Category Archives: Couples photography

Engagement Session in German Village

Jenn and Kyle met up with me for a short engagement session late last month so they could get an awesome pic for their save-the-date. Even though it was a shortened shoot, it felt like each click of the shutter just produced awesome images. I remember saying a few time, “well this is easy!”. We started at Schiller Park and wound our way around German Village for our mini-adventure together. Jenn actually sent me a few inspirational photos before our shoot. I was so excited and giggled a little when I opened them and saw that they were photos I had taken! It’s a huge compliment to find inspiration from your own photographer! As we drove around German Village, we hopped out of the car paparazzi-style at any place we saw and loved. Let’s be honest though, you probably could use any street in German Village for a shoot and have it turn out completely enchanting in photographs. We ended the shoot on a romantic high-note at Pistacia Vera. It was buzzing inside with lots of patrons but we were lucky enough to snag a table by one of their floor-to-ceiling windows. Jenn’s engagement ring looked so sweet stacked against some of their colorful macaroons. And there was nothing more perfect than the foam heart on top of their specialty coffee! I’m so lucky you both walked into my life and I can’t wait for your November wedding! XO Jess

Goodale Park Engagement Shoot

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When Alexa and Juan came over to my house and described their wedding plans, I said an extra little prayer that they would choose me to help them document their love. Low and behold my prayers were answered and I feel like I won the lottery with these two. Alexa has an electric personality. She always seems to have a smile on her face that could light up a room. Juan is a little more reserved with his calm disposition but will definitely laugh and have a good time. Together they make the sweetest and happiest couple! They have the cutest way of interacting with private giggles shared only with each other. When they smile, both smile with their whole heart and its radiant. I’m not sure you could ever be in a bad mood around either of them. When I left the session, I felt like I was on a natural high.

On Mother’s Day this year, we started our session in Goodale Park, a place that has profound significance for Alexa. One of my favorite stops was under the most beautiful droopy tree that had names of other people in love carved on the trunk. It was romantic knowing how many people shared a few moments with each other in that same spot. You know a session is going to be good when in the first few minutes, the couple asks, ” are we going to get to dance?” UM, HECK YES YOU ARE! We danced our way through the Short North and even stopped into Jenny’s Ice Cream for a little reprieve from the heat (the sugar might have aided in that “natural high” I was telling you about).

Early next year these two will say “I do!” and I’m seriously beyond excited for some of the details they have planned. But until then, I hope you enjoy these beautiful photos of these beautiful souls. XO Jess

German Village Engagement Shoot

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So I just realized I haven’t blogged Griffin and Dan’s engagement shoot yet which I’m about to remedy right now. These two were married a couple weeks ago in an intimate backyard ceremony that was swoon-worthy. But how can I tell you about that before I first show you how adorable these two are? For their engagement shoot we started with some photos in their German village backyard and then walked around their neighborhood, ducked in and out of alleyways, up and down brick-lined streets, and I made Griffin and dan kiss all along the way! Cuteness abounds.

Griffin wore a gorgeous blue bohemian-esque dress that took my breath away and looked flawless with her blonde hair. I loved Dan’s outfit but loved it even more when he described it as his “substitute teacher look”.

I know Griffin from high school but have admittedly only kept in touch since then through Facebook. I was so humbled when she approached me about her wedding photography a few months ago. I was also excited to catch up and meet her love, Dan. Griffin has a soft and collected way of speaking that is very soothing and genuine. Her presence is calming and her smile is infectious. Out of nowhere, she’ll crack a dry joke which is unexpected and my all-time favorite quality a person can have. Dan has a laid-back down-to-earth personality. He seems to be very go with the flow (at least as it relates to having photos taken). And I think my favorite part of spending time with them both is how they look at each other. So today I’m so excited to show you this super fun day, but I truly can’t wait to show you their wedding blog in the coming weeks!! Keep an eye out for these two! XO Jess

Scioto Mile Family Portraits

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Being a photographer has brought so many blessings to my life, but meeting this family has to be among the top 10. I have been lucky enough to photograph two of their Weddings, a ton of family sessions, become super close friends with Christina (who did my makeup for my wedding and countless other shoots), and now today I’m excited to share with you their extended family photo session from last month! We all met up downtown at the Scioto Mile riverfront in downtown Columbus, where we are quite literally spent an hour and a half just laughing our butts off. I guess that’s the wrong use of the word “literally”, but you get it.

Everyone in this group is so easy going, funny, and ready for anything. They speak to you so naturally and make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world at that moment. They never passively hug, but grab you and wrap you up and hold you in an embrace that’s so genuine and true. In other words, I wish they would adopt me. Especially because I hear they make some killer Lebanese food for family gatherings. Why does my brain always land on food? Before I start writing Haikus about Baklava, let me finish telling you about this shoot.

From the Scioto Mile, we crossed the Main Street Bridge and took some more photos in front of COSI. It was Earth day, so a festival was going on. It seems like there’s always a festival going on in Columbus these days! There’s a grand staircase there that we used as an elegant backdrop for some tickles, hugs, and embarrassing mom moments (you know, when mom wants to grab and kiss you on camera, ewww!). As I was leaving this shoot, their mom hugged me, looked me in the eyes and said: “God bless your hands”. I remember doing what I do whenever someone gives me a compliment, and I thought oh, she’s crazy. But that comment has stayed with me. It was so loving, unexpected and poetic. Thank you all for being in my life, trusting me with your photographs and for letting me hang out with you from time to time! So without further ado, here are the photos from this electrifying shoot! 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

Scioto Mile Holiday Lights

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I wanted to sneak this blog in around the holidays because it is pure glistening eye candy!! This shoot was from early January 2017 but by the time I caught up with my blogging, it was early spring and posting a winter shoot just didn’t make sense. I’ve quietly waited all year to unveil this enchanting day to evening shoot. To say I’m excited to post these today is an understatement.

Tanya and Chris were actually married but never had a large ceremony or photo session because Chris was deployed shortly after they tied the knot. Chris surprised Tanya with the photo shoot as a Christmas gift and we met up downtown at the Scioto Mile on one of the snowiest days of last year. I remember driving there squinting through the snowy windshield, thinking wow this is going to be interesting. But it was actually perfect, romantic and magical!! Except for at the very end of the shoot when we were walking back to the car and I totally fell in front of them on a patch of ice. Super embarrassing! I had a nice bruise as a souvenir from the night- but even more importantly, fantastic memories and a shoot that I would do again in a heartbeat.

Winter is such a pretty time for photography so if you’re up for braving the elements, definitely give me a call!! And so without further ramblings, here is Tanya and Chris’ magical winter session! Xo jess

St. Charles Anniversary Session

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Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone who’s chosen to work with Jessica Miller Photography this year. Each year I feel like my heart grows ten-fold. I get to meet the most spectacular people, build new friendships and renew old ones. I get to celebrate, mourn, cheer, cry and love with you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last three years, life can be really hard sometimes. It’s the hard moments that give the amazing days perspective. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to spend these happy days with you- to be able to step into your lives and live in your world even if it’s just for a brief moment in time. This week, as we all reflect on our lives and those in them that make it so special, hug a little tighter, call an old friend, and reach out and let someone know you’re thinking of them! On this Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks for you!

Today’s blog post is all about Megan and David! Megan contacted me wanting to get some photos of her and her hubby for their one year anniversary when they were in town in the early fall this year. They met me at St. Charles which is where they were married and also where David went to high school. We walked the grounds and just had the best time talking and laughing together! The weather was perfect and there was a soft glow as the sun set near the end of our session. I love that these two decided to celebrate their first year together with a photo shoot. So often, people go decades without getting photos taken after their wedding is over. I’m admittedly biased when it comes to this, however. Without further ado, here are Megan and David in all their lovey glory! I hope you love these as much as I did taking them. 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

Scioto Mile Engagement Shoot

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Obviously a lot of photography is based on lighting conditions, but consider yourself lucky if you have a grey overcast day on the day of your shoot the way Brianna and Jake did. The pillowy (is that a word?) clouds created the softest, most even light- it was a pastel wonderland in my camera. These two were so cute together and I can’t wait for their quickly approaching May wedding this year. Brianna will be such a stunning bride, don’t you think?

We did their engagement shoot around the Scioto Mile, which inadvertently became one of my shooting hot-spots over the last year. It’s one of those places that looks good in any season. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll post a night blizzard session I did there in January.

Brianna and Jake had a really cute way of interacting with each-other and making each-other laugh. They would rag on the other one, much in the same way my husband and I interact. I just posted about Kara and Steve last week- and how Steve was in The Ohio State University Marching Band. Fun fact, Jake was too! That makes a TBDBITL double header (google it if you don’t know it) for my blog! I’m so honored and excited to be a part of their upcoming wedding. Until then, enjoy these photos of these two love birds! XO Jess

Best of Couples 2015

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I feel like I’ve written this before, but I LOVE engagement shoots. It’s such a fun, laid back, pressure free experience that’s just so much fun it gives me a natural high each time I shoot one. No matter who it is or how nervous someone may be, the session is always so full of life and love. Who wouldn’t like that?

This year I had the honor of shooting not only in Columbus, but in Chicago as well. It was refreshing to bring a fresh perspective to some popular Chicago locations, as well as get a much-needed mini-vacation with the husband. It was a weekend filled with my three favorite things: Scott, photography and eating.

A lot of my local shoots happened to be in German Village this past year. I think people are drawn to the charm of the brick streets and homes that are so quaint it hurts. Columbus is just perfect for vast and diverse shooting locations. I seem to find new ones each shoot I’m on. I love all the color and variety you find in this city!

On a side note, I have a lot of people ask me what they should wear to their engagement shoot. I always say that bold colors are great on camera. Usually you want your shirts or outfits to be logo-free and not too complex of a pattern or design. You don’t want a photo background to compete with your outfit and vice-versa. Be yourself. If you don’t usually dress up in a suit and tie, then wearing that to your engagement shoot might not represent who you are as well as it could. Generally speaking, dressy-casual works well.

Below are a compilation of some of my favorite couple’s photos from this past year. I ended up having so many that I cut them down a bit so the post wasn’t too ridiculously long. A huge thank you to all of the couples who have trusted in me to document their relationships and love. I’m so excited for this year’s shoots to start (this weekend!).

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