About

For Michael Milner, photography is both a new chapter and a natural continuation of a life devoted to public service. Michael was raised in Virginia and served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force—on active duty and in the Reserves—before becoming a police officer and, later, a federal law enforcement executive. His twenty-two-year federal career included leading an advisory team in Iraq, shaping his understanding of courage, humanity, and responsibility.

He bought his first “real” camera in 2019 and soon found himself documenting the protest movement that emerged after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery near his home in coastal Georgia. From those early days, Michael was drawn to stories at the intersection of justice, community, and belonging. He photographed dozens of rallies and vigils, many of which went uncovered by traditional media outlets, and was the only photographer invited by the Arbery family to spend the day with them on the one-year anniversary of Ahmaud’s death.

Michael’s work now centers on the people and places that define civic life in America—protesters, veterans, community organizers, and everyday citizens who reveal the resilience and complexity of modern America. His portraits in context reflect a storyteller’s eye and a public servant’s empathy: individuals photographed within the environments that shape their lives.

His photographs have been published internationally through Getty Images and Shutterstock and have appeared in numerous galleries, including juried shows at Glynn Visual Arts, Horton Gallery, Goodyear Cottage, and Coast Fest.

Michael’s unique perspective—as a former military officer, federal law enforcement leader, and late-career photojournalist—guides his approach to visual storytelling: one grounded in integrity, empathy, and the belief that photography can bridge divides and honor truth.