Catherine Milliron

Phoebe is a vocal music education major, and part of her degree requirement for graduation is that she must perform a senior recital. I remember that life alllllll too well (since that was me literally eighteen months ago), so when she reached out and asked me to take her pictures for her senior recital, I thought I knew exactly what she had in mind. Most senior recital pictures feature someone in a long flow dress standing in the middle of a field of tall grass somewhere, but not Phoebe. She said she wanted something different, unique, and edgy. So we set out to make that vision come to life.

I met Hannah and Mike through another one of my precious 2019 couples, Christina and Josh. When I first met these two, I knew we were going to be fast friends. We spent their engagement session in downtown Columbus in the Short North district, laughing and dodging the crowds of people as they danced and hugged in the middle of the bustling city. They were so sweet and loving towards each other, and they were willing to adventure and try new things – they even stood in the middle of moving traffic so I could snap a long exposure shot, freezing them in time.

I’ve known Kayleigh for what honestly seems like forever. I met Kayleigh when she was probably 8 years old, and gosh, she’s honestly become family to me. I always call her my sister, and her family is my “second family.” Her family were the first ones to let me take their portraits back when I firstttt got my camera in high school (bless their hearts – they were SO kind to me and loved their pictures even though I made them all wear purple and stand barefoot in a park…what on earth was I thinking haha??).

Once upon a time, one of my dearest friends in the whole world asked me to be in her wedding. Saying yes to being a bridesmaid in Megan and Jay’s Michigan winter wedding was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever made. Then, Megan asked me another question – if I would also do double duty as her wedding photographer. My initial gut reaction was to excitedly say yes, but then my logistical side started panicking. Was it even remotely possible to be a photographer AND a bridesmaid??

Christina and Josh are by far one of the most adventurous couples I have shot to date. They arrived to their sunrise session at Hayden Run Falls on one of the chilliest winter mornings. There was frost everywhere and we could see our breath in the air, but that didn’t dull their enthusiasm in the slightest. They cuddled together closer as we shot to keep warm and they so naturally laughed and played with each other as their love for each other came to life in front of the camera.

My goodness – I love these two. You can tell that they’re not only the sweetest couple, but the best of friends. Danielle and Aaron are the most genuine – in their love for each other and in their love for the Lord. Their relationship is a beautiful celebration of the faithfulness of Christ in their lives and you can tell that sacrifice and faithfulness are the foundation of their love.

My session with Brooke and Seth was just so much fun. We met up in the German Village district and spent the evening laughing as we walked the streets of downtown Columbus. They showed me their victory handshake they do when Ohio State scores a touchdown, Seth made Brooke twirl him in the middle of the sidewalk, and I definitely fangirled over them enough that Seth was rolling his eyes at me pretty consistently by the end of their session.

Taryn found me through instagram after I shot Mackenzie and Josiah’s stunning Cleveland Peacock Ridge Wedding this summer. She and her fiancé, Dan, were planning their Cleveland wedding for the fall of 2019, and after we chatted on FaceTime, I knew we were going to be fast friends. Even though we hit it off well on the phone, nothing prepared me for just how much fun we would have at their engagement session.

From our time at the willow trees lining the road by Taryn’s aunt’s house to the end of our session on the shore of Lake Erie, Taryn, Dan, and I laughed the entire time. Their chemistry was natural and effortless. They ran, played, kissed, and danced while the sun set over the water. The night was perfect and beautiful, as were these two. I can’t even wait for next fall and their October wedding day.