Category Archives: Engagement Photography

Downtown Columbus Winter Engagement

Believe it or not, this engagement session is from the day after Christmas when Carole and John were still in town for their holiday vacation. It was a freezing cold day but super pretty- the kind of cold day you can still take a deep breath and feel refreshed and alive. And hanging out with these two actually gave me the same exact feeling!

We started off our shoot in German Village drinking coffee and hanging out- a perfect way to start a shoot if you ask me! We had never really met in person before this moment so it was nice to just take a little time to talk, laugh and warm up. We tried to keep most of the shoot inside because I think it was around 17 degrees outside. After the coffee shop, we headed downtown to the main library which made for a stunning backdrop for some intimate and more importantly warm photos! I just loved goofing around with these two- it felt like I have known them forever. I was on a natural high for the rest of the day. We might even meet up in the Spring for a mini outdoor session as well! Carole and John, thank you for being you! 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

Whetstone Engagement

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One of the most rewarding parts of photographing happy couples is photographing happy couples that you know in your personal life. Over the past two years, I’ve gotten to know Alyssa, her family and her fiance Jeff. I am so honored to be able to call them friends and celebrate their wedding with them next weekend!

I’m slightly obsessed with the dress Alyssa wore to the session. When she stepped out of the car, I literally had a moment- she took my breath away. She was glowing from ear to ear. We had their session at the Whetstone Park of Roses as the sun set on a warm August evening. The park itself was having its second wind of roses blooming everywhere, which needless to say made for a magical setting.

Whetstone has this gravel road path that I’m so enamored with. I think that path alone is why I’ve scheduled so many sessions there this year. For some reason, it reminds me of the path that leads to Forrest Gump’s house. I’m even going to use it for my son’s Christmas photo this year. I digress.

When the sun was at its lowest point in the sky where I could still shoot, we brought in the doggie brigade to step up the photo excitement. A Golden Doodle and a Mini Golden Doodle…needless to say both of them are balls of non-stop energy. The funniest part of the whole session was when it came time to shoot their photos, I swear to you they were posing like little models. Still, calm and patient. I’m not sure that’s really ever happened on one of my shoots with multiple dogs before. Take note all people looking for dog models!

I’m so excited to share these with you all today and I’m even more excited to spend such an exciting day with these two next weekend! Enjoy!!

Downtown Columbus Engagement

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Andrew and Heather are both Architects, a profession that is near and dear to my heart, as my father is an architect as well. They met at Kent State which has a killer architecture program and spent long nights working on projects together. They both have a diverse range of interests and are very wise beyond their years….to an impressive degree.

For their engagement shoot, we let the architecture of downtown Columbus be our inspiration. We found lots of cool angles, details and textures to work with. It was early July and down by the riverfront vendors were setting up for the 4th of July fireworks celebrations so the streets were alive with excitement. The sun was direct and bright in the sky which provided the opportunity for cool silhouettes and some more dramatic shots. I loved Heather’s high pony tail and bold blue dress- it was the perfect color for photos. These two have a refreshing mix of being laid back, silly and super sweet with each-other. I just loved hanging out with them for an afternoon.

Their wedding was the following month in August so it was fun hearing about how their wedding planning was coming along. I especially loved hearing them describe the cookie table they’d be having. I could talk about cookies everyday. You’d have to ask my husband, but I probably actually do talk about cookies everyday. I digress.

I can’t wait to share these with you all today! Urban portraits are some of my all-time favorite photos to take, because I love the uniqueness of all the locations and the feeling of exploring when we walk around finding them together. I hope you love these as much as I did taking them:) Thank you Andrew and Heather! Keep an eye out for a blog about their wedding in the coming month. XO Jess

A German Village Engagement

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It was a perfect spring day with a subtle breeze in the air, just enough to make a small piece of hair come to life. Amanda and Eric met me at the Grange Insurance Audubon for their engagement session, and then we drove to German Village and took some more photos paparazzi style! I was a little obsessed with shooting in this area of Columbus this past spring. All of the brick streets looked extra quaint with all of the flower boxes having freshly planted flowers around every corner.

I can’t get over Amanda’s stunning eyes- they’re captivating. And they both have such a genuine smile- they make a super cute couple and will make a very good-looking bride and groom come this November. Until then, enjoy these photos! It was such a stunner of a day! XO Jess

German Village Engagement

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I loved this shoot so much that I literally overloaded my Instagram with Saji and Shanka’s images right after they were delivered. If you haven’t yet- check out my Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jmillerphotos/ – it’s where I post my most up-to-date and recently delivered photos.

It was early spring, however the weather was oddly prefect. I’m still in-love with the outfits they chose. Solid bright colors will always bring life and a dash of joy to any photo. I love to do what I call “paparazzi engagement shoots”. This is where we all hop in a car and discover new locations together, stopping whenever any of us feels inspired. Besides being super fun, it gets people’s mind out of the realm of ‘camera vs couple’, and into just having a fun time together as a unit.

These two had lived in the same city very briefly when they met, and then spent the majority of their time dating long-distance. As of now, they are happily married and now in the same city! Their wedding took place in Sri Lanka in late Springtime, a few weeks after our shoot in German Village in downtown Columbus. They are laid back, funny and so fun to watch together. I really couldn’t be more excited to share these photos with the world today! I hope you love them half as much as I loved shooting them:) XO Jess

Columbus Urban Engagement

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Molly and Eric met me out on a very cold and windy day last fall right at the cusp of winter. The cold breeze made for some beautiful photos, as they were both trying to stay warm snuggled against each other. Little did I know at the time those photos of kisses and warm looks were backed with a story of deep love and personal triumph.

Molly could quite possibly be one of the brides I talk to my husband about the most. I am friends with her on facebook, and every time she posts something, it makes me more in-awe of what a powerhouse she is. For example, she just ran a 1:22 half marathon. For people who run those, you’ll know that’s a time worthy of a Runner’s World magazine story. She can also run a full marathon in less than 3 hours and recently finished 4th at the Glass City Marathon. We’ll just say those aren’t even her biggest victories!

Thank you so much Molly and Eric for having me with you at your engagement session and I can’t wait for your August wedding! 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

Short North Engagement

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There’s no other way to say it- Kelly and Jason are Cute with a capital C. Kelly said she would like their engagement shoot to be in the Short North because that is where her and Jason met and spend a lot of time together. Little did we know that her vibrant green dress was going to match perfectly with the lush Short North nooks and crannies we photographed in. This part of the city is so alive…artisinal (I can’t believe I used that word in a sentence) shops, boutique hotels, small and large parks, bright murals, and mouthwatering food are all what make the Short North a destination in Columbus. This day was so hot, a far cry from today’s below freezing temps. Why do I always talk about the weather? Because I live in Columbus. It’s also the way my brain works- I remember weather from events years ago like it was yesterday.

Ok so something that struck me when I was putting together Kelly and Jason’s blog, is one of the reasons I love engagement photos so much- look at their eyes. Look at the way they look at each other. They are smiling, yes, but their eyes do just as much of the talking. Engagement shoots are so great for pulling out that connection. It’s also one of the reasons I try to photograph couples looking at each-other instead of the camera….and if I do have them look at the camera, I have them look at each-other first so I can get some residual feels come through the lens.

Kelly and Jason’s wedding will be at one of my favorite venues, Via Vecchia, next June. To say I’m excited would be a serious understatement. It will be here before we know it, but until then- I hope you love looking at these sweet photos! XO Jess

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