Nicole Gates Photography

Nicole Gates Photography Nicole creates magazine-level portraits for women, men, and families who value powerful imagery and lasting artwork. Currently booking shoots.

Editorial styling, guided posing, and a fun experience designed for clients who invest in custom wall art and heirloom photo albums. By Appointment Only.

A heads up for my business owners and professionals. Headshot days at the studio are scheduled once a month, dates annou...
09/05/2026

A heads up for my business owners and professionals.

Headshot days at the studio are scheduled once a month, dates announced soon, so now is a good time to click on your own profile and take an honest look at the photo sitting there.

If it’s older than your current title, cropped from a wedding, or taken in the office hallway, you already know. New career? On the hunt for a new one? Want to stand out? Have a different look?

It’s time for a refresh.

And one more thing, said with love: skip the AI headshot. The people you’re trying to earn trust from can tell, and the moment they do, the photo works against you. You can’t be seen as trustworthy, professional, or authentic through a picture of someone who doesn’t exist. You don’t have to be “skinnier” or “more perfect,” you have to be REAL.

My sessions are about an hour, we choose your images together before you leave, hair and makeup is available, and I only take four people a day. If you want first crack at the dates, send me a message or text (956) 587-9407 and I’ll put you on the list. Or visit my website (link in bio) to connect with me there.

F I F T E E NA girl is a lot of different things at fifteen.She can love the beautiful gown and the tradition that comes...
09/02/2026

F I F T E E N

A girl is a lot of different things at fifteen.

She can love the beautiful gown and the tradition that comes with her quince, and still be most excited about the short pink dress, a pile of flowers, her golf clubs and an idea inspired by The Princess Diaries.

That’s Isabella Orengo. Daughter of Liana Peña.

And that’s what I loved about photographing her quince session. Yes, we photographed the gorgeous gown. Of course we did. (And OMG the dress is to die for!!! Can’t wait to show you!)

But we also made room for the girl wearing it.

Because fifteen is such an interesting little space between childhood and the woman she is becoming. She’s figuring out her style, her interests, her confidence, what she thinks is cool and what makes her feel most like herself.

Years from now, I want Isabella to look at these photographs and remember more than what she wore to her quince. I want her to remember who she was at fifteen.

And I have a feeling she’ll be very glad we photographed all of her. I’m pretty sure there is much more to her and hopefully I’ll get that chance to photograph her again soon!

F I F T YYou can tell a lot about a woman by the way the people who love her look at her.Cindy Gonzalez has been followi...
08/30/2026

F I F T Y

You can tell a lot about a woman by the way the people who love her look at her.

Cindy Gonzalez has been following my work for several years, and when she finally decided that turning 50 was her reason to get in front of my camera, her three daughters Tala, Brianna and Serah were ALL IN. They came to her consultation. They were there for the photo shoot. They came back for her reveal. They cheered her on, fussed over her, laughed with her and made absolutely certain their mom knew just how beautiful they thought she was.

And that told me everything I needed to know about Cindy.

Because at 50, we can still get in our own heads. We notice the things that have changed. We worry about how we’ll photograph. We wonder if the woman we feel like on the inside is still going to show up on the outside.

She does. I don’t know a woman who doesn’t.

And when someone has the kind of spirit Cindy has, you can’t hide it anyway. It’s in that incredible smile. It’s in her confidence. It’s in the way she carries herself. And most of all, it’s reflected right back at her in the faces of those girls who clearly think their mother hung the moon.

So today we get the crown and that gorgeous purple gown, because if ever there were a woman whose family considered her the queen, it’s this one. We get the balloons and a little fun because 50 absolutely deserves some confetti. And we get the portraits of Cindy simply being Cindy. Strong. Confident. Beautiful. Loved.

Her actual birthday is today and it’s almost over, although from what I know, her family has been celebrating her all weekend. And I have a feeling her husband, daughters and family have spoiled her completely rotten.

As they should.

Happy 50th birthday, Cindy. I hope when you look at these photographs years from now, you don’t just remember what you looked like at 50. Although you are amazing!!!!

I hope you remember EXACTLY how LOVED you were.

Briana Nikole🦋 Tála Marie Karrie Jo

B A B Y VToday, sweet baby Vincent Declan Ortiz was baptized.Before we ever knew his name, God knew him. Before Victori...
08/29/2026

B A B Y V

Today, sweet baby Vincent Declan Ortiz was baptized.

Before we ever knew his name, God knew him. Before Victoria and Declan ever held him in their arms, he was being knit together in his mother’s womb, already known, already loved, already His.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

Babies are such extraordinary gifts. Little treasures entrusted to us to love fiercely, protect carefully, guide wisely and teach to see the good in this world. And then, because we can’t possibly protect them from everything, we place them in hands greater than our own. ✝️

Today was a beautiful reminder that Baby V will grow surrounded by the love of his family and under the watchful eye of God.

What a beautiful beginning to his story.

Congratulations on this very special occasion!!!!
Declan Ortiz Victoria Ortiz Melissa Gonzalez-Vela

What do you think he was thinking???? Funniest response gets bragging rights!✨🥹———————————————-🥹✨They’ll smile if they w...
08/26/2026

What do you think he was thinking???? Funniest response gets bragging rights!

✨🥹———————————————-🥹✨

They’ll smile if they want to.

And if they don’t? Even better.

Kids don’t need to perform for my camera. No begging for smiles, no drawn-out photo session, no making everyone miserable in the name of a Christmas card. Just easy, fun, fast and REAL portraits that capture exactly who they are right now.

Including the attitude. Especially the attitude.

Because one day, this face is going to be everyone’s favorite photo. Correction, it already is.

One of the Gutierrez’ love bugs and now a big brother too!

Danielle Gutierrez + Gerardo Gutierrez

rgvkidsphotographer

C O L O RSuzanne had never worn green. Never Ever…ever.She has those incredible blue lagoon eyes and, like a lot of wome...
08/25/2026

C O L O R

Suzanne had never worn green. Never Ever…ever.

She has those incredible blue lagoon eyes and, like a lot of women with blue eyes, assumed blue was what she needed to wear to make them stand out.

I disagreed.

I knew this olive green would be gorgeous on her. With the blonde hair, the blue eyes, her skin tone, and yes, those legs, it was going to do exactly what I wanted it to do.

Paired with the bohemian vibe she didn’t know she liked until she saw it, this dress was perfection.

She trusted me.

The day after her session, she went out and bought something green.

This is one of those little things I love about what I do. Most women know what colors they like. That doesn’t necessarily mean they know which colors love them back. (Blue does look great on her too though, but it’s predictable…this green is a stunner)

Sometimes you need someone on the outside to see what you haven’t seen yet.

And Suzanne? She can officially wear the hell out of green.

Hair and Makeup Karrie Jo
My favorite canvas backdrops always coming in clutch.

“Welcome to Different.”

Now booking.

S I S T E R SThere’s something about sisters. They know exactly how to make you laugh, exactly how to make you crazy, an...
08/21/2026

S I S T E R S

There’s something about sisters. They know exactly how to make you laugh, exactly how to make you crazy, and they know you in a way no one else quite does.

Family sessions aren’t just about getting everyone in one photograph. They’re about capturing the relationships within the family too. Because years from now, this won’t just be a photograph of three beautiful girls. It will be a photograph of them. Together. And that will matter.

👀🦷🥹Get them in the studio while the teeth are missing, the braces are on, the freckles are out and all those little thin...
08/20/2026

👀🦷🥹

Get them in the studio while the teeth are missing, the braces are on, the freckles are out and all those little things you think you’ll remember forever are still right there. Because they won’t last long. One day you’ll look at these photographs and realize those were the things you miss the most. This is Analeah, actor, professional tooth-loser, giggler and one of my favorite little people to photograph.

Did you know that kids can come in for headshot sessions too? Did you know you can bring them in to create a great portrait for your wall? And I have a candy 🍭and treat bar that kids and parents (especially dads) love.

Now booking. Select Saturday or after school sessions are available but are the first to book!

Photos are of the adorable cutie Analeah Perez created by Yucsili Rauda + Josiah Perez

E X P E R TThere is a point in a woman’s career when her headshot needs to catch up with her résumé.She has the experien...
08/17/2026

E X P E R T

There is a point in a woman’s career when her headshot needs to catch up with her résumé.

She has the experience. She knows her business. People trust her judgment. She has earned the title, the seat and the voice in the room.

This is Raquel Hochman.

✨✨And this photograph is a good example of something I believe pretty strongly about photographing women.✨✨

⬇️⬇️⬇️
We can make a woman look beautiful without making beauty the most important thing about her.

We’ve somehow gotten very comfortable with the idea that confidence in a woman needs to look sexy. Younger. More glamorous. More perfected.

I don’t buy that. It’s not how I want to be photographed. Ever.

A woman can be feminine and beautiful and still have the first thing you notice about her be her intelligence, her confidence, her warmth, her experience.

Especially when we’re talking about women who have spent decades becoming very good at what they do.

Your headshot is often your introduction before you ever walk into the room. It should look like you on a very good day, absolutely.

But more importantly, it should look like the woman who earned her seat at the table.

Because beautiful is wonderful.
It’s just not the most interesting thing about us.

Hair and makeup by the wonderful Karrie Jo
The CEO at the table is

B E I N G 1 3Darbo Diaz.I’ve been photographing this kid since he was a newborn, which makes the fact that he is now 13...
08/17/2026

B E I N G 1 3

Darbo Diaz.

I’ve been photographing this kid since he was a newborn, which makes the fact that he is now 13 slightly offensive. How did we grow up so fast!!???

He’s funny, with the cutest giggle, a gamer, a friend of my son Logan’s, and VERY particular about his hair. Haircuts are serious business when you’re 13. And looking at these, I get it. The hair is working.

But it’s his eyes I kept coming back to when I was photographing him. Those eyes have been in front of my camera since he was tiny, (okay maybe they were closed during newborn photos, but still…) and now there’s this whole person behind them.

That’s the strange thing about photographing kids as they grow. You recognize them completely, but every time you photograph them, you’re meeting a new version. And you can’t help but love every stage of them, even when they are being typical 13 year “how-many-times-do-I-have-to-tell-you” old!

The newborn. The little boy. And now this one. So cool.😎

Thirteen.

Still a kid. Not for much longer.

And thankfully, still willing to laugh for me.

This beautiful child…compliments of Carolina Civarolo + Erick Darbo Diaz.

Family sessions aren’t just to capture the whole family. I spend time with each person…just to capture their “now.”

Address

321 N. Main Street, Bldg. B
McAllen, TX
78501

Telephone

+19565879407

Website

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