Real wedding: LeVeque Tower portraits, Ohio Statehouse, and rooftop reception Jessica Love Photography — Columbus, Ohio

Late‑afternoon light wrapped around the LeVeque Tower the day these two said “I do.” We followed the glow from the tower’s stonework into the warm, intimate moments at the Ohio Statehouse, then up to a skyline rooftop where family and friends celebrated under the last light of day. Below are the portraits and a quick guide to how we approached them — composition, direction, and technical notes — so couples and fellow photographers can see how a hybrid film + digital workflow captured this wedding’s honest, textured feeling.

LeVeque Tower portraits Timing

• Aim for late afternoon into golden hour. The warm light flatters faces and brings out the rich tones and texture of the tower’s limestone and terra‑cotta details.

Poses & direction

• Walking shot: have the couple walk along the sidewalk with a slow, relaxed shuffle toward the camera. Encourage natural conversation and small, sideways glances — movement makes expressions feel candid and alive.

• Ledge lean: one partner slightly behind the other with hands linked on a building ledge. This creates intimacy while letting the tower’s texture act as a tactile background.

• Architectural frame: position the couple beneath an arch or between columns so the tower’s vertical lines draw the viewer’s eye to them. Use a shallow depth of field to separate the couple from the stonework while keeping the architectural context.

• Close‑up portrait: forehead‑to‑forehead or cheek‑to‑cheek to capture quiet emotion. Focus on the eyes; keep expressions soft and genuine rather than overly posed.

• Dramatic wide: step back to include more of the tower. Use a slightly lower angle to emphasize height and scale, showing the couple as part of the city’s story.

Framing & mood notes

• Mix tight, emotional frames with wide images that show scale. The LeVeQue’s details are beautiful up close, but giving the tower room in the frame tells the location’s story.

• Encourage pauses in motion. Even brief stillness (a hand squeeze, a slow breath) translates to powerful portraits.

Ohio Statehouse portraits Context & mood

• The Statehouse brings formal lines and stately steps — great for slightly more composed portraits while keeping the couple’s energy natural.

• Use the building’s steps and balustrades for layered compositions: sit them on different steps, have one seated with the other perched slightly above for dynamic lines.

Poses & direction

• Seated conversation: have them sit close, knees angled toward each other, talk softly. Capture the small reactions — laughter, a soft smile, the way they look at each other.

• Movement across steps: walk them up or down the steps slowly, capturing the rhythm of the moment. Natural footwork keeps poses from feeling stiff.

• Symmetry vs. asymmetry: the Statehouse’s architecture lends itself to symmetrical shots. Break symmetry with one partner turned slightly, or by using foreground elements for depth.

Lighting & color

• In late afternoon, the Statehouse stone warms beautifully. Balance exposure so faces stay lit without blowing highlights on light façades.

• Consider using reflectors or subtle fill to lift shadows under chins and eyes while keeping a natural look.

Rooftop reception portraits Vibe & composition

• The rooftop gives you skyline context and a relaxed reception atmosphere. Use long lens work for compressed cityscapes behind the couple and wider frames for the party energy.

• Golden hour into blue hour transitions are great: warm portraits into moody, twilight dancing shots.

Poses & direction