A Peek Into My Journey
From Resilience to Photography
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Hi, I’m Albert Ray
I’m an outdoor portrait photographer based in Puerto Rico, specializing in timeless imagery that captures life’s most meaningful moments against the beauty of nature.
I have two beautiful rescue dogs named Harmony and Winter. I enjoy waterfall hikes, botanical gardens, a peaceful walk in the forest, and theme parks. I love adventures big and small.
I was born on Long Island, New York, to Puerto Rican parents and raised in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, a small mountain town located in the central mountain range.
While the landscape was beautiful, my teenage years in Barranquitas were far from easy. I had to face a lot of depression and insecurities with what was happening around me... Those early struggles shaped my resilience and gave me a deep appreciation for art and nature.
Ever since I was a kid, I've always been into the arts. I was the kid who loved drawing, taking photos, and getting into theater and dance classes. I tried anything that allowed me to play with self-expression.
I've been using Photoshop to edit photos and create digital artwork since I was 14 years old. I still remember my aunt Linda, who was incredibly knowledgeable with computers, introducing me to Photoshop on a software disk sometime around 2005.
What started as curiosity quickly became a lifelong passion, and I've never stopped using Photoshop since. From 2007-2008 I was that guy on Myspace creating your layouts, working with HTML codes, and editing your pictures with fun graphics and colorful effects! I miss those days.
Whenever I was creating something, I felt free.
Mountain valley view from my hometown in Barranquitas, P.R. shot around 6am.
From 2011 to 2015, I studied photography and graphic design at Atlantic University in Puerto Rico, building a strong foundation in digital photography and graphic arts.
Around 2015-2017 I was on many adventures and capturing photos of friends during those hikes, to create inspiring portraits in nature. When I started sharing those images on Instagram, my work began to gain attention. People started reaching out, asking me to capture their photos in similar settings, and that’s how I gradually stepped into outdoor portrait photography during the early years of my career.
After Cat 5 Hurricane Maria in September 20 2017, there was massive destruction on the entire island and we had no electricity for months. My family and I had to relocate back to Long Island, NY, due to the hurricane crisis.
By late 2018, once power had finally been restored in my hometown, I returned to Puerto Rico. My family stayed in New York, and I found myself starting over in a place still recovering from the hurricane. In those first months, I often felt isolated and unsure of how to rebuild my life... until I began offering photoshoots again. Little by little, that work gave me the confidence and sense of direction I needed to start over.
After countless adventures in the rainforest and beyond, I launched my “Rainforest Photoshoot Experience” on TripAdvisor and Airbnb, where it earned over 100 five-star reviews. Expanding my services across multiple platforms helped me grow my reach and, ultimately, sustain a full-time career as a portrait photographer for over five years.
After the success of my “Rainforest Photoshoot Experience,” I legally registered my business and launched my website in 2024 and introduced “Seaside Moments,” portrait sessions by the sea. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to creating portraits set against the natural beauty of Puerto Rico’s landscapes.
In addition to portrait work, I’ve worked with brands such as NeuroGum, Vessel, and Secret Woods and more on a range of commercial projects.
I invite you to immerse yourself in a portrait experience in nature. Together, we’ll create something meaningful. Your story deserves to be seen, felt, and remembered with intention and artistry.
Reach out For all your photography needs and I'll reply promptly.
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