winter weddings and first looks
a match made in heaven.
In my experience with weddings, August goes quickly into September that leads to early sunsets right into October where we’re trying to fit everything in before 6pm. And, every year it hits me like - how did I forget how early it gets dark “all of a sudden.” Every year, I’m absolutely thrilled with my ability to work with my couples to make the most out of our time together AND their wedding day experience by - YES - “getting the photos done before the ceremony”…but more importantly (!) extending the amount of time they spend together, and lowering the amount of stress that comes with fighting Mother Nature and Sunset!!
So while, of course, I won’t FORCE you to do a first look, but I will highly encourage it. I’ll ask you to talk to people you know who’ve been married recently and ask them what they did + what their opinion is about timing.
When I have a couple who does want to do a first look, we’ll usually work the timeline to do that about 2 hours before ceremony time, as long as there isn’t a lot of travel time involved. Of course this is variable to each couple, but generally if I have 2 hours + an agreeable crowd (and if they’re unagreeable, that’s my job to work with them!!) we can get through the meat of the photos then! And, voila! you’re done with photos once you’re refreshed and ready to walk down the aisle. Free for the night to enjoy + mingle + have zero stress about when you’re going to have time to sneak away!
for a couple that prioritizes candids
advice for couples who don’t want to take a lot of time away from wedding day activities to do posed photographs
TLDR / spoiler alert: candids still take thought and time to make a part of your wedding day. Read on to see why we’ll be a good fit if you find yourself saying, “I just don’t want to spend HOURS on my wedding day doing photos".
I totally get it. Maybe you think you’re awkward (you’re probably not as bad as you think, we’re all awkward when a camera is in our faces!), maybe you just want to be unbothered by having to go take photos when you’d rather be with the entire group. I promise, there’s a compromise in the middle that’ll satisfy all of us!
The first step in making this a reality for your wedding day is being sure to communicate it to me. I have the best job. I get to people watch, intently, looking for moments that are meaningful to photograph. What an honor. BUT! When I have a couple who has told me that their priority is to be present, to be surrounded by people they love, it’s EXTRA that I have to look for those moments in which genuine interactions are happening. Additionally, my advice to you will look like:
stay with your partner - the more you’re together, the more photos you’ll have of the two of you experiencing that joy + love on your wedding day
be ready for some light prompting by me - if you are being congratulated by important people directly after a ceremony, it might be me saying, “hey over here!” to get a quick smiling photograph with that person. YES! hugs matter, but also seeing a face of a grandparent on your wedding day will always be a photo you cherish, I promise.
when you’re ready for a break (you will be ready for a break!), let’s take a quick escape with your partner + make some magic hour photographs! This can take as little as 10 minutes, and will give amazing results! Plus, I can almost guarantee you’ll enjoy that little breather together.
Jorgensen Farms, The Gardens, Engagement session
engagement session taken at Jorgensen Farms The Garden Venue in harvest season. Flower fields and a beautiful couple walk barefoot around the farm for photos
It’s such a fun time getting to know couples during an engagement session. Truth be told it’s as much a get to know you session as it is make photos for an engagement session. I love the slower pace of meandering around, with the couple trusting me to catch pretty locations to stop and make some images that will serve to show this time in their lives. Talking about the wedding, but mostly just learning about their lives, love, and of course PETS. Enjoy a few from Gina + Ryan’s engagement session at Jorgensen Farms Garden venue. A year from today they’ll get married at Oak Grove!
things I'm digging
wedding and engagement images from Jessica Love Photography in Columbus Ohio at Jorgensen Farms Oak Grove. Featuring photography on film and digital shot on Canon R6 and Portrait 400 35mm film
AKA it’s summer and how do I have the brain space to share much more than bits and dabbles in all the stuff in front of my eyeballs!
In the realm of self-portrait photography, there exists a captivating allure in the juxtaposition of a woman and a flower crown, captured on the timeless medium of film. Each frame tells a story of self-discovery, as the woman embraces her own beauty and strength while adorned with delicate blossoms. Through the lens, her introspection is illuminated, petals whispering secrets of confidence and femininity. The soft hues of the film lend an ethereal quality, enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere of the image. With each click of the shutter, these self-portraits become a visual testament to the power of self-love and the magic of embracing one's authentic self.
WOW you guys - are we living in an alternate reality? That last paragraph was generated Ai on this blog, with the prompts: self portrait of woman with flower crown on film. So there you have it. But to actually explain, I think self portraits on film are a bit tricky, and overwhelming for me, but figured I’d like to have some to show of my peonies this spring.
weddings. SO many good weddings + shoots. And not like the typical it’s a wedding it’s going to be gorgeous type of things. Like, during the getting ready time, and the bride’s younger sister not wanting to get her hair done by a hairstylist…so the bridesmaids jumped in and made her feel SO comfortable…Like a groom’s grandmother shaking her cane while sitting at her table to dance….like a couple seeing their engagement photos and proclaiming how excited they are - now - for their wedding photos because they were SURE they were too awkward for photos to look good (LOL).
always rainbow over everything!
images shot on digital + film developed by Midwest Photo Exchange. Thanks for being here!
a tale of two seasons!
comparing sunset photos of an early Fall and late Spring sunset at north 4th corridor’s Revery venue for a Columbus, Ohio wedding
This will go down as the shortest blog post of all time, maybe. I’m chatty so I’m sure I’ll say more than I planned.
I spent a late spring night at one of my favorite places in this city: North 4th Corridor’s Revery venue…and then just recently spent an early fall night there, too. Well, leave it to me to be absolutely mesmerized by the change - but similarities - in the absolutely magnificent sunset we witnessed both days.
an almost summer sunset:
an early fall sunset:
Now here we go on my education and absolute promise to do YOU on your wedding day. On Saturday, my dudes were NOT feeling going out for yet another photo session. If you were in Columbus this past Saturday - you’ll remember the absolute glow of the sunset….and think I was crazy not to make them get out there. But do you know what I did? I showed them a photo of Dad giving a speech, and I said, THIS is the moment. This - your most loved people - gathered in this brilliant buttery light while you enjoy your wedding meal together. THIS is your wedding day memory you want to relive!! And that was that.
if you’re here and searching for a photographer for your event, I hope you’re getting all my signals that your wedding day is your day. I’ll be with you each step of the way, helping when I’m needed, but following your lead and giving you the best experience AND photos!
hello 2022 brides? are you out there!?
HELLO! It’s me, stepping in from wedding season to tell you, yes YOU! that yes! you should click that contact me link and get in touch with me because I’d absolutely love to be a part of your fall / winter 2022 or winter 2023 weddings!
It always has this time in the summer where it’s GO GO GO…but I need to make sure you’re being reached and told I have time for you :) I want to talk to you, and I absolutely LOVE winter weddings!!
So in order to give myself some job security, and you some encouragement ;) let’s do this! Get in touch so I can hear all about your plans, and you can get excited to share them with me!