Hidden Gems: Meet Milas Avery of The Milas Touch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Milas Avery.

Hi Milas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was about ten years old when my mother allowed me to bring her digital camera with me on my trip to Disney World. I went with my elementary school’s chorus. I remember enjoying the ability to capture what I saw from my own eyes, embracing the moment. I usually was not interested in most things kids my age were, but my imagination took my experience to a new level. My mom received the nickname “Ms. Kodak” because she was always taking pictures. From before my brother and I were born, till this very day, she will be sure to capture every priceless moment no matter how embarrassing it may be. There would be times where she would ask my brother or me to take her picture, and when she did not approve, she would have us take it again until we got it right. At a young age, I had an unrecognized love for creativity, but it took life experiences and reflection to realize it.

On my trip, the other kids teased me on how small the screen was on my mom’s digital camera, but that didn’t stop the joy I had. Most kids spent their summer before middle school playing outside, video games, etc. I spent my time creating. Whether it was taking pictures, drawing, or even YouTube videos, I had a passion but did not even realize it. By the time I got to middle school, I had continued to make YouTube videos branded as DXluva98 and even collaborated with my best friend (shout out to Supernova Prods!). I found an outlet as a creative, and I had so much fun creating commercials, parodies, and even making silly graphics.

After a while in middle school, I came across a new interest, which took my musicality and creativity to another level. It started with the Alto Saxophone. I fell in love with music and having the ability to create with my instrument was amazing. I eventually backed away from the camera as I focused on music and technology. However, I struggled with understanding my purpose and my passion during a good portion of my life. I saw so many people around me that seemed to have found themselves through their hobbies, talents, sports, and extracurriculars. In 8th grade, I was introduced to the marching band. Here is where I felt like I belonged. From the marching band, concert band, jazz band, etc., these ensembles taught me many essential life skills and lessons. Especially when it came to the visual aspect of music and tying the two together. The older I got, the more I became anxious on figuring out what did I want to do with my life. I accepted the fact that I was different, I didn’t fit in with the typical crowd. By the time I got to my junior year of high school, I had noticed I loved technology and helping people. Yet, I also began to realize music was not exactly my passion. I did not want to be a musician for the rest of my life.

By 2014, smartphones started to become more advanced, and their cameras were getting better. I didn’t notice how much I enjoyed the technology and the amount of time I took taking pictures. It wasn’t until 2018, my junior year of college when I had that “this is what I want to do” moment. I was at Beyoncé’s and Jay-Z’s On the Run II tour in Atlanta, GA. I went by myself and had just recently saw Chloe x Halle perform the night before. I remember seeing all of the production, thinking about the technology behind it all, the creativity, visuals, the music. It was an experience that sparked the flame that I had thought I lost as a creative. That weekend ignited those dreams that I had back in 2009 as a child. I knew that this was something that I wanted to be a part of.

About a month later, I got an iPhone and portrait mode had me in awe! I was constantly taking pictures and was always asked by my friends to take their pictures at all of the group outings. It wasn’t until a couple weeks later when I was talking to a friend of mine and thought of “The Milas Touch.” I remember praying one day, and I saw an image of my logo and drew it out. Later, I was asked by a friend who is also one of my biggest supporters, “what is your passion?” That question had me frozen for a second. No one ever asked me that directly and I had no clue! One day, a good friend of mine, Billy, who was also my roommate, asked if I could take engagement photos for some friends who were getting married. In my mind, I was like sure, but I don’t have a camera, just an iPhone 8+. Their only question was, “You got portrait mode?” and I laughed, saying yes, I do, and they were like, that’s all we need! And that is how I got to do my very first photoshoot and the start of The Milas Touch. I realized that my passion involved creating, and from there, I began to do more photoshoots, studying mobile photography as well as videography.

While at Georgia Southern, I majored in Information Technology; that fall of 2018, I declared my minor in Multimedia Film and Production. That is when I found what I love, I finally realized what kept me up at night. I’m very grateful for the many people who gave me the opportunity to tap into my creativity, trusting me to bring their vision to life. Whether through photos, videos, websites, or just general creative advice, I began to realize the value and potential that was placed within me. Without the support from my family, I wouldn’t be here. My mom has been one of my biggest supporters; she bought me my first DSLR camera for Christmas in 2019. I started with what I had, my phone. Yet the great thing about being creative is that It is not about what you have but how you use your creativity to make the best out of what you do have. The best tool that I own are my eyes and my mind. Being able to see the world through my own personal lens and sharing it in various mediums is indeed a blessing. With the support of friends and family I have grown so much as a creative these past few years. Being confident in myself, my work, and not comparing myself was one of the best things that I could do. I’m thankful to be able to be a part of so many special moments such as graduation, birthdays, weddings, and more. From the YouTube videos, networking, practice, and hard work, it’s been quite a journey getting to where I am today, and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey has not always been easy. Many may see my life and say, wow you’ve got it going on! There are many obstacles that I have faced from a young child to even now as a young adult. Being different from my peers and family helped me learn along the way that I do not need to fit in. Without God and the support from my family, friends, and loved ones, I would not be where I am today. As a creative, it is easy to see someone else’s work and say, wow, that looks amazing and so much better than what I have done. Still, embracing my uniqueness, understanding and valuing my worth is significant to me. When you realize that you are special, believe it! We are all on our own journeys, and there are going to be people that may be a bit further ahead, but your perspective and what you speak over your life is vital. Telling myself, wow, that is cool, I wonder how they did their lighting, or I wonder what lens they used. This is what I work on instead of, man their pics are way better than mine; I’m just going to give up and scroll on Twitter all day. I had to make sure that I changed my perspective and appreciate my own work regardless of who likes it or not. Confidence can take you to so many levels, and there is nothing I cannot do if I put my mind to it and the work to get to it.

Even working with people can be a challenge, understanding how to price your work, help clients be comfortable and confident, and even being respected as a creative. Once I graduated from Georgia Southern, I had to transition into adulthood, move back home, and find start my career in the midst of a pandemic and everything else going on in 2020. I had to find balance. I had to heal and grow. I had to allow God to work through me in order to use me, in order to use my talents and abilities. That is not easy, but the beauty and growth that comes from it all is so worth it. Being creative comes with its challenges, but there is no limit! I am more than a conqueror, and my ability to share my story and my vision with the world is important. Helping people tap into their own creativity is important!

We’ve been impressed with The Milas Touch, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started my business in the Fall of 2018 and have been growing since then! The Milas Touch is a multi-media content creator and consulting business. From various forms of photography, film, videography, graphic design, web development, and creative consulting, I provide many services helping people tap into their own creativity and bringing the vision to life. One of the services I am known for are graduation portraits and sessions. Being a part of a huge milestone for many graduates, especially black college graduates, means a lot to me. Whether it’s a few outfits or even a simple highlight video, I enjoy every moment and helping tell a story.

Working with different organizations, fraternities, sororities, and individuals during the pandemic was an experience for myself and clientele. No one knew how to create a virtually new member reveal or understood what that would look like. Many did not know how they would be able to virtually celebrate their milestones. Yet, that process of planning, tapping into my creativity, and thinking outside of the box is what took things to another level. When I work with others, I want them to have a great experience, not just good content. People may come and have no idea what they are doing, how to pose, what to do, but helping them find themselves, their confidence, that is what matters as well! I want people to be able to embrace themselves, who they were created to be. In the end, The Milas Touch is not just about the content I create but the positive impact and influence that I leave behind. You never know what seeds can be planted from just a simple conversation or ways you can pour positivity into one’s life. Being able to see a person’s reaction to their own beauty in the moment is such a great experience. That is something I’m proud of, capturing authenticity, capturing the moment. I may not be the biggest and the best, but I know one thing, “when God touches you, everything you touch turns into gold”. Your creativity matters.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I would not be here without everyone who has supported me and given me so many opportunities, helping me get to where I am now. People can reach me via email: themilastouchprod@gmail.com as well as on Instagram and Twitter @TheMilasTouch.

Contact Info:

• Email: themilastouchprod@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilastouch/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themilastouch/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/themilastouch?lang=en

Image Credits:
Avery Phillips