Biography

George Ray got started in photography at a young age with his grandfather who gifted him a Kodak 110 camera. Over the years he always wanted to have his camera with him and take pictures wherever he went.

Though his life and in his career in the fire service he was always taking pictures. It was when he became an Arson Investigator in 2009 that he wanted to learn the art of knowing how to take a “good” photograph. Most arson investigation work takes place in very dark and unpleasant conditions. Photographic evidence is crucial work in any investigation, so he started taking classes and learning photography. By the time his career started to wind down and he looked toward retirement, his photography had turned into his way of relaxing and finding peace. His photography focuses on landscape and wildlife, mainly photographing birds of all kinds.

George is currently working on getting his photography certificate at Victor Valley College in Victorville, California. He resides in Apple Valley California. Some of his photographs of birds have been use by Cornell Labs for their bird identification app. In 2024 he had won four first place awards and one judge’s choice award at the San Bernardino County Fair. His pictures have been used for the National Forest Heaps Peak poster that is used and displayed for sale in the San Bernardino National Forrest. He has taken head-shot photographs for the theater students at Victor Valley College. He was the team photographer for CHOC Walk 2024 team at the 2024 Disneyland CHOC Walk (Children’s Hospital of Orange County).

Artist Statement

I have enjoyed photography my entire life. I began to explore and study photography five years ago and recently retired from the fire service after over thirty years of service and have found it to be my way of finding peace.

While I have studied and performed many different types of photography, my interest has led me to focus on wildlife and landscape photography, especially photographing birds. Although, I enjoy photographing all birds, I specifically like photographing raptors the most. This type of photography allows me to be outdoors and enjoy the openness and feeling of not being confined and away from people which is big part of why I enjoy it. Bird photography has taught me patience which can be challenging but very rewarding. When I am outdoors photographing birds, animals or landscapes, I find that it is very relaxing. The relaxing outdoor environment is what allows me to focus on the goals of wildlife photography. The goal and challenges are always to get that perfect shot that shows the details and colors of the subject you are shooting.