“My Roots & Vision”

“Photography Born on Coastal North Carolina Soil”

Hello, I’m Jeff Roberts — the eye, the heart, and yes, the muddy boots behind Mill Creek Photography. I was born and raised here on the coast of North Carolina, where fields, creeks, and shrimp boats weren’t just scenery — they were part of everyday life. Those roots shaped me, and they’re the reason my work is about more than just pretty pictures.

Why Mill Creek?

Photography started as a way to slow down and pay attention — watching the first light rise over the Pamlico, waiting on an osprey to dive, or noticing the quiet stillness of Mill Creek. Over time, it grew into something bigger: a way to preserve not only nature’s beauty, but also the grit, heritage, and everyday stories of the people who make this place what it is.

What I Capture

Whether I’m photographing a golden sunrise at Styrontown Beach, a family farm passed down for generations, or a fishing vessel ready to head out at dawn, my goal is always the same — to capture not just what it looks like, but what it feels like.

When I’m Not Shooting

When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me on back roads, spending time with my family, or sharing stories with neighbors who’ve called this coast home for decades. Those conversations remind me every day why I do this: because our stories, our roots, and our legacies deserve to be remembered.

Thank you for being here — I hope my images inspire you to see the beauty, grit, and soul of Coastal North Carolina through my lens.

Behind the Legacy
Serene landscape of a waterway at sunset, with trees on both sides and a small dock with a covered boat resting on the water, reflecting the sky and clouds.
A wooden dock extending over a calm waterway, lined with small boats and illuminated by street lamps, with tall grass and trees on either side, and a cloudy sky at dusk.
Shrimp boats docked at Oriental, NC harbor on the Neuse River with cloudy sky and calm water.
Family of nine standing on rocks near the water, smiling and posing outdoors on a cloudy day, all dressed in blue and white clothing in Oriental, NC along the Neuse River.