Abby Akachi is a photographer based in El Paso, Texas, who began his journey behind the camera in 2022 after a career in machining. Since then, he has quickly made a name for himself in the local photography scene. A member of the Photography Enthusiasts of El Paso (PEEP), Abby is known for his ability to capture beauty in the everyday, finding meaning in the mundane and overlooked details of daily life. His work is marked by a strong focus on symmetry and order, revealing moments of harmony within chaos. Abby primarily works with a Leica M9, Fuji XT3, and a collection of 35mm film cameras, as well as early digital cameras. Through these tools, he creates visual narratives that highlight the subtleties of ordinary moments, transforming them into captivating compositions that resonate with viewers.

Abby’s distinctive style and eye for detail have quickly earned him recognition in the local photography community, where he continues to explore and refine his craft.

Jose Andow Jr. is a native of El Paso who grew up immersed in the world of photography. He learned the craft in his father’s studio, which specialized in black-and-white portraiture. As color photography emerged, Jose showcased his talent by creating two portraits that were featured in national exhibits by the Professional Photographers of America. 

In 2004, with the rise of digital photography and its profound effect on daily life, Jose decided to step away from photography and pursue a different career path. However, he eventually missed the creative satisfaction and joy of producing images that resonate with viewers. Now, Jose has returned to the world of photography, embracing digital technology with the hope of creating prints that evoke emotion and captivate the eye.

Leann Brown is an award-winning landscape and nature photographer with a focus on macro photography. As a mother and wife, she finds joy in balancing family life with her passion for photography. For Leann, photography is more than a career—it's a creative outlet that allows her to connect with nature. She loves traveling to explore new environments and capture the world’s beauty through her lens.

Matthew Armen Cobo is an independent photographer whose work delves into boundaries and the tensions between personal and societal limits. In his projects Living Zer0 (2023) and Take Don’t Touch (2024), Cobo explored themes of voyeurism, isolation, The Uncanny, and The Othered. With a foundation in film cinematography and visual storytelling—earned through a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Visual Culture Studies and Studio Art Photography from the University of Redlands (2024)—Cobo crafts images rich in cinematic narrative, setting his work apart with their evocative depth.

Growing up, Cobo viewed photography as a pursuit of perfection, where images were spotless, heavily edited, and stripped of imperfection. Feeling alienated in a world obsessed with erasing flaws, he embraced his “Curse as The Photographer” to document beauty within imperfection and celebrate The Othered. His work reflects a deeply personal narrative, engaging with society’s edges while questioning its norms.

Cobo draws inspiration from a range of artists, including filmmakers Robert Eggers and Guillermo del Toro, photographer Daido Moriyama, and artist H.R. Giger, blending their influences into a unique visual language.

Currently, Cobo is based in New Mexico, working on multiple projects, including a series set in El Paso, Texas, and a narrative-driven photo album inspired by a soul-searching journey through Japan. His photography continues to challenge conventions, presenting bold societal critiques and profound personal reflections.

Martin Fano is a retired U.S. Army officer and civil servant who has been an avid landscape and travel photographer for over 45 years. Based in the Southwest, Martin pairs his passion for photography with his love of outdoor exploration. Entirely self-taught, he prefers to capture images as close to what he sees as possible, shying away from heavy digital editing. His goal is not to win awards but to inspire others to explore the world through his photography. Now retired, Martin plans to dedicate more time to expanding his skills and exploring new genres. His outdoor adventures and natural landscapes are a testament to his enduring love for the craft.

Tim Holt is an award-winning photographer based in Canutillo, Texas, known for his dynamic and experimental approach. His work spans a wide range of mediums, from drone and smartphone photography to classic Polaroids. Starting his photographic journey in 1982, Tim was the first in El Paso to hold a solo exhibit exclusively featuring smartphone photos, marking him as an innovative force in the local scene. He has had 4 solo shows and innumerable group shows. His achievements also include being the first in the area to win an award for drone photography. Whether capturing sweeping aerial shots or intimate close-ups, Tim blends emerging technology with traditional techniques to create images that resonate on an emotional level. His work can be seen at The Collaborative, where he shares a diverse array of styles with the community.
Tim is a co-founder of PEEP, as well as one of the driving forces behind the PEEP Collaborative. 

Delbert Humberson is an outdoor enthusiast and photographer based in El Paso, Texas. His photography reflects his passion for hiking and exploring the Chihuahuan Desert and surrounding areas. Delbert’s work ranges from wide landscapes to detailed macro shots, showcasing the hidden beauty of the desert. Whether he's capturing a sweeping vista or the night sky, his photos challenge the perception that deserts are lifeless. Delbert enjoys experimenting with different techniques and takes a spontaneous approach to photography, often capturing what catches his eye during long hikes. His work can be found on his website, ChucoHiker.com, and on Instagram and YouTube under @ChucoHiker.

Inspired by the legacy of conservation-driven photography exemplified by Ansel Adams and Sebastião Salgado’s Genesis, Trevor Jackson creates black-and-white fine art nature and landscape photography. Their work emphasizes spontaneous composition, characterized by stark, otherworldly contrasts and intricate textures. Through these photographs, Jackson advocates for global conservation, aiming to evoke awe and reverence for the natural world amidst the distractions of modern life.

With a background in optical science and experience engineering satellite remote sensing instruments for NASA, Trevor brings a unique technical perspective to their artistic vision, blending scientific precision with creative expression to capture the profound beauty of our planet.

Nirmal Khandan, based in Las Cruces, NM, is a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer originally from Sri Lanka. He has been honing his photography skills for decades, focusing on bird photography, particularly hummingbirds. His work has been featured in national publications like *Nature’s Best Photography* and *Bird Watcher’s Digest*. He is a frequent exhibitor at the NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and Las Cruces Museum of Art. Nirmal actively shares his expertise by conducting bird photography workshops in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and NM State Parks. Additionally, he organizes birding and photography expeditions to Sri Lanka, fostering a deep connection between his homeland and his photography.

Jerry Perez, a native of Mexico City, migrated to El Paso, Texas, with his family in 1966. After earning a degree in Art Education and Fine Art in 1982, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he played a key role in launching a chain of art supply stores and galleries for a major home improvement corporation. In 1993, he returned to Texas, transitioning into education as an art teacher before becoming a school administrator in 2014. Following his retirement in 2021, Jerry reignited his passion for art and nature, using photography to capture the spontaneous beauty of the world and the serenity it offers.

Through his photography, Jerry seeks to preserve unique and fleeting moments often overlooked in the fast pace of everyday life. As a dedicated nature enthusiast and avid hiker, he observes the struggles, habits, and needs of his subjects with a keen eye. His deep understanding of composition, lighting, and perspective allows him to create images that highlight the raw beauty of the natural world—moments frozen in time for all to appreciate.

Shawn Pinion was born in Ft. McClellan, Alabama, and has been a resident of El Paso for over 30 years. His passion for photography began more than five years ago, and he became a member of PEEP three years ago. Since then, he has gained experience in various photography genres, including religious, toy, scenery, monochrome, and micro photography.

Shawn’s inspiration came from his best friend Christine, whose words—“A photo a day is a good idea!”—sparked his creative journey. His work has been showcased at the PEEPShow and the El Paso Art Association, reflecting his dedication to capturing unique perspectives through his lens.

Sarah Russell’s journey into photography was deeply influenced by her father, a professional photographer and filmmaker whose career spanned several decades at White Sands Missile Range.

Her initial foray into the craft began with photographing family and friends, evolving into professional sessions such as baby portraits, engagement shoots, and small weddings. She also developed a love for black and white film processing and printing.

However, life’s demands eventually took precedence, and photography was set aside. Years later, Sarah rekindled her passion, turning her focus to digital photography. Completely self-taught, she began capturing local landscapes that reflect her deep connection to the Southwest, while also incorporating international themes into her work.

Her dedication to photography has earned her several local awards, and her passion is evident in her ability to interpret and capture the world through her lens.

Nancy Swanson began her artistic journey with an Art Education degree from UTEP, spending over 30 years in education where she infused her creativity into teaching, administration, and staff development. A devoted vegan and animal rescuer, Nancy cares for four cats, a dog, and a horse, all of whom are either re-homed or welcomed into her family.

Since retiring, Nancy has fully embraced photography, driven by her passion for nature and animals. Her work seeks to capture the grace, beauty, and magnificence of the natural world, celebrating the Creator through images that highlight the connection between humans and animals. Through her lens, Nancy reveals moments of kinship, divine design, and extraordinary animal bonding that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Her love for animals and artistic talent were nurtured by her father, Col. Ben Narbuth, who encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone, refine her photography skills, and share her work with others. Today, Nancy is a passionate advocate for compassion toward animals and nature conservation through her photography.

Based in El Paso, Nancy specializes in pet photography, wildlife photography, and fine art photography, with a focus on the natural beauty of the southwestern United States. For her, the most valued audience for her work is her Heavenly Father and her dad in heaven.

Amy Thompson West is a photographer based in Las Cruces, NM, with a deep appreciation for the subtle beauty of the desert. Her work captures the unique details of the Southwest, blending natural landscapes with macro photography. Amy began her photography journey while traveling across the region, discovering a passion for the medium. Self-taught, she has developed a strong sense of detail and composition, aiming to evoke a sense of calm and introspection through her images. Her photography spans various genres, from architecture to  landscapes, with a particular focus on the textures and patterns found in nature. She regularly participates in photography challenges and exhibitions, sharing her vision with the local community. Amy is also an active member of the Photography Enthusiasts of El Paso, where she continues to explore new techniques and deepen her connection to the landscapes that inspire her work.

Kristina served as a combat cameraman for the U.S. Army from 2009 to 2017. After completing a tour in Afghanistan, she began volunteering at a horse rescue to aid in her recovery from PTSD. It was there that she rekindled her love for photography, bringing her camera along to capture the horses she worked with. This experience ignited a passion for equine photography that has since become her primary focus. From horses at liberty and intimate equestrian portraits to the dynamic energy of the show pen, Kristina’s work showcases the powerful connection between horses and their people.

A psychiatrist with a passion for street photography, Jean captures authentic human moments through a lens shaped by his deep understanding of emotions. His journey began at 15 in a Brooklyn basement darkroom, but his career took a different path—until five years ago, when a gifted camera reignited his love for photography.

Inspired by Elliott Erwitt, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Garry Winogrand, he embraces the spontaneity of street photography, favoring candid interactions over posed scenes. He began with a Canon Mark IV and transitioned to the Leica system two years ago, drawn to its precision and discretion.

Photography, like psychiatry, requires patience, observation, and a connection to the human experience. Jean continues to explore the intersection of mental health and visual storytelling, using his craft to reveal the raw, unscripted beauty of everyday life.

Jim Wilcox, a semi-retired healthcare professional, has been a dedicated photography enthusiast for over 50 years. His journey began with a Minolta SRT-102, a camera he still proudly displays in his living room and continues to use, having shot and developed film as recently as last year. Back in the day, Jim developed his own film, though he now focuses exclusively on digital photography.

With a wide-ranging appreciation for photography, Jim has a particular passion for capturing wildlife, especially birds in action. His images aim to showcase the beauty and intricacies of nature in single, striking frames. Although Jim has amassed an extensive collection over the years, he has yet to share his work publicly—until now. Joining the PEEP Collaborative marks Jim’s first step in offering the community a glimpse into his world through the lens.