Category Archives: Creative Wedding Photography

Charlo & Mirella- Columbus Wedding Potographer

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

Randy & Jessica- Columbus Wedding Photos

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Happy fall everyone! I’m pretty behind as far as blogging goes. It’s been a year since Randy and Jess met up with me for their engagement shoot, and now it’s about four months after their wedding. Time to start blogging!

Randy and Jessica’s wedding was the first time I had been to Liberty Presbyterian Church, and needless to say, I was blown away. The exterior looks like a huge barn and the inside has a lodge-like feel to it. The light the that beams in through the windows bounces off the wooden benches and gives a warm glow to the whole sanctuary. The wedding coordinator that works there was so nice and I must brag about her, because it’s really great when Columbus wedding vendors are welcomed in a kind, professional way. Liberty Presbyterian has some beautiful countryside around its grounds. When the sun is setting and that warm light hits the tall grass fields, I am always reminded of why I love Ohio so much.

Jessica’s bridesmaids wore long and flowy light pink dresses that were just perfect for spring. Just like Randy and Jess’ engagement shoot, they included their little dog Teddie in their ceremony as well! Teddie wore a little doggie tuxedo and was walked down the isle- it was beyond cute. I think more couples should include their pets in their ceremonies. He was really good and didn’t make a peep the entire time.

Their reception took place at the Hilton Polaris, which has one of the coolest lobbies ever. I want to transplant their fireplaces and chairs into my imaginary Pinterest Home. But for now, it served as a fantastic backdrop for these two and some great post-ceremony shots.

A special thank you to Mike Stempler for second shooting this wedding with me. I hope you all just love these photos! XO Jess

Rachel & Eric- Ohio Wedding Photographers

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Sometimes it’s necessary to plan weddings long distance. With phone meetings, facetime and email, the world is a lot smaller place. I met Eric over the phone when he was researching wedding vendors from Ohio. They seemed like such a great couple over the phone, and the way he talked about his fiance Rachel was simply heart-warming. I was so excited when he asked if I would be the photographer for their wedding. I was even more excited when we decided that my husband, Scott (aka my partner in crime), would be coming with me to Cleveland for this event. When I arrived at their wedding, I hadn’t actually met either of them yet. In a way, I found this extremely exciting and fun.

Boy were we in for a treat. This wedding was a fusion wedding of Indian and Chinese cultures combined in a Christian faith. Each of the bridesmaids wore vibrant blue saris. At first look, I thought they were all the same, but in fact, they were all very different deep blue patterns. Eric and Rachel were married in a beautiful old chapel, Harkness Chapel, on the campus of Case Western. Their ceremony included a Chinese tea pouring ceremony and a lot of beautiful hymns and music. After the service, the campus and the nearby park, Wade Lagoon, provided modern, fun and stunning backdrops for wedding photos.

The ceremony was so much fun, as a few friends performed a custom song and some members of the bridal party performed a skit about the couple. The dance floor was full all night long with some pretty amazing dance moves. The one thing that I’ll always remember from this wedding is how loved these two people are. People of all ages and cultures were under one roof pouring love onto Rachel and Eric. Even though I hadn’t met them before this day in-person, I left feeling as if I had known them forever. We were so honored to be a part of this special day and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed taking them! 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

Bridget & Aaron- Seattle Engagment Photography

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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

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

2013 Venue Spotlight- Grange Audubon Wedding Photography

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Last year after the resounding success of my Venue Spotlight for Via Vecchia Winery, I decided to make it an annual tradition to offer a special deal on one Columbus venue I particularly love to shoot. I am so excited to announce that the Venue Spotlight for 2013 is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center! This is one of my all time favorite places to shoot in Columbus. It’s the most beautiful building and landscape. Here, at this park, nature meets modern in a fun, original and unique way. And seriously- it looks like it’s straight of a magazine.

This facility is built on reclaimed land on a peninsula that overlooks the Scioto River. This building is at one with nature, as all of its heating and cooling comes from alternative energy sources. And you might not know this, but there is a water-gathering garden on the top of the building. Here at the Audubon you will find expansive decks, both in and outdoor fireplaces, modern angles, bright colors, funky-cool window designs and a killer view of Columbus. Inside the building there are banners hanging from the ceiling that have distinctive birds printed on them. Each one represents a species of bird that has been spotted from the Audubon. In both the morning and the evening, the light is magical as it spills out over the land.

There could not be a more perfect location for this years’ Venue Spotlight! I am offering any Audubon couple that books with me in 2013 their complete high-res disk of digital images as part of my base package price of $2,000! That’s right- you’ll get coverage, an engagement shoot and your disk of wedding images all for $2,000! (That’s a $700 value!) I’m still accepting a few more bookings for this year, so write me an email today! XO Jess

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