Even before she was a professional photographer, Staci Miller says she always had a camera in her hands. She could regularly be seen taking photos at family events. Eventually, her husband Tony got her a Nikon Rebel camera. From there, Miller said everything “snowballed” and her picture-taking reputation grew. Years later, she is now proud to reach a new milestone in her career with her current photography exhibit at the Jenison-Meacham Memorial Arts Center in Belmond.
Miller, who originally hails from Des Moines, explains that she is a self-taught photographer. She notes that she earned a communications degree from the University of Northern Iowa. “My goal was actually to go into public relations,” Miller says. She even did some newspaper work.
When she and her husband moved to the area from Charles City, Miller’s photography work started to take off. Up until that point, Miller had been taking photos on nights and weekends. “It started with taking pictures for family members. Then a couple of other people and friends. It was really a hobby at first.” When her hobby started taking up most of her time, Miller decided to go all-in and make photography her full-time job. She opened a studio, S.A.M’s Photography, in Clarion and has been hard at work there for the last five years.
Now, Miller enjoys taking photos of just about everything. She spends most of her time working with families, kids, newborns, and seniors. She says she fits in a few weddings throughout the year but enjoys keeping her nights and weekends free to spend with her husband and two sons, Howard and Owen. Miller also does photography for the radio station LAZER 103.3 out of Des Moines. Visitors at Iowa Specialty Hospital will see her pictures lining the halls.
Miller stresses that she loves her job. “I feel like I get to have fun all day. I just get to hang out with people and do what I love.” Her love for her job comes through when speaking to Miller, and of course, in her work. That is exactly what the folks at the Jenison-Meacham Memorial Arts Center in Belmond saw as well.
Miller explains that she was approached by someone associated with the Arts Center at a vendor fair in Belmond a few years ago. When she was asked if she would be interested in hosting a gallery as part of the Art Museum’s summer exhibition series, Miller was beyond excited. A few years later, her exhibit has become a reality.
The exhibit features 28 nature photos that Miller is particularly proud of. Visitors to the exhibit will see flowers, bridges, and a very cool old car living in the woods, among many other pictures. Miller says she finds this kind of photography “calming and relaxing” and relishes the chance to “capture the world around her.”
Loren Wenzel, President of the Belmond Area Arts Council, is happy to have Miller exhibiting at the Center this summer. Not only is Wenzel pleased to be able to feature a local artist, but Miller also happens to be a family friend.
Victoria Wenzel, who works with Miller at S.A.M’s as a graphic designer, adds that she is proud to see Staci’s work in the Art Museum too. “I think it is awesome that she gets to showcase her work. Now everyone can see what I see on a daily basis,” emphasized Victoria.
Miller’s exhibit will be featured at the Jenison-Meacham Memorial Arts Center, located at 1179 Taylor Ave just outside of Belmond, through this weekend. The museum will host a reception for Miller this Sunday, the 28th from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. The event is open to the public and all are welcome. Miller says, “I would love for people to come out, visit with me, and enjoy the beauty of nature through my eyes.” Visitors can even order prints of Miller’s photos that are on display.
“It’s really special to be able to show others my work,” stresses Miller. “I appreciate the support and look forward to sharing my point of view.”
