Gary Monroe, born in 1951 in Miami Beach, witnessed the area's transformation firsthand. After completing his education, including a master's degree in fine arts from the University of Colorado in 1977, he returned to Miami Beach.
He spent a decade documenting the changing landscape of South Beach, with a particular focus on the fading Jewish culture, creating a significant visual record of this period.
In 1980, Monroe turned his attention to the influx of Haitian refugees arriving on South Florida's shores. He gained unprecedented access to photograph the Krome Resettlement Camp and continued to document the Haitian diaspora, making multiple trips to Haiti with the support of a Fulbright fellowship. This work provided insight into the acculturation of Haitians in South Florida and life in Haiti itself.
After moving to Central Florida in 1987, Monroe's work evolved to include studies of tourist attractions, particularly Disney World. He also embarked on international projects, photographing in countries such as India, Egypt, Israel, and Brazil.
Since the mid-1980s, Monroe has dedicated himself to educating the public about various artists, authoring several books on Floridian artists, and assisting collectors and museums in understanding photography, international cultures, and Florida's artistic heritage.