Marcus Miles, a photographer known for chronicling community events and capturing stunning images of members of the community, died of an apparent heart attack over the weekend. He was 54.
Miles started his career as a professional photographer in the late 1990s at an Urban League of Greater Madison annual banquet.
“Back then that was a big deal because before digital you had to buy film, batteries, and pay for photo development before you ever saw a check and then sometimes take the pictures back for editing if the client wanted changes. Fortunately, they liked the photos and it began a great relationship and career in community photography,” he told Sabrina Madison for a Madison365 column last year.
Miles was a regular fixture at community events, including Madison365 Academy’s summer graduation. Organizers of last year’s first Black Male Photo Shoot tapped Miles to capture the essence of Madison’s black professionals. Since August, he provided Madison365’s Photo of the Day. He was also a firefighter with the Town of Blooming Grove Fire Department.
“Marcus was my friend, my brother, my inspiration,” photographer Hedi Lamarr Rudd said in a message to Madison365. “He was one of the best human beings that I knew. Even in the face of adversity he stayed positive and he reminded me to be forgiving. Now he has taught me to not take life for granted and then treasure each moment we have. He will be forever missed and loved.”
“Y’all, when you talk about friends supporting friends like we’re family — MARCUS MILES has been all of that to so many of us who have been blessed to have his friendship, love and support!” wrote community leader and entrepreneur Sabrina Madison on Facebook. “I have loved, loved, loved watching his photography business grow. He’s captured all of us it seems. from events to babies… he gets the best from us and returns the best back to us.”
Miles is survived by a son and two daughters. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
This story has been updated with corrections.
