We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gideon J. Gallegos-Sanchez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gideon J., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Even early on in my Photography career (2016) I kept seeing an extremely frustrating pattern: there were simply too many people missing out on capturing life’s meaningful moments – whether that be weddings, graduations, anniversaries, etc. – because professional photography was priced so far out of reach. At the time, photographers, at least in my area, seemed to be charging rates that simply didn’t feel affordable.
I knew photography could be both beautiful and affordable.
I decided to build my business around a simple idea: offer professional-quality photography at prices people could afford, without having to feel a like their wallets got gut-punched.
By keeping prices low, I’m not cutting corners – I’m cutting out what I find to be unnecessary.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit—but I got into photography because of Spider-Man.
Growing up, comic books were a big part of my life. Although I was raised in more of a DC Comics household, I always found myself drawn to the story of Peter Parker—aka Spider-Man. There was something compelling about this quiet, awkward kid working as a photographer for the Daily Bugle, juggling normal life with extraordinary responsibility. He had all this power, and yet he chose to use it for good. That idea stuck with me.
I remember my first camera—a Fujifilm FinePix S4500. It belonged to my mom. I remember my mom going on a vacation with my nana, and I used that chance to steal it and start using it. Most parents would be upset if their 14 year old took their expensive camera, but my mom never got upset about it, she really embraced my desire for photography. I still have that camera to this very day.
I think I figured if I couldn’t swing from buildings or lift cars, maybe I could at least take photos like our “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” I started like most photographers: landscapes, candid portraits—really shooting with no real intention other than to experiment. One year it was a new camera, the next a new lens. Over time, my curiosity grew into a passion, especially for portraiture.
That passion eventually evolved into what is now Gideon Sanchez Photography.
I feel what sets me apart as a photographer isn’t just technical skill—it’s my mindset. Like any job, photography can become routine. After years of shooting events, it’s easy to fall into the trap of going through the motions: hitting a checklist of shots or recreating trendy poses. While those definitely have their place, I try to resist that mechanical approach.
Instead, I focus on the people in front of the lens. I think about the effort my clients put in—the work it took to afford the shoot, the time they carved out of their lives, and the care they took in preparing for that single moment captured in 1/125th of a second. This mindset keeps me grounded to focus on those minute, intimate moments.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Alongside my photography business, my wife and I also own and manage four properties here in New Mexico—three of which are rentals. We handle everything ourselves, from maintenance to accounting.
I frequently network with those interested in real estate and have met some really fantastic people I’ve worked with here in ABQ.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Word of mouth, for sure. While reviews online are fantastic, nothing seems to beat word of mouth referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gideonsanchezphotography.com
- Instagram: @gideonsanchezphotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gideonsanchez/
- Other: Google: https://g.co/kgs/CMPvYZj
