Category Archives: Columbus Engagement Photography

2017 Best of Engagements

I fully intended to have this blog post up early last week, but life came at us fast as we welcomed our new baby girl into our family! She is truly a little slice of heaven. I’ll be posting a full post about her and all her baby glory next week after my 2017 wrap-ups!

Today I get to highlight the Jessica Miller Photography 2017 Best of Engagements! Arguably, engagement shoots might be my ultimate favorite to photograph. They are more about the couple, having fun and getting to know each-other as couple and photographer. I honestly think I’ve given myself more eye wrinkles than I care to admit because I smile so much when editing engagement shoots. Often times, they’re extremely relaxed and not hurried like a wedding day. They also show who people are on a more day-to-day basis, aka not dressed to the nines in formal attire. These are just a few of the reasons I include an engagement shoot with every wedding collection I offer!

These 2017 couples – gah!!! These couples! They have brought so much joy to my life and I couldn’t feel more lucky to document such a fun and blissful time for them! We had some stunning weather days this year that totally added to the warm lovey glow already there. 2018 will be the year that most of these smiling faces tie the knot and I’m so honored I get to spend the day with their family and friends as they start this next chapter in their lives together!

Downtown Columbus Winter Engagement

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Believe it or not, this engagement session is from the day after Christmas when Carole and John were still in town for their holiday vacation. It was a freezing cold day but super pretty- the kind of cold day you can still take a deep breath and feel refreshed and alive. And hanging out with these two actually gave me the same exact feeling!

We started off our shoot in German Village drinking coffee and hanging out- a perfect way to start a shoot if you ask me! We had never really met in person before this moment so it was nice to just take a little time to talk, laugh and warm up. We tried to keep most of the shoot inside because I think it was around 17 degrees outside. After the coffee shop, we headed downtown to the main library which made for a stunning backdrop for some intimate and more importantly warm photos! I just loved goofing around with these two- it felt like I have known them forever. I was on a natural high for the rest of the day. We might even meet up in the Spring for a mini outdoor session as well! Carole and John, thank you for being you! XO Jess

OSU and Worthington Engagement Shoot

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I secretly (or not so secretly) love it when my clients wear bold colors like red to their engagement shoots. There’s something so dynamic about the way it looks in photographs. As Ohio State fans, this worked out perfectly for Kelly and Adam. They met me out on a very cold fall day in front of the OSU stadium. The sky was pretty grey, but their smiles illuminated every frame.

After a few shots in front of the Shoe, we traveled to downtown Worthington. Kelly and Adam actually had their very first date at the old bag of nails restaurant so we had to get a few in-front of their storefront. Later in the shoot, Kelly pointed out the spot where they said goodnight on their first date, and how she didn’t know if Adam would kiss her or not. Little did they know that night that they’d be celebrating their engagement with a photo shoot in the same place!! I love that this session brought great memories up for them. It’s always so nice when shooting locations have meaning behind them.

Kelly and Adam’s wedding will take place in early March and will actually be the first wedding in the newly renovated Edgewater room of the nationwide hotel and conference center! I can’t wait to see the new layout and updates but also celebrate with these two as they start their 2018 in the best way possible- in love and freshly married! Be on the lookout for their wedding blog in the next few months! Xo jess

Columbus Fall Engagement Shoot

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Chelsey wanted the fall colors in her and Michael’s engagement photos, which was somewhat of a hit-or-miss game this year! Luckily, the day we had their shoot the weather was absolutely perfect and the first location we shot at, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, was alive with every fall color imaginable! Chelsey wore a purple vest that was absolutely perfect for fall photos. Seeing these photos this week, when the weather is turning dark and drap is a serious mood-lifter. They even brought their little doggie that has that absolute best little ears and cutest little kissable face!! He would even enjoy laying in Michaels’ arms like a baby.

From the Audubon center, we went to the Scioto Mile for some city backdrops. Chelsey wore a dress that Michael gave her for their first Christmas together. She said the gift came with theater tickets as well- a very “pretty woman” moment! The hot pink color looked so vibrant against the city- I just love it when people wear bold colors! I’m so excited for their wedding next year. These two are so fun to be around and super easy to photograph!! Cheers to you both! Xo jess

A wooded engagement

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For Caitlin and Mason’s engagement photos, I really wanted to take them off the beaten path and take the photographic “road less taken” if you will. When we got to this hidden park, there were so many photo opportunities, at certain points it felt like I had stepped into magical dreamscapes. Tall grasses with soft white buds gently swayed in the breeze. Paths worn through the wooded acres made this shoot feel more like an adventure than anything else. After our explorations, we added their two rambunctious puppies to the mix for some proper family photos.

We then traveled to OSU’s campus to round out the shoot on the grounds of the beautiful Chadwick Arboretum. Caitlin wore the world’s most beautiful and perfectly colored maroon fall dress which made every photo pop to life. Caitlin and Mason are both really fun people to be around and they have a genuine and sincere way of relating to each other. Caitlin squints her nose up a little each time she flashes you a genuine smile. It’s extremely endearing and I loved editing these photos all the more because I got to see that little squint a lot. I am so excited for their August wedding next year. I know the time is going to fly by, but until then, please enjoy these photos of this wonderful couple!

Columbus Fall engagement

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Let the fall engagement posts begin! Morgan and Brian met me out in early fall at Schiller Park in German Village. The weather was still warm, but there was a perfect fall overcast above us (Ideal for shooting!). Schiller Park is one of those amazing parks where you will literally see it all every time you visit, just like the state fair. As we were shooting, a family next to us was having their family photos taken- with their shirts off, of course.

Flowers were in full splendor. We ventured over to the book loft which always takes my breath away every time I visit. Morgan and Brian hadn’t been inside the store yet, but I assured them it was Columbus’ coolest fire hazard. So many winding hallways and staircases. Wandering the isles will make you feel like a little kid again. The outside is just as enchanting with overflowing flower boxes and painted red window sills.

From there we traveled to the Grange Insurance Audubon Center for their spectacular prairie-like grounds. When I was editing this collection, I couldn’t get Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” song out of my head. I just love this song and think it would also be a perfect first dance song at a wedding.

While I was actually shooting these, however, I had Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” in my head. LOL. This also happens to be the perfect song to play right when your coffee is kicking in. I find myself singing Queen in my head a lot at shoots.

I’m so honored that Morgan and Brian chose me to be their wedding photographer for their Nationwide Hotel wedding next year. The time between now and then will fly so quickly, this I know. Until then, I hope you love these photos as much as I loved taking them! XO Jess

Downtown Columbus Engagement

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Andrew and Heather are both Architects, a profession that is near and dear to my heart, as my father is an architect as well. They met at Kent State which has a killer architecture program and spent long nights working on projects together. They both have a diverse range of interests and are very wise beyond their years….to an impressive degree.

For their engagement shoot, we let the architecture of downtown Columbus be our inspiration. We found lots of cool angles, details and textures to work with. It was early July and down by the riverfront vendors were setting up for the 4th of July fireworks celebrations so the streets were alive with excitement. The sun was direct and bright in the sky which provided the opportunity for cool silhouettes and some more dramatic shots. I loved Heather’s high pony tail and bold blue dress- it was the perfect color for photos. These two have a refreshing mix of being laid back, silly and super sweet with each-other. I just loved hanging out with them for an afternoon.

Their wedding was the following month in August so it was fun hearing about how their wedding planning was coming along. I especially loved hearing them describe the cookie table they’d be having. I could talk about cookies everyday. You’d have to ask my husband, but I probably actually do talk about cookies everyday. I digress.

I can’t wait to share these with you all today! Urban portraits are some of my all-time favorite photos to take, because I love the uniqueness of all the locations and the feeling of exploring when we walk around finding them together. I hope you love these as much as I did taking them:) Thank you Andrew and Heather! Keep an eye out for a blog about their wedding in the coming month. XO Jess

A German Village Engagement

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It was a perfect spring day with a subtle breeze in the air, just enough to make a small piece of hair come to life. Amanda and Eric met me at the Grange Insurance Audubon for their engagement session, and then we drove to German Village and took some more photos paparazzi style! I was a little obsessed with shooting in this area of Columbus this past spring. All of the brick streets looked extra quaint with all of the flower boxes having freshly planted flowers around every corner.

I can’t get over Amanda’s stunning eyes- they’re captivating. And they both have such a genuine smile- they make a super cute couple and will make a very good-looking bride and groom come this November. Until then, enjoy these photos! It was such a stunner of a day! XO Jess

Columbus Surprise Engagement

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One day i found the funniest message in my inbox. It was from Robert, and it said:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am proposing to my girlfriend in Columbus on April 1 (it’s not a joke I’m being 100% serious) and I was looking to speak with someone about a quote and a plan on how this can be pulled off?

After a few back and forth messages, we had a plan in place. Kelly, his unsuspecting soon-to-be fiance, thought he was in a completely different state. She was just going to go out with some of her friends for brunch in downtown Columbus at Milestone 229. April 1st of this year was a very cold and windy day, but you forgot all about the weather the moment the surprise went down.

Kelly spotted Robert and started running towards him, shouting “this is my moment!”. I couldn’t stop laughing. It was so sweet and she was so floored. Her response was priceless and you could tell both of them literally couldn’t have been any happier. After a couple of photos, the couple went into the warm restaurant and sipped on champagne and celebrated with friends and family who had flown in for the event. What a cool and memorable day April Fool’s day will be for them. Enjoy! XO Jess

Scioto Mile Engagement

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This is my last blog post for a 2016 session – can’t wait to show you all the springtime goodness on the blog in the upcoming weeks. But let’s flashback now to the beautiful fall! Donna and Tim used to live down by the Scioto Mile, so we decided it would be the perfect place to do photos. The foliage around the area is perfection in the late fall. These two were so relaxed and naturally just laughed with each-other in front of the camera. Thank you so much to Donna and Tim for having me with you on this perfect day! XO Jess

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