Category Archives: Columbus Event Photography

Craftin’ Outlaws- Columbus Event Photography

For those who follow me on Facebook, (which you should!) you already know that I’ve been the official photographer for Columbus’ Craftin’ Outlaws for the past three years (I can’t believe it’s been that long!). Craftin’ Outlaws is a local alternative craft show which sells off-beat, creative and inspiring products. I also like to describe it as a living, breathing ETSY. This year the event was a little more exciting for me on a personal note, as I was able to have my OWN booth to sell products as well as a photo booth, and of course, shooting the event as well. I sold fine art prints, canvas prints, cards, card sets, matchboxes and gift tags. I have always loved making things since a very young age, so this process was very time consuming, but so fulfilling in many ways. It was also nice to get out from behind my computer, which is were I feel like I spend most of my days…and nights. It was also the first time I’ve ever been able to sell my own personal work. The top photos below are from my booth and the products I sold. If you would like any more information on anything you see, please don’t hesitate to write me a note at [email protected]. The rest of the photos are of the talented vendors and some of the wildly creative products they sold. Here’s a fun fact- the guy that makes the birdhouses below, Jeff, is my landlord! Please mark your calendars for November 16th. This is when Craftin’ Outlaws will be back. It also happens to be a perfect time to holiday shop. Thank you to all my friends and family who came out and joined in the festivities. I know this show keeps getting bigger and better and the next three years are going to be even better than the last three! Enjoy the photos! XO Jess

Here’s some photos of my booth!

And here are a few photos of the many AWESOME vendor booths you can spot at this event:

Columbus Portrait Photography

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I always remember when my half birthday is because it falls smack dab on St. Patrick’s Day. Needless to say, it’s always pretty fun to celebrate, even though I’m at the age where half birthdays aren’t exactly fun to celebrate anymore. On this year’s March 17th, I was so honored to spend the day with a very talented bunch of Columbus Wedding vendors and specialists. We had makeup artists, fashion stylists, hair stylists, and yes- photographers! On this brisk day, we all met up at a studio in Victorian Village for a styled spring shoot. The inside of the building had beautiful exposed brick walls, floor to ceiling windows with flowing white drapes, and one really cool bright orange and white animal print wall.

It’s such a freedom to shoot in any way or style you choose without time limits. I usually shoot on very short timelines, so it was both liberating and inspiring to take my time and explore different poses and surroundings. Inside and outside on the street, I worked with the models to capture fantastic shots: from the fun and flirty to dramatic and powerful. You would never know these girls weren’t professional models by the way they interacted with the camera.

I am definitely going to try to do more of these kinds of shoots. For me, this experience accentuated why I love my craft. I love manipulating a scene with color and lighting and capturing a feeling that’s conveyed without words. I’m so in love with the results that came from this really fun day together.

A special thank you to the whole team who worked so seamlessly well together: Kim Rottmayer, Shelley Benson Kilgore, Kelli Ramey, Joy Macke, Kerry Smith, Jessica Dunham, Shannon Goode, Michelle Buzaki, Nathan Branch, Kate Hare, Stephanie Birtle, Isha Suri, Courtney Henry, Kaillie Dravestott, Carolyn Porter, Megan Bordenkircher, and Ellen Dobbs.

Sharon & Justin- Columbus Engagement Photography

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I just got back from Vegas last week where I enjoyed a few days with my photographer friends at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International convention soaking up a world of knowledge and a little sun. I feel inspired and have a renewed sense of purpose as it relates to my business. I guess it was wishful thinking that I wouldn’t get sick with all the people, the long days, and ok, ok, there was a little dancing. SOOOOO I’ve been sick the last few days and have been working on the backside of my website to get the contact form fixed (thank you Steve!). So my website is back up to full speed, my business is better than ever, and I’m on the mend. Things are looking up! And- it’s officially Spring! Hallelujah! (Although it’s supposed to get into the low teens tonight, so I’m not sure Ohio knows it’s supposed to be warmer than it is)

I have been looking forward to sharing this engagement session since the day I shot it last month. Sharon and Justin love German Village, so we planned for a cold winter session around the brick lined streets. If you are from Columbus, you completely understand how charming and quaint this part of the city is. We started our day with hot chocolate, which was much needed. I think we shot in 30 degree weather. It goes without saying that these two are champs, but the cold weather made for some really beautiful cozy-up-to-stay-warm shots. Just when I didn’t think it could get much better, it started to snow these huge dreamy snowflakes all around us. It was a true winter wonderland and created some fantastic romantic pictures. I wish more people opted for the cold-weather shoots, as Ohio winters really can be quite beautiful. Enjoy! XO Jess

Best of the Knot 2013 – Columbus Wedding Photographer

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The current issue of the knot is out and I was so excited to see my pictures strung throughout the publication! It used to be my dream to be among the many talented photographers who are published in the Knot. I am so proud to say this is now the third Knot issue I’ve been published in, and the excitement really doesn’t get old! This is the first issue, however, I have a featured Ad! It’s a small little guy, but I’m really proud of it! If you see the Knot Ohio on your newsstands, pick up a copy and find the beautiful green JMP ad:) I’m seriously hoping it will turn some heads. Let me know what you think of it! I love feedback:)

In other Knot news, I found out last week that Jessica Miller Photography was voted Best of the Knot 2013! This means I get to flaunt this cool little icon:

I also get a nice little award badge on my Knot listing…as well as a fancy plaque they send me in the mail. This ranking cannot be bought- it is based on the feedback the Knot has received from my clients. That fact alone makes this award invaluable to me.

I would seriously bend over backwards to ensure my clients are completely ecstatic with their experience and photographs. The write-ups I have received on my Knot listing keep me going, keep my heart full, and keep me energized to pursue this creative adventure I’m on. A huge thank you to all of my clients, and an even larger thank you to the universe for sending me such down to earth, genuine and fantastic people to work with- and good looking…..did I mention that? ALL of my couples, brides and famlies are really really good looking!! *blue steel face*.

Goodbye 2012 – Columbus Wedding Photography

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So I realize it’s almost February of 2013, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a blog post shout-out to my amazing 2012 clients and wedding couples. I have to let you all know how very thankful I am to have the privilege of getting to know you, to practice my art on an almost daily basis, and to share my photography with the world (ok, at least the world wide web). I have met and traveled to some really cool places. When I was just looking back on all of the photo sessions in 2012, it feels like it’s been a couple of years all rolled into one. Which I absolutely love. When life feels like that, I know I’m getting the most out of the time I have on this spinning globe. Some 2012 highlights for me would be: Seeing my returning client’s families evolve, grow up and change. The perfect blue sky that meets the perfect gust of wind that meets the hair of my subject that is captured by the click of my camera. That happened a lot in 2012. Shooting the wedding of a bride that booked me two years in advance. I remember when it felt like it was forever until I was going to shoot it. Now it exists in photographs. Having my best June booking numbers to date. Traveling to Natchitoches, Louisiana for a beautiful southern wedding. My neon green Ford Fiesta hatchback I rented in Natchitoches (as if I didn’t have out-of-towner written all over me anyways). Discovering some gem wedding locations here in Ohio, like the Botzum farm and the Georgian Manor, that are so perfect it’s beyond words. Entering a few Wedding Photography contests. Introducing a new product line of books and printed materials. Soaking up all the creative touches each of my subjects put into their events. I’ve been so blessed to have brides who have a passion for creative touches.

2013 is here now, and I’m so excited to see what this year has in store for the company. Please enjoy some of my favorite pictures from this past year! XO Jess

Julie & Ryan- Franklin Park Wedding Photography

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I did Julie and Ryan’s engagement shoot the night before their wedding, which is the first time I’ve done that before. In my opinion, it was one of the best ways you could ever spend the day before your wedding. Just being together, laughing, and knowing that the next day you’ll be walking down the isle. I was able to capture their last day as being “single” and their first day as being married. I guess you could say they were really beautiful ‘before & after’ photos. We were so lucky that both days were just magically perfect weather. Slight breeze, blue skies, white puffy clouds, colorful reflected light, saturated foliage colors….you know- perfect.

Julie and Ryan held their afternoon wedding in the outdoor Bride’s Garden at The Franklin Park Conservatory on a picture perfect fall day. She wore a stunning J.Crew dress that floated around her as she walked. If I ever looked that good in a dress, I don’t think I’d ever take it off! Soft pastel pinks and white flowers accented the isle-way and the bride’s bouquet. The great thing about weddings at the Conservatory, is that there is so much natural beauty all around, that not much, if anything, is needed to make a breathtaking setting for a wedding.

It was a small intimate celebration that had guests from around the world. Multiple languages were spoken at the reception, but everyone seemed to understand each-other. It’s amazing how much you can understand without knowing a language. I’ll be really cheesy here and suggest that Love is a universal language! Ok, yea- that really was cheesy (but true, right?).

Oh and another serious highlight of this wedding, like all weddings, was the fantastic cakes- or should I say cheesecake! YES! And multiple ones, too!

XO Jess

Sarah & Tim- Akron Wedding Photographers

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Sarah and Tim are the geniuses behind the dry humored Purple Hippo Stitches, which can be found every year at the Craftin’ Outlaws craft show. Their work is so fun and original. They are (now) a husband and wife team that creates framed cross stitched sayings that are, well- off the cuff & so awesomely snarky. The first time I photographed Craftin’ Outlaws, I admired their booth at least three or four times.

When they called me to let me know they’d like me to photograph their wedding, I was so excited and knew it was going to be GOOD! Put creative people, no matter what their medium, in charge of planning an event- it’s going to be genuine, memorable and unique. And this wedding didn’t disappoint. Set at the Botzum Farm in Akron, Ohio, this fall wedding had the best of everything. A beautiful outdoor field, a rustic barn, creative details around every corner and an awesome family that knew how to party! Some of my favorite details were the bridesmaid dresses, the party noisemakers and the outdoor evening bonfire. There was a custom “rootbeer float” cocktail which was not kid safe for drinking;) The bride’s mother had custom bobble heads made of the couple that sat proudly on top of the cake, nodding in approval. Guests were invited to fill out MAD LIBS about the couple… I’m sure there were some great answers! And lets just put it this way-any wedding where the bride wears sparkly blue Toms is the kind of wedding I love to shoot! It was a dream shooting in the old barn. Character was oozing from every crevice of this place!

The rain held out until later in the evening, when everyone was under the canopy of the barn dancing their hearts out.

I hope you enjoy their sense of style as much as I do! XO Jess

Happy Holidays

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From our family to yours, Happy Holidays! May you keep love in your hearts and food in your bellies. Love always, Scott and Jess

Kristin & Anthony- Columbus OH Wedding Photography

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Kristin and Anthony are two of the most warm hearted people I’ve ever met. I met both of them earlier this year when Scott and I were lucky enough to shoot their engagement session at Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley. We both agreed after that shoot that we didn’t think Anthony or Kristin actually knew we were there. They were so in love and when together, had this magic chemistry…it took them to another place where they were the only two people in the entire world. And to watch them together is just electric. Needless to say, they made my job very easy. Everything about their wedding day was special and elegant- from Kristin’s hair, to her dress, to the stunning reception hall at the Hilton Easton. I hope you all enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Craftin’ Outlaws 2012

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Once again this year I’m so excited to be the event photographer for Craftin’ Outlaws! This is a craft show you DON’T want to miss- and it’s just in time for Xmas!! November 17th! Come out and see all of the amazing talent and say hey to me as well! XO Jess

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