Meet the Instructor

Ray Pfortner

Ray Pfortner loves teaching and photography and has been doing both for over 20 years — in New York City, Seattle and California. He’s worked in photography as an educator, stock agent, editor, consultant and photographer. He was the publishing liaison for the nature photographer Art Wolfe, where he marketed magazine stories worldwide and produced 16 books. He’s been the stock agent for eight National Geographic photographers and was a partner in the stock photography agency Peter Arnold, specializing in science and nature. Pfortner’s own photography also focuses on nature and environmental issues.

Pfortner’s teaching focuses on photography, especially designing the most compelling images, and the business of art for all mediums. His primary interest is in cultivating new talent and empowering artists to do more business with their art. He leads visual artist workshops to China, Canada, Cuba and Europe as well as across the Northwest. He also frequently curates group shows of his students’ work.

Pfortner has a bachelor's in biology from Yale and a master's in environmental management from Duke. He’s also a fellow of the North American Nature Photography Association.