Jenny L. Miller

I was on my back at the bottom of darkness staring blankly up towards the light for years now. For several of them, I had no idea, this was just what life was. After a while, I figured it out, but didn’t want to face it.

Then, one day, I was pushed out of my safe space and forced to face all the shit… it didn’t go that well, but when does trudging through all the shit go well? Facing a lifetime of manure sucked me down further still.

Then one day I just stood up and decided to walk my ass into the light no matter how hard it was. Some people helped me see my strengths along the way. Others held my hand when I needed it, even if it was via texts and late night phone calls.

One person would be the one who walked in and pushed me, but who would then become part of the darkness. Another thing I would have to trudge though, but someone I will always consider wonderful, one I’ll always be grateful for. Regardless.

With the help of Welbutrin, Intuniv, HEAPS of intense therapy, and sheer will, today I’m better. While darkness creeps just off the periphery and I have to be every watchful of every step I take so as not to fall back in, I’m happy, I’m strong, and there’s less and less of that darkness every day.

This project is me finding my art again. Me finding MY OWN FUCKING path to art, to writing, to photography. There is no wrong answer. I will take up space. This project is me finding me again… throwing away the useless doubt and imposter syndrome that clutters my voice and telling my truth.

This little guy has been running around this gym since he was born. We just adore him! He's hilarious, bright, strong, and so much fun! I can't wait to see him win the Crossfit games in a few years.

A super rad friend and dad, his daughter and his dog had lifestyle portraits taken for his mom for mother's day. What a sweet guy. 

I love to play with light and color. Motion blur, out-of-focus, abstract photography is one of my favorite things! These are almost always taken at beaches or bodies of water on the Oregon and Washington coast or somewhere in the Puget Sound.

I followed the R family around for a few hours one bright and sunny Saturday and documented a day in their life. The little moments are what count the most. This family is the sweetest. Miss E is 3 and one quarter and don't you forget it. 

We went adventuring at Hug Point on the Oregon coast. The main attraction there was pretty dry and boring and crowded, so I focused elsewhere. The pacific northwest rocks.

So this family... I love them so much and I miss them so much. The Army brought us together and took us apart physically but we'll always be sisters, Miss Sandi. And Miss Tess you'll always be my favorite little redhead. And those boys will always brighten my day.

Abstract underwater (or just above it) photography is my favorite thing in the world right now and it helps me process my emotions. Depression lies. It will get better. Destigmatize mental illness. 
Most of these are shot with my Olympus TG-4 Tough underwater point and shoot. Saving my pennies for an underwater housing unit for my real camera. ;)

Miss Abby Murray, poet, professor, friend, mom, animal lover, fellow Army spouse, and overall ROCKSTAR! I adore her face. Portrait session.

Sunsets (and the OCCASIONAL sunrise) are one of my favorite things. Some locations are, Chambers Bay Park in University Place, Steilacoom Lake, Sunnyside Beach Park, Titlow Park and others around Tacoma and Lakewood, Washington. The Puget Sound is my 2nd favorite place... or maybe 3rd? I love it. 

It's more than a dress. Every year we don a dress and raise money to help victims of human trafficking. For more information: Dressember.com

Hiking Bald Mountain trail on Mt. Hood in Oregon. This trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail at some point. The ocean of flies we had to swim to was worth the view.

Dr. Paul Martin is a brilliant chiropractor of Brilliant Life Chiropractic in Tacoma Washington but he also writes fantasy fiction novels! 

Most, if not all, of these photographs are of my garden in Lakewood, Washington. There are 26 Japanese Maples, lilacs, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, roses, peonies (my favorite), daisies, and many many many more. The pacific Northwest is amazing.

This is a branding session for Shane Benoit, a musician in the Tacoma, Washington area. He wanted a dark moody photoshoot out in nature. We went to Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park in Ruston after sunset.

We took my boys and my niece to the beach with my mom and sister. All the people! Almost, we're missing all the dads...