It was early morning in Oaxaca, Mexico and local photographer Steven L. Miller was positioned behind some trees shooting kids being dropped off at school. He looked around to see police with guns drawn surrounding him. "Later, through an interpreter, I found they thought I was a kidnapper. In retrospect, I looked suspicious and they were right to detain me — all I had to do was give them my film," said Miller.

In his search for a great image, Miller has traveled to 34 countries and has been spat at by a woman in Turkey and had his watch stolen by a group of teenagers in Cuba. On his most recent trip to Thailand, Miller was near the site of a government protest where upwards of 80 people were killed. "You can have pockets of complete unrest and a mile away people are getting foot rubs and drinking Thai beer."

This was Miller’s second visit to Thailand, a country that he described as "generally peaceful with gentle people." Miller was able to visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. "I also visited several hillside villages where I was able to have a different perspective from city life." He noted that he travels alone and has learned to exercise caution about what he eats, wanting to avoid any food-borne illness. "It’s not uncommon for me to just eat a banana or a loaf of bread, nothing glamorous, it’s all about walking and shooting." He has also developed travel strategies to minimize becoming a target of theft. "Now when I travel, I leave my good watch at home and take a $5 special. I look real classy on the plane: cheap watch, no rings, faded photo jacket and generally dirty shoes from miles of walking." 



MILLER’S PROFESSIONAL transition from a long career in marketing and executive leadership with United Way to full- time photographer has involved a major shift in his way of life. He described the contrast between the "two Steve Millers" as the difference between "one who is disciplined and focused and the other who is hopefully creative and willing to take major risks."

The native of the Pacific Northwest, who has a degree in journalism from Eastern Washington University, worked for a short time at the Yakima Herald before taking a public relations position with United Way. During his tenure at the nonprofit agency, Miller held various executive level positions and lived in five different states. The decision in 2002 to leave United Way and relocate from Ohio to the east coast, was prompted, in part by the desire to be closer to family: Miller and his wife Susan have a daughter and son and two grandchildren living within driving distance.

"Arlington offers the diversity I was looking for, as well as the proximity to the nation’s capital. It has a small-town feel in a big city environment," Miller said. He expressed gratitude to his family for their support as he navigated the career transition and focused his efforts exclusively on developing a photographic style. "One day I’m in the boardroom and the next day I’m in the darkroom; one day I have structure and responsibility and the next day, I am forming my own LLC," he said. 

Susan Anderson, executive director of the Clarendon Alliance, appreciates Miller’s participation in the Urban Village Market on Saturdays at courthouse: "He’s just such a professional — he’s a great artist and teacher. It amazes me that he has such a knack for teaching all ages. I admire and respect him so much for what he’s been able to accomplish. He has great insights and his works are well known in the D.C. area."

Penelope Nunes, director of education at the Arlington Arts Center, where Miller teaches photography classes, also praised his teaching style. "His classroom is a great example that there is no age limit for students to learn the fundamentals of the visual world and what makes a composition interesting — this can be learned by anyone but not necessarily taught by everyone," said Nunes.



ONE WON’T find Miller producing the ubiquitous images of Washington monuments popular with tourists in D.C. — early on Miller made the decision to "shoot what interests you and the human condition interests me." He added, "Typically I avoid shooting iconic things — I would never shoot the Eiffel Tower." Instead Miller said he is focused on faces and place. "My normal orientation is to tell stories of need and life experience."

Jessica Blaszczak, manager of the Ballston Arts and Crafts Market, said, "He truly has an eye for the outstanding and I think that’s what makes his photography stand out … he has the talent to make images come to life, all through the wonderful simplicity of black and white. What can I say? He draws a crowd." 

Miller acknowledged that the process of changing careers has had its challenges: "A person who was used to having total structure, who lived and breathed strategic plans, for me not to have that kind of cushion was uncomfortable at best." But receiving affirmation of his work keeps him motivated. "The content touches people in this area in particular because the population is diverse and well- traveled and interested in how I see the world," he smiled adding, "Even on a cold winter day, I have no difficulty going to open-air markets — where else am I going to be getting compliments and money?"