Meet Quinn Miller | Fine Art Photographer

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

Hi Quinn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I often joke that I have the disease of creativity…but I’m not looking for a cure.

I’m sure it’s a common answer, but I cannot fathom the idea of NOT creating or pursuing art. I actually have a running list of photography ideas since 2014…I’m almost to 700 ideas! Regardless of what I create, or how I am inspired, my mind is always formulating new, potential ideas.

Funnily enough, I was originally a Criminal Justice major in college, because it was a major that would “make money” unlike art.

But as soon as I took a drawing elective, I was immediately hooked! I knew I couldn’t continue higher education, and not be absolutely enthralled with the classes that I took. Thankfully, I had support from my parents, and I was able to pursue a bachelor’s in the arts at Florida Gulf Coast University.

On the flipside, creating art is the way I am able to express not only my own emotions, but to create conversations that most people shy away from.

A series I have is called /men/tal, where I’ve created a number of black & white images of men that highlight the issue with mental health, specifically with men. Because of this series, it’s been not only therapeutic for me, but for the multitudes of guys who’ve reached out sharing their own personal battles with depression.

My goal is to continue these conversations, and to shine light on silent topics that so many of us can relate to.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A special aspect of my art is that all of my models are either friends or family. I think being able to be completely comfortable around them, while making them do crazy ideas for my photography, is really something.

With that being said, I really am inspired by the work of Erik Johansson, who is a photomanipulator who you can clearly tell it’s Photoshopped, but it looks so real. I really try to take after him, in the fact that I try to do as much ‘in-camera’ work, and then do the finishing touches later in Photoshop.

I’ve always created art, since 8th grade. I was that weird art kid in school, even though we didn’t really have many art classes. It wasn’t until 2020 (COVID), when I started to take my craft more serious. Since then, I’ve moved to Palm Beach County, and have attempted to put myself out there in every form possible. To date, I’ve exhibited locally, nationally, and even globally in countries such as Germany, China, and Scotland.

The biggest lesson I learned is that nothing can stop you like yourself. For example, I always created the same art that I do now, but it wasn’t until I actually pushed myself to apply for shows, interviews, etc that I am now starting to see results. And those results aren’t immediate either I have found out…so something I’d tell my younger self is to have patience. One day, it WILL happen, because I am willing it to happen.

I mainly want the world to know that you have every right to pursue the passion of art, if that is what you desire. It doesn’t have to be at the professional level, it can be just a hobby, but NO ONE should dictate whether your art is ‘valid’ or ‘successful’ enough.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Week long trip? I know this isn’t a good excuse because I’ve lived here for 3 years now haha but I don’t know TOO many locations, but there’s my best attempt

For local food, I will forever visit and support the Mexican restaurant Lupita’s and the Thai restaurant Watanna’s, both on Dixie Highway. Another shoutout would be the Key Lime House, a historic restaurant located in Lantana.

For arts, culture, and good vibes, I enjoy visiting the Norton Museum of Art, the Flagler Museum, The Peach, and Zero Empty Art Spaces in Jupiter.

For drinking, you can never go wrong with downtown Lake Worth Beach, such as the Irish Brigade, or Igot’s bar. Mathew’s Brewery is also right around the corner, and they allow pups!

For just beautiful scenery, we have Lake Worth Beach, Ocean Ave on Palm Beach Island, and John Prince Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely have to shoutout the Brass Tacks group. It is an artist collective located at The Peach in West Palm Beach, and is ran by another local artist named Craig McInnis.

We meet weekly on Wednesdays, and we discuss topics anywhere from pricing artwork, to critiquing each others’ works, to even collaboration! It has been such an invaluable resource to me since moving to Palm Beach County, and I can’t speak highly enough about it. To any artists (of any discipline/talent/professionalism) reading this, you should definitely come check it out!

Website: https://www.qmillerphotography.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/qmillerphotography

Facebook: https://facebook.com/qmillerphotography