Tag Archives: Engagement

Short North Engagement Session

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

Engagement Session in Downtown Columbus

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Kate and Chad met up with me in late April along the banks of the Scioto Mile. We ended up walking for about two hours around downtown exploring, which is actually my favorite way to shoot. Kate wore a beautiful lace blue dress which looked fantastic in literally every photo. You can’t go wrong with a solid color on your engagement shoot- but especially blue, red or green. I had mentioned the Ohio theater to them before the shoot and Kate loved the idea because she and Chad often go and see performances. As we were walking up and standing under the marquee, all of the glittery lights turned on- it was magical!! It was so well timed I thought someone working there had seen us taking photos and turned them on for us, but alas, there was a matinee they were getting ready for. From there we wandered around the Statehouse and took advantage of the Classical architecture. Kate told me about some of the Statues on the Statehouse grounds. Two of my favorites were the Statue of the famous military and political leaders from Ohio, and the new Holocaust memorial that was unveiled in 2014.

After our tour of the Statehouse, we ran across the street and walked through the Columbus Commons. I told you we walked a long way! By now we were in the groove and having fun. On our way back to the Scioto Mile we found a few nooks and crannies that were super picturesque. The grand finale of the shoot was getting to photograph these two in front of the Columbus skyline. The sun was direct and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, but it was still so spectacular. I can’t thank Kate and Chad enough for being up for anything! I am so excited for their Grandville Inn wedding. XO Jess

Mikey’s Late Night Slice Engagement

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So I was killing it with the blogging up until around January 20th. Why, you ask? Well, we had a few things going on. We welcomed our new beautiful daughter into the world. 1.5 months later, we moved into Children’s Hospital for a week while our son had open heart surgery for the second time in his little life. In between those two big life events, this session with Chelsea and Chris happened and I’ll tell you what- hanging out with these two was refreshing for the soul. This was a late February shoot, so the air was crisp, and let’s face it, the weather was exactly the same as it has been this week (groan).

We went to some of my old and new favorite spots (thanks to them!). We started the shoot at Schiller Park which is stunning any time of year. Then we just walked around some streets in German Village and enjoyed a few moments in the direct sun. You know that moment when the sun hits your face after a long winter? We had a couple of those moments- it was bliss. Most of my job is asking people to do things and watching how they interact. A lot of times it ends up with us all being completely goofy together and I can’t get enough of that. This whole session was like that. Dancing in the street? Check. Feeding each other pizza? Check. Kissing in front of a restaurant full of people watching? Check (Them, not me. lol). We ended the session at Mikey’s Late Night Slice off 4th street. Annnnnnd I totally over-ordered lunch (fresh off a pregnancy and still eatin’ for two). Do you see the way the pizza so perfectly accents that engagement ring? I think I need to make a habit of suggesting Mikey’s for more shoots.

Chelsea and Chirs- thank you for coming into my life (and thank you, Emmie and Rob, for facilitating that!). I can’t wait for your New Years Eve Eve wedding! 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

Columbus Fall Engagement Shoot

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Chelsey wanted the fall colors in her and Michael’s engagement photos, which was somewhat of a hit-or-miss game this year! Luckily, the day we had their shoot the weather was absolutely perfect and the first location we shot at, the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, was alive with every fall color imaginable! Chelsey wore a purple vest that was absolutely perfect for fall photos. Seeing these photos this week, when the weather is turning dark and drap is a serious mood-lifter. They even brought their little doggie that has that absolute best little ears and cutest little kissable face!! He would even enjoy laying in Michaels’ arms like a baby.

From the Audubon center, we went to the Scioto Mile for some city backdrops. Chelsey wore a dress that Michael gave her for their first Christmas together. She said the gift came with theater tickets as well- a very “pretty woman” moment! The hot pink color looked so vibrant against the city- I just love it when people wear bold colors! I’m so excited for their wedding next year. These two are so fun to be around and super easy to photograph!! Cheers to you both! Xo jess

A wooded engagement

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For Caitlin and Mason’s engagement photos, I really wanted to take them off the beaten path and take the photographic “road less taken” if you will. When we got to this hidden park, there were so many photo opportunities, at certain points it felt like I had stepped into magical dreamscapes. Tall grasses with soft white buds gently swayed in the breeze. Paths worn through the wooded acres made this shoot feel more like an adventure than anything else. After our explorations, we added their two rambunctious puppies to the mix for some proper family photos.

We then traveled to OSU’s campus to round out the shoot on the grounds of the beautiful Chadwick Arboretum. Caitlin wore the world’s most beautiful and perfectly colored maroon fall dress which made every photo pop to life. Caitlin and Mason are both really fun people to be around and they have a genuine and sincere way of relating to each other. Caitlin squints her nose up a little each time she flashes you a genuine smile. It’s extremely endearing and I loved editing these photos all the more because I got to see that little squint a lot. I am so excited for their August wedding next year. I know the time is going to fly by, but until then, please enjoy these photos of this wonderful couple!

Pickup Truck Engagement

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Caitlyn and Adam are simply over-the-moon crazy-in-love. It’s so much fun to just be around them. You can see it in the way the just look at each other. Those smiles are more than genuine- they come straight from the heart.

Caitlyn said she wanted to get some photos taken with Adam’s truck, and I jumped at the chance. It made for such a romantic, casual fall setting. The wildflowers were out in a colorful tour-de-force and the sun was warm and low in the sky. Days like this one take my breath away and make me glad to be able to have a camera in my hands.

After some photos at the park, we headed to the Short North to take some photos near Marchella’s, where they had their first date! As it turns out, a lot of my couples have their first date at this Italian Restaurant, and for good reason. It’s romantic, bustling, and alive with energy inside.

Caitlyn and Adam, thank you for the sweetest, most genuine evening. It was so much fun and I feel so excited for your wedding next year! XO Jess

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