Her vision is from the heart: Photo pro Mary Miller is back with plans for all-Valley portrait

Published 10:41 am Friday, May 10, 2013

Mary Miller’s got big love for the Valley.

She plans to spread that love in a photo session this month that welcomes as many residents of the area as possible, with her “Heart of the Valley” community portrait.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, Miller holds her annual photo session at Centennial Fields Park in Snoqualmie.

Camera in hand, the North Bend professional camera bug will ride up six stories on an Eastside Fire and Rescue truck. Below her, she hopes that hundreds or even thousands of locals will gather in the shape of a heart, for an iconic photo with Mount Si in the background.

Miller’s work has taken her to amazing places. She’s published her own book of Valley scenery, met celebrity photographer Annie Liebowitz in 2011 and hung out with Johnny Depp.

She does corporate work, stock photos, portraits of all kinds.

“I truly am a freelance photographer,” Miller says.

She documented the Carnation centennial a year ago. Recently, Miller was 65 feet above downtown North Bend, documenting a skyline that could change in the years ahead as the downtown develops.

When Miller first tried it last year, she gathered several hundred residents, enough to form the outline of a heart. This year, she wants more people—enough to fill in the heart.

She also has two secret designs that she won’t unveil until the gathering.

“It all depends on how many people show up,” Miller says. “So, there’ll be some surprises.”

Miller gets a little emotional when asked why she’s doing this.

“I want the people of the Valley to celebrate each other,” Miller says. “There’s so much that I’ve learned about people. I feel compelled to do this.

“I want the world to see how big our hearts are in this incredible Valley,” she added.

Afterwards, a community potluck and live music happen at the park.

• You can learn about Mary Miller’s “Heart of the Valley” project on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mary.j.miller.14?hc_location=stream.