Faculty Profiles
Program Lead + Associate Professor of Photography
Christopher Kern has been shooting and producing commercial photography projects since 2003. He holds an MFA in Photography from the prestigious Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. Along with his freelance photography work, he has been utilizing his MFA as a photo instructor since 2009. His photographic work has been featured in the industry by; PDN, CMYK, IPA, and the APA. Photographically he is looking to create imagery that is – aspirational yet attainable. His true passion is for the people he encounters, whether as a portrait subject, fellow creative, student, or stranger. While his commercial work has taken him all over the United States and Internationally – He calls Riverside home, where he lives with his wife, Nikki, and daughter Eva James.
951.552.8150 + ckern@calbaptist.edu
Office Hours are Available by Appointment.
M.F.A., Photography - Art for Commerce; Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA
B.A., Photo Communications. Minor, Business Administration; California State University Fullerton
Christine Lee Smith, MFA
Lecturer of Photography
Christine Lee Smith is an award-winning portrait photographer in Southern California. Smith received her MFA in 2020 from Azusa Pacific University. Smith’s research interests lie in photography’s relationship to embodiment and identity, and she has presented original papers on photography’s relationship to gender, as well as photography’s relationship to death, at CIVA biennials in 2019 and 2021. Smith received an honorable mention in the 17th Julia Margaret Cameron Award and was a finalist in the Taylor Wessing National Portrait Gallery award in 2019. Her work has appeared in the Duncan Miller Gallery, Gallery 825, and the Museum of Latin American Art.
M.F.A., Visual Art - Photography, Azusa Pacific University
David Bess, MFA
Adjunct Professor of Photography
David Bess has had a camera in his hand for most of his life. He has operated his studio for over 35 years. He received a B.A. in Photography from the University of La Verne with Summa Cum Laude and departmental honors. He joined the photography department faculty the year following commencement, teaching courses that included topics such as introduction to digital photography, documentary photography, visual literacy, and photojournalism. In addition, he was responsible for helping develop and direct the senior project program for graduating photo majors. David would receive his M.F.A. in Visual Arts from Azusa Pacific University. He holds memberships with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the Society for Photographic Education (SPE), and the Royal Photographic Society (RPS). David’s work currently focuses on creating colorful abstractions with a sense of whimsy or humor.
M.F.A., Visual Art - Photography, Azusa Pacific University
B.A., Photography, University of La Verne
Betsy Castellanos, BA
Adjunct Professor of Photography
Betsy Castellanos has been immersed in the commercial photography industry since graduating in 2018, specializing in capturing people and products. With a strong aptitude for retouching, she excelled as a freelance retoucher and now holds a full-time role at Fabletics as a digital imagery specialist. Betsy's versatile background enables her to create compelling narratives through precise image capture and enhancement. Her commitment to staying current with industry trends underscores her passion for the field. As an adjunct photography faculty member, Betsy draws from her experience to inspire students in photography and retouching, offering valuable insights from her own journey.
B.A., Photography, California Baptist University
Raymond Alva, BA
Adjunct Professor of Photography
Raymond Alva (RAP) is a portrait/documentary photographer currently residing in Riverside, CA. His exploration of light and color harmonizes with his desire to document the stories before him. By aiming to present his subjects from an alternative viewpoint, Alva's work aids us in comprehending both the shared characteristics and distinctions among all of us. During times when he isn't photographing music artists or those in his vicinity, Alva frequently finds himself at the local DIY skate spot or the movie theater, where he enjoys catching the latest film by Roger Deakins.
B.A., Photography, California Baptist University
David Fouts, BA
Adjunct Professor of Photography
David Fouts is an environmental portrait photographer focused on telling stories about the people he encounters and spends time with. While he is originally from Texas, David found himself growing up in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Germany, and Liberia all before coming back to the United States to study photography just outside of Los Angeles, CA.
B.A., Photography, California Baptist University