Richard C. Miller

Richard Crump Miller (August 6, 1912 – October 15, 2010) was an American photographer best known for his vintage carbro prints, photos of celebrities, and work documenting the Hollywood Freeway.

Early life Miller was born to Ray Oakley Miller and Laura Belle Crump Miller in Hanford, California. Miller's interest in photography developed when he was a child and toyed with his father’s 3¼x4¼ folding roll-film camera. His passion for photography led to his increase in knowledge about established photographers, and when he found out Edward Weston was moving nearby he went over to introduce himself. Miller earned his degree from the University of Southern California, where he first met his wife, Margaret Dudley.

In 1935 Miller joined a community theater, where he attempted a career as an actor. He soon found himself spending more time taking photos of fellow players than acting. While Miller was on a trip to New York City to audition for gigs, he showed his portfolio to Edward Steichen, who suggested that he stay in New York as a photographer. However, Miller decided to return to Los Angeles to marry Margaret. Before long he had converted a bathroom in his parents' house into a makeshift darkroom so he could begin processing his freelance work, making him the only one at the time working in, and developing, carbro prints. and in 1941 a picture of her peeking at the Thanksgiving turkey made the cover, one of only two photographic Post covers that year and the first that Miller had ever sold. This attracted offers from agents and Miller signed up with the Freelance Photographer's Guild. After a stint as a television lighting director, he returned to freelance until 1962, when he was asked to work on retainer at Globe Photos. This brought him into contact with a number of celebrities, including James Dean.

A collection of Miller's photography was exhibited alongside Paul Outerbridge at the J. Paul Getty Museum in spring 2009. Miller's first solo gallery show was held on February 27, 2010 at the Craig Krull Gallery in Bergamot Station.