Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the area?
I grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia. After college, I moved to Washington, DC where I met my husband and started my photography business. We landed in Mendham three years ago when my husband’s job relocated us to the NYC area – and nearby family tipped us off as to what a great town Mendham is. I’ll never forget our moving day in January 2021 when a record 33 inches of snow fell on Mendham. It was quite a wintery welcome!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
We have two boys, ages 6 and 4.
Are you involved in a business venture or corporate world? Please Share!
I am the owner of Lauren Miles Photography, which focuses on photography for families and small businesses. I specialize in film photography and I use a number of vintage cameras which still produce images with qualities that can’t quite be replicated digitally. When I photograph families, I look to capture lots of candids that capture a family’s true connection and interactions (along with some classic “smile at the camera” shots for Grandma!).
When did you decide you wanted to become a photographer?
I started taking film photography classes in high school and I loved the anticipation of processing the film, and developing the images in the darkroom to see what I’d captured. In college, I majored in Art with a concentration in Photography. I knew then that I was going to be a photographer but wasn’t sure yet where it would lead me.
Have you always specialized in families and small businesses?
I was a wedding photographer for many years and loved it! I still occasionally photograph small intimate weddings (my favorite kind of weddings to shoot). When I lived in DC, I was a staff photographer for Fairfax County Public Schools (the 10th largest school system in the US with 199 schools) where I photographed events, field trips and portraiture, both on location and in a studio.
I’ve also worked in commercial photography, including for a national retail catalog company – I really enjoyed working with a creative team of prop stylists, art directors and other photographers. I bring a lot of that experience to my shoots with small businesses.
What makes photographing on film different from digital photography?
This is a topic I could go on for hours about, but at its heart, the images that film creates have a soul that digital, no matter how far it has come, has yet to replicate. One of my go-to cameras is 1960 Rolleiflex, similar to the those used by fashion photographers like Richard Avedon, which imparts a magical glow to portraits that is unrepeatable in digital form. As far as clients receiving their images, all of the negatives I shoot are developed and then digitally scanned – my clients receive the digital files in the same format as any other digital photo, and so they don’t have to worry about storing and printing from negatives.
How far in advance should families be booking a photographer?
Fall is the busiest season for family photographs, so if you think you might want fall pictures, perhaps to get a jump on Christmas cards, I would recommend reaching out at least a month in advance, however I’m often able to accommodate bookings on shorter notice. As for small businesses, two or more months in advance is a helpful amount of time to get things rolling – there are a lot more moving parts that require planning.
If you could give one tip to fellow Mom Entrepreneurs what would it be?
I used to row competitively and a coxswain I had always told us to “get uncomfortable!” – she meant for us to push ourselves physically, but I still take the sentiment with me to remind myself that in order to see change and growth, you have to do things outside of your comfort zone.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Growing up my Dad used to race vintage European cars (a 1965 Turner, for any car buffs) and I was on his pit crew!
Ok 10 Fun LOCAL favorites – ready, go!
1 – Favorite thing to do with your kids? We love exploring Jockey Hollow and they love throwing rocks into the streams at Dismal Harmony
2 – Favorite coffee spot? I’m more of a tea drinker but we often go Sunday Motor Co in Madison for Cars & Coffee! I also love The Artist Baker
3 – Favorite lunch place? South + Pine or Piattinos
4 – Favorite farm to go fruit picking? Wightman’s
5 – Favorite date night restaurant? Washington House or Agricola
6 – Favorite boutique? I love popping into The Wonder Room or August in Bernardsville
7 – Favorite spot to grab a drink? Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
8 – Who has the best bagels in town? Mendham Bagel
9 – Best slice of pizza in town? Coniglios or Sapori d’Italia
10 – Favorite spot for ice cream? Mendham Creamery
This interview was done in partnership with Lauren Miles Photography. Be sure to follow her on social media below:
