the blog

I’m sure you’ve seen photographers advertising their special mini sessions at various times throughout the year, something like Christmas Minis with Santa, Mother’s Day Minis with Mom or Summer Beach Minis. The draw to mini sessions is that they are usually less expensive than typical photo package sessions, albeit they include less photos overall due to the time limitations typically involved with mini sessions. 

Well- I have a hot take that may not sit right with all photographers. Mini sessions should be available all year round as an affordable option to families that want professional portraits, but can’t afford to spend near $1000 to do so. 

I offer a mini session option to all families to book at any point in the year, which is up to 30 minutes and 15 professionally edited images. I still offer specials throughout the year for “micro” sessions, for those families that may require an option even less expensive than the mini, but I like to keep the mini session as one of my package choices because I believe having your family captured professionally should be available to as many people as possible. 

Granted, in order to make a profit on my business, I may have to schedule more sessions to make up for the lowered cost of mini sessions, which is why most photographers do not offer minis as a regular package. I am doing this job because it is a passion, so more sessions is not a problem for me. It is more experience photographing, more time editing and more time building connections with families- all things I love doing. 

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather book my mega session package so that I have more time with the family and can deliver more images in the digital gallery. A perk to that package is that there is an outfit change included, which is a popular option for maternity sessions. I named it “Mega” for a reason- it is superior and it is a great session choice, but for a family whose only option is to schedule the mini session, I believe that should be available. Book whatever session works best for your situation, just actually book the session to preserve your family’s memories forever in a professional way. 

Location, location location! It is important to consider many factors when choosing a location for your photo session. It might be a place that is meaningful or special to your family. It might be a local favorite or frequently visited spot. Maybe you choose somewhere based on the scenery and the weather. A good location can elevate photos from good to spectacular. Here are three of my favorite locations for family photo sessions:

Hurd Park in Dover

Hurd Park is beautiful at many points throughout the year. Come springtime, we are ready for some gorgeous sceneryand flowers after a mostly gray winter. Hurd Park explodes in pink cherry blossoms, with amazing photo opportunities at every turn. There are also two bridges in this park that lend for some great spots for family photos. If you are someone who is looking for mostly green foliage, summer is the best time of year to take photographs at Hurd Park. The grass is grassing and the trees are treeing- everything is a beautiful shade of green that will make for a perfect backdrop. The fall might be the most popular time of year for photos, and rightfully so- the fall foliage during that time of year is spectacular. Hurd Park is no stranger to the fall colors that you are after for those crisp family photos you want. Long story short- Hurd Park is a great option for your family pictures and will definitely enhance your photos.

High Point State Park in Sussex County

High Point has many different options for beautiful photo backdrops as the park is very large. You want views of naturefor miles? Go to the monument and take photos there. You want a large, open grassy field with cool trees in the background? There is a spot for that. There is also a beach and many hiking trails, which lends itself to wonderful photos at all times of the year. 

Sunset Manor Beach in Lavallette

There is nothing like beach photos. I belong to a private beach in Lavallette, called Sunset Manor. The beach is fairly empty at golden hour, which is the perfect time for family photos. If there are any people in the background of your shots, I edit them out, but it is still nice to have a location that is quiet and not too populated for some privacy. There are great options for photos with the ocean in the background as well as the sand dunes. It is a fun place for families to take photos because I can capture your children running around on the beach or playing with each other in the sand. 

I don’t have a preference of location, I just want good photos…

The best photos happen when you choose a location that is comfortable for you, whether you are adventurous and like to try new and beautiful spots or whether that is somewhere you’re family has frequented. It is always best to feel secure with your location choice and let the photographer do the rest of the work. You just get to show up to a wonderful place and have a fun time with your family while I capture those amazing moments for you. 

The word photography is derived from two Greek words meaning “light” and “graph,” graph meaning to draw or write. Therefore, photography in a literal sense of the word means “to draw with light.” I interpret this meaning to photography being an art form utilizing light in the process of developing the images. In simple terms, photography is the art of forming images in real time. 

Asking the question “what is photography?” is similar to asking “what is art?” The answer will be different coming from every person you ask because the definition is up for interpretation. Photography is a beautiful way to freeze moments in time from the perspective of the artist behind the camera. I think it is so cool that one moment could be captured in a million different ways by a million different people. What is photography for you? I can’t fully answer that question on your behalf. Maybe it is the answer to your sadness that your kids are growing older. It’s a way to keep them that age forever. Maybe it is something you do for fun in your spare time. It’s a way to decompress after a long day. Maybe it is nothing to you, but it can be everything for someone else. 

So, what is photography? For me, it is a creative outlet. When I’m shooting, my imaginative side turns on. I love the feeling of having the artistic freedom to capture a family from my point of view, in an crafty and purposeful way. When I’m editing photos, I am in the zone. Everything else in my brain is quiet; I’m hyper-focused on producing the best possible images for my client. Photography is a way to illustrate the beauty that I notice around me at all times. Sometimes, it is my saving grace from this crazy world that we live in. 

We all have smartphones nowadays that take some pretty decent pictures, so why hire a professional photographer for a couple hundred dollars, right?! Well, I’m here to tell you that there is a major difference between iPhone photos and professional photography, even if you’re using portrait mode. Photographers have a special eye for photos, capturing your family in a light that wouldn’t be possible if Grandma was the one taking photos for you. 

Photography is an art, and should be treated as such. Sure, your iPhone photos may be good enough for that cute Instagram post, but paying for custom art of your family that you can keep as memories forever is priceless. There is something special about the crystal clear, high-quality images that will be delivered to you from a professional photographer. I can remember waiting anxiously for my family photos to be delivered, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. You deserve to treat yourself to photos that will last a lifetime. 

Photographers take time editing and curating your photos to be a great representation of their work. Editing a photo using an Instagram filter doesn’t cut it compared to the editing software and skill applied by a professional photographer. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself:

You might be thinking to yourself, of course a photographer is going to want me to believe iPhone photos won’t cut it, and you’re not wrong. However, I don’t believe that for the sole purpose of wanting bookings. I believe that professional photos are worth the money because I see the joy it brings to my clients to have their memories captured and shared. It’s because I can tell the difference when friends post photos online between professional and not. It’s because I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to see themselves portrayed in the way the photographer sees them, which can be a very different and unique perspective that won’t be captured by an iPhone. Save your money to book the photographer; it is so worth it.

Believe me, I know that it is difficult to rationalize spending money on seemingly unimportant things nowadays. I don’t have a lot of extra money to go around once bills and necessities are paid for each month. So why take the family photos? It’s simple- photographs are moments frozen in time. Moments that you will never get to have back, but may want to remember forever.

Memories Can Slip Away, but Photos Last Forever

Your baby may not have that hair color in a few years. Your child’s innocence won’t stick around into adulthood. You won’t ever be as young as you are in this moment. It is time to freeze those memories in a way that allows you to hold onto them for good. In twenty years from now, you won’t remember the money spent, but you will be grateful you have the moments of your youth bottled up in the form of photographs. I believe that good photos are worth the investment, so save up if you have to and splurge on something that will last a lifetime.

It’s still too much money to spend…

There are plenty of promotions, specials and free sessions being offered by photographers out there. Take them up on those offers so that you can take the photos. Everyone’s why can be slightly different, but the how is the same. How do you get your photos? You hire a photographer to capture the memories for you to hold onto forever. I’ve listed some reasons why I would want to take the photos. Why do YOU want them? I’d love to hear all about it when we meet! Take the risk and get the photos. Future you will thank you.

Hi there! You probably found yourself here because you are looking for a photographer. Well, my name is Lauren and I am the owner of my own photography business. Lauren Image Studios was born in April of 2025. Photography is a passion of mine that I turned into a job in order to serve you. However, it is not the only thing I do. I also work part-time as a mental health therapist and full-time as a clinical co-responder. (I’d be happy to talk more about that with anyone who is interested.)

Why does this matter?

Having a background in mental health is an asset in the photography world. You will notice a specific skill set that not all photographers have. So why should you choose a photographer that also works in the mental health field? Well, I have been trained in child development and can utilize those skills to help children get comfortable and cooperative in front of the camera. Being photographed can be very uncomfortable for the adults too, but luckily I have a knack for reading people. I can sense when someone may be feeling uneasy, so I will assess and help you to feel more calm behind the camera. Therapists have to work to build rapport with clients in a timely manner, and that is a skill I excel in. You don’t have to know me before we work together to feel settled around me. You will notice that I am easy-going and can get along with all types of people due to my background in human services.

I just want good photos…

Great pictures happen when the subject, meaning you, is happy and relaxed. I can address any anxieties around being in front of the camera with ease. The most important part of any photo session is the experience. Making fun memories will make for gorgeous photos, and it is the photographer’s job to make that experience a positive one. Who better to trust with that job than someone who cares so deeply about humans that she’s dedicated her life to helping them? There are plenty of amazing photographers out there who you would be lucky to work with, but getting the opportunity to hire a photographer with additional training in mental health is a no brainer. So hire the therapist-co-responder-photographer. (Me.) You won’t regret it.