Tag Archives: Columbus Portraits

Kara- Columbus Portrait Photographer

I hope everyone’s week is going well. I keep telling myself THIS snow is the last snow of the year- and I haven’t been right yet, but if I keep saying it- it will be true one of these days. I have a special post for you today! Earlier this month I had the opportunity to do an incredibly special set of head-shots. Unlike a portrait session that gets a little more artistic, these head-shots will be used for competition.

First of all, can you believe how beautiful she is? Yea, me neither. Kara is the reigning Miss Cuyahoga County, is a contestant for the upcoming Miss Ohio pageant, and in less than six months, she COULD be the new reigning Miss America…which is really fun to say! She has my vote all the way (even though I’m fairly certain it doesn’t count). Kara started with pageants when she was in college at Ball State University. Since then she has been quite successful and now is her time to really shine under a larger spotlight. As a LGBT friendly company, I love to meet and work with other fellow advocates of LGBT rights. Kara has built her platform on the acceptance of the LGBT community. As if that wasn’t enough she is crazy smart AND dances.

Me, my husband Scott (acting as my assistant) and Kara braved the 22-degree weather earlier this month to shoot inside and out at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center in Columbus, Ohio. Yes, that’s right- some of these photos were taken in below freezing conditions. Between shots, Kara wrapped up in a cozy sweater to stay warm. The orange accents of the building paired perfectly with her bright purple one-sleeve top. She told me that she wanted her personality to come through in the pictures, and I think they completely do. Her eyes speak volumes about the kind-hearted, upbeat and down to earth person she is. Keep your fingers crossed, because come mid-June, those other contestants are going to have their work cut out for them.

Sharon & Justin- Columbus Engagement Photography

Leave a reply

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

1 Reply

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*.

Estella & Fam- Columbus Family Portraits

1 Reply

Ohio has a lot of really fun, hidden places that are fantastic every season of the year. Slate Run Historical farm is one of these places. Each season the farm offers so many unique experiences. One year I was there in the winter right after a heavy snowfall and they brought out a horse-drawn sleigh! I had never seen one in real life before, and it was so magical- I felt like a little kid again as I stared at it with wide eyed excitement. The whole place feels like you’re walking back in time. You really get a feel for how people used to live and work on small farms around the year 1880. This little farm is fully operational and has a full time, year-round staff that also wears authentic outfits of the period. There are horses, pigs, ducks, cows, turkeys, chickens and tons of other fun farm animals to meet.

Estella had never been to a farm before so this was fun to see her interacting with some of these animals and environments for the very first time. It was a cold and windy day so we all bundled up and took some fantastic and lovey family photos! She has a smile that stretches from ear to ear. You might know Estella as one of the JMP all-stars. I was the photographer for her parent’s wedding in 2008 (can you even believe that was 5 years ago????). Since then, I have watched her coo, cry, smile, crawl, hobble, walk, run, jump and even spit-up on herself….(that last one was just once, and she was very young:)) I would say her favorite moment from this shoot might have been running after all of the ducks that walk the grounds. She was really quick, but unfortunately for her, the ducks were quicker.

Ask a Question