Welcome to Locally Grown! Locally grown introduces you to the people and stories behind local Lake County businesses. We’ve had the pleasure of helping you get to know Mila Aron of Milamemories Photography this month. Mila is a Mundelein-based photographer who takes the time to create exactly the photo experience you want from whimsical to photo-documentary.
I have experienced a lot of photographers and photography styles in my life. When I had my first child we did the first newborn photos at a studio in the mall. Despite being a higher-end studio that had creative pictures displayed, I was disappointed. I ended up directing and doing most of the styling and the pictures were just, well, meh. On top of it, I had to choose right then and there which images and packages in a high pressure sales environment that was not conducive to a hungry, crying infant or an exhausted mom.
Since then I have avoided the chain studio experience all together and been much happier with both the experiences and the pictures. My most recent experience with Mila Aron from Milamemories Photography definitely tops that list.
Mila is fun, creative and engaging, even with super uncooperative children and teens. Mila recently did photos of part of the Little Lake County team for us to use on the site and for promotions. When I scheduled the shoot with her, I sent her some examples of what I was looking for but I was also pretty open-ended. I wanted a magazine-style shoot that was fun and showed off not just individual personalities, but also the Little Lake County brand has a whole — local, family, fun.
The first step in the shoot with Mila was setting it up. Mila sent a very thorough welcome sheet about the sessions and suggestions for clothes and location. My favorite part was that she created a secret Pinterest board where I could share my ideas with her and also examples of what I liked and was looking for. I loved this! Who hasn’t seen a photo on Pinterest that you just love and wanted to replicate, only to not be able to verbalize to your photographer exactly what you wanted?
Mila was open to all suggestions from us, even the crazy ones like replicating Abbey Road in busy downtown Libertyville (for you youngins – it was a Beatles Cover). She did it, and took everything in stride. When the kids were getting feisty, she had no problem joining us in the bakery for some unplanned photos and a snack.
Mila came armed not only with posing ideas but locations as well. She was willing to hike all over MainStreet Libertyville with kids and a trike in hand to get the shots that she wanted that would complete her vision as well as mine. She sent me my proofs quickly, that were unedited, so I could pick the ones I knew I wanted and she wouldn’t waste time editing images that I didn’t like or want. The final photos came out perfect. The photos were just what I wanted and the experience was very user-friendly; the photos were also easy to download.
I was so thrilled with both the experience and the images — I can’t wait to book a family session with her!
Milamemories Photography
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Mila has a special for Little Lake County Readers:
Disclosure: Milamemories Photography is our featured Locally Grown Business of the Month. This series of features is part of a paid partnership with Little Lake County. Contact littlelakecounty[at]gmail[dot]com if you are interested in featuring your own locally-owned business in our series. A photo shoot was provided in exchange as part of the series in order to facilitate the review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
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