Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
How Huntsville-native + photographer Miles Whitmore is changing the creative scene in Huntsville
Reading time: 5 minutes
Miles Whitmore is a jack of all trades: photographer, music promoter, vintage fashion connoisseur and much more. I first met Miles when he came to work at Southerlands Photo almost 3 years ago.
Right away, it was clear he was bound for great things. His passion for creativity and a strong sense of identity is evident in everything he does. His work isn’t just a reflection of him—it’s unmistakably his. With a decade of experience in photography and nearly five years in event organization, Miles has become a notable figure in Huntsville’s creative community.
Keep reading to learn more about him and the upcoming Orion Amphitheater event featuring his photography.
Meet Miles
Miles Whitmore is a 29-year-old photographer and music promoter based in Huntsville. Miles has lived in the area for two decades but he was well-travelled by the time he moved to Huntsville. Miles comes from a military family that was stationed outside of Austin, Texas. Miles had a range of interests and hobbies ranging from skateboarding, music, photography, etc. However, he latched onto photography and he now has a decade of experience.
Just a few of the artists that Miles has photographed:
- Cage the Elephant
- Renee Rapp
- Mumford & Sons
- Baby Keem
- Men I Trust
- Hinds
- Albert Hammond Jr (guitarist of The Strokes)
- Key Glock
- Young Dolph
- Travis Scott
- Gucci Mane
- Surf Curse
Q: Who has inspired you?
“Musically and creatively, Pharell Williams and Tyler the Creator for their innovative contributions, while photographers like Ed Templeton and Glenn Friedman have shaped my visual style.
Beyond the arts, I look up to Virgil Abloh and even former President Obama, recognizing their influence on culture, creativity, and leadership. Some festivals and live shows that have inspried me include Camp Flog Gnaw, Pitchfork, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Afro Punk, Bonnaroo and Boiler Room.”
Miles Whitmore
His parents, however, remain his greatest supporters, shaping his work ethic and artistic pursuits. He also recalls an especially rewarding experience shooting for artist Renee Rap, noting how kind and professional she and her management team were—highlighting the positive connections he’s made in the industry.
Serving the Hsv Music Scene through Miles Away Presents
Miles Away Presents is a music event promotional company started by Miles Whitmore in 2020. In 2020, the world seemed to come to a halt due to the pandemic of COVID. Out of boredom and lack of opportunities, Miles decided to pursue his dream of being in the music industry and started his own music-promoting business called Miles Away Presents.
Miles is the founder and talent buyer for his company. He started Miles Away Presents while he was working for the Orion Amphitheater operator’s TVG hospitality.
Notable Music Events by Miles Away:
- Bloctober Music and Arts Festival
- Good Friday and BANNED Series at Phat Sammy’s
- The Afterdark at Jeff & Blues
- Undercurrent at Beezr
He began organizing shows at various venues, including The Camp, The Loft, Orion and Phat Sammy’s. What started as an endeavor to solve his boredom quickly turned into a flourishing business, fueled by his passion for music and photography, as well as the unwavering support of friends and fellow creatives. He’s been able to incorporate his love for photography into shooting his own shows.
Miles has hosted shows at:
- Phat Sammy’s
- The Camp
- The Orion
- The Loft
- Gold Sprint
- Saturn in Bham
Where Miles wants to take the music scene in Hsv
Miles has booked shows spanning multiple genres—rap, punk, R&B, and electronic music—bringing fresh sounds and underground scenes into the spotlight. His vision is to push Huntsville’s creative landscape forward by introducing edgier, more avant-garde events, aiming to bring an experience akin to festivals like Camp Flog Gnaw, Pitchfork, Afro Punk and Bonnaroo to the city.
Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
“Organizing a small festival in four days. I couldn’t have done the first Bloctober without the support of my friends.”
Miles Whitmore
Q: What’s a goal of yours?
“The ultimate goal for Miles Away is to organize a two-day festival in Huntsville, a goal that has begun to materialize with Bloctober, a one-day event that has already made an impact. It would be a dream to expand these shows into a larger scale multi-genre festival— a dream I’ve had since I was 14 years old and Big Spring Jam ended.”
Miles Whitmore
See Miles’s work on display
Meet Miles Whitmore, one of four artists featured in the upcoming gallery, Framing the Future: a Black Photographers’ Gallery at the Orion Amphitheater. The gallery will showcase work of local Black photographers Dokk Savage, Neville Simpson, Miles K. Whitmore and Xavier Isaac Adams.
- When: Friday, February 21 6PM-9PM
- Where: Orion Amphitheater
- How much: FREE
- Details: Enjoy refreshments, soundtrack by DJ Lisha + gallery show with artist talks
Can’t make it? Don’t worry, click here to see his work.
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