Tag Archives: Outdoor Portraits

St. Charles Anniversary Session

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

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!

Columbus Fall engagement

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Let the fall engagement posts begin! Morgan and Brian met me out in early fall at Schiller Park in German Village. The weather was still warm, but there was a perfect fall overcast above us (Ideal for shooting!). Schiller Park is one of those amazing parks where you will literally see it all every time you visit, just like the state fair. As we were shooting, a family next to us was having their family photos taken- with their shirts off, of course.

Flowers were in full splendor. We ventured over to the book loft which always takes my breath away every time I visit. Morgan and Brian hadn’t been inside the store yet, but I assured them it was Columbus’ coolest fire hazard. So many winding hallways and staircases. Wandering the isles will make you feel like a little kid again. The outside is just as enchanting with overflowing flower boxes and painted red window sills.

From there we traveled to the Grange Insurance Audubon Center for their spectacular prairie-like grounds. When I was editing this collection, I couldn’t get Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers” song out of my head. I just love this song and think it would also be a perfect first dance song at a wedding.

While I was actually shooting these, however, I had Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” in my head. LOL. This also happens to be the perfect song to play right when your coffee is kicking in. I find myself singing Queen in my head a lot at shoots.

I’m so honored that Morgan and Brian chose me to be their wedding photographer for their Nationwide Hotel wedding next year. The time between now and then will fly so quickly, this I know. Until then, I hope you love these photos as much as I loved taking them! 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!!

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

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

Columbus Family Portrait Session

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Welcome to the last day, day #5 of Babypalooza!

Clara is a beaming, inquisitive, goofy and loving little angel. I love this age because kids are so genuine- there’s no show. Their little personalities shine so brightly. I just love being around Clara. She is such a ball of infectious energy. I was honestly a little scared that Scott and I are having a girl until I met her. Just look at her smile!

I’m so excited to share these today. Earlier this summer Clara brought her family to the park where we basically just played for an hour and I had the honor of photographing what happened. The weather and garden grounds were stunning and made for the perfect backdrop. Lots of smiles, hugs and silly moments happened!

Thank you for joining me the last few days as I shared these five wonderful shoots. It’s been really fun giving a special highlight to the beautiful families and families-to-be.

Columbus Family Photography

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Welcome to Babypalooza day #4!

A couple of months ago, baby Kellen brought his parents out for a fun family snuggle session on a perfect summer day! He gave me lots of good stare-downs, but his parents were able to grab a couple of smiles out of him. Look at his beautiful hair and cute as a button chubby cheeks. Does it get any cuddlier than that? I personally love this stage- you know, the one where they can’t yet run away from you lol. His parents Easter and Jay were wedding clients of mine a couple of years ago when their venue, Vue Columbus, first opened their doors. It is the best part of the job being able to continue to cross paths with people, hug them, hear how they’ve been and reveled in how their life has changed. Thank you so much for being able to come back and capture this amazing point in your lives. Kellen is a little heartbreaker for sure!

Park of Roses Maternity Session

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Day #2 of Babypalooza is here!

What do you get when you mix a vintage Beetle and a stunning summer night? Magic!

Mike and Jess are Clintonvillions (not to be confused with the Clintonvillans) through-and-through, so we met one evening last month at the Whetstone Park of Roses for a maternity mini-session. They brought their VW Beetle with them which made for some of the coolest and original maternity photos ever. I got to ride in the back seat with their dog Rory. It is truly a cool little car, and I now see why people love their vintage VW’s.

They are expecting a little girl next month! That time will come and go like a flash of light. Until then, I wish them so much peace and quiet and restful nights. Lol!

Whetstone Maternity Session

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I wanted to start out Babypalooza week with a couple of micro-maternity sessions I did last month. Today’s post was for my friend Erin and the shoot only lasted about 15 minutes on the most beautiful summer evening. The light and the surroundings at the lush Whetstone Park of Roses were just magical. Erin gave birth 4-5 days after this, so needless to say, she was only up for just a couple of shots. First of all, who looks THAT radiant when they’re 9 months pregnant? I sure didn’t. I’m so excited for their little family. Hunter has been an adorable addition and has made one intensely grateful mama.

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