Canopy ©Kaitlin Miller — *Canopy* ©Kaitlin Miller

How would you describe the relationship you capture between humankind and the natural world?

I like to think that I capture the duality of the relationship. While I don’t focus on the more grotesque “contributions" we’ve made on the natural world, I hope the manmade interventions in my photographs speak more subtly to the errors in our ways. Beauty is important to me; while I think that a talented photographer could make an overflowing trashcan look beautiful, I’m more interested in the quiet moments where we think our interventions are harmless… when in reality, perhaps they’re not. I also enjoy playing with scale to really show the vastness of a landscape in comparison to the human form or manmade object.

What about the geological form strikes you as a subject matter?

The textures, shapes, and patterns within rock formations, and the scale at which they exist, are what originally attracted me to geology. I find it interesting that geological forms are a direct and decipherable record of the earth’s history, which is on the unfathomable geologic timescale of millions/billions of years. My partner, who is a geologist, can often give explanations as to why a rock or landscape looks the way it does. Most photography subjects are fleeting, the desire to capture them as they exist in one moment is obvious. With landscape, the subjects are likely to remain as they are for as long as people allow them to, which is a rare constant and a delicate relationship that we often take advantage of. *Cue video of mountaintop removal*

Stalagmite ©Kaitlin Miller — *Stalagmite* ©Kaitlin Miller

How has your style of photography been shaped and concentrated over the years?

Oh gosh.. where do I begin (I say out of embarrassment.) Starting with my first darkroom class in high school until my sophomore year of college (2013), I was more invested in portraiture. I started shooting landscape-based work when I transitioned from 35mm to 120mm. At the start, I was more focused on capturing the sheer “untouched” beauty of a landscape, but gradually I’ve become more interested in alluding to the alterations we’ve had on these places. The modifications we make in order to increase convenience often alter the landscape to the point where it is no longer the same place we wanted to see and experience. A picnic table here, a light fixture there, at what point does a natural space become too structured?

Do you have a preference for shooting with film or with digital in your work? Favorite camera?

I prefer and primarily shoot film. Despite my limited mechanical capabilities, the process really slows me down and makes me think more consequentially about the images I’m making. I also just generally prefer the aesthetic, and somehow feel as if shooting film connects me more to the environments I capture. My Mamiya 7 is my camera of choice, but when tasked with shooting digital, I use a Sony RX1.

Describe your creative process in one word.

Intuitive.

If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?

Wildflower gathering & arranging.

Boundaries ©Kaitlin Miller — *Boundaries* ©Kaitlin Miller

What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?

I’ve read four Haruki Murakami novels this year, which has been great for disassociating. Film would be Portrait of a Lady on Fire, by Céline Sciamma.

What is the most played song in your music library?

Across The Room by ODESZA and Leon Bridges.

How do you take your coffee?

Not much of a coffee drinker- I usually start my mornings with a grated turmeric and ginger tea. If I’m in need of caffeine, I go for kombucha or matcha.