Welcome to Lauren Miles Photography
New Jersey Family Photographer
Timeless & Authentic Film Photography serving Families in Mendham, Morristown, Bernardsville, Far Hills, Basking Ridge and beyond.
PHOTOS THAT feel like home
I know you value photos for the same reason I do—they're more than just pictures; they're stories of the moments we hold closest. The ones that remind you of your child’s laugh or the way they held your hand—those little memories we always come back to, proudly displayed throughout your home.
What I capture goes beyond smiles for the camera. It’s about the real moments—those unspoken connections, the fleeting expressions, and the quiet beauty of your family being authentically themselves. While posed portraits are lovely, it's the in-between moments that will bring you back to these times years from now, reminding you of the love and joy you share.
Through the nostalgic touch of film photography, we’ll create images that feel timeless—photos that tell the story of your family and will become part of your home, passed down and cherished for generations. Let’s create something meaningful together.
Her photos are unlike anything I’ve seen – very artistic yet natural, capturing the true essence of those she is photographing.
“Lauren is a professional who guided me through the entire photo shoot. She made my family feel incredibly comfortable as well. As someone who has hired several professional photographers in the past, Lauren has been my favorite. She is delightful and so talented. Her photos are unlike anything I’ve seen- very artistic yet natural, capturing the true essence of those she is photographing.”
- Christine
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.
“When we got the pictures, we were blown away! The moments were so organic and beautiful. The photos really exceeded my highest expectations.” – Madeline
The philosophy behind the photos
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.
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.
Family Heritage.
While getting the kids cleaned and dressed for a photo session 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
explore session options
I believe in capturing real moments, not poses
On Location
This session is all about you and your family, in a place that holds meaning—whether it’s the comfort of your home, your favorite park, or a spot that feels special to you. We’ll capture a mix of classic ‘smiling at the camera’ shots and those candid, in-between moments that reflect your family’s real connection and personality.
Motherhood
This session is for moms and their little (or not so little) ones where we will document 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.
curious
adventurous
nurturing
creative
intentional
playful
grounded
well-traveled
avid-readers
thoughtful
planning their next trip
The families I work with are
preparing for your session
What to Expect
Whether in a beautiful outdoor space or your home, my goal is to create a serene setting for our session that allows us to capture the genuine moments between you and your children. With my Rolleiflex film camera in hand, I’ll focus on the timeless quality that film brings to your images. The soft, nostalgic feel of film photography will preserve these fleeting moments, making them feel even more precious as time passes. My approach blends gently posed shots with candid, authentic interactions, showcasing your family’s true spirit while ensuring your little ones feel at ease and enjoy this special time with you.
What to Wear
Your style plays a big role in feeling comfortable and authentic during your session. I love neutral tones or warm autumn colors for their timeless, natural feel—whether it’s a cozy sweater with your favorite jeans or a flowy dress that makes you feel free. For a more polished look, a classic blouse or dress adds just the right touch of elegance. Soft pops of color among neutrals add a lovely detail, and simple patterns always photograph beautifully. Just remember—no logos, so the focus stays on you and your family.
Choosing your package
Once you’ve viewed your slideshow, take your time over the next 24 hours to choose the package you’d like to purchase. Once you've completed your selection, you'll gain access to the 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.
Share the Love
Don't forget to share the gallery with your loved ones, so they can enjoy these beautiful moments with you.
after your session
Make Your Photo Unveiling a Time to Cherish
Approximately 3 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.
A Daily Boost of Confidence and Belonging
When children see their portraits displayed at home, it boosts their confidence and sense of belonging. By showcasing their unique beauty, you’re reminding them daily of their worth and individuality. Partnering with skilled professionals, I aim to help you create a warm, loving atmosphere that reflects the joy and love within your family through beautiful, timeless portraits.
The best of the best!
“The best of the best! Lauren is such a wonderful photographer. Not only is she talented, she is so kind and a joy to work with. I had family photos taken by her and absolutely loved the result, the photos came out so dreamy and beautiful--I couldn't be happier. “
— Sarah
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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 is $250
This covers all the essential work upfront, including planning your session, my time during the shoot, film processing, and professional editing. Since I hold this time specifically for you, the fee is non-refundable. Most families typically invest between $750 and $1250 after the session for prints, albums, and digital files, which are purchased separately (and not included in the creative fee) based on what you’d love to keep and display in your home. This way, you can choose exactly what feels right for your family’s memories.
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