Meet the Instructor

Erik James Montgomery

Erik James Montgomery is a fine-art photographer, educator and nonprofit arts founder whose work centers on culture, identity and community. His practice blends aesthetic precision with social consciousness, creating tableaux, portraits and public art projects that humanize marginalized voices and explore themes of belonging, history and representation. Recognized for its symbolic depth and intentional storytelling, his work has been exhibited in museums, galleries and community spaces.

Montgomery has taught photography at the university level, where his approach integrates technical rigor, conceptual development and critical inquiry. His teaching emphasizes ethical image-making, artistic discipline, and mentoring students as they refine their creative vision and professional practice. Montgomery holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in fine arts from the Academy of Art University.