Meet Brian Miller | Brian Miller | Nature Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Miller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Actually, I have two that are connected.

First, a personal definition I use to describe my work as a nature photographer. “Photography is the art of making emotions visible”
When people view my work, online, in a magazine or as a print, I want them to be moved, to feel something. A lofty goal for sure and one I set for myself with my photography.

The second, which adds to the meaning of my definition, is a quote attributed to Maya Angelou.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Initially, I set out to remind people that the world we all call home isn’t full of the ugliness we hear about and see from the media. I could see there was beauty in this world everywhere I went and I wanted to share a glimpse of how I view this beautiful world we all call home through my photographs. I never thought of selling or doing photo shoots for anyone, I simply wanted to share the beauty I saw. Eventually, I started getting requests through social media to purchase prints. Then I received an email from an editor of an outdoor magazine inquiring me about some of my work for publication. I entered a few contests and won a few. I saw my images digitally and in print form exhibited in Hungary, Portugal, London, Berlin, and Stockholm, they were published in multiple editions of the “Colorado Outdoor Magazine – photography edition”, as well as “Digital Camera Magazine” and “Fstoppers Magazine”. I never looked at my work as being hard or challenging. I put in a lot of hours surrounded by nature and wildlife. A lot of times, I don’t come back with any good photographs, but I always come back with memories and having learned new things. I watched an Osprey once, dodging a Canada goose fighting to save her gosling. I wish the goose had been successful, she wasn’t. And the Osprey flew off with one of her goslings. I’ve sat on the edge of a cliff on the Colorado National Monument watching the sunrise. Just feeling the energy of the area, the quietness was pure tranquility. Those are a few of the feelings I hope to capture and pass on in my work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would probably be the worst person to ask for exciting things to check out and see in a city. Now, being my friend, we would share a love for being outdoors. I would give them a day tour of the Grand Mesa (western Colorado) which would include short hikes looking for wildlife and some history of the area including the indigenous people that lived throughout this area. A tour of the Colorado National Monument. A day seeing the petroglyphs and pictographs that are off the beaten path. Off course some time visiting one of the 20 something different wineries located in Palisade, Co – just east of Grand Junction.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My passion for photography started when I took my first photography class. Back then, cameras didn’t have batteries and there was no Photoshop. Instead, I used 35mm black and white film that I developed and then made prints in a dark room. But Life has a way of getting in the way of the best plans and I set my camera down for quite a while. When I gained a digital camera from the estate of my little brother after he passed unexpectedly. With that, I felt the spark reignite and started taking photos again every day. Soon, I was posting photos on social media and sharing with friends and family. I admit, looking back at those photos, they weren’t good, they were terrible. My family and friends continued the admiration of them. Which gave me the inspiration to continue. However, it was my little brothers passing that started the gears of change and ultimately lead me to where I am today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyper.pix

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hyperpix

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briography Portfolio: https://brimiller.myportfolio.com/