My spouse, Mads, and I. Photo by Kara Perry.
I’m based in Hickory, North Carolina, and I work across Western NC, including Asheville, Boone, and Charlotte. I photograph weddings, elopements, families, and everyday life using a mix of 35mm film and digital — with a style that’s documentary, nostalgic, and deeply personal.
The most important thing about me is that I love love. Leading off strong, I am a massive romantic. I cry at strangers’ wedding vow videos on TikTok. So obviously I have always been a sentimental sap, but it got cranked to ten when I met my spouse and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, I want to put my big heart to good use, capturing your story.
That also means that I’m someone who cares a lot. About people. About how things feel. About making space for you to show up exactly as you are. My favorite photos are rarely the posed ones — they’re the messy, funny, quiet, or tender ones that happen when you’re just being yourself. That’s the magic I want to document.
You won’t find me giving rigid directions or rushing through your session. Instead, I’ll be there as a calm presence, tuning in to the energy of the moment and capturing what’s real. Whether you're saying your vows under a courthouse archway, dancing in your backyard, or wrangling kids at home, I’m here to make images that feel like you.
Hey there! I’m Nic Milam, and I’m so excited to meet you (no, really).
I choose film photography because it helps me slow down and be more intentional. Film has a way of capturing warmth, imperfection, and emotion in a way that feels timeless — like a memory you can hold in your hands. I’m drawn to the realness of it, the grain and the grit, the way it invites you to be present.
I’m queer, and I believe wholeheartedly in celebrating all love and all identities. Whoever you are, however you love, and whatever your story looks like — you’re safe and seen here. This work is about honoring your truth, and I show up with openness, empathy, and zero assumptions. I will tolerate nothing else.