Columbus Ohio Newborn Photography

I’d like you all to meet the most excited big brother ever!!! …and of course, his adorable new sidekick.

Geesh! the smiles and giggles on this sweet kiddo are endless.

So much has changed...

My husband recently referred someone to me { whatta man, am i right?! } and in doing so, visited my website. He then kindly told me I needed to update my blog. So here we are. And when I logged on and realized my last post was February 2020…right before the world shut down. Crazy to think that when I was writing that, I had no clue what the year had in store for us all. And now things are different. I think we can all agree that COVID changed us all. Whether you were struck by tragedy or simply have a new (much shorter) commute down the stairs to your new office….we’ve all be changed somehow. And now here we are in this new world, making new memories and holding our loved ones a bit tighter. And I’m so happy you’re here.

Creekside Minis - Part 1 / Columbus Ohio Photographer

These are always some of my favorite minis to offer in the summer time. The kiddos have the most fun splashing in the water and it really shows through in the photos.

They just scream summer!

Sunset snuggles / Columbus Oh Family Photography

The rainy season that started this summer was not kind to this family and I. We had to reschedule this session several times. I’m always hesitant to do that because Ohio weather is so unpredictable - but this kind of evening was worth the wait. Check out this sweet guy, his pup ,his mama and dada.

Basically, a boy and his entourage.

Simple & Sweet / Columbus Family Mini Session

As a special surprise for his wife, this super sweet hubby booked a small mini session for Mother’s Day!

If you’re looking for something small to gift to someone or just need to capture a few sweet memories of your own - please reach out! We happily accommodate all kinds of sessions and will work with you to fit your needs.

Welcome to the World Baby W / Columbus Ohio Baby Photographer

This sweet mama came in for a mommy and me session with the sweetest little bump. She hadn’t yet even thought of newborn photos but once we say how big brother was hugging and kissing her tummy - we both knew that a newborn session would be in the works. And I am SO happy she brought all her fellas in just a month or so later because big bro did NOT dissapoint!

Look how in love they all are!

Happy Birthday M! / Columbus Ohio Child Photographer

I have a confession to make. I have this horrible, embarrassing habit of taking on the accents of whomever I’m speaking too. Seriously. It’s beyond mortifying.

And it happens without me realizing until my husband tells me later in the evening that I started to talk like “so and so”. I die.

So when this sweet little southern drawl talking family walks into my studio, I have to stick a piece of gum into my mouth and call it a day. Mom and Dad have the cutest accents around and I’m sure that on more than one occasion, I’ve done it. I’ve started to get an accent myself. They probably think I’m crazy, but I’m so happy that they don’t mind it - so that I can watch not one , but TWO of their babies celebrate their birthday in style.
And boy oh boy, was this a cake smash for the books ya’ll ( see what I did there?!?!)

The J Family / Columbus Ohio Maternity Photography

I can hardly wait to meet the TWO new babes on their way to this sweet family.
Talk about some amazing big sisters.
This mama is going to have the best helpers around with these two by her side.

My Why .

I’ve been struggling with what to say. What my voice is and what I want my brand to look like. If I’m being honest, the older my kids get, the more I feel like I’m losing touch with my clients. I am going to have highschoolers next year.
Freaking HIGH schoolers people. ( legit teared up when I wrote that…).
So, what do I have common in with new mamas?
The baby gear changes quickly, so do baby trends, kids cartoons, the list goes on and on. What do I have to say that’s relevant?
I’m marketing to mamas. .. New mamas and mamas to those with little kiddos and here I am with 9 and 14 year olds. Feeling out of touch makes me sick to my stomach. I’ve also been building this business and looking to mentors and other entrepreneurs for influence and inspiration. What does that mean? That means I want someone who is successful to fill that role. I want someone who’s been there and experienced the ups and downs of owning and operating a successful business.
That’s who I want to associate with and learn from.

And then it hit me. Like a bolt of lighting.

That’s freaking ME! I’ve been there! I’m in it now….riding this wave of motherhood and experiencing what my clients have on the horizon. Who cares if my kids watched Dora and theirs are watching PJ Masks? I actually think that I may have MORE to offer these mamas and clients that mean so much to me. I always say “soak it up” , “it goes quick” and it sounds like a cliche. But IT IS NOT! These little boys who used to need me for everything. EVERYTHING. Entertainment, comfort, shoe tying, baths, wiping their bums, a cup of juice, snacks - now do their own thing. I was their world and they (are still) mine.

Well here I am smack dab in the middle of transitioning to being “annoying”. You guys remember that, right? Like, your mom has a way of being so annoying. Is it because we are so close to them? Is it because they know us so well? Moms just have a way of being overbearing and a bit much. It’s just a stigma moms have (for teens especially) and I am becoming a part of it.

And it’s breaking this mamas heart.

Like seriously splitting it into pieces.

Now don’t get me wrong! My boys are still amazing and lovey and I know from their friends that they are still spending more time with me than their friends do with their parents - but it’s HARD to not be needed as much. It’s HARD to watch them grow and wonder if you did things right. It’s HARD to see them roll their eyes at things they used to laugh at. It’s HARD.

So I truly and whole heartedly MEAN IT when I say SOAK IT UP.
Does it feel like too much at times? Yes.
If they ask for one more dang snack your head may explode. The least they could do would be finish the one you got them 15 minutes ago, am i right? I get it. If you could just use the bathroom without them being right by the door ( or possibly in the room with you) then your day would be made.
Yup. Been there.

I’ve been there and now I’m here. Spending most of my time in the house by myself because they are doing their own thing. I finally have some of that time I craved. And sometimes its amazing. And other times, it sucks.

There it is. My Why. That’s why it means so much to me to capture these images that I do.
Because time freaking flies. It doesn’t feel like it. But trust me. It does.

So, let me capture their hands in yours, their snuggles, their scrunchy face when they cry. their little toes, their birthday(s), the holidays and how they change from year to year, let me capture it ALL because soon enough mama - these images are your ticket to the past.
To a time when they needed you .
And it felt like a lot. Because it was.
It was a lot. It was everything.

(personal images below as well some pro snaps by the outstanding Marcy Harris-Ortiz of The Coterie, a body loving and empowering Columbus boudoir photographer)

Baby "R" / Columbus, Ohio Baby Photography

So, in walks mama looking like a celebrity - Hair perfect.  Nails amazing.  Makeup totally on point (making me feel like my leggings and t-shirt are totally pajama worthy) and I'm immediately so excited for the mama/baby portion.

**** Also, sidebar: she looks crazy familiar and I've been trying to place her since the session and for some totally odd reason I feel like I saw her at a Sam Hunt concert??!  Could that even be possible?   I swear I met her there - they had the Cabana next to us at a concert out in the woods a few summers ago.  I, of course, didn't mention this because it was, after all, a few years ago and I feel like it's stalker-ish to ask if she was at that concert.....forever ago.  And why would I remember her?  LOL!  Maybe it's the hair?  I asked a girl about her hair color and swear it's her....anyhow.  When and if mama reads this, she'll think I'm crazy.  LOL.  ***

 She sets her new little man down and lifts up the cover and there sits the most delicious bundle of squish ever!  He turns out to have the sweetest most kissable face with soft chubby cheeks and totally perfect lips.  So now I can't wait for the baby portion either!

A few hours later, her hubby leaves work and heads to the studio and completes the perfect ending to a dream session. They are an  amazingly sweet family, and I love that daddy, who hadn't seen his little guy in a few hours,  was dying to hold his little man as soon as he walked in.  
Baby "R" snoozed for <almost> the entire time and I'm pretty sure I'm ordering some of these prints to display in the studio.  
He's the best, most squishtastic babe ever. 

Baby "M" / Columbus Ohio Newborn Photography

I'm not quite sure where to start with this story.  I received a call from my dear friend who had a co-worker whose son was in NICU at a local hospital and wanted to know if I could travel there to take newborn photos of him.  I did and instantly fell head over heels for their sweet boy.  Mama sat by his side day after day and we discussed plans for a session in my studio once he was released from the hospital.  The second call I received was another session in the hospital as it looked as if their sweet boy would never make it home.  With my heart in my throat, I pulled into the parking lot at the hospital, said a prayer and unloaded my camera gear.  I had no idea how I would manage to keep it together for this session, but I knew that these portraits would be for a lifetime...so I took a deep breathe and headed upstairs.  They looked at their sweet boy so intently and held him so close while they whispered goodbyes.....My heart broke for them.
I will be forever grateful for them sharing their sweet boy with me one last time and trusting me to capture it.  They gave me so much more in that day than I could have given them with photos.  I saw first hand what true love looks like.  I was able to see unconditional love within an arms reach...I saw the generosity of nurses and physicians whose job entails so much more than I ever realized.  And I was able to see the value of time.  I actually SAW time and what it meant.  You can't hold onto it but you can certainly live IN it.  That you can be fully present...so present that the whole room can feel it.  And it also helped my to realize that the tool in my hand really was the only way to make that day stand still for them.  Again, them trusting me with that means more to me than they will ever realize.

Fast forward to an Instagram scroll many months later and I see that this amazing, resilient couple is expecting again!  I cried happy tears!  I am in awe of the strength and love these two share.  And sweet little baby M.  Their ray of sunshine after a storm that left them heartbroken.  She's so sweet and tiny and perfect.  I was so happy to incorporate some of her big brother's items into her shoot .... and I'm pretty sure she was happy to include him as well because just when I wrapped the teddy bear made from her brothers blanket around her....she gave the sweetest smile. 

Glitter Mini Sessions are back! / Columbus Ohio Photographer

Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 17th, 2018
Glitter Mini Sessions are back at Jillian Renee Photography!

Our hugely popular GLITTER MINIS are back.  Prepare for tons of giggles as your little one dances and plays in a glitter wonderland.  
We provide all of the amazing outfits, most of which are from the upscale Australian brand TuTu Du Monde.  (if you haven't ever visited their website, prepare to become obsessed...) as well as hair accessories and a curl bar for you to truly make your little girl feel like the princess she is.

Below are some pics from last years sessions and the link to book can be found HERE.

Outdoor Cake Smash & Family Photo Session / Jillian Renee Photography

I'm kind of wishing it wasn't almost fall here in Central Ohio...

...now don't get me wrong.  I love ALL things fall.  ALL OF THEM.  
But this outdoor cake smash session is giving me all the feels. It makes me want to hold onto the warm golden summer evenings just a little longer so I can capture more of these amazing outdoor birthday celebrations.   

Summer Nights / Columbus Ohio Family Photographer

I always say that my heart is newborn photography, but then summer hits and all these amazing families allow me the opportunity to capture these images for them and I'm all caught up in the family photographer feels.

I just can NOT with watching families look into each others eyes, give snuggles, hold hands, giggle and just be.  There is something so magical about it all.  

My only hope is that these families actually
PRINT THESE PHOTOS and get them up and displayed.  
(pretty please?!?)

Boho Maternity Session / Columbus Ohio Maternity Session

 It's the intoxicating mix of nervousness and excitement that make maternity sessions so emotional and amazing.  
Everyone is anticipating the arrival of the newest family member.
Hair?  No hair?
Will they look like mommy or daddy?  Or Grandpa maybe?  ;)
Will they come a little early?  A little late?  Middle of the night?
All of these unanswered questions create a magic in the photos that set a maternity session apart from all others.  

These are memories you're going to want to hold onto.
It's the last pictures of your baby as "THE BABY" and not big sis (or big bro).
They way your husband cradles your belly with his hands when he holds you.
The way your little one fits perfectly onto your bump.... as if it was designed just for them.

Enjoy the ride mamas.....because its bumpy and messy and beautiful all at the same time.
 

Welcome to the world baby "P" / Columbus Ohio Newborn Photography

The moment this mama walked in for her Maternity Session, I knew it was going to be good.  The lovely ladies from The Beauty and the Blondes Salon in Canal Winchester (right down the street from my studio) ROCKED her hair and makeup and had her looking amazing.  
Fast forward 4 weeks to the day her little girl FINALLY decided to make her debut!  
A week past her due date, this little  peanut didn't want to leave her cozy little 9 month home!

Welcome to the world Baby P - you are so loved......

Meet Baby "P" / Columbus Ohio Newborn Photographer

This little guy and his family traveled all the way from out of state for this session.  
When that happens, you absolutely feel like it's "now or never" as you can't exactly just have them come back if baby decides to party like a rockstar instead of sleep.  
LOL
Luckily for me, baby P did not disappoint.  His whole family was so sweet and his big sister was totally model material.  
She was SO GOOD with him guys!  SO GOOD!
 I'm so honored they chose JRP.  I hope mama loves them as much as I do.

Enjoy....

My favorite age...the six month session / Columbus Ohio Baby Photographer

I say "my favorite age", but who am I kidding?!?  
I love all dem' babies!  
Newborns, Six Months, One Year olds....then skip ages 2 and 3 and head right for four.  LOL!  
Can I get an amen?  
(All those mamas out there know just what I'm talking about) 
They go from sweet as pie to little rot-pots around 2 & 3.  
...and the man above, being the genius that he is, makes them so chubby and delicious and adorable that we don't even mind when they do go through their rotten stages!  

Seriously though, month six is so great. 
They are full of smiles and love to play but still love snuggles.
AND THEY STILL NAP TWO TIMES A DAY!  (again, amen from all the mamas out there!)  

Here's a little PRECIOUS PLAN member, half way through her first year with JRP. 
I may be obsessed.  She seriously is beyond sweet.  
To top it off her mom and grandmother are amazingly sweet.  
She couldn't ask for better women to look up too. 
Happy Half Birthday Dollbaby!

...and a little flashback to six short months ago.....

Introducing Baby "T" / Columbus Ohio Newborn Photographer