Category Archives: Columbus Portrait Photography

Bridget & Aaron- Seattle Engagment Photography

Traveling for photo shoots is very exciting. It gets you into unfamiliar territory, which keeps you sharp and attentive to the world around you. Seattle was my destination for this rainy/hailing/sunny weekend engagement session. Yes- we had all three weather patterns in the span of three days.

Bridget had told me that they lived on a houseboat, but I didn’t really believe it, or I guess it didn’t completely register until I got there what that meant. They live on a houseboat. A legitimate houseboat….floating, tied to the dock houseboat. And the dock they live on is like stepping into a fairytale. Front stoops lined with buckets of blooming flowers. Kayaks angled against every house. Ferrys full of tourists riding by the rows of houses. Bridget told me that they can kayak to happy hour. I was not in Columbus anymore.

The night I arrived, they took me to a micro brewery for some down time after a day full of travel. They said microbreweries are located almost on every block in Seattle. I had one of the best grilled cheeses I’ve ever had from a food cart parked outside. People are free to bring their dogs into the breweries, which made me wish my little puggle Rugby was with me on my adventure.

The next morning Bridget and Aaron made me a delicious breakfast and we decided to go to Pike Place Market for some morning photos. The market was so alive with tourists, colors and fantastic aromas. The market flower booths brightened the day, as it was pouring outside. We grabbed lunch at a restaurant that was in the movie “Sleepless in Seattle” and as we sat in a corner booth, we watched the world outside. We could see the beautiful waterways, Ferris Wheel and boardwalk through the rain. As we drove to our next location, it started to hail. The ground was covered and looked like it had snowed! We decided to call it a day at that point. Later that evening, we all sat by the fire in their wood-burning oven and watched a movie.

Sunday was much better weather wise…perfect, in fact. We went to Discovery Park which is a stunning beach nestled right next to an old lighthouse. Picturesque would be an understatement. As we stood near the building, Bridget spotted a swimming seal in the distance. Was I really about to get on a plane to go back to the heart of the Midwest? Yup. And then before I knew it I was gone. A whirlwind weekend that I’ll never forget. I hope you love these photos as much as I loved taking them! XO Jess

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.

The Boyers- Columbus Family Photography

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend with loved ones and great food! My belly is STILL stuffed, and Easter was three days ago! I am now officially in my post Easter- pre- Fourth of July diet. It’s time to get active, feel some sunshine on my face, and make sure my pants fit properly. Today I’m posting about a session I did way back in December. I am slowly climbing out of my to-do list from the past few months.

Architecture has always had a special place in my heart, as my Dad is an Architect and when I was little, he tried to get me to become one as well. I remember one children’s book he gave me had a woman architect on the cover and the title of the book was “You Can Be An Architect, Too.” Needless to say, times were a little different then. Although that never panned out, I did work at an architecture firm here in town, Moody/Nolan, in the marketing department for 6 years during my breaks from undergrad and graduate art schools. So when a family of Architects contacted me for photos, I was extremely excited. Since both of them are practicing Architects, they decided that the perfect backdrop would be The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture. For those of you who haven’t been in or seen this building, it’s most impressive. It sits near the OSU Football Stadium with a grand corner presence. The inside is very distinctive with its exposed concrete hallways, tall ceilings and tons of natural light.

Scott and I both agreed that when we have children, we want them to be just like the Boyer’s. These kids were polite, smart, funny and oh so cute! Scott and I were treated to a live reading of Frog and Toad a few times throughout our session together. It was by far a family favorite! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as we did taking them! XO, Jess

Kara- Columbus Portrait Photographer

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I hope everyone’s week is going well. I keep telling myself THIS snow is the last snow of the year- and I haven’t been right yet, but if I keep saying it- it will be true one of these days. I have a special post for you today! Earlier this month I had the opportunity to do an incredibly special set of head-shots. Unlike a portrait session that gets a little more artistic, these head-shots will be used for competition.

First of all, can you believe how beautiful she is? Yea, me neither. Kara is the reigning Miss Cuyahoga County, is a contestant for the upcoming Miss Ohio pageant, and in less than six months, she COULD be the new reigning Miss America…which is really fun to say! She has my vote all the way (even though I’m fairly certain it doesn’t count). Kara started with pageants when she was in college at Ball State University. Since then she has been quite successful and now is her time to really shine under a larger spotlight. As a LGBT friendly company, I love to meet and work with other fellow advocates of LGBT rights. Kara has built her platform on the acceptance of the LGBT community. As if that wasn’t enough she is crazy smart AND dances.

Me, my husband Scott (acting as my assistant) and Kara braved the 22-degree weather earlier this month to shoot inside and out at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus, Ohio. Yes, that’s right- some of these photos were taken in below freezing conditions. Between shots, Kara wrapped up in a cozy sweater to stay warm. The orange accents of the building paired perfectly with her bright purple one-sleeve top. She told me that she wanted her personality to come through in the pictures, and I think they completely do. Her eyes speak volumes about the kind-hearted, upbeat and down to earth person she is. Keep your fingers crossed, because come mid-June, those other contestants are going to have their work cut out for them.

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*.

Estella & Fam- Columbus Family Portraits

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Ohio has a lot of really fun, hidden places that are fantastic every season of the year. Slate Run Historical farm is one of these places. Each season the farm offers so many unique experiences. One year I was there in the winter right after a heavy snowfall and they brought out a horse-drawn sleigh! I had never seen one in real life before, and it was so magical- I felt like a little kid again as I stared at it with wide eyed excitement. The whole place feels like you’re walking back in time. You really get a feel for how people used to live and work on small farms around the year 1880. This little farm is fully operational and has a full time, year-round staff that also wears authentic outfits of the period. There are horses, pigs, ducks, cows, turkeys, chickens and tons of other fun farm animals to meet.

Estella had never been to a farm before so this was fun to see her interacting with some of these animals and environments for the very first time. It was a cold and windy day so we all bundled up and took some fantastic and lovey family photos! She has a smile that stretches from ear to ear. You might know Estella as one of the JMP all-stars. I was the photographer for her parent’s wedding in 2008 (can you even believe that was 5 years ago????). Since then, I have watched her coo, cry, smile, crawl, hobble, walk, run, jump and even spit-up on herself….(that last one was just once, and she was very young:)) I would say her favorite moment from this shoot might have been running after all of the ducks that walk the grounds. She was really quick, but unfortunately for her, the ducks were quicker.

Via Vecchia Wine Bottles- Columbus Portrait Photographer

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Earlier this month I received a pretty awesome comment on my JMP facebook page in response to a photo I had put up of my new business cards. It was from Via Vecchia Winery informing me that I have additional business cards in the form of 10,000 bottles of their wine coming out this season….they had decided to use one of my photos on their back label (which will be in stores in the next month or two)! Scott and I went a couple days later to the winery to pick up two bottles and see the picture. We may or may not have sampled the product as soon as we got home. Needless to say I’m really proud of this and encourage you all to go and pick up a bottle and enjoy it- because it’s goooooood.

For those of you who don’t know about Via Vecchia Winery, I’d like to give you a little insight as to how cool this place is. They opened their doors to weddings in early 2011. Sine then, they’ve only needed word-of-mouth advertising to book almost all of their free weekends for private events. Its ceiling’s rustic wood pillars have cafe lights strung from them. Wooden wine barrels are stacked in the back room which let you know you’re in a winery. Old stone walls show the character of the building. That gives you an idea for how cool the space itself is. But, let’s talk about the wine. As a non-wine expert this is going to be pretty funny trying to describe it. The color is unique. I don’t think I’ve ever said that before about wine, because you would think they’re all the same. But the color is this dark meets light version of a deep burgandy color. When you poor it, it almost looks as if it would pour as a lighter colored wine, but when a glass of it is sitting, it’s a dark red. The taste has a little get-up-and-go right out of the bottle but then mellows out to a beautiful smooth taste with only about a 10 minute breathing-session on the counter. It’s great on its own or paired with food. I suggest grabbing a bottle at the Winery or take a trip to the Whole Foods off 161 and picking yourself up a bottle. Remember to share it with someone you love! XO Jess

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

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