ABOUT MEBeyond
the work.
My name is Miles Bergsma, and this is my story.
01 / A NEW BEGINNING
It started with
getting outside.
I was at a low point. I had made decisions I wasn’t proud of, and I had to accept responsibility for them. I felt lost and needed something constructive to put my energy into.
I started hiking every day to help my mental health and get back in shape. On Antoine Peak, I kept seeing sunrises I wanted to capture. So I bought a camera and a wide-angle lens. I quickly learned that taking a good photograph takes more than buying an expensive camera.
02 / FINDING MY PASSION
Then the camera
Led the way.
I started seeking out iconic places across the Pacific Northwest, and somewhere along the way, that became a love for waterfalls.
Honestly, waterfall photography made me look more talented than I was. I fell in love with long exposures and scenes that felt almost otherworldly. The moss and ferns reminded me of my childhood. I kept exploring, experimenting, and learning.
03 / A TURNING POINT
A new view
of Spokane.
When I began photographing downtown Spokane and local places, people started noticing my work on Instagram. Spokane Parks & Recreation hired me to photograph the Pavilion’s new LED lights, and I was among a handful of people inside when they were turned on for the first time.
The drone video I made that evening went viral. More opportunities followed: commercial projects, senior portraits, weddings, and filmmaking. Eventually, I left retail management to work as a photographer and videographer at a digital marketing agency. Later, I brought my management experience into a marketing role in Idaho.
04 / ACCOUNTABILITY
Learning how to
show up differently.
My story also includes behavior I regret. I’ve damaged relationships with family, friends, and people I’ve been close to. I’ve been an online bully, too. At the time, I thought I was making a difference. I had to put my ego aside and recognize that I was doing more harm than good.
I’ve struggled with my mental health and isolated myself. That’s part of my story, but it doesn’t excuse how I treated others. I can’t undo the past or expect everyone to forgive me. What I can do is take responsibility and be more thoughtful about how I show up.
I decided to use my voice differently: to share what getting outside and finding a creative outlet did for me, and to give back to the community that supports me.
05 / LOOKING FORWARD
Making room for
what matters.
Freelancing with Spokane Storytime was a dream I wanted to try. I also learned that I value structure, collaboration, and the stability and benefits that support me and my kids. Today, I work in marketing alongside talented people who inspire me, while continuing to tell stories about the place I call home.
I never expected storytelling to make me recognizable around Spokane. What matters to me is what I do with that platform. So much of the work local nonprofits do goes unnoticed. I want to help share their stories and contribute to making Spokane a better place to live.
