Category Archives: Columbus Ohio Portraits

Sharon & Justin- Columbus Wedding Photographers

Now that spring is upon us, I’ve come out of hibernation and am ready to show off some more amazing couples! I hope to get caught up on blogging in the next month- I can’t wait to share all the photos I have been working on lately. For now, I’d like to rewind to the Fall, figuratively, when I had the honor of photographing Sharon and Justin’s wedding.

It never ceases to amaze me how every time I see a bride for the first time on her wedding day, my breath is taken away. There’s always just a little extra glow on their faces. And this day was no exception. When I walked into the suite at the Renaissance Downtown Columbus where the bride and bridesmaids were getting ready, Sharon looked STUNNING. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant up-do. Her dress complimented her neckline, which in turn seemed to make her eyes pop. It was the perfect dress for her. Elegant and not overstated, with just a dash of fun- the dress had pockets! Gotta love that. She looked flawless.

Can I just profess my love again for St. Joseph’s Cathedral? I will never get tired of photographing weddings there. The sky-high vaulted ceiling, the warm yellow light that radiates through the windows, the bright and colorful stained glassed windows: they all make you feel like you’ve been transported somewhere old-worldly and magical. On a brisk day like this, it was so warm and spiritual inside.

We took our portraits outside and around the Renaissance Hotel right before their reception began. This wedding party braved the cold weather with me long enough to get some gorgeous photographs. Along with the cold, an intermittent wind added some great life to Sharon’s dress during our portraits. I love wind. It makes everything in photography feel more alive. I would like to give a personal thank you to my amazing second shooter, Sarah Williamson! I hope you love these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Han & Quyen-Married! Wedding Photographers Columbus Ohio

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The first time I met Han, it was over the phone and I could immediately hear her electric personality radiate through. When I was able to then meet her in person later that week, it was not only her personality, but it was her smile that shined ear to ear- especially when she talked about her (then) fiance Quyen and their adorable daughter. Like my last post with Adrienne and Jay, I did a pre-wedding family & engagement session with them. It was September (I’m running way behind in blogging if you haven’t noticed) and the weather was warm and the light was soft.

I’m starting to love engagement sessions almost as much as the wedding itself. It’s a great opportunity to show who you are on a more down-to-earth level: your day-to-day self and a more natural beauty. Weddings are a great place to show off that “done-up” look. And together, they show two beautiful sides of the same family. Below are photos from both their E-session and their wedding.

The wedding was extraordinary with course after course of traditional Asian cuisine. It was apparently the first time J.Liu had ever done a custom 12-13 course traditional meal for a wedding. White flowers created a fresh, light and romantic feel in the room. A towering white cake was so formal and elegant. J.Liu’s vaulted ceiling made for a refined and upscale setting.

As far as dancing goes, this wedding might tie for my “best dancing” award with Eric and Rachel’s wedding. Everyone GOT. DOWN. (including yours truly). Here’s a little known fact- I like to try to blend in at weddings so that means if you’re bustin’ out the moves, well, I’ll prob. get crazy right along side you to get that photo!

There was so much love in this room. It was such an honor to be a part of it all:) XO Jess

EXCITING NEVER-BEFORE OFFERED EVENT STARTS TODAY!

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It’s February and thinking about Spring portraits makes me happy as I’m unpiling the 7 inches of snow off my car. In an effort to make you equally as happy, I’d love to extend this one-time-only offer to you and your families. Up until February 28th (OMG that’s a whole month!), I’m offering $300 off my complete portrait sessions. WOWZA! That’s only $200 for a 45-60min session, online ordering, and the digital files of 40-60 images (in black and whaite and color). Think Pets, Family, Gifts, Engagments, Portraits, Senior Sessions, Children, Maternity, etc. There is no minimum order, so contact me today! Sessions must be used before September 1st, 2014. Travel additional if outside Columbus. XO Jess

Columbus Photographers-Adrienne & Jay Married

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Adrienne and Jay have brought together two families into one…and it’s quite possibly one of the cutest families you’ll see ever. Their children are such goofballs, and their little girl definitely rules the roost. Scott and I had such an wonderful time with them for their engagement session and on their wedding day. These two are kept super busy with their work and family, so it was nice to take some time to photograph them not once, but twice…just the two of them. One of the things I love most about photography sessions is it allows you to take a pause from your busy life, connect with each other, and preserve that little moment in time…that connection…that love.

This wedding was so genuine and authentic. From the beginning, they said they wanted it to be about the ceremony, their family and the people. The location they chose to create that environment was nothing short of perfect.

I have photographed at Liberty Presbyterian before, but never in their chapel. It is a very intimate, historic and warm place. The pews are all made of wood and an old piano sits at the front. Beautiful old wooden beams support the roof and an old church bell is located in the back of the church..reserved for those who have just gotten married. It felt very old and historical inside, which I feel like aided in creating a very connected spiritual environment. Their personal ceremony with all of their children was followed by refreshments and cookies outdoors. Instead of a formal reception, they opted for a low-key yet equally as fun time out with friends at a local restaurant.

Below are some photos from both their engagement & family session, as well as their wedding. A special thank you to my friend Melissa Jones who was my incredible second shooter on their wedding day. Another special thank you to my husband Scott who wrangled, played, shot, smiled and laughed his way through both the family session and wedding as my “assistant” (more like partner in crime) and additional shooter.

Fairwell 2013 – Columbus OH Wedding Photographer

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So in honor of this being the first week of the new year, I’m going to skip ahead some sessions and do a best-of 2013 post. I will continue to post 2013 weddings and session blogs in the coming weeks so keep checking back:)

At the end of it all, all I can really say is WOW! This has been Jessica Miller Photography’s busiest and most successful year to date. It has been such an honor to step into the lives of so many incredible people. I feel like my life has been so enriched by getting to know and share in the memories of my clients. I am a better person for having all of you in my life. I can’t thank you enough.

In early 2013, I traveled to WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) with a few friend-tographers and spent three days in some intensive business classes. I had wanted to attend this conference for the last 3 years, so it was very exciting to finally get there. I came home with a laser-focused drive that I’ve never felt before. It has definitely propelled me forward in not only my business, but also my everyday life. My work was published a few times in 2013: once in The Knot Ohio, once in Curve Magazine, once in Business First, and a photograph I took is now on the back of over 10,000 bottles of Via Vecchia wine. I was able to branch out and team with other local vendors for three fashion editorial shoots- two in the spring, and one in the summer. In 2013 I was the contributing photographer for Craftin’ Outlaws and I also established my own booth to sell prints at both their spring and winter shows. I acted as the in-house photographer for Bartha, a national events and production house, where I photographed over 25 live events. Jessica Miller Photography expanded in 2013 and now offers photography for high school Seniors looking for a more fashion-forward and creative experience with their Senior Photo shoot. Something that I’ve been so grateful for here in Columbus is my family of fellow wedding and portrait photographers. In business and in life, they have been there every step of the way. This year, I was able to have some insanely talented people shoot along side me as second shooters. A special thank you to Nick Fancher, Carmen Hall, Melissa Jones, Sarah Williamson, Mike Stempler, Zak Kelly and my husband Scott Ingraham for your beautiful work!

So without further ado, here are just a sampling of my favorite photographs I took from 2013. I’m so excited to turn the page on another year! Happy 2014 everyone! XO Jess

Kristin & David- Via Vecchia Wedding Photos

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Kristin and David’s wedding was a showstopper. From the stunning setting of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in downtown Columbus, to the intimate reception at Via Vecchia Winery, this wedding was eye candy all day long. I was just at St. Joseph’s shooting again two weekends ago, and I realized when you’re in St. Joe’s, it makes you feel like you’re photographing royalty. The whole ceiling seems to glow a warm golden color. The stained glass windows dance with color. The smell of candles wafts in the air. Momentarily, you might think you’ve been transported to an old European Cathedral.

Kristin wore a long cathedral veil. Have I ever mentioned how much I L-O-V-E long veils? This complimented her dress absolutely perfectly and when she turned the corner to walk down the center isle of St. Joe’s, It was a magical moment. The simple Calla Lillis she carried were so elegant and modern. David’s face says it all.

It was scheduled to pour on this late June wedding day. We were lucky enough to plan out some fantastic indoor shooting locations, but the rain also held off each and every time we had the opportunity to do outdoor photographs. But rain it did. It’s strange, but for me, the rain added a romantic feeling to this wedding. I’m sure that had a lot to do with the Via Vecchia venue being so intimate inside. Because of the bad weather, all day the light seemed a little softer and a little warmer. And oh the magical wind. I love wind on a wedding day. It makes for some unpredictably amazing photos and it has the ability to bring a wedding dress alive!

A huge thank you to Melissa Jones who second shot this wedding with me. I hope you find these photos as beautiful as I do:) XO Jess

Charlo & Mirella- Columbus Wedding Potographer

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I was so excited for this wedding! Charlo, Mirella and I sat down late last year and they both told me about how they met and the wedding they were planning. Mirella is from Italy so what better venue to have their wedding than Via Vecchia, which features that old-world charm and rustic elegance. It’s no secret that this is one of my favorite Columbus venues. Nestled in the Brewery District, I still consider it somewhat of a hidden Columbus gem. I am also so tickled every time I get a bottle of their wine and see a photo that I took of the owners Palo and Michael on the back label.

I have to start by saying that I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I walked in the doors on the day of Charlo and Mirella’s wedding. There were details dripping from every corner of the room. Everything seemed customized for these two. Family was running around helping to get everything set up and make sure that the hundreds of small intimate details were just perfect. I had never seen such a customized labor of love and family before. And the results were stunning. They transformed the otherwise simple room into a beautiful wedding backdrop of purples, whites, golds and silvers.

And now I have to gush over Mirella. She was so electrically beautiful on this day. She had specially requested some night shots, which are by far some of my favorite to photograph with couples. I think the results are nothing short of magical, but I will let you be the judge.

A special thank you to Carmen Hall and my insanely handsome husband Scott who both second shot this wedding with me.

I hope you love these images as much as I do! XO Jess

Addie & Jordyn- Columbus Children’s Photographers

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I thought I would bring back a little summer fun with today’s post.

Turning ONE is a big deal. You get to smash cake in your face an no one will judge you- in fact, it’s encouraged. You can crawl or drag yourself through the house, and again, no one will judge you. There are usually lots of balloons and tons of people come out to give you loads of cool gifts that make noise (because it’s always fun to give other people’s kids gifts that make noise). And at ONE, it’s the perfect time for a photo shoot. You’re almost a toddler, but you’re still a baby in a lot of ways. What a fantastic milestone age…and literally up until age 29, you only get to celebrate each birthday only once.

What makes birthdays even more special is when you can share them with family. I remember when Addie was all but a toddler herself, and now she’s helping usher in that era for her little sister, Jordyn as she turned one. Neither of these two are scared of the camera which I, of course, adore. Cute and colorful outfits were expertly matched for this summer at-home session. It was a hot summer day so we divided the session between indoors and outdoors. Addie took me on a mini tour of all the things she loves in her life from Soccer, to the large outdoor trampoline, to the neon bracelets that she bought with her own money! Jordyn’s face lit up when her big sister was in the room. She enjoyed being dressed in frilly skirts but also loved getting messy with her smash cake. I can’t get over how cute these two are. I hope these pictures help you remember the simple joys of being a kid at summer time without a care in the world! All I know is I turned 32 ( errr…29 for the fourth time) last month and I wish I could have had a smash cake, too!

Stephanie & Jason- Columbus Engagment Photography

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I literally can’t believe it’s already September. Stephanie and Jason’s wedding is this month and I wanted to show you their romantic engagement shoot before their big day. Stephanie told me they love natural settings, so I couldn’t help but take them to my all-time favorite place in Columbus. My husband Scott and I love it so much we actually had our wedding photographs taken in this stretch of park as well. I’ve always kept it as a private place, but every time I walk this length of land, I can’t help but admire its beauty and I have wanted to do my own photo shoot there for a very long time. This was the shoot! I told them this was my dream shoot, and I think they might have thought I was a little crazy. On a picture perfect summer day, we went into the woods and went exploring. Off this trail there are a few make-shift Tee-pees. I always tried to build make-shift forts when I was little, so it is so much fun to be in a place where you can feel like a child again. When the sun hits the river just right at certain times throughout the day, the water sparkles like a million dancing diamonds. The light trickles through the tops of the trees and illuminates a canopied pathway. It’s not only a romantic spot, but it’s tranquil and peaceful. I love the way Stephanie and Jason interacted with each other. All it took was a glace from one of them to get the other giggling. They have this amazing laid back nature to them so I know their wedding is going to be genuine and so much fun.

After my dream shoot we went to some alley corners of Columbus. I love the nooks and crannies you can find here if you’re eyes are open to them. I hope you love these photos and keep your eyes peeled for their wedding photos coming soon! XO Jess

Lisa & Steve- Intimate Columbus Wedding

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I met Lisa my sophomore year of college at The Ohio State University, when she unexpectedly became my roommate (the roommate I was supposed to have wanted to room with a friend of hers). Since then, over 10 years ago, she has become very much a part of my family. I have always felt like meeting her was a major turning point in my life. In 2001, while we were roommates, she met Steve over AIM (does anyone still remember what that was? Also, this wasn’t completely random- i went to High School with Steve and he was on my AIM list.) Well the two of them quickly fell in love and became inseparable. In 2009 they were blessed with the beginnings of a beautiful family and welcomed Chole Bella into their lives. Just last year, they welcomed the cutest boy in the world, Judah Nathan. I have secretly, or not so secretly, wanted to see Lisa in a wedding dress, though. I had just always wanted to see a day where Lisa was in the spotlight, and I could gush over her publicly and she’d have to sit there and take it. You see, she’s always lived her life for other people. It was beyond exciting for me when she told me she was getting married! I felt so blessed to be standing next to her, Steve and their families as they took their vows in the Short North at Ray’s Living Room and art gallery. Stunning artwork adorned every inch of the gallery, providing the perfect setting for such an intimate wedding. Rigsby’s caters this particular venue and it was nothing short of outstanding. A special thanks to my beautiful friend Carmen Hall from Portraits by Carmen in Grove City who came and helped shoot this wedding with me, as I couldn’t shoot and be in the wedding at the same time. Enjoy! XOXO

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