On wedding days, I get to become immersed in other people’s families for a short window of time. I’ve gotten pretty good over the years at picking up on subtle interactions that speak a lot louder than words. One thing that struck me about this wedding was the love that was so prevalent from Catherine’s mother for her daughter. I would sometimes catch her admiring in awe as Catherine was getting ready or laughing with her friends. You could tell she was soaking it all in. Her mother had a constant ear-to-ear smile as she simply exuded pride and love. There is definitely a special bond between the two of them. So much so, we even photographed their wedding dresses side by side.
Catherine and Jonathan had a romantic summer wedding at the beautiful Clintonville Woman’s Club in the heart my favorite Columbus sub-city, Clintonville. This facility was simple and elegant all at once. The outdoor ceremony space is nestled amongst tall towering pines, and beautiful lanterns hung from a pergola that created the perfect wedding backdrop. It was supposed to rain all day, and about five minutes before their outdoor ceremony was supposed to start, I pulled out my cell phone and watched the radar which was tracking a huge storm set to roll in right during the middle of their vow exchange. Up until this date, my radar had never been wrong. It showed a massive storm right OVER us. And yet…no rain. During the ceremony this continued. The radar said we were in the middle of a massive storm, but still, no rain. It wasn’t until every last person was inside for the reception that the storm finally unloaded. It was nothing short of miraculous. The rest of the night was filled with great speeches, and even greater dancing! Enjoy! XO Jess
My favorite public park in Columbus is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Once touted as my little-known secret a couple of years ago, this facility has grown to serve as a beloved spot for families, photographers and bird watchers alike. With its close proximity to the beautiful bike trail, fields of tall grasses and sweeping landscape views of downtown Columbus, it is no wonder that many view it as the perfect wedding location.
I was doubly honored when Kay and Mark asked me to be their wedding photographer. I had gone to high school with Kay (I won’t mention how long ago), and we were always interested in the same things like Cross Country running and Music. As life tends to do sometimes, we went our separate ways after high school but kept in touch through Facebook. I’m in complete awe of what she has gone on to do with her life! Let’s just say among her MANY accomplishments she also qualifies for and runs the Boston Marathon each year!
Kay and Mark love to travel and be outdoors, so the Audubon was a natural fit for their wedding. Keeping with their love of the outdoors, they named each of their reception tables after national parks they had traveled to. This spring wedding was complimented with the most vibrant tulips and purple bridesmaids dresses.
Needless to say, I go to a lot of weddings and see a lot of different ways families show love for the married couples. But I have to say that the way one of the speeches happened on this day was unlike anything I had encountered yet. A custom song was sung and delivered a cappella to the bride and groom. It was so moving and touching and I’m not sure there were many dry eyes in the room. It was such a great day and I hope you love these photos as much as I do! XO Jess
Congratulations on your engagement! Pop some champagne and celebrate! Now, guess what? It’s time to narrow down the hundreds of photographers that are in your local market.
I have talked to many a bride who have found the process of vendor selection to be somewhat daunting. Sifting through countless local photography sites and looking at so many pricing options that it’s all become mental mush.
After countless consultations, answering thousands of questions, and helping clients figure out what they’re looking for, below are my top ten things you should know before you hire a wedding photographer. This list is geared to help you narrow down between your top few “true” wedding photography professionals who make their living at photography. Questions like, “Do you bring backup gear” and “Do you have insurance” are assumed to have already been answered with a resounding “yes,” as questions like these are geared more for a wedding photography novice.
As an additional side note, a lot of the pricing references below are based on what I’ve observed in the Ohio wedding photography market. Because there is so much diversity in the industry, not everyone will fit into these categories and I encourage you to meet photographers and explore on your own, but use this as a general guide to help you get where you want to go.
1) Photo-Journalistic vs. Artistic vs. Traditional Shooting Styles
There is a spectrum for photographic shooting style that has photo-journalism on one end, traditional on the other, and in-between the two falls artistic. How do you know which shooting style is right for you and your wedding day? The answer is, which a lot of photographers won’t tell you, most weddings require a little bit of all three styles to create the perfect collection. It is how much of each style they utilize that will be what you’re ultimately deciding on.
Traditional
A lot of clients these days are drawn towards a more natural approach to their photos, which does not typically include grip-and-grin photography and robotic line-em-up poses. They are also not too terribly exciting or fun to go through for the photographer or the couple. There are some photographers who exclusively shoot in this style, but it’s an older style that seems to be fading by the wayside.
So why do any traditional posed photos? A lot of family members from older generations love these photos, and over the years I’ve started to understand why. Formal photos at the front of a church or outside are a great way to document what people looked like at the time of the wedding. As people grow older, and life changes with its ups and downs, those photos become more valuable. It is not always possible at larger weddings to do organically inspired photographs for everyone outside of the bridal party, so the traditional methods serve as a quick and accessible way of including family members and people of importance in the wedding day.
I’ve had many couples reach out to me after their wedding thanking me for their posed family photographs, as members of their family had since passed. It’s one of the beautiful things about photography. Not to sound cliche, but it really can preserve the memory of those important people in your life. Not every couple opts to have posed family photos, or any posed photos at all, but when they do, it’s important the photographer knows how to manage large groups of people quickly and efficiently.
Artistic
Artistic photography is mostly about composition and fulfilling the photographer’s creative vision. Some photographers are more pose-oriented in this approach, while others are more prompt-oriented. This style allows the photographer to construct the shots and couple in a way that makes them look their absolute best while retaining artistic and creative ingenuity. These are the photos you will most likely hang on your wall or put in your wedding album, so a little framework is given to the process to ensure a stunning outcome. A lot of photographers call themselves photojournalists or documentary photographers but are actually mainly shooting under this artistic style.
Photo-Journalistic
There is a true art to being able to tell a visual story and not interject yourself as a photographer into that moment. Photo-journalistic photos are pure and true-to-life. They are taken from an observer’s prospective. A quiet, artistic fly on the wall. You will never hear a photo-journalist say “look at me and smile!” These photographers have an impeccable sense of timing and innate ability for anticipating the opportune time to take a photo. Getting ready photos, ceremony photos, reception photos, and most importantly some of the portraits all require a photographer who has mastered this art.
2) Editing Style
The wedding vendor selection process has changed a lot since our parent’s generation, and in my opinion for the better. Couples are treating their wedding as a creative extension of who they are, which always makes for a memorable and genuine celebration. It’s only natural that the wedding photographer matches the style of the couple in the way they photograph an event. “But what if I don’t know what my style is,” you might ask.
You don’t need to know your style as much as you need to know what you like, and in that, you will find your style. Do you love beautiful vibrant, colorful images? Are you in love with a soft faded vintage look? Are you drawn to contrasty, black and white photos? It’s important to take timelessness in consideration. Style and preference usually change over the course of our lives. To your best estimation, do you think you will still like that photographic style 30 years from now?
Also, editing style is a great way to see a photographer’s experience right off the bat. If every photo in their portfolio is edited in a different style, the photographer you are looking at has probably not landed on their brand style yet. Always look for consistency. Consistency in editing style is a great signifier for professionalism and experience.
3) Raw files
If you don’t know what a RAW file is, good. If you do know what they are and you are wanting them as part of your wedding collection, you are most likely looking to hire a novice. A true professional will not even consider giving their raw files out, with some commercial exceptions. This is because editing style is very much a part of the brand of the photographer you are hiring.
As a client, even if you purchase the digital collection of images as .jpgs, editing these images to change them could very well be a breech of contract. If you are not going to allow the photographer to execute what they do best, then why spend the money to hire them? With that said, some photographers have a price for everything, so with them, if you want to buy the RAW files, expect to pony up some major Benjamins.
4) Budget & What to Expect at Different Price Ranges
It would be downright un-American NOT to try and find the best deal for your hard-earned money. Keep in mind, photography may be the only thing you walk away from the wedding with that’s tangible. If you’re willing to drop 5k on a dinner that people will finish in 15 minutes, wouldn’t it make sense that you would spend the same if not more on a product that will last a lifetime? Ideally money should be just one part of your defining criteria and artistry, experience, personality and professionalism can help round out that decision. It is completely understood, however, that not everyone has the luxury of even having a wedding. Whether you elope in a courtroom, have a quaint, 20-person backyard wedding, or a huge, 200-300 person wedding, at the end of the day it’s about your story and your love. But know, on average, you get what you pay for.
$0-$800
This is the price range for those photographers who are students, new to the industry and are looking to start their portfolio, and hobbyists who enjoy photography in their spare time but wouldn’t consider themselves professionals. It is entirely possible that in this price range, the photographer hasn’t shot any weddings yet.
Generally speaking, they are still exploring their craft, so they will edit the photos in an array of different styles and will typically give you all of the digital images. Very infrequently will this price range offer you any sort of finished products, like books.
$800-$1,500
In this price range, you will find photographers who have done more than one wedding and who are more familiar with their camera. A more substantial portfolio is being established here, so their style is a bit more defined. However, you will typically find a lot of different editing styles in the same portfolio.
Sometimes an inexpensive printed option is offered. Flash photography, which is important for the reception part of the event, might be lacking for this price range and below.
$1,500-$2,500
This is a starting price range for a lot of mid-level professional photographers. In this price range, you might only receive a certain amount of event coverage and nothing else, or a lesser-expensive book option might be included as well. Depending on who it is, a digital collection of images is also a possibility, but typically speaking, is included with higher price ranges.
$2,500-$6,500
I would say most active, experienced and dedicated wedding photography professionals fall within this budget range. A solid portfolio has already been established. This is the range where you will observe true creativity from the photographers, as their knowledge and experience allows them to try new things and take advantage of any lighting situation.
Typically photographers in this price range are well versed in shooting in dark churches, lighting dark rooms for receptions, and lighting during sunset. These photographers have shot years worth of weddings and can pretty much walk into any situation and know what to do. They have a solid gear kit complete with top-of-the-line lenses, camera bodies, and lighting. They value on-going education and continually stay up-to-date with the industry.
$6,500+
Higher-end wedding coverage and products start in this price range and can go as high as $50,000+. Yes you read that correctly. And yes, there are some photographers that are completely worth every penny of that. Contact me if you’re interested and I can send you some links that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
Photographers in this price range tend to win local and national photography awards and have been published online and in local and national print magazines. They are recognized not only for their skill, but more importantly, for their artistry. It is not uncommon that these photographers travel nationally and internationally.
5) Digital Images and The Book
There are a lot of different view points on releasing digital images as part of a package. Some photographers simply don’t do it. Some include them in their packages and some charge extra for them. Having the files and a print release are great. You can easily share them with family and friends, print your own photos and make your own products.
Before you decide the digital files are the ONLY thing you want with your package, however, think about this fact: technology is fleeting. Mac is currently making computers without DVD drives. That custom disk that you wanted so badly with your wedding package will be obsolete in less than 10 years. So what about a USB drive? Same thing- it will also be obsolete some day. Think of it like having all of your wedding images stored on a VHS tape. Yikes! Everything is moving towards cloud-based storage. It’s safe, reliable, and easily accessible. And yet, I’m sure someday that too will become, *sigh,* obsolete.
So what if I told you there was a way to preserve your wedding photographs for the rest of your life without having to worry about technology, upgrading systems or information storage. This method has been around for awhile, with the oldest one in existence reaching an estimated 2,673 years old. It’s called a Book.
In a world that is so digitally-based, the book offers a tactile experience that will be rare and precious for future generations. I’m not talking about the book that your parents had either, where the photos are all tilting in their sleeved pages.
It’s an extremely exciting time for wedding photographers and their clients because the options are endless when it comes to creative album design. The companies that make these one-of-a-kind, 100% custom, hard-bound heirlooms have really mastered their craft. Working with a photographer that not only is a great photographer but also has great taste when it comes to album design will really ensure you receive a product that you’ll want to have for the rest of your life.
6) See a full wedding album- both digital and print versions
Photographers now double as designers, arranging photos into book layouts and spreads. The DVD, USB or digital download will never tell your story in a comprehensive way like the book will. Having a photographer who is also successful as a book designer is extremely important. A photographer could have the most beautiful images and be completely horrible at telling the printed story, or vice-versa.
You want to look for someone who can take beautiful photos and then translate them into beautiful books and products, even if you have no intention of purchasing any products. There should be a level of sophistication and thought behind the finished pieces. Seeing these is a great marker for taste and overall style. Keep in mind the notion of timelessness here as well. Will the album design still look beautiful and timeless in 30 years, or will the way the photographer arranged the photos look dated?
An online viewing gallery is not a story, nor is a stack of digital images a tangible keepsake:
Well thought out page layouts visually re-create the story of the day in an elegant way and are compiled into a book that will last a lifetime:
7) Second Shooter
Any seasoned photographer can creatively shoot a wedding on their own. There are certain instances, however, when you will want a second shooter. If the couple is getting ready in different locations and you want both locations photographed, you will need a second shooter for that segment of the day. For any church who places restrictions on where the photographer can go during the ceremony, you will want a second shooter. Some strict churches will not even let a photographer move from one spot the entire ceremony.
For this reason, a second shooter is needed to provide another view point for that portion of the day. From this photographer’s perspective, the more points of view, the better. I love having a second shooter work with me. It allows me to divide and conquer. This person can step in and act as a lighting assistant when needed, and various other roles that can help execute a creative shot. If you can afford it, adding a second shooter is great for rounding out your entire collection. Just make sure the person who will be second shooting is also a professional photographer, as this will get you the most from your investment.
8) The Engagement Shoot
There seems to be a shift lately where clients are now embracing the idea of an engagement shoot. A few years ago it was seen as an “add-on” or an “extra.” Some people still may not see the point in having one, so this one’s for you. Talking specifically to newly engaged couples, have you ever had photos taken with your partner? I don’t mean selfies at the bar. I mean true images that show the two of you together, interacting, and representing your unique relationship in an artistic way? My guess is that your answer is “no.”
The engagement shoot photos show a couple in a more down-to-earth way. It’s a way of capturing what you look like every day, as opposed to the wedding day when you’ll most likely be in formal attire. It also gives the couple a chance to have their photos taken so they can get used to how it feels to be in front of the camera.
This session helps both parties feel more relaxed and will give you a good feel for the style in which the shoot is conducted. Some people find out that they like to be put in poses, and that makes them feel more secure. Other people discover that they like a more natural, prompted approach. At the end of it all, it’s also fun to utilize the photos in creative ways, including having them as part of the wedding reception decor.
9) First Look
There are two very different ways to see your fiance for the first time on your wedding day. You can go the traditional route, where you walk down the aisle and see them for the first time standing on the other end. The other way is called the “first look.” This is generally a private space for just the two of you to be together. Both have their benefits and whichever way you choose is up to you. Sometimes photographers try to push for one or the other based on wedding day schedules. Keep in mind this is your wedding day, so never feel pressured to take an approach you don’t want to take.
For the traditional route, your fiance and guests see you for the first time as you walk down the aisle. It’s very romantic and guests of course love seeing the live reactions of the couple as they see each other for the first time that day. Bridal party photos and the couple’s portraits would then take place after the ceremony. Depending on how much time there is between the ceremony and the reception will depend on how much time you have for photos. The more time you allow for your photos, the more robust of a collection you will walk away with.
The first look is done before the ceremony. It is a nice private place where just the couple can see each other, be together, and talk with each other. They are free to hug, embrace, kiss, and talk, where none of those things would typically happen if they were to see each other for the first time during the ceremony. Bridal portraits would then take place after the first look freeing up the couple for their cocktail hour.
10) Reception Photos
If I were to critique a photographer’s portfolio based on technical skill, I would go straight to their portfolio’s reception photos. These are an Achilles heel part of the wedding for some photographers. The reception tends to be very difficult to photograph, as most are held at night in dark rooms. Getting lighting to look balanced and dynamic is a skill and an art form in itself. On-camera lighting can flatten a subject and can sometimes dull down the entire frame.
To compensate, changing the photos to black and white helps add contrast. The only problem with this is that you don’t want to be delivered an entire reception collection of only black and white photos. Off-camera lighting allows for the light to “wrap” the subjects, making them appear more three-dimensional. The photographer also doesn’t have to change the photo to black and white for it to appear striking. When choosing a photographer, ask to see color reception photos. It will easily help some photographers stand out among the rest.
I have been waiting on pins and needles to blog this Spring wedding. I can’t even say enough awesome things about these two!! But first a little flashback….
I fist met Soosan in graduate school in Chicago where we both attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Art and Technology program. We had a really cool class and all got along great. Soosan easily became one of my best friends from the school. We had so many awesome nights out. We went our separate ways after we graduated, but thanks to social media, always kept in touch. When she contacted me about her wedding I was of course honored, but oh so excited to see her again! It felt like no time had ever passed.
Soosan is so naturally beautiful that she would take your breath away just by being in the same room with her. On her wedding day, however, I walked into the room and immediately had tears in my eyes. There is nothing better than seeing such incredible souls find their match. Beauty just radiated from her- inside and out. Not to mention who she was marrying, Chris, who was one of the most genuine and gracious people I’ve ever met.
In Mason, Ohio, there’s a beautiful event center called the Manor House. This is where both the Persian ceremony and reception took place. In the Persian tradition, a Sofreh sits in the center of the ceremony. This means “wedding spread” and consists of herbs, pastries, bread, fruits, coins, symbols of fertility including decorated eggs, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, a mirror and two candelabras (symbols of light and fire), honey, a sacred text, and other symbolic decorations. The result is nothing short of spectacular to look at. The Sofreh was also one of Soosan’s favorite parts of the wedding traditions as well. As an illustrator, she designed their invitations and the entire cover was a Sofreh spread.
A shawl is held over the bride and groom during the ceremony. Two cones of sugar are rubbed together above their heads to “shower them in sweetness.” The sugar is caught by the shawl.
After the ceremony, a huge celebration took place with amazing dancing and great music. It was a day that I will remember forever and I feel so blessed to have shared this day with such a beloved friend and her husband. XO Jess
So in honor of this being the first week of the new year, I’m going to skip ahead some sessions and do a best-of 2013 post. I will continue to post 2013 weddings and session blogs in the coming weeks so keep checking back:)
At the end of it all, all I can really say is WOW! This has been Jessica Miller Photography’s busiest and most successful year to date. It has been such an honor to step into the lives of so many incredible people. I feel like my life has been so enriched by getting to know and share in the memories of my clients. I am a better person for having all of you in my life. I can’t thank you enough.
In early 2013, I traveled to WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) with a few friend-tographers and spent three days in some intensive business classes. I had wanted to attend this conference for the last 3 years, so it was very exciting to finally get there. I came home with a laser-focused drive that I’ve never felt before. It has definitely propelled me forward in not only my business, but also my everyday life. My work was published a few times in 2013: once in The Knot Ohio, once in Curve Magazine, once in Business First, and a photograph I took is now on the back of over 10,000 bottles of Via Vecchia wine. I was able to branch out and team with other local vendors for three fashion editorial shoots- two in the spring, and one in the summer. In 2013 I was the contributing photographer for Craftin’ Outlaws and I also established my own booth to sell prints at both their spring and winter shows. I acted as the in-house photographer for Bartha, a national events and production house, where I photographed over 25 live events. Jessica Miller Photography expanded in 2013 and now offers photography for high school Seniors looking for a more fashion-forward and creative experience with their Senior Photo shoot. Something that I’ve been so grateful for here in Columbus is my family of fellow wedding and portrait photographers. In business and in life, they have been there every step of the way. This year, I was able to have some insanely talented people shoot along side me as second shooters. A special thank you to Nick Fancher, Carmen Hall, Melissa Jones, Sarah Williamson, Mike Stempler, Zak Kelly and my husband Scott Ingraham for your beautiful work!
So without further ado, here are just a sampling of my favorite photographs I took from 2013. I’m so excited to turn the page on another year! Happy 2014 everyone! XO Jess
Jody and Chad were a completely unexpected and delightful addition to my 2013 wedding line-up. They booked me about a month and a half before their wedding. I’m always in awe when people can pull together the most amazing events in such a short amount of time…and on top of that, stay completely relaxed doing it. This wasn’t just any other run-of-the mill wedding, either. There were so many cool details that made this one so memorable.
Their wedding took place at the Kelton House, which is located near the topiary gardens in downtown Columbus. It’s a beautiful historical home with a lot of charm and rich history. It reminded me a bit of the houses I shot in last year down in Louisiana for Katie and Eric’s wedding. There’s something about old homes when you walk in them. You can almost feel the other-worldly history- somehow envision people as they were through the generations using the different rooms for different purposes. The Kelton House definitely has a warmth and a feeling of intimacy that some other venues don’t have. This home was also part of the Ohio underground railroad at one time.
To pay homage to his Scottish heritage, Chad wore his tartan for the wedding festivities. It came complete with a dagger tucked into the side of his kilt hose. Jody was breathtaking in a form-fitting lace gown that elegantly trailed behind her when she walked. The ceremony took place in the back garden of the Kelton House and was adorned with white and yellow flowers. There were also blooming Hostas lining each side of the path that runs along the side of the back yard. It created nothing less picture perfect and enchanting walkway.
Their reception featured a live bluegrass band and home-brewed beer. A couple of their friends who are also musicians, joined the band from time to time making a completely unique, memorable and heartwarming experience for everyone in attendance. I hope you love these photos as much as I do! XO Jess
I was so excited for this wedding! Charlo, Mirella and I sat down late last year and they both told me about how they met and the wedding they were planning. Mirella is from Italy so what better venue to have their wedding than Via Vecchia, which features that old-world charm and rustic elegance. It’s no secret that this is one of my favorite Columbus venues. Nestled in the Brewery District, I still consider it somewhat of a hidden Columbus gem. I am also so tickled every time I get a bottle of their wine and see a photo that I took of the owners Palo and Michael on the back label.
I have to start by saying that I wasn’t prepared for what I saw when I walked in the doors on the day of Charlo and Mirella’s wedding. There were details dripping from every corner of the room. Everything seemed customized for these two. Family was running around helping to get everything set up and make sure that the hundreds of small intimate details were just perfect. I had never seen such a customized labor of love and family before. And the results were stunning. They transformed the otherwise simple room into a beautiful wedding backdrop of purples, whites, golds and silvers.
And now I have to gush over Mirella. She was so electrically beautiful on this day. She had specially requested some night shots, which are by far some of my favorite to photograph with couples. I think the results are nothing short of magical, but I will let you be the judge.
A special thank you to Carmen Hall and my insanely handsome husband Scott who both second shot this wedding with me.
I hope you love these images as much as I do! XO Jess
Sometimes it’s necessary to plan weddings long distance. With phone meetings, facetime and email, the world is a lot smaller place. I met Eric over the phone when he was researching wedding vendors from Ohio. They seemed like such a great couple over the phone, and the way he talked about his fiance Rachel was simply heart-warming. I was so excited when he asked if I would be the photographer for their wedding. I was even more excited when we decided that my husband, Scott (aka my partner in crime), would be coming with me to Cleveland for this event. When I arrived at their wedding, I hadn’t actually met either of them yet. In a way, I found this extremely exciting and fun.
Boy were we in for a treat. This wedding was a fusion wedding of Indian and Chinese cultures combined in a Christian faith. Each of the bridesmaids wore vibrant blue saris. At first look, I thought they were all the same, but in fact, they were all very different deep blue patterns. Eric and Rachel were married in a beautiful old chapel, Harkness Chapel, on the campus of Case Western. Their ceremony included a Chinese tea pouring ceremony and a lot of beautiful hymns and music. After the service, the campus and the nearby park, Wade Lagoon, provided modern, fun and stunning backdrops for wedding photos.
The ceremony was so much fun, as a few friends performed a custom song and some members of the bridal party performed a skit about the couple. The dance floor was full all night long with some pretty amazing dance moves. The one thing that I’ll always remember from this wedding is how loved these two people are. People of all ages and cultures were under one roof pouring love onto Rachel and Eric. Even though I hadn’t met them before this day in-person, I left feeling as if I had known them forever. We were so honored to be a part of this special day and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed taking them! XO Jess
I met Lisa my sophomore year of college at The Ohio State University, when she unexpectedly became my roommate (the roommate I was supposed to have wanted to room with a friend of hers). Since then, over 10 years ago, she has become very much a part of my family. I have always felt like meeting her was a major turning point in my life. In 2001, while we were roommates, she met Steve over AIM (does anyone still remember what that was? Also, this wasn’t completely random- i went to High School with Steve and he was on my AIM list.) Well the two of them quickly fell in love and became inseparable. In 2009 they were blessed with the beginnings of a beautiful family and welcomed Chole Bella into their lives. Just last year, they welcomed the cutest boy in the world, Judah Nathan. I have secretly, or not so secretly, wanted to see Lisa in a wedding dress, though. I had just always wanted to see a day where Lisa was in the spotlight, and I could gush over her publicly and she’d have to sit there and take it. You see, she’s always lived her life for other people. It was beyond exciting for me when she told me she was getting married! I felt so blessed to be standing next to her, Steve and their families as they took their vows in the Short North at Ray’s Living Room and art gallery. Stunning artwork adorned every inch of the gallery, providing the perfect setting for such an intimate wedding. Rigsby’s caters this particular venue and it was nothing short of outstanding. A special thanks to my beautiful friend Carmen Hall from Portraits by Carmen in Grove City who came and helped shoot this wedding with me, as I couldn’t shoot and be in the wedding at the same time. Enjoy! XOXO
Andrew and Jess are officially married! You might remember this couple from their engagement shoot that I posted on here late last year. In May, my wedding season officially ramped up with their wedding.
This was also the first wedding I’ve shot since getting back from WPPI earlier this year (Wedding & Portrait Photography International). WPPI was a three-day intensive convention with over 15,000 of the world’s best photographers who gathered to learn, experiment, and see the latest and greatest products that are now on the market. I’ve wanted to go to this convention for over three years now, but have always found excuses as to why I couldn’t go. This year I promised myself there would be no more excuses. It definitely changed my life and I’ll be forever grateful to my travel mates and the great speakers I was able to learn from and meet. Needles to say, when I returned I was excited to get back to shooting. And with wedding season now in full swing, I love looking back at Jess and Andrews’ wedding day photos.
It was a picture perfect Ohio day. Cool, crisp, beautiful lighting and colorful backdrops everywhere I turned. Jessica’s dress also happened to be drop dead gorgeous. We were able to shoot photos at that magic hour when the sun cuts its rays through the trees and leaves everything glowing in its warm light. The trees at the reception venue, The Lakes Golf & Country Club, created the perfect backdrop for the evening. Dinner and dancing was held under a large flowing fabric canopy tent.
I am so honored to have shared this incredible day of love with them and get to know them better over the past year. Andrew and Jess love photography, traveling, and they don’t take themselves too seriously so it was definitely no surprise I love them both. Enjoy! XO Jess
