Prolific island photographer Ray Pfortner will present his annual photography class, Shoot to Show, to aspiring photographers beginning Wednesday, May 2, and continuing on Wednesdays, May 9 and 16, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Blue Heron. The class will also include a sunrise class from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 5.

The Shoot to Show course has been offered by Pfortner for 14 years. The course culminates in a juried show and the opportunity for winning photographs to show at the Hardware Store Restaurant in July. Photographers of all skill levels and ages, teen to adult, are welcome to participate in the class with whatever camera they’d like.

“The idea for the class originated on Vashon, and I have now used it with my teaching partners throughout the region, from Edmonds to Bellevue to the Seattle Chinese and Japanese Gardens,” Pfortner said, adding that he’s used techniques from the class with groups learning photography as far away as China and Cuba.

Jurors judging the class’s photographs in past years have included Melinda Powers, Wendy Finkleman a White House Photographer for Bill Clinton, a Seattle Times photographer, and a number of different Beachcomber staff members.

Themes for Shoot to Show have varied, from Mount Rainier as viewed from Vashon to water and animals of Vashon. The class will determine this year’s theme at their first session, May 2, and determine the location for their sunrise photo shoot the following Saturday accordingly.

“The goal of the class is to empower Vashon artists, photographers or even those who use photographs as artist reference to paint or draw from, to learn to select for a show with an eye toward selling, to learn to price, and to learn to print, frame, hang and promote so they can continue with a group or solo show of their own work in the future,” Pfortner said. He noted that painters and other graphic artists are also welcome to participate in the course.

Teens to adults can register for the class with Vashon Center for the Arts. Call 463-5131 for more information or to register.