Alumni Spotlight: Doug Miller
Name: Doug Miller
Current Occupation: Clinical Trainer/Registered Nurse
Workshops: Project NOLA 2023, 2024, & 2025
Faculty: Marianne Sabrier, Annie Flanagan, Jamie Rose
1. What motivated you to take a photo workshop, and why did you pick Momenta?
I had been interested in participating in a workshop for some time. I wanted to be immersed in photography and find community. It was also important that the workshop be highly impactful.
Balancing work and opportunities like this can be challenging and I wanted to make the most of my time. By chance or by fate I stumbled upon the final slideshow for Project NOLA, at a local photography alliance. I sat through the presentation and was impressed by the content, the photographers, and the dedicate team guiding them.
That night, I joined the mailing list and signed up for the workshop the following year. Since then I have participated every year the workshop returns to New Orleans.
2. What surprised you most about the experience of working with a nonprofit?
Working with non-profits has the predictable elements. I expected that there would be a lot of story telling and content geared toward marketing and social media. What I didn't expect, was the willingness of the nonprofit to adopt me as this student photographer into their story, and their mission.
Each year, there has been a welcoming immersion into their programs and organizations. The hospitality and earnest nature made it easy to settle in to a groove and quickly discover the meaning of their work and find ways to document their stories.
3. What was the best lesson you took away from your workshop?
Momenta left me with new technical and personal lessons. Personally, the workshop introduced me to the world of nonprofits and all of the nuances of their work. I left with a deep understanding of the importance of knowing your community and the resources that are in it and the people of benefit from them.
From a technical standpoint, Jamie and the team help me become a more efficient and intentional photographer. They truly helped learn how to find a story and most importantly, how to tell it effectively through two-dimensional images.
4. What was your favorite photograph from this workshop & why?
My favorite photograph I made was during Project NOLA 2024 while working with the Youth Empowerment Program. It’s a simple image of a group of young girls enjoying afterschool snacks on the steps of a tall steel staircase going up the side of a building. In the picture, I am standing on the steps above them looking down toward them. The girls, all with different expressions are staring me down.
5. What would you tell a potential student to help them prepare for their experience with Momenta?
My advice for any prospective students would be to make your best attempt at surrendering any bias and your ego. It’s hard to leave our busy lives and step in to the role of student and observer. However, I believe that the most effective way to learn and sincerely participate with your nonprofit, you have to be open.
Be ready to clear your mind and open your heart. The rest will fall into place and the most capable team of photographers with guide and nurture you along the way.
The images featured in this story were taken on the Momenta Project New Orleans 2023-2025: Documenting Nonprofits workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana in partnership with Youth Empowerment Program, Glassroots, and LA-SPCA.
Photos © Doug Miller/Momenta Workshops 2025.
Bio
Douglas Miller is a registered nurse with a background in burn nursing. He currently works in the medical device industry as a clinical trainer for surgeons with a technology called RECELL.
He says of his work, “I have a deep passion for photography that extends back 25 years. Photography has come into my life in different seasons for different reasons. I love street photography and working on personal projects. When my schedule allows, I shoot hired work.”
Doug is originally from Ohio but has called New Orleans home for 11 years. He lives with his husband and very adorable rescue dogs.
Instagram: @dm.n.o.photo