Tag Archives: Couples

Engagement Photos in German Village

Hey guys! Jess here, straight off my triple-header weekend. Between Friday and Sunday, I took well over 10,000 photos. I’d say I have some homework cut out for myself!

Today I want to share Jackie and Terry’s engagement shoot! The moment Jackie stepped out of the car she took my breath away in her stunning flowy purple dress and fantastic red lipstick! I love women who aren’t afraid of a little color, especially on photo day!

Terry has lived all over the country and moved a lot in his life. I asked him how he liked Columbus, and his answer was just perfect. He said something to the effect of, “Of course I love it- I met the love of my life here.” AWE!!!

We did most of the shoot in German Village, a very eclectic part of town. During our shoot, we met a guy who couldn’t find where he parked his car the night before (no comment). We also met an older lady who made Terry try and fix her flower box because he was tall enough to reach it. People in Columbus are so like that- there just aren’t any strangers, LOL. Needless to say, we were making memories all over the place but one this is for sure: The weather was amazing and these two worked that camera to no end! I just love their bright and colorful collection. I can’t wait for their beach themed wedding!

Downtown Columbus OH Engagement Shoot

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Elaine, Marcus and their adorable mini Goldendoodle, Lola, met me out on a hot summer day last month for a seriously fun engagement shoot. We started the session at the Topiary Park in downtown Columbus and wound our way around the city to all sorts of cool hidden little spots. Lola was with us every step of the way. She got so many hugs and snuggles in the photos. When she wasn’t in the photos, she was supervising from the sidelines making sure mom and dad looked perfect.

I left this shoot with a natural high, and not just because it was 90 degrees and I was becoming dizzy. These two are SO MUCH FUN to be around. They are both laid back and have great senses of humor. They are so goofy and don’t take themselves too seriously, which honestly makes for such refreshing photos. Elaine’s pink flowy skirt matched the well-manicured gardens of the topiary park and some of the late-blooming trees in the area. Lola’s tongue matched the skirt perfectly as well, so you can just see how great the color compositions were!

From the park, they changed outfits and we went and had some fun in downtown Columbus at the new-ish “COLUMBUS” mural. They brought out their sunglasses and we all had so much fun sweating our asses off in the direct sun. My favorite is the jumping photo. I usually don’t have people jump for photos, but this year I’ve done it twice. It’s pretty great when they work out. Elaine and Marcus look like they could be in a Mentos commercial from the 90s! Thank you guys for braving the heat with me! I seriously can’t wait for your wedding. Until then, I hope you love these photos as much as I did taking them! XO Jess

Engagement Session in German Village

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Jenn and Kyle met up with me for a short engagement session late last month so they could get an awesome pic for their save-the-date. Even though it was a shortened shoot, it felt like each click of the shutter just produced awesome images. I remember saying a few time, “well this is easy!”. We started at Schiller Park and wound our way around German Village for our mini-adventure together. Jenn actually sent me a few inspirational photos before our shoot. I was so excited and giggled a little when I opened them and saw that they were photos I had taken! It’s a huge compliment to find inspiration from your own photographer! As we drove around German Village, we hopped out of the car paparazzi-style at any place we saw and loved. Let’s be honest though, you probably could use any street in German Village for a shoot and have it turn out completely enchanting in photographs. We ended the shoot on a romantic high-note at Pistacia Vera. It was buzzing inside with lots of patrons but we were lucky enough to snag a table by one of their floor-to-ceiling windows. Jenn’s engagement ring looked so sweet stacked against some of their colorful macaroons. And there was nothing more perfect than the foam heart on top of their specialty coffee! I’m so lucky you both walked into my life and I can’t wait for your November wedding! XO Jess

Short North Engagement Session

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I would call Kayla, Greg and myself the goof troop. From start to finish, this shoot was nonstop giggles, funny faces, and general fun. We started our adventure at Goodale Park on a very bright and beautiful sunny day! The moment I saw Kayla’s outfit I couldn’t stop fangirling at her. It was just the prettiest spring color combo that couldn’t have been more perfect for photos in the magnolia grove. Magnolia trees are so enchanting. When they first bud in the mid-spring, It’s a natural high. Mix with that a couple that’s crazy-in-love and you’ve got pure magic!

From the park, we wandered all over the Short North. I love getting lost on shoots with no other agenda than having fun and getting amazing images. The Short North seems to change every few months so it’s always exciting to see what’s different and what’s still the same. So what’s changed? I’m not gonna lie, that part of town is getting a little bougie. But it’s still so eclectic, art-driven, and most importantly buzzing with life. Speaking of life, aren’t Kayla and Greg’s smiles infectious? I just love the way Kayla melts into his arms, tilts her head back a little and that wide ear-to-ear smile just lights up her whole face. They both have such great senses of humor, which is the backbone of my and Scott’s relationship, so I can really relate to these two. I can’t wait for their October wedding, but until then I’m going to be staring at these dreamy spring photos! XO Jess

Scioto Mile Family Portraits

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Being a photographer has brought so many blessings to my life, but meeting this family has to be among the top 10. I have been lucky enough to photograph two of their Weddings, a ton of family sessions, become super close friends with Christina (who did my makeup for my wedding and countless other shoots), and now today I’m excited to share with you their extended family photo session from last month! We all met up downtown at the Scioto Mile riverfront in downtown Columbus, where we are quite literally spent an hour and a half just laughing our butts off. I guess that’s the wrong use of the word “literally”, but you get it.

Everyone in this group is so easy going, funny, and ready for anything. They speak to you so naturally and make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world at that moment. They never passively hug, but grab you and wrap you up and hold you in an embrace that’s so genuine and true. In other words, I wish they would adopt me. Especially because I hear they make some killer Lebanese food for family gatherings. Why does my brain always land on food? Before I start writing Haikus about Baklava, let me finish telling you about this shoot.

From the Scioto Mile, we crossed the Main Street Bridge and took some more photos in front of COSI. It was Earth day, so a festival was going on. It seems like there’s always a festival going on in Columbus these days! There’s a grand staircase there that we used as an elegant backdrop for some tickles, hugs, and embarrassing mom moments (you know, when mom wants to grab and kiss you on camera, ewww!). As I was leaving this shoot, their mom hugged me, looked me in the eyes and said: “God bless your hands”. I remember doing what I do whenever someone gives me a compliment, and I thought oh, she’s crazy. But that comment has stayed with me. It was so loving, unexpected and poetic. Thank you all for being in my life, trusting me with your photographs and for letting me hang out with you from time to time! So without further ado, here are the photos from this electrifying shoot! XO Jess

2017 Best of Engagements

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I fully intended to have this blog post up early last week, but life came at us fast as we welcomed our new baby girl into our family! She is truly a little slice of heaven. I’ll be posting a full post about her and all her baby glory next week after my 2017 wrap-ups!

Today I get to highlight the Jessica Miller Photography 2017 Best of Engagements! Arguably, engagement shoots might be my ultimate favorite to photograph. They are more about the couple, having fun and getting to know each-other as couple and photographer. I honestly think I’ve given myself more eye wrinkles than I care to admit because I smile so much when editing engagement shoots. Often times, they’re extremely relaxed and not hurried like a wedding day. They also show who people are on a more day-to-day basis, aka not dressed to the nines in formal attire. These are just a few of the reasons I include an engagement shoot with every wedding collection I offer!

These 2017 couples – gah!!! These couples! They have brought so much joy to my life and I couldn’t feel more lucky to document such a fun and blissful time for them! We had some stunning weather days this year that totally added to the warm lovey glow already there. 2018 will be the year that most of these smiling faces tie the knot and I’m so honored I get to spend the day with their family and friends as they start this next chapter in their lives together!

Downtown Columbus Winter Engagement

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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

St. Charles Anniversary Session

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Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone who’s chosen to work with Jessica Miller Photography this year. Each year I feel like my heart grows ten-fold. I get to meet the most spectacular people, build new friendships and renew old ones. I get to celebrate, mourn, cheer, cry and love with you. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the last three years, life can be really hard sometimes. It’s the hard moments that give the amazing days perspective. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to spend these happy days with you- to be able to step into your lives and live in your world even if it’s just for a brief moment in time. This week, as we all reflect on our lives and those in them that make it so special, hug a little tighter, call an old friend, and reach out and let someone know you’re thinking of them! On this Thanksgiving, I’m giving thanks for you!

Today’s blog post is all about Megan and David! Megan contacted me wanting to get some photos of her and her hubby for their one year anniversary when they were in town in the early fall this year. They met me at St. Charles which is where they were married and also where David went to high school. We walked the grounds and just had the best time talking and laughing together! The weather was perfect and there was a soft glow as the sun set near the end of our session. I love that these two decided to celebrate their first year together with a photo shoot. So often, people go decades without getting photos taken after their wedding is over. I’m admittedly biased when it comes to this, however. Without further ado, here are Megan and David in all their lovey glory! I hope you love these as much as I did taking them. XO Jess

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