Category Archives: Engagement Photography

Downtown Westerville Engagement Photos

Sometimes it’s so easy to see right off the bat why two people fell in love with each other. Today’s blog is about one such couple, Kristen and Adam. It is very obvious just from hanging out with them how much fun they have together. They were one of the last shoots I did before this whole lockdown occurred. I have backlogs of a year’s worth of shoots, but I just wanted to go out of order and get this one out into the world.

They say in business If you say out loud what it is you like to do most, then you’ll naturally gravitate towards doing the most. I often say how much I love to do engagement shoots. So you will see an overwhelming amount of engagement shoots on this blog in the coming weeks. They are my all-time favorite shoots to do and that’s why I include a free one with each wedding photography package I offer. They are so fun and relaxed and I always feel like I leave them with two more friends than I had before we started.

I met Kristen and Adam in downtown Westerville, the city where she grew up. She really wanted to include graters ice cream in the shoot because Adam loves ice cream so much. Even though it was February, it was still temperate enough to not wear coats and to eat ice cream outside! We casually walked up the street and back down again and got some killer shots along the way. I’m so excited to show you these today and can’t wait to celebrate with Kristen and Adam later this year! XO Jess

Downtown Columbus Engagement Photos

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What a stunning evening this was! I can’t get over how fun Bryan and Ryan are. Some of my past brides and grooms may recognize Bryan because he has been in the Columbus wedding and hospitality industry for years. When a fellow vendor chooses me to photograph their most important moments, it’s one of the highest compliments I can get.

One of the best parts of my engagement shoots is when pets are included! Bryan and Ryan have two adorable dogs who were very excited for their close-up. The sun was setting quickly, but wow the light did not disappoint. There were so many opportunities for golden hour lovey-photo goodness. Everything glowed like it was washed with golden honey. I especially liked some of the silhouettes we got against the dynamic Downtown Columbus sky.

We ended the engagement shoot at the Leveque Tower cheers-ing to the future in a big way! Little did we know late last year as we walked around the Scioto Mile talking and laughing, that this year would be so challenging. These two have unfortunately moved their wedding to 2021 because of this whole COVID-19 mess. I have now re-booked 8 of my weddings. My heart goes out to all those who are having their weddings delayed and rescheduled. Luckily, time moves so quickly and their wedding day will be here before we know it. Thank you so much, Bryan and Ryan and I cannot wait to get you back in front of my camera early next year! XO Jess

Columbus Fall Engagement Photos

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When Cassandra wrote to me about getting a family and engagement session, she mentioned that she’d love to have it at her home because her backyard was really beautiful in the fall. What I didn’t realize was that her backyard had a river, sweeping cliffsides and vibrant honey colored soaring trees. I felt like I had stepped into a dream-scape. And seriously, how cute is this blended family? Now that fall is giving way to winter, I thought a little more autumn color would be just perfect on this Thanksgiving weekend. XO Jess

German Village Engagement

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As I’m now editing their wedding photos, I realized I never posted their engagement session from last year. I had this lofty goal to post about every single one of my couples that comes through the door, but this year that has fallen by the wayside, unfortunately. I’m so far behind in blogging that the next few are from last year. But they are from last fall which timing-wise works, so we’ll roll with it.

Eric and Morgan have been together over 10 years so when they decided to make it official, everyone who knows them I’m sure was ready to party right alongside them both.

I have known Eric only slightly longer than he’s known Morgan. We worked together for almost 10 years. He was my confidant- a wizard of all things construction and creativity and always up for Greek food (which if you know me, is my jam) He was (and probably is still) asked to do things he has never done before on a weekly, if not daily basis. That can be insanely stressful, but he always took it with a steadfast calm, or maybe just internalized the stress. My point is, his job isn’t easy but he always made it work. A lot of days I’d mostly see him in deep thought or concentration. So when I was able to spend the morning with him and Morgan last fall, I felt like I was getting to see a whole new carefree side of him. They have been together for a long time, but by looking at the way they interacted with each other, you’d swear they were still in the proverbial honeymoon phase of their relationship!

Eric and Morgan, I am so excited for you both and this amazing time in your lives. I’m honored to have been asked to be next to you as you said ‘I do.” You can also expect your wedding photos by the end of next week! XO Jess

Grange Insurance Audubon Engagement

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Jaimie and Dwayne were married last weekend, so I just have to share their romantic engagement session we did last fall at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Downtown Columbus. These two both have a very soft and laid back presence, which makes them really fun and easy to be around. The night we went to the Audubon, the lighting was nothing short of magical. As it happens often, I saw another photographer friend of mine shooting there that same night. Fast forward to Jaimie and Dwayne’s wedding, that same photographer was second shooting with me. It’s such a small world sometimes!

Be on the lookout this year for a blog post about their wedding! It was so breathtakingly gorgeous and everywhere you looked there were details galore. They even had printed out some of their engagement photos and had them on display at their reception! (which I of course loved!)

I’m so excited to finally get this out into internet land today. I’ve been sitting on it far too long. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Tartan Fields Engagement Photos

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When I first met Kendra, I felt like I was hanging out with the cool kid from school. She has fun hair and an awesome sense of style and self. Also, her middle name is Joy and just to be around her is to understand why. When I met Jacob, I felt like I was meeting a better-looking version of Prince Harry. They are both so laid back and easy to photograph together. They have a playful and loving way of interacting with each other.

Some of my brides might actually recognize Kendra, as shes a wedding and events coordinator for Tartan Fields. It’s actually where she and Jacob first met when he worked there as a golf instructor! So naturally, we started their engagement session on the golf course. Woods, wispy romantic grasses and two smiling faces, what’s not to love about this place. That mixed with some perfect lighting and I was in heaven! Speaking of perfect lighting, I adore having the opportunity to do a cool silhouette, and an embankment on the golf course provided the ideal opportunity. Big pillowy clouds offset against a bright blue sky were a stunning backdrop for these two. From there we went across town to German Village where everything was just the right amount of evening sun-kissed. I can’t wait for these two to say I do this November. Until then, I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Columbus Topiary Park Engagement Photos

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I’ve admittedly been sitting on this one a while but am over the moon to share it today, and in the coming weeks, their wedding as well. Sarah and Rich actually eloped in a small ceremony earlier this year. This is the first time I had ever done an engagement shoot for a couple who was having such a small wedding, and I truly wish everyone did it this way! We had so much fun walking around the Topiary Park in downtown Columbus, talking about love and life and creating some incredibly fun images. I adore Sarah’s outfit. Any time you wear color, your images are going to be vibrant and eye-catching. Mixed with her stunning hair color, These shots have a really fun and funky vibe. I hope you enjoy these and keep a look out for their intimate wedding! XO Jess

Engagement Photos in German Village

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Cool couple alert! Sean and Amber met me out at Stauff’s in German Village for a laid-back wonderful morning photo session in the fall last year. Sometimes I think it’s fun to just start with coffee and talking. I never drank coffee before I was 35 years old, so lately I find I’ve been making up for lost time and finding any excuse to drink it.

Ok, so there are two things that stand out to me about our morning together. One is the way they make each other laugh. It reminds me of me and my husband. I really think one of the deepest bonds you can have is humor. When you can have the humor/love combo, there’s nothing better. And it will get you through quite literally anything in life. It’s a natural high being around them.

Two, Amber is a taste-tester of chocolate milk and Sean is a self-proclaimed supertaster. I have never met a real-life taste-tester before. It was almost like I was staring at a unicorn. And then Sean informed me of what a supertaster was. It’s actually exactly what you think it is. It’s someone who has super tasting skills. I’m a supertaster when it comes to only a few select things like mustard or beets. Anyways, their amazing sensory abilities are another reason these two are a match made in heaven!

After coffee, we got lost in the streets of German Village, one of my favorite things to do. The weather was just perfect, flowers were still blooming because last fall was pretty spastic weather wise. In a few short weeks these two will say “I do!” and I’m so honored I get to be there and document it all for them. Until then, I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Engagement Shoot on Miami University’s Campus

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This was such a fun little adventure for me! I had only been to Oxford, Ohio one other time for a triathlon and was too tired to even look around when I was there. So I was super excited when Tanner told me she had her heart set on having their engagement shoot there.

Tanner and Justin met while working at the local Bagel and Deli when they attended Miami University. Naturally, that’s where we started our shoot! I love the electric neon sign behind the adorable smiles we captured. The weather was just raining enough to create a romantic foggy mist. It made all the colors around us so much more rich and saturated. The brick buildings on Miami’s campus was really impressive. I went to Ohio State which is just a hodgepodge of building designs. On Miami’s campus, it seems as if everything is planned out and cohesive visually. We stopped under the Upham Arch, where according to the Miami folklore, couples who kiss under the arch will get married. On the Miami website, they refer to this as a “Miami Merger” and the university alumni association sends Valentine’s Day cards to these couples!

We walked all over, including this beautiful garden area called the Arthur F. Conrad Formal Garden. There was a really cool greenhouse we snapped a couple of shots in front of that I loved. It had so much texture and the shots looked killer in black and white.

I think my favorite part of the whole shoot was when we found a field of tall grasses. It started to actually rain a little harder and it was just so romantic. Thank you so much to Tanner and Justin for an amazing afternoon filled with laughter and genuine, down-to-earth conversation. I can’t wait for your wedding later this year! XO Jess

Downtown Columbus Scioto Mile Engagement Shoot

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Carly and Alexxa met me out on a late September afternoon with their beautiful baby Coby. For me, it was an hour that went by too quickly. It had been a few years since I had seen Carly.

Quite honestly, I’ve been avoiding writing this blog for the same reason I delayed writing about my friend Nicole’s wedding. I don’t want to sound like a creeper. But a superficially written blog won’t due for these two. So at the risk of sounding like a super fangirl, here it goes.

I met Carly working at a local production house here in Columbus over 5 years ago? I don’t know- time is more of a theoretical thing for me anymore. She was fresh out of college and super young, however, I’m at the age where I feel like most people are super young. What struck me about her right off the bat is how mature and true to herself she was. Those are two qualities it took me years and becoming a parent to accomplish. On her first day of work, Alexxa had sent her a huge bouquet of flowers. I remember everyone was pretty impressed by that. She had told me the story of how they met online very randomly and ever since had been inseparable. When I met Alexxa for the first time, I was struck by how similar these two are. They have a similar frame, same length and color of hair… same soft way of giggling at each other. They “look” like a couple. One time my husband and I did a face-swap and you couldn’t tell the difference (freaky to say the least). There’s a photo of my parents when they were in their 20s. They looked alike as well. You get it- sometimes you look like your spouse.

Fast forward maybe a year after meeting these two. Carly and Alexxa adopted their beautiful fur-baby Coby. We always bonded over our love of our dogs. My boy Rugby was my fur baby until I had human babies. Now sometimes I struggle to remember his name, LOL. I can say with 100% certainty that there has never been a more beloved puppers than Coby. I love when their Insata stories pop up- I always get to see some ridiculously cute photos or videos of Coby. * Rugby earmuffs for what I’m about to say* Coby might be the cutest dog I’ve ever seen.

Throughout the rest of my time working alongside Carly, I found her to be an incredibly talented graphic designer, patient with all kinds of personalities, laid back and super funny. It’s hard not to respect and admire her. So when she and Alexxa asked if I’d be their wedding photographer, I was beyond-words excited. I am so happy for these two as they tie the knot later this year. Until then, check out their engagement shoot. Their love for each other is palpable and extremely easy to photograph!

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