Category Archives: Columbus Portrait Photography

Columbus Photographers-Adrienne & Jay Married

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

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

Columbus Photography- Andrew & Jessica

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Andrew and Jess are officially married! You might remember this couple from their engagement shoot that I posted on here late last year. In May, my wedding season officially ramped up with their wedding.

This was also the first wedding I’ve shot since getting back from WPPI earlier this year (Wedding & Portrait Photography International). WPPI was a three-day intensive convention with over 15,000 of the world’s best photographers who gathered to learn, experiment, and see the latest and greatest products that are now on the market. I’ve wanted to go to this convention for over three years now, but have always found excuses as to why I couldn’t go. This year I promised myself there would be no more excuses. It definitely changed my life and I’ll be forever grateful to my travel mates and the great speakers I was able to learn from and meet. Needles to say, when I returned I was excited to get back to shooting. And with wedding season now in full swing, I love looking back at Jess and Andrews’ wedding day photos.

It was a picture perfect Ohio day. Cool, crisp, beautiful lighting and colorful backdrops everywhere I turned. Jessica’s dress also happened to be drop dead gorgeous. We were able to shoot photos at that magic hour when the sun cuts its rays through the trees and leaves everything glowing in its warm light. The trees at the reception venue, The Lakes Golf & Country Club, created the perfect backdrop for the evening. Dinner and dancing was held under a large flowing fabric canopy tent.

I am so honored to have shared this incredible day of love with them and get to know them better over the past year. Andrew and Jess love photography, traveling, and they don’t take themselves too seriously so it was definitely no surprise I love them both. Enjoy! XO Jess

Katie & Mike- Columbus Ohio Engagements

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Whenever I meet with a couple, I always ask if they have ever had their photos taken professionally before. I think I currently have a 100% response rate of “No”. When we meet up for our sessions, I usually hear that one of them or both is nervous. I was too the first time Scott and I had our pictures taken…actually it’s one of the reasons I like to stay behind the camera. The key is to just have fun, be creative, and always feel free to share thoughts and ideas for fun pictures! And this shoot was no exception. It was extremely hot outside (goodbye temperate, cool summer- hello hot muggy heat), but we had so much fun running around the Whetstone Park of Roses. All of the roses were in full bloom which provided a spectacular landscape for some beautiful photographs. Some of them ended up looking like a beautiful technicolor lovey dream-scape, wouldn’t you say?

Katie and Mike have the cutest ways of interacting and making each other smile and laugh. I think you can really see this in the way the look at each other. Katie’s smile was truly brighter than the sunshine!

I love a couple that shows some Ohio love! It is, after all, the best-shaped state, almost like the heart of the nation. I loved Ohio’s old travel motto “Ohio-the heart of it all”. It seems to be true, also. Everyone I’ve ever talked to either knows an Ohioan or has lived in Ohio. You can’t say that about too many other states. The second half of our shoot together was relaxing in their back yard, enjoying some Ohio brews. This was such a great way to end the day. So relaxing and the pressure was off. I hope you enjoy the photos we captured! XO Jess

Audrey turns One, Columbus Baby Photography

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How quickly a year goes by! Last year at this time, I took Audrey’s newborn shots at her home. Lots of changes happen in a year. It’s so fun to watch my client’s kid’s grow up right in front of me! I consider capturing these years for my clients one of the great privileges and honors of being a photographer. This year, we ventured to Jeffrey Mansion in Columbus, Ohio for some beautiful spring photos and sunny snuggles. I just love capturing this age. This was right after Audrey had taken a few steps at home, but had yet to really walk on her own. One of my all-time favorite pictures of this age is when the parent’s hand comes into the frame for a bit of safety/stabilization. I find it to be almost poetic- that our parents are always just out of frame, ready to reach in and stabilize us when we need it (at any age).

At her one year old photo session, Audrey was so curious and just LOVED rolling around and playing with pink paper pom poms. She’s also not afraid to get dirty and she showed me nearly every stick Jeffrey Mansion had in their back wooded area. She has such and infectious smile and giggle. Her arms jump up and down when she’s really excited, which is so entertaining and you can’t help but smile ear to ear with her. She absolutely loved mommy-daughter time and I think the feeling was very mutual.

Not more than two weeks went by after this shoot when I saw her again, and she was practically running from room to room on her own and grabbing everything in sight. I’m sure her parents are getting great workouts from chasing that little speed demon around the house these days.

Craftin’ Outlaws- Columbus Event Photography

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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:

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