August, like a whole month of sundays
an update from Jess at jessica love photography featuring current work from family sessions of summer 2024
It’s no surprise, if you’ve been here a while that we live for summer around here, but as summer winds down, the air takes on a different quality, hinting at the approaching school year. Mornings that once began with leisurely breakfasts now become a rush of packing lunches and tying shoelaces. The excitement of new classrooms and friendships mingles with the bittersweet feeling of shorter days and fading sunlight. Striking a balance becomes essential; it's a challenge to carve out family time amidst the responsibilities and commitments that fill the calendar. Each evening is a reminder to savor these last moments of summer, whether it’s gathering for a simple dinner or lingering outdoors a bit longer, cherishing the laughter and stories shared before the school bus routine begins anew. As the leaves start to turn, it's a time to reconnect and reflect on the joys of family togetherness, even as life takes on a more structured rhythm.
This summer is the first that - GASP - I did not book a wedding from June 16-August 4. It feels wild to say, being a wedding photographer and all, and it was quite scary….but here’s what I found: JOY and BALANCE. I sense the privilege here, to even get a chance to be choosy about my bookings and work, and I know I wouldn’t be here without the support of awesome people like you who hire me to work together!
What got me through the summer - because to me, the balance of HOME and WORK is important as the balance of not working too much, if you know what I mean! are some pretty amazing families who had me over to capture some important milestones in their lives.
As the summer lull comes to an end and the days begin to shorten, I am filled with anticipation for the upcoming wedding and family sessions that this fall promises to bring. The quiet moments of the past few months have afforded me a wonderful opportunity to reflect on my craft, and now I find myself eager to capture the beautiful memories that will undoubtedly unfold during this enchanting season. Whether it’s the vibrant colors of autumn leaves painting the landscape or the cozy gatherings filled with laughter and warmth among loved ones, my ultimate goal is to document the genuine emotions and deep connections that define your special event. I sincerely hope you consider having me as your photographer to preserve these treasured moments for years to come, ensuring that they can be revisited and cherished in the future.
Authentic Family Photography
Just bopping in here to remind you: I primarily shoot weddings, but my heart + eyes are trained to capture your family moments in ways that are as authentic + beautiful as they can be. I’d love to get you in front of my camera this fall.
This’ll be the first year I won’t shoot any “mini session” day - but I will make time to get your family on my schedule in a way that works for both of us!
a post of favorites - film favorites Part 1 of ?
columbus ohio film photographer shares best images of 2022 shot on film: portra400, portra 800, cinestill.
I shared on my Insta how I had over 300 favorite of film photos, and like, who even would want to look at that many images PLUS most of them are my family (I’m biased, but those are my best work!) PLUS why would I make them into a reel. I’m nobody to just do something because the social media world says I have to! SO here’s part 1 of ??? to share my favorite, but not oversized heavy on images favorites of the year.
each roll (ish) I try to take a nice portrait of most kids, because they’ll still let me!
so that batch was within the January - August…what happened in august. Well. We have had the same photographer shoot our family photos since 2016 - because I’m a big enough believer in practicing what I preach: we go the extra mile + do whatever it takes to get Yan Palmer to our house when she travels. If you don’t know Yan, you should. She is a force. She’s part photographer part family therapist part magic! Once that session happened, I had a new found, re-woken NEED to shoot all the beauty and find all the light. Part 2 will come soon with the photos living on the coattails of Yan’s inspiration!
pepper in some highlights
the off season is the time we photographers do all the things we try to do all year, but - for me - something’s gotta give, and it’s always the blogging and website updating!
and, as it’s Monday, there’s an advent calendar to attend to (anyone else out there scramble to get their activity in each morning before their kids wake up!?), and so I’m going to give this a little update here with some images I’m digging….hope your eyes enjoy this little visual party!
a return to myself
You know how, in life, you never know what you’re missing until you find it? Being a mom felt like that, for me. Finding a film camera (obviously not to the same extent) felt like that to me. When I picked up a film camera and shot ALL THE THINGS in 2016, it felt like I had finally started living a true version of who I was supposed to be. As I type it, it’s weird to feel such a sense of self entangled in this job that I do…but here we are.
I feel most like myself when I can tell a story. My mode isn’t paper and pencil or computer..it’s my camera. Not my phone, man I hated when the pandemic hit, and I stopped shooting film. It’s the dark ages of our family’s history. And there’s nothing wrong with digitally recording life, it just isn’t my mode of doing it. As I’ve been feeling something shift in the past few months, it’s felt like home. Picking up a camera and working to get the light reading in my head, getting the shutter stop and aperture set before I look through the viewfinder..that is a meditation sort of exercise that keeps me present in moments, in ways I didn’t even begin to understand!
from a “work” point of view, what I love about film is that it lets me feel like I’m capturing the feel of my clients. It doesn’t have to always be clean and bright…because sometimes life, and love, are blurry and fuzzy and remind you of the way the warmth was in that moment…plus, now that I’m developing at Midwest Photo Exchange (vs. sending to a lab across the country, holla for supporting local!), I have my film scans back the next day. THE NEXT DAY! WILD!!
So while I know digital is still queen, I’m so glad to once again WANT to see your world through a film camera + hope you see the light in that, and bring me along!!
Alicia + Luna | Married in Mohican
Mohican is a great option for a get away type feel (for vacation or for a wedding!) but staying in Ohio. My own family did our “fake Christmas” there this year, and it was perfect for all the ages of kids we have. Alicia + Luna threw a wonderful celebration + let me take them to all the amazingly sunlit spots for photos throughout their day.
Two of the things I’m most passionate about, when directing how a wedding day goes are: keeping your day running smoothly and letting these portraits dictate themselves.
1: if your day has any hint of chaos in it, guess what? You’ll feel it, and you don’t want that. I don’t want that either :) It’s my job to be efficiently finished with anything I require of you (because, yessss we ARE required to do some photos, despite candids > everything) with enough time for you so that you’ve had a minute to reflect + be present in the big moments. I won’t finish up the portraits as you’re rushing to make sure your lipstick is perfect for the walk down the aisle.
2. I can’t tell you how many people tell me they’re nervous or terrible in front of the camera. Well, duh! it’s awkward. It’s why creating an atmosphere of calm + candidness helps to calm your nerves. We’ll work together to schedule your day so that we aren’t doing a marathon photo session but rather; you’re leaving to be alone with your partner in times when you feel like, “PHEW! this is nice to be alone!” And guess what here? You’ll be so happy to be together and ALONE, we’ll make those magical moments you’re craving for your wedding images!
SO! that just so happens to be my recipe for a perfect wedding day. Does it strike a chord to ya? Let’s talk! smash that contact me button + send me all the info I need to know ;) (wow, that was just an experiment to type, and yah, no, that’s not me! ha!)
