 6 month old son Isaiah would be opening a second salon location in Belgrade and providing homeless locals with haircuts.”

What sets your business apart?

Cat: “I am in this for the ability to create and to uplift. When they encounter me or have me as their hair or makeup artist, I listen to their wants and needs and will accommodate it to the best of my ability.

No one ever leaves my chair without learning, I love educating them on tips and tricks to take care of their hair and skin and know how to style at home.

Part of my job is to take what they want to see and tell them what’s going to ultimately be best for them and their hair and skin type! No one color or style fits all.”

Tell us about the VIP treatment you give bridal parties!

Cat: “We pamper our bridal parties with lip exfoliant and masks and the bride gets the ultimate pampering with a 24k gold face and lip mask.”

Is there anything you wish your wedding clients knew?

Cat: “Everyone receiving hair styling needs to have clean hair washed and completely dry! If your hair is damp it adds so much extra time per head.

For make-up clients, I ask that they all have a fresh face which is: a cleansed face with a light moisturizer on.”

A final piece of advice?

Don’t try out a new color and stylist right before your wedding, always get color done with plenty of time to tweak if necessary!

I suggest 1-2months in advance for any hair color. You can always retouch it before the big day but if it’s not how you want it you won’t have time last minute!

When it comes to wedding day hair and make-up, not only is Cat experienced, but she will bring her expertise TO you so you can truly sit back, relax, and enjoy your day.

If you’re in the market for a new “go to” stylist, or hair and make-up for your wedding day you can find out more about her here.

Photography by the awesome Mackenzie Keough Photography

Susan Beth Breuner owns Elements of Light Photography and is also the leader of the Bozeman chapter of Tuesday’s Together. Not only have I had the pleasure of working with her on styled shoots and weddings, but she’s been a great business mentor and friend, and I’m really excited to share a little more about her business, in her own words!

What inspires your business? What is your biggest passion?

Susan Beth: “My business is inspired by the connection of people – and what more intense, beautiful and intimate connection is there besides marriage! I love the concept of helping to celebrate marriage relationships, not just for the wedding day, but for the entire family’s legacy for generations. Each couple is the beginning of something new, while at the same time the fruition of the hopes and dreams of the
generations that come before them.”

“My biggest passion in wedding photography is capturing the real way that the couple interacts with each other. Allowing them to be in front of my camera in a way that is genuine, relaxed, and natural is something that I have worked very hard to accomplish over the years, and is an important part of what gives me a thrill when photographing wedding couples – and all of that applies to both their actual wedding day photos and to their engagement session. In fact, the engagement session is where we do the hard work of forming that relationship that allows us to have and easy flow on the wedding day.”

What are your favorite wedding traditions/moments/details to photograph?

Susan Beth: “I’m torn about what to say here because so many moments of the wedding day are a thrill to photograph, and when it comes right down to it, I’m a bit of a thrill junkie. But I can narrow it down to two things:

1. Any opportunity with just the couple, me and the camera. So, think sunset photos, first look opportunities, romping through a field, running up towards Hyalite to capture big open spaces that still aren’t quite big enough to hold their love and excitement.

And 2. The getting ready portion – for both the Bride and the Groom. There is just something special about capturing the attention to detail they give to their look, and highlighting the things they took the time to select for their wedding day because they reflect their hopes and dreams for the relationship. That means the beauty of putting on makeup knowing you are in your best day ever and want to look your best ever, or tying a tie even if you don’t usually wear one, but you want to get it just right. And these moments often involve someone special helping the bride or groom, so it is another opportunity to highlight a relationship.”

What are some traits of your ideal clients?

Susan Beth: “My ideal client is a bride who is creative, sees the flow of the day and of life as an adventure, and knows that the most important thing about the day is that she will be forever bound to the love of her life. She cares about the details of the day, but keeps them in perspective to the life change she is making and knows that when all is said and done, being married to her love is all that counts on that day. And grooms – love the groom with a great sense of humor, a tender care for his bride, a respect for his guests, and an openness to some fun. He is the consummate host for the party being thrown in his honor, and keeps his head about him to care for his wife, while still honoring his mom.”

Is there anything you wish your clients knew?

Susan Beth: “I wish every person, client or not, knew the value of photos beyond themselves or the moment they are taken. Recognizing that photos inform your own memory, the memories of those involved in your life, and the understanding and respect of generations to come. Wedding photos, boudoir photos, day to day photos, family photos, maternity photos – they all preserve information about you, your life, your culture, your values, and your heart. Having them to share is a gift to yourself and to more other people than you could ever imagine.”

Susan Beth is also an incredible boudoir photographer, and I’ll be sharing more about that side of her business in the near future.

If you’re in the market for a wedding, portrait, boudoir, senior, or “day in the life” photographer, you can find out more about her here.