Special occasions are extraordinary; a time when the right photographer can capture heartfelt emotions that may only be visible for just a brief moment. My passion in life is having the opportunity to work with individuals and families to capture their moment and provide them with a gift that will bring back the feelings of the day any time they view their photos. My love affair with photography began back in 2003 when my soon-to-be wife and her beautiful daughter Alexis came into my life. Little did I know at that time that Alexis would be my first child and become such a vital part of my life.

My Family is My Inspiration

My entire family is incredibly important to me. My wife Angela and I had two additional children together, and Ryan Jr. (RJ) and Joshua continue to be my inspiration and the reason that I strive to be the best photographer that I can be every day. They make me want to continue to serve families who want to preserve their beautiful memories during special occasions in their life.

I have learned a great deal about photography in the nine years since I began Gonzales Photography. Today, I shoot anywhere from 12-15 weddings per year, and am a member of the Professional Photographers of America Association. I have also completed the program to become a Certified Professional Photographer - meaning I am part of an elite 8% of the nation's photographers who have completed the rigorous training and written examination required to claim this certification.

The Importance of Giving Back

One of the ways that I give back to my community is through mentoring other photography professionals, and I serve as the Certification Liaison for the New Mexico and El Paso, Texas regions for other photographers. My mentoring programs have helped up-and-coming photographers from this region and around the country bring out the art and design that could otherwise be missing from their work. The art of photography includes very specific technical details such as focal length, crop factors, posing, lighting, composition and depth of field. Without a thorough and innate understanding of these different topics, it would be difficult if not impossible for photographers to consider themselves a professional.

Trust a True Professional

While there are many different reasons that you should hire me, possibly the most important is the pride and honor that I take in my work. You are trusting me to capture moments that can never be replaced, and that is not a trust that I take lightly. While I don't make claims to be the best photographer, I do focus constantly on being better today than I was last week.

Some of the words that have been used to describe my work are stylish, artistic and memorable. I like to emphasize the storytelling aspect of the day, and use empathy to capture striking and powerful images that will leave you with an emotional impact. My goal is that every wedding, every graduation, every quinceanera - I never walk away without creating several "Wow shots" that will make you laugh, cry or catch your breath.

Capture the Joy in Every Moment

Photography is particularly important for weddings, as in the excitement of the day things can become a blur. Meaningful photography provides you with a way to experience the magic of the day over and over again - and to see your friends and family (and yourself!) from a completely new perspective. Long after your flowers have died, the cake has been eaten and the last dance has ended - your wedding photography remains and provides you with the warmth and emotion that suffused your most special day. We have the creativity and technique in posing, lighting and shooting that are required to capture your personality and style in a way that you will remember forever.

As lead photographer, I will work with you to craft a wedding photography package that will capture the day you have always dreamed about with a care and creativity that may not be found in other wedding photography studios. We offer wedding photography at its best - a minimum of two photographers and possibly an assistant, depending on the needs of the wedding - will be at your disposal for the agreed-upon time. As one of the top wedding photography studios in the country, we will work with you to design a unique experience that ensures we capture all the details of your exceptional time as a bride and as you become part of a new family. Our coverage crosses state borders, and we work with brides from Las Cruces, El Paso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tucson, Phoenix and destination weddings worldwide.

We Find the Art in the Everyday

We focus on not only taking photos, but on creating art with each project that we take on. When you are looking for wedding and special occasion photography that goes far beyond the simple snapshot and into the realm of art house pieces, then Gonzales Photography is your top choice for the Las Cruces area. Even though our photography is stylish, memorable, award winning and artistic, that does not mean that it is outrageously priced. Our packages start at a very reasonable price point, and we offer packages that are sure to fit every wedding budget.

Along with being one of the country's premier wedding photographers, Gonzales Photography also specializes in family photography - graduation, Sweet 16 and quinceanera photography. No matter your photography need in the Las Cruces area, give us a call or check your dates online to book today! Our convenient location on the northwest side of Las Cruces near Interstate 10 means you can easily join us for a digital viewing of your proofs.

Call or Email us today to get the ultimate out-of-the-box experience and the unique photography that has won awards and has been featured in multiple magazines.