Local Glamour Shots owner featured in New York Times article
Back in the ’90s Glamour Shots was the go-to place for families and professionals whenever they wanted to get glammed up for a special photo shoot. Whether it was fun family photos or graduation photos, Glamour Shots provided customers with makeovers and photography sessions defined by big hair, heavy eye shadow and fun poses.
At one point Glamour Shots had over 350 stores in the U.S. Now just five stores remain open. One of those stores is in the Borderland and has been around for over two decades.
“Glamour shots is bringing out the beauty in you with a beautiful portrait, the highest quality and the best customer service,” said Leonora Campbell, owner of the El Paso Glamour Shots franchise.
Campbell moved to the U.S. from Antigua, Guatemala, on a student visa at age 16. She studied photography for a year before opening her first Glamour Shots studio inside of Cielo Vista Mall in 1991.
After six years of snapping photos for local mall shoppers, Campbell moved her store out of the mall to a strip center on Gateway Boulevard West.
“I wanted something more visible. It wasnt easy because we didnt have the walk-bys, but we had the drive-bys,” said Campbell.
Campbell believes that her ability to keep up with the change in time is a reason why her location is still going strong.
“The owner of the other franchise’s didnt follow the trend. They stayed with the 1990s with the big hair and the heavy makeup. We took a detour. We followed the trend and we continue to,” said Campbell.
Her Glamour Shots studio now works with 18 area high schools and 2 Houston high schools.
She credits her hard working employees, some who have been with her for more than 20 years, as another reason her studio is still around.
For Campbell, everyday is still a learning experience but she never takes for granted the love that El Paso has given her and her business.
“Being an immigrant is not easy but everyone in El Paso has opened their arms to help me tremendously,” said Campbell.
