Today’s family is near and dear to me! I photographed Jess and Randy’s wedding a few years back. Since then, they have grown their family with the addition of their beautiful daughter Brooklyn.
Jess entered my “Celebrate Life” giveaway earlier this year and won a free family session! It was so good to see them again and I’m obsessed with the mommy and daughter matching dresses Jess picked out for her and Brooklyn! This day was no joke- it was well over 90 degrees outside. It was easily the hottest session I’ve ever photographed. So a huge thank you to Jess, Randy, and Brooklyn for bearing the heat with me. We made our way to the Whetstone Park of Roses. If you read my blog, you’ll know this is one of my favorite spots to do family photos. There’s a lot of variety and I have yet to see the park in any season where it’s not photogenic and beautiful. Brooklyn loved being tossed up in the air by daddy and twirl her dress for mommy. She has the sweetest face and cheeks you just want to nuzzle your face against. I’m so excited to show off these precious photos today!! Enjoy! XO Jess
Welcome to the second annual Jessica Miller Photography Babypalooza week on the blog!! This year I’ve had the honor of photographing the sweetest families and I can’t wait to share them !! First up is a session that was almost like 5 mini-sessions rolled into one.
I knew there were going to be a lot of people at this extended family photo shoot so when I arrived I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This family immediately made me feel so at ease and welcome. The whole session was a dream! They had the shoot on their parent’s property which was just a beautiful backdrop for the photos. We did one large family photo and then broke it down by each family. I even made sure to get some photos of just the parents together, as I feel like that’s an opportunity missed at most family shoots. Couples spend so much time thinking about the kids, it’s really nice to have a few photos (and moments) of just you and your significant other.
In all five family units, there were 9 grandchildren including one set of triplet girls! I was so impressed at how the kids were totally into getting their photo taken, as that can be a crap shoot sometimes.
Erin and Lindsay, thank you so much for having me out to photograph your incredible family!!
As some of you know, our son was born with Tetrology of Fallot, a series of congenital heart defects. Two weeks ago we watched as he had open heart surgery for the second time in his little life. Going through an event like that really puts everything in perspective. It gives you a new clarity on what it means to deeply love someone and the importance of cherishing every moment.
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Today we celebrate life! And I want everyone out there who has a beautiful loving family to celebrate with us! That’s why I’m offering a free 1 hr family session in the Columbus, OH area to one of my facebook or instagram users! To enter, like my page and tag two friends who you think have a beautiful loving family worth celebrating in the comments below. Winner will be announced April 2nd! In addition to the contest, I’m also offering $150 off any family sessions booked for April, May and June (only $350 for an hour session including all edited images!)
Please help us welcome our new beautiful daughter, Finley Roux! She was born with 1/2in. of strawberry blonde hair, blue-grey stormy eyes, and a cute button nose. She is calm and patient and almost never cries. We are so blessed!
It’s rare when you can pinpoint an exact moment that changes your entire life. What you feel in those moments is such raw emotion and after only a few seconds its past. I’ve had a heightened sense of everything- every feeling for everything and everyone I hold dear. I also feel a little sadness in that this is our last baby because I know how quickly they grow up. I find myself staring at her, trying to memorize every little feature and nuance of her face and little body. My heart feels like its going to overflow at any minute.
She is our second child, so we’ve been through this stage before. It’s been so overwhelming to have her snuggle up to me. You go on with your day to day and you forget- you forget the way their little head rests right up to your cheek so you can smell their fresh baby scent. You forget the deep relaxation that you feel in your soul when you hold them. You forget how little and vulnerable they once were. You forget how much they needed you. It’s entrancing. It’s euphoric and its nothing short of magical and miraculous. And, its a little scary. Life all of a sudden feels fragile, vulnerable and uncertain. And when they lay on you, the world stops, even just for a moment.
Finley failed her in-hospital hearing test in her left ear and had some follow up testing two weeks ago. We were praying it was just liquid in the ear that needed time to dry up. To our shock, there wasn’t liquid in there and she actually does have a mild hearing loss in her left ear. I’m not going to lie, this left me feeling deflated and scared of the unknown as it relates to our daughter’s health- a feeling I had prayed I’d never have to experience with her. We have to go back for more definitive testing next month (to know what kind of hearing loss) when we’ll already be in the hospital with Caddie for his open heart surgery, how convenient! *sarcastic voice implied. Scott nor I have any family history of congenital hearing loss or heart disorders, so I think the main feeling through all of this has been confusion. One of my personal goals for 2018 was to trust more in the universe and the unknown. I didn’t know I’d be tested on this goal so soon in the year. We are anticipating her possibly needing a hearing aid, but my prayer is that the mild hearing loss she does have is not progressive and will be a minor factor in her life. Caddie has blessed our lives with the gift of perspective. Even though Finley’s hearing is less than perfect, she has a healthy heart, healthy organs, and the sweetest disposition, and for that, we’re so thankful.
Little Finney has helped us take time to be a family. It’s been so fun discovering the differences between the two kids. Caddie was a very relaxed baby, or so we thought until we met Finney. She grunts a lot and kind-of sounds like an old man who’s smoked for years. She deals with her brother’s temper tantrums like a champ! She loves eating, snuggling, and being held. Caddie has surpassed any realistic expectations with how he’s adjusted to a family of four. He loves her so much! He kisses her on the head each and every time he walks by her. He’s so empathetic as well. When she cries, he gets upset. Scott and I feel like he’s shown us a whole new side to himself, as he doesn’t seem to be jealous at all.
Thank you so much for the outpouring of love we’ve received in the last couple of months. Scott and I have felt very humbled by all of the congratulations, gifts, and cards. Life is such a beautiful and magical journey. Always hug your family so close! XO Jess
Welcome to Babypalooza Day 3! And welcome to the world, Rhys!
When I met Rhys, he was so excited to have his photos taken that he hadn’t slept all that day! It’s so rare to see a newborn this awake and even smiley! He was super chill and go-with-the flow. He only gave me a sad face once, which I included below because I think it might be my favorite. He has the cutest outfits, but I made sure we showed of those chunky baby biceps as well. Towards the end of the shoot, our little model was worn out, so we were able to get some super adorable snuggly sleepy photos as well. Alison and Mark, thank you so much for having me as a part of your life’s most memorable moments. This little man is so lucky to call you both his parents! XO Jess
I had the incredible surprise and honor of swapping out an engagement shoot for a newborn shoot earlier this year. Madelynn’s parents are getting married this weekend and I truly couldn’t be more excited! Little Madelynn was born with a serious Congenital Heart Disease. She has already undergone one open heart surgery and will undergo another one shortly after her parents tie the knot. Because of the open heart surgery, she now carries a “zipper” scar up her chest, just like my son. I happen to think these scars are so beautiful. They are a testament to human courage, both for the child, the parents, and the medical teams that treat these beautiful little babies. I felt it was important to show it off a little, and not hide it. Her life story is so much more exceptional because of it. When we found out our son had congenital heart defects, the surgeon we initially met with described the situation in such poetic terms, and I often revisit what he said in my mind. He said something to the effect of, everyone has their own mountain to climb. While some people’s path is lined with stairs, some other peoples’ is lined with sand. The people who have sand need a little help along the way to reach the top, but they can still reach it.
And can we just talk for a minute about how freaking adorable she is? Have you ever seen such radiant eyes in a child? And SO much beautiful brown hair! I’m so honored this family came into my life and I can’t wait to watch her grown and thrive. Please say some happy prayers for this family as June will be a huge month for them in so many ways!
I think the 6 month mark for babies might be my favorite to photograph! The babies are usually interactive, smiley and super precious. What made this shoot even more fun, was the baby had a very proud older brother! This was an in-home session, which I adore doing when baby is small. It’s a lot more relaxed and less scary for the babe. Plus the photos reflect a true representation of their environment. One of my favorite photos of me when I was little was taken in my room. I get a kick out of seeing the posters that were on the wall and the types of toys I had laying around. I’m not going to mention what they were, as that will date me older than I’m prepared to share:) That’s the kind of stuff that’s real- that a posed or “perfected styled” shoot can’t offer. In an age of Pinterest overload, it’s nice to be reminded to be yourself sometimes. Make your own memories in your own environments. Don’t feel like you have to live up to some internet idealism that exists in photos of babies in a propped-out overload wonderland. That actually goes for all my photos clients- YOU DO YOU!!
Their grins are so huge and genuine- I dare you not to smile when you see these! It’s hard to believe that in a few short months I’ll have my own little roly poly little one.
The first time I met Han, it was over the phone and I could immediately hear her electric personality radiate through. When I was able to then meet her in person later that week, it was not only her personality, but it was her smile that shined ear to ear- especially when she talked about her (then) fiance Quyen and their adorable daughter. Like my last post with Adrienne and Jay, I did a pre-wedding family & engagement session with them. It was September (I’m running way behind in blogging if you haven’t noticed) and the weather was warm and the light was soft.
I’m starting to love engagement sessions almost as much as the wedding itself. It’s a great opportunity to show who you are on a more down-to-earth level: your day-to-day self and a more natural beauty. Weddings are a great place to show off that “done-up” look. And together, they show two beautiful sides of the same family. Below are photos from both their E-session and their wedding.
The wedding was extraordinary with course after course of traditional Asian cuisine. It was apparently the first time J.Liu had ever done a custom 12-13 course traditional meal for a wedding. White flowers created a fresh, light and romantic feel in the room. A towering white cake was so formal and elegant. J.Liu’s vaulted ceiling made for a refined and upscale setting.
As far as dancing goes, this wedding might tie for my “best dancing” award with Eric and Rachel’s wedding. Everyone GOT. DOWN. (including yours truly). Here’s a little known fact- I like to try to blend in at weddings so that means if you’re bustin’ out the moves, well, I’ll prob. get crazy right along side you to get that photo!
There was so much love in this room. It was such an honor to be a part of it all:) XO Jess
Adrienne and Jay have brought together two families into one…and it’s quite possibly one of the cutest families you’ll see ever. Their children are such goofballs, and their little girl definitely rules the roost. Scott and I had such an wonderful time with them for their engagement session and on their wedding day. These two are kept super busy with their work and family, so it was nice to take some time to photograph them not once, but twice…just the two of them. One of the things I love most about photography sessions is it allows you to take a pause from your busy life, connect with each other, and preserve that little moment in time…that connection…that love.
This wedding was so genuine and authentic. From the beginning, they said they wanted it to be about the ceremony, their family and the people. The location they chose to create that environment was nothing short of perfect.
I have photographed at Liberty Presbyterian before, but never in their chapel. It is a very intimate, historic and warm place. The pews are all made of wood and an old piano sits at the front. Beautiful old wooden beams support the roof and an old church bell is located in the back of the church..reserved for those who have just gotten married. It felt very old and historical inside, which I feel like aided in creating a very connected spiritual environment. Their personal ceremony with all of their children was followed by refreshments and cookies outdoors. Instead of a formal reception, they opted for a low-key yet equally as fun time out with friends at a local restaurant.
Below are some photos from both their engagement & family session, as well as their wedding. A special thank you to my friend Melissa Jones who was my incredible second shooter on their wedding day. Another special thank you to my husband Scott who wrangled, played, shot, smiled and laughed his way through both the family session and wedding as my “assistant” (more like partner in crime) and additional shooter.
Please help us welcome our new beautiful daughter, Finley Roux! She was born with 1/2in. of strawberry blonde hair, blue-grey stormy eyes, and a cute button nose. She is calm and patient and almost never cries. We are so blessed!
