Erik James Montgomery is a fine art photographer whose work centers on the beauty, complexity, and resilience of the Black experience. Rooted in narrative-based portraiture, Montgomery’s images explore themes of identity, race, history, and cultural memory, often engaging with national symbols and social archetypes to provoke reflection and dialogue. His practice blends documentary awareness with conceptual staging, resulting in visual stories that challenge viewers to reexamine the past to imagine more equitable futures.

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Born and raised in New Jersey, Montgomery began photographing at an early age and has spent more than three decades refining his artistic voice. His work is informed by a deep commitment to community, education, and the transformative potential of art. As the founder and Executive Director of the EJM Foundation, he provides photography-based education to marginalized youth across Camden and surrounding regions, empowering the next generation of artists to communicate their stories with intention and confidence.

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Montgomery’s artistic portfolio includes major bodies of work such as Red, White, Blue, and YOU, Black on Black on Black, and LESS HOME LESS, each revealing his dedication to humanizing subjects and addressing social issues with visual honesty and compassion. His images have been exhibited in museums, galleries, and public installations, and he has collaborated with cultural institutions, universities, and community organizations throughout New Jersey and beyond.

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Currently completing his MFA in Fine Art Photography at the Academy of Art University, Montgomery continues to explore the psychological and cultural dimensions of Black representation. His work reflects a belief in photography as a tool for liberation—one that can restore dignity, amplify overlooked narratives, and inspire collective transformation.