Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey Gabra.
Hi Joey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a San Antonio–area photographer based in Fair Oaks Ranch who believes the best images feel effortless—honest moments, relaxed people, clean light, and a clear story. My work spans weddings and quinceañeras to seniors, families, engagements, and corporate events, always with an authentic, easygoing approach that lets you be yourself while I handle the rest.
Over the past fifteen-plus years, I’ve built Joey Gabra Photography into a trusted option for life’s biggest milestones—capturing genuine connection over stiff poses and delivering galleries people actually revisit, not just archive. Along the way, I earned Thumbtack “Top Pro” status (2023) on the strength of five-star client reviews and consistent results.
My style is simple on purpose: natural, story-forward, and client-first. I keep sessions calm and collaborative so you’re comfortable in front of the lens, then I do the heavy lifting—directing when you need it, disappearing when you don’t, and obsessing over light, timing, and tiny details you’ll only notice later. The goal is timeless photographs with real feeling.
How did I get here?
Like a lot of good stories, it started close to home—shooting for friends and family, saying “YES” to the next challenge, and discovering I loved telling people’s stories as much as making pictures. One client led to another, one event turned into a season, and what began as a passion became the work I’m proud to do every single week across Boerne, San Antonio, Austin, and beyond.
Today, it’s still about the same thing: people, moments, and making sure you can feel the day again when you look back.
If you’re planning a wedding or quinceañera, celebrating a senior year, wrangling a family portrait, or leveling up your brand, I’d love to help you capture it—calmly, professionally, and with a little bit of fun mixed in.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t call it a bumpy road, but it certainly hasn’t been the smoothest either. Like any creative journey, mine came with its share of challenges. One of the biggest came early on—just as my photography business was starting to gain momentum, my family and I moved to Texas. Having to essentially start over in a new city was daunting, but it also pushed me to lean into the power of community and word of mouth.
I began by shooting family portraits all over town, and before long, I was fortunate enough to partner with some incredible local photographers who opened the door for me to shoot weddings, quinceañeras, and corporate events. Those partnerships not only gave me valuable experience but also allowed me to build a portfolio that began to get noticed.
Eventually, I started getting the calls to run shoots on my own, without needing to team up with anyone. That was a turning point—being chosen ahead of some of the best photographers in the area was humbling and validating. At the same time, I’ll always credit those early mentors for giving me the opportunities that set me on my path.
Over time, I became well-connected in the wedding and quinceañera communities, building relationships with event organizers, dressmakers, caterers, florists—you name it. Before I knew it, my name started circulating in those circles, and my client base grew rapidly.
So, while it wasn’t a completely smooth road, it wasn’t a bad one either. Every challenge taught me something, every opportunity opened a new door, and the journey has been both fun and rewarding. Today, I’m grateful to say I have a thriving business and hundreds of happy, returning clients—and I wouldn’t trade the road that got me here for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work has always centered around people and their stories. I specialize in life’s milestone moments—weddings, quinceañeras, senior portraits, family sessions, and large community events. I’m known for creating images that feel natural, authentic, and true to the people in them. My style isn’t about stiff poses or over-the-top effects—it’s about catching genuine emotion, letting personalities shine, and making sure the client feels at ease throughout the process.
But photography isn’t my only creative outlet. I’ve also been a working professional musician and songwriter for nearly 40 years. Creativity has always been at the core of who I am, and I’ve found that my music and my photography are deeply connected. Being a musician taught me rhythm, flow, timing, and the importance of emotion—all things that translate directly into how I shoot and edit photographs.
In many ways, I believe I’m a better photographer because of my background as a musician.
What I’m most proud of is the trust and relationships I’ve built with my clients and my community.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing hundreds of families and events, and many of those clients have become repeat clients, even friends. That kind of loyalty tells me I’ve done more than take nice photos—I’ve given people an experience they want to return to.
What sets me apart is my ability to balance professionalism with a laid-back, approachable energy. I make people comfortable, even if they hate being in front of the camera, and I know when to step in with direction and when to step back and just let the moments unfold. I’ve also worked my way up by collaborating with some of the best photographers and event professionals in the area, which gave me a wide range of experience and a strong network in the wedding and quinceañera community.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to create timeless images that bring people back to the joy of the moment, every time they look at them.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Even after more than a decade of shooting, I can honestly say I still love photography just as much as the day I started. Taking pictures has never once felt like “work” to me. Every session is an opportunity to create something meaningful, and that excitement hasn’t faded—it’s only grown stronger. I show up to every shoot with the same enthusiasm and joy I had when I first picked up a camera, and I think that energy comes through in the images I deliver.
Every click of the shutter is another chance to create something lasting, something real—and I still love it just as much as when I first began.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JoeyGabraPhotography.com
- Instagram: @lenslightlove
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeygabraphotography
- Other: https://share.google/J69zhKiO6bgGn4gYr
