If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know I’m primarily a Missoula wedding, engagement, and boudoir photographer. So when I had the opportunity to do a branding and content photoshoot at Drybar Missoula, it was a fun and welcome change of pace; something new and different, and a whole lotta fun.
How I Found Drybar Missoula
For the past few years, I’ve been offering professional makeup services to my boudoir and portrait clients through the talented artists at Skin Chic, located in downtown Missoula and at the Southgate Mall. It’s been such a wonderful addition to the client experience. Getting makeup done professionally before a photoshoot makes a real difference, both in the final images and also in how confident people feel being in front of the camera.
Then one day, while strolling downtown, I noticed a salon I hadn’t seen before, oddly enough right next door to the downtown Skin Chic location. That salon was Drybar Missoula.
When I got home and looked them up, I discovered they specialize in professional hair styling — blowouts, updos, braids, curls, scalp massage, and more. I immediately thought: this is exactly what my clients have been missing. Drybar Missoula officially opened their doors in 2024, and they’ve already become a beautiful addition to the downtown Missoula community.
Falling in Love with the Space
As we started to conceptualize the shoot, I stopped in for an introductory meeting, and I fell in love immediately with the space.
The salon is gorgeous, with warm wood floors, fun mirrors on the walls, tons of natural window light (I’m a photographer… I can’t help but notice the light!), and a chic, stylish atmosphere that feels special from the moment you walk in. As you look around you’ll spot their signature buttercup yellow color woven throughout their decor, including their iconic yellow hair dryers. It’s a true luxury experience, and the staff is just as warm and welcoming as the space itself.
Oh, and bonus~ did I mention they serve champagne? Because they do. 🥂
As soon as I walked out of that first meeting, I knew two things: I wanted to shoot there, and I wanted to offer Drybar Missoula’s hair styling services to my boudoir and portrait clients — right alongside the professional makeup they already receive at Skin Chic next door. Getting your hair and makeup done before your session? That’s the kind of experience my clients deserve.
The Branding Shoot
The collaboration came together very easily. Drybar was looking for fresh social media content, and I knew this would be a great opportunity to highlight the stylists fun personalities. Drybar owner Kila Reynolds and manager Hazel Dirk were the creative force behind the shoot. They put together a Pinterest board for inspiration and direction, and from there, we got to work.
On shoot day, I brought my backdrop setup and lights and got everything arranged in the back of the salon. From there, it was a blast. We captured fun branding portraits of the staff, team shots, and creative styled images using props from the salon, including those signature buttercup yellow hair dryers, styling brushes, and hair care products. The energy was high (Kila made sure of that with great music and snacks for the team!), and it showed in the images.
What This Means for My Boudoir + Portrait Clients
Starting soon, I’ll be offering professional hair styling through Drybar Missoula as an add-on for my boudoir and portrait clients. Combined with the beautiful makeup work from Skin Chic right next door, your session can now include a full hair and makeup experience before we ever pick up a camera. Your photoshoot can become a full day of pampering for yourself, and after the shoot, when you’re feeling super fresh and confident, why not meet up with your girlfriends or partner downtown for dinner and some evening fun?
I truly believe that when you feel like the best version of yourself, it comes through in every single photo. And that’s always the goal.
If you’re interested in booking a session with hair and makeup included, reach out here and I’ll walk you through all the details.
A Pro Tip for 2026 + 2027 Brides
Did you know that Drybar Missoula also offers hair styling for brides and bridal parties? If you’re getting married in 2026 or 2027 and haven’t thought about where to get your hair done, they are worth checking out. The salon is bright, beautiful, and is almost like a studio in and of itself! Imagine having your wedding photographer capture candids of you and your bridesmaids getting glam in that gorgeous space. It’s the kind of getting-ready content that elevates your entire wedding gallery.
You can learn more about Drybar Missoula and their services here.
One More Fun Fact
While researching Drybar for this branding shoot, I learned that there is actually a National Blowout Day (NBD) that falls on the last Friday of July every year. Who would have thought?! Given I’m overdue for some branding photos of myself, I can’t wait to sit in one of their chairs and let the Drybar Missoula team work their magic before I get my own photos done.
Testimonials
“Carin did an amazing job for us at Drybar! She made sure everyone felt comfortable and confident. I can’t wait to work with her more in the future and couldn’t recommend getting photographed by her more!! Truly an amazing person 😊” —Hazel Dirk, Drybar manager
“She is the BEST!!! So professional, easy to talk to, and made all of us at Drybar feel so comfortable 🤍” — Lexie Judy, Drybar staff
