Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Alex Miller
A few years ago, photographer Alex Miller visited the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness near the Utah-Arizona border and was amazed by the “almost Mars-like textures and patterns” that were in the rocks and the ground.
“I just could not understand how something so unique could be found in the middle of the desert,” Miller says. “In these textures and patterns, I would see all sorts of different shapes and swirls. My eyes and style of photography slowly started to adjust as I realized that there were little moments found in these textures within the grand, wide-angle scenic moments I was used to capturing.”
Miller’s love affair with nature’s textured treasures was born. In early 2023, it further flourished when he won a coveted permit to visit Coyote Buttes North — more commonly known as The Wave, a small portion of the 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness that boasts some of the most visually striking geologic sandstone formations in the world.
“It gets its name from the textures of the desert rock, which are similar to those of a smooth wave,” Miller explains. “Hundreds of thousands of people try to visit this dreamlike destination every year, but only a handful can visit it each day. This makes getting a permit incredibly challenging. Not only did I get to witness the unique formation for myself, but I also got to see it during a snowstorm — which is incredibly rare for the area. The moisture brought the orangish rock to a bright red color that was amazing to see and photograph.”
Miller recently revisited the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in search of more interesting compositions. He paid special attention to the large features as well as the more intricate details found on various rocks and cliffs, eventually stumbling upon some very unique textures of gold, yellow and orange.
“Immediately after I turned the next corner, I saw some incredible wavy-like patterns on the rocks above me in the canyon,” he says. “I hiked up, around and down into a little cove to get an up-close look at what I was seeing. I was absolutely amazed. The long three-mile hike in the sun and straight up the canyon did not matter to me anymore. What I saw was surreal. It was hard to process that the earth had such patterns and vibrant colors, along with smooth but ridged textures.”
This month, Images Arizona is honored to showcase a selection of these transfixing textures that surround us, inviting readers to embark on a visual journey through the rugged beauty of Northern Arizona. Through Miller’s lens, we explore the profound beauty in the minutiae of the natural world.
His photographs serve as a vivid reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing landscapes that lie just beyond our doorstep, encouraging us to see the world with the same wonder and appreciation for detail that Miller does. Join us as we delve into the many layers of the desert, discovering a world where every grain of sand and twist of rock tells a story of time, elements and the artistry of nature itself.
About the Photographer
Prescott resident Alex Miller’s interest in photography sprouted four years ago during a very uncharacteristic solo weekend-long camping trip to Zion National Park.
“I had always appreciated being outside, but I never went on trips — especially alone,” Miller says. “I could not tell you why, but I picked up an older camera that I had at the time and brought it along with me on my trip.”
Miller arrived at the park in the middle of the night and could not really see much of anything, which he admits was a little scary. When he woke up the next morning, he was in absolute awe of the huge canyon walls that surrounded him.
“I embarked on the Angels Landing hike, which is one of the more difficult expeditions in the park because of the steep climb to the top of the canyon,” Miller says. “It was challenging, but the view was totally worth it. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures of the amazing scenery.”
Miller’s passion for outdoor photography had officially taken flight.
“That first trip helped me connect with my camera and the outdoors, but also with a deeper side of myself that I had been missing or searching for,” he explains. “I felt that this trip gave me more of a spiritual and emotional purpose in life — and more direction on who I wanted to be outside of the office or classroom at the time.”
Miller now works in digital media with small businesses in and around Prescott.
“When I am not working, I enjoy getting in the car and taking road trips around Arizona and the U.S. Southwest,” says Miller, whose more specific hobbies include off-roading, hiking and camping, as well as cooking, watching and playing sports and teaching himself how to play the guitar.
Of course, he never leaves home without his camera.
“My brand is called Present Moment Photographs because of the power of each moment in time and the experiences that can be had,” Miller says. “I shoot landscape photography but occasionally venture into portraits, product or sports photography for work. I aim to capture different and unique experiences that I have had around the state and country and share those with others. Photography has shown me how much there is to explore in the world, and I hope to use it to inspire others to travel and experience the great outdoors.”
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