Born on August 6, 1912, in Hanford, CA, Richard Crump Miller’s early fascination with photography began with his father’s folding roll-film camera. By 1929, Miller had discovered Leica and Graflex cameras, sparking a passion for cinematography while attending Stanford University, Pomona College, and later graduating from USC, where he met his wife, Margaret.
In 1935, Miller’s creative journey took him to community theater, where he captured portraits of fellow actors with a borrowed Leica. His skill with the camera soon led him to New York, where none other than Edward Steichen encouraged him to pursue photography. Despite this, Miller returned to Los Angeles in 1937 to marry Margaret.
Miller officially transitioned to photography in 1939, mastering the tri-color carbro process and setting up a darkroom in his parents’ home. That same year, his daughter Linda became the focus of his work. In 1941, one of her portraits graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, launching Miller’s career and earning him representation by the Freelance Photographer's Guild.
During WWII, Miller worked at North American, photographing airplanes for manuals while supporting his growing family, which now included daughters Peg and Jan. Post-war, Miller took on roles as a printer and assistant to leading photographers, capturing celebrity portraits for publications like Life, Time, and Collier’s. A notable moment in his career came in 1946 when he photographed a young model named Norma Jeane Dougherty, who would later be known as Marilyn Monroe.
From 1952 to 1955, Miller sought stability as a lighting director at KLAC before returning to freelance photography, eventually securing a retainer at Globe Photos. This role deepened his connections in the entertainment industry, including a friendship with James Dean.
In the 1980s, Miller collaborated with photographer Reece Vogel to revive the carbro process, preserving a vital part of photographic history.
Richard Crump Miller passed away on October 15, 2010, in New York's Hudson Valley, leaving behind a rich legacy as a pioneer in color photography and a celebrated chronicler of Hollywood’s golden era.