Ray Hocker

Ray Hocker began his passion and career in photography at the age of 6. His early films, made on his father's 8mm movie camera, documented his life growing up near airports in the high desert of Southern California and later in rural Washington State. He continued to pursue his passion for documentary photography through high school and college serving as the photography editor for his high school's newspaper and yearbook. While attending the University of California at Los Angeles, he was the photography editor for the University yearbook and a contributing photographer for the Daily Bruin newspaper.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree after attending Brooks Institute of Photography and the University of Redlands - he also earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Digital Cinema from National University. He has owned and operated Sierra Photography Studios since 1979.

Ray has has been an adjunct faculty member at Cerro Coso College since 1980. He teaches Digital Video Production, Photography, Digital Cinematography, Mobile Media, and Podcasting courses. He recently designed and developed curriculums for Video on the Internet and Website Development Project Management for ITT Technical schools. Ray is an Apple Certified Trainer for Final Cut Studio and he conducts workshops and courses on all aspects of photography and cinematography.

His film and video production credits include many hours of original programs broadcast both nationally and internationally on networks including, FOX Sports, ESPN, OLN, and HDnet. His 2002 production of an off-road rally race in the Grand Canyon was the first automobile race in the world to be broadcast in high definition TV. He has also contributed footage to a wide range of automotive television programs including Monster Garage and RPM. His credits include many documentary, narrative, and commercial programs for both regional and national organizations. His unique skills include using specialized ultra-high-speed video cameras to capture ballistic and explosive events on aircraft under simulated flight conditions.

A true "master of photography", he has received many awards, national magazine covers, gallery showings, and publication credits. He's had the privilege to photograph three generations of families in our community.