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Thomas Gardea — Portrait Sessions

Real photos of you.

One-hour photoshoots in my studio or on location. You get 35 edited photos delivered to your phone within a week.

  • Studio$120
  • Location$150

Or call or text 915-777-2932

Studio or location

A mannequin family being photographed in the desert at sunset, with mountains behind them
A mannequin family being photographed in a studio, in front of a paper backdrop between two softbox lights

Studio Session

$120

  • 1 hour in the studio
  • Studio lighting, set up for you
  • ADA accessible studio
  • Up to 5 people, and the weather never matters

Pick your background: White

Location Session

$150

  • 1 hour, anywhere in El Paso and the surrounding area
  • Pick a spot from my list or bring your own
  • No limit on group size
  • Travel included up to Las Cruces

A $50 deposit holds your date and comes off your total. It moves with you if you reschedule and isn’t refundable if you cancel.

24-hour delivery is $50 extra. Farther than Las Cruces, ask and I’ll quote the travel.

What people book a session for

Best between 30 and 36 weeks. Most people choose the desert at sunset. The studio works too if you want a plain background.

Maternity

For a new job, a license renewal or your website. A paper backdrop is the standard choice, and downtown works if you want more character.

Headshot

In cap and gown, on campus or at a location you choose.

Graduation

I keep it moving so the kids don’t run out of patience. Outdoor locations usually work better than the studio for families because there’s room to move.

Family

Usually shot on location. If you don’t have a place in mind, the location list has ideas.

Engagement

Portraits of the two of you before the wedding day. Most couples book a location session, since the studio fits up to 5 people. For the wedding day itself, see Events.

Wedding

Portraits in the dress before the day. Most families book a location session, and the missions and Old Mesilla suit the dress. For the party itself, see Events.

Quinceañera

Where do you want to shoot?

Mountains and open desert. The light is best in the hour before sunset.

  • Franklin Mountains State Park
  • Transmountain Road pullouts
  • Scenic Drive Overlook
  • Tom Lea Upper Park
  • Hueco Tanks State Park

City streets, murals and old buildings. Works well for headshots and graduation photos.

  • Union Plaza District
  • San Jacinto Plaza
  • Segundo Barrio murals
  • Plaza Theatre & Anson Mills
  • El Paso Museum of Art plaza

Parks with trees and shade, which helps in summer.

  • Keystone Heritage Park & Botanical Gardens
  • Memorial Park
  • Ascarate Park
  • Rio Bosque Wetlands Park
  • Chamizal National Memorial

The old missions and plazas. A common choice for quinceañera and family photos.

  • Ysleta Mission
  • Socorro Mission
  • San Elizario historic plaza
  • Concordia Cemetery

Across the state line, from Sunland Park up to White Sands.

  • Sunland Park dunes & Mount Cristo Rey
  • Anthony & Canutillo pecan groves
  • Old Mesilla Plaza, Las Cruces
  • Dripping Springs & the Organ Mountains
  • Leasburg Dam & the Rio Grande
  • White Sands National Park

Why book me

A week, or I owe you prints.

If your photos take longer than 7 days, everyone in the session gets a printed 4×6 of every photo, free.

If the weather turns, we reschedule.

El Paso gets wind and rain. If the weather is bad on your date, we move it at no charge.

Natural editing.

I correct color and exposure and remove temporary things like blemishes. I don’t reshape anyone unless they ask.

Book a session

Or call or text 915-777-2932

Studio or location

A ballpark date is fine. I confirm the exact time with you afterwards.

Usually replies within a day.