His father died when he was eight, and his mother became a nurse to support her family. He attended Everett Community College and Seattle University. Before working for Vanity Fair, Prochnau was the Washington-bureau chief for The Seattle Times and he later served as a national affairs reporter for The Washington Post.
His father died when he was eight years old, and his mother became a nurse to help her family. He attended Everett Community College and Seattle University. Before working at Vanity Fair, Prochnau held the position of Washington bureau chief for The Seattle Times and later worked as a national affairs reporter for The Washington Post.