Welcome, I’m Lauren Miles
A New Jersey Family Photographer
Timeless & Authentic Film Photography serving Families in Mendham, Morristown, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Basking Ridge and beyond.
PHOTOS THAT BECOME FAMILY HEIRLOOMS
Perhaps you're drawn to photography for the same reason I am—because the photos you have of your family and your own childhood are treasured keepsakes. They're the ones you return to time and again, proudly displayed throughout your home. Just as these images hold immense value for me, I understand they mean the world to you, too.
I believe in capturing more than just smiles directed at the camera. Genuine interactions and authentic personalities are what make photographs truly special. That's why I strive to create moments during our sessions that you'll cherish for a lifetime. While posed portraits have their place, I also focus on candid shots that capture fleeting expressions and precious interactions—memories you'll instantly recall decades from now.
The satisfaction and joy I feel when I freeze those fleeting moments into timeless images are indescribable. Let's schedule a session and create photographs that will be treasured for generations to come.
My entire family is thrilled!
“My entire family is thrilled! Even though it was a rainy day, no one would know. The lighting was warm and you captured the happy day perfectly. We will cherish these photos forever.”
–Christine L.
BEHIND THE LENS
For over a decade Lauren Miles has been capturing stories in her favorite medium of traditional film. Her serene style reflects her ability to put you at ease in front of the camera, coupled with a keen eye for genuine moments. As a photographer for families, Lauren captures true-to-life candid images to be passed down for generations to come. She documents what is real – authenticity revealed as beautiful art.
“Lauren is a true photographer…she captures the light and mood just perfectly.” – Jessica
THE PHILOSOPHY behind the photos
Sophistication. You’ll enjoy photographs that are classic, free from trends, with a timeless quality that you will look back on years from now and enjoy.
Authenticity. I’m always looking to capture those natural moments of interaction — new parents catching the eye of their newborn or a husband looking lovingly at his wife — that will make keepsake images for future generations.
Family Heritage. While getting the kids cleaned and dressed for a photo shoot can sometimes, in the moment, feel like more hassle than it’s worth (believe me, I know the feeling) I treat these sessions as something important, because I want to create images that will be meaningful not only to you but to future generations as well.
Patience & Warmth. Not everyone likes having their picture taken. Being sensitive to this and approaching each session with patience and warmth is a key part of my job. I will work to put everyone at ease in front of the camera so that I can get an honest recording of your family and your interactions, and you can actually enjoy our time together.
Why Film? Film creates warm, timeless images with a touch of nostalgia. When you see film and digital images side by side, there ultimately is no comparison. I find that shooting with film helps me be a better photographer by creating space to connect with you, instead of being distracted by the back of my camera.
“Lauren is amazing! She has captured our family over the years and also captured milestone birthdays. Lauren has the ability to find those special moments, the ones that are not posed, the ones that are not stiff, but those fluid moments which define your family. Her eye for detail and for capturing those moments has allowed us to show through pictures, who we are and what makes our family so special. We feel so blessed to have Lauren as our photographer and family photo “historian”.” – Hope
SESSION DETAILS
ON LOCATION
This 1+ hour session takes place in the location of your choice – your house, favorite park or any place that is special to your family. We will capture a variety of images from the traditional “smiling at the camera” shot to all the candid moments that show your family’s true personality.
MOTHERHOOD
This 1+ hour session is for moms and their little (or not so little) ones where we will captures the magic of the connection between you and your children. We’ll let the timeless beauty of film tell your unique story, preserving moments of love, joy, and connection.
PRICING DETAILS & COLLECTIONS
Creative Fee: $250
Most clients invest between $750 and $1250 on collections which include printed products & digital files.
In order to reserve your date, the creative fee is required at the time of booking. This pays for the work I do upfront organizing your photo session, my time on the day of the session, professional film processing, and professional editing of your images. Because I am turning away other clients in order to serve you on your date, the creative fee is non-refundable.
Digital files, prints, albums, & framed prints are purchased after your session, and are not included in the creative fee.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Approximately 4 weeks after your session, you'll receive a personalized link to view a slideshow of all the beautiful moments captured during your photo session. Instead of quickly viewing it on your phone, I recommend turning it into a memorable occasion. Treat yourself to your favorite beverage and immerse yourself in the slideshow on your desktop or TV screen for the optimal viewing experience. Take your time over the next 5 days to choose the package you’d like to purchase. Once you've completed your selection, you'll gain access to the entire gallery. From there, you can easily download your chosen photos and use any store credit towards ordering stunning prints, albums, or frames to cherish these memories forever. Don't forget to share the gallery with your loved ones, so they can enjoy these beautiful moments with you.
When children see portraits of themselves it holds significant power, influencing their confidence and sense of belonging profoundly. By proudly displaying these images around your home, you not only celebrate your child's unique beauty but also emphasize their individuality and specialness. It's a visual declaration of their distinctiveness and a constant reminder of their worth and uniqueness.
I’ve partnered with some of the most skilled professionals in the industry to preserve your family’s story. My wish is that by displaying your family portraits around your home you’ll create a warm, loving atmosphere which serves as a daily reminder of the joy and love shared within your family.
Lauren made us feel comfortable and at ease immediately.
“We had an excellent experience with Lauren, and now have photos of our family that we will cherish for years to come. Lauren made us feel comfortable and at ease immediately, which is not an easy task when you’re photographing a toddler and an infant. Our 2 year old doesn’t sit still for long, yet Lauren was able to capture our daughter’s energy and spirit, and a few of her rare still moments. Lauren listened to what we hoped to get out of the session, and then made it happen in a relaxed yet professional setting which is reflected in the genuine smiles in the photos. We hope to work with Lauren in the future, as our family grows! “
— Kitty
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No one wants to look like a wet dog in their photos so if it looks like it’s going to rain, snow, hail or some other weather catastrophe, I’ll be in touch a day or two prior to our session via email or phone to formulate a plan should we need to reschedule. Final decisions are usually made the morning of the session.
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The sooner the better! Weekends tend to fill up pretty quickly – especially during the spring and fall, so the sooner you reach out, the more likely you are to get your desired date!
To reserve your date, I’ll need a contract as well as a retainer fee, which can all easily be done online. And if something comes up and you need to change your date, just let me know!
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If picking out outfits for photos takes you back to your high school days when you literally tried on everything in your closet and piled it on your bed but still felt like you had nothing to wear, you’re in luck.
You’ll receive an outfit suggestion guide with tips for every member of the family.
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Unless you’ve modeled professionally, you’re probably going to feel awkward in front of the camera. Heck, I take photos for a living and I even feel like a deer in the headlights when I’m in front of the camera.
You’re going to feel awkward at first, but as the session goes on and I coach you through images, I think you’ll find that being photographed can actually be fun. And don’t worry about your kids. I’m well versed in capturing even the busiest of little ones.
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Within a few weeks of your session, you’ll receive a link to a digital gallery that will allow you to download high resolution images.
The gallery is set up to make ordering prints, albums and other keepsakes easy – No worrying about tricky things like color correction, DPI and image format.
Additionally, because I believe it’s important to have tangible images to hold on to, with every session you will receive a set of prints, these will be shipped out to you approximately 2 weeks after you receive your gallery link.
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Absolutely! I believe it’s so important to have your images living somewhere other than a hard drive. There is nothing like physically holding an album and flipping through the pages. Albums are offered a la carte.
FAQs
Lauren is a true photographer.
“Lauren is a true photographer. She shoots with film and various cameras, she captures the light and mood just perfectly. Even though our toddler wasn't too cooperative during the shoot, Lauren was still able to capture moments of joy and wonder in a beautiful garden setting that we will forever cherish. We highly recommend Lauren!”
— Jessica
PRICING DETAILS
The Creative Fee starts at $250 with most clients investing between $750 and $1250 for prints, albums and digital files.
In order to reserve your date, the creative fee is required at the time of booking. This pays for the work I do upfront organizing your photo session, my time on the day of the session, professional film processing, and professional editing of your images. Because I am turning away other clients in order to serve you on your date, the creative fee is non-refundable.
Digital files, prints, albums, & framed prints are purchased after your session, and are not included in the creative fee.
RECENTLY ON THE BLOG
In this digital age, where instant gratification is the norm, the allure of film photography lies in its ability to evoke emotions and create soulful, heirloom-quality family portraits.