NOCONA

Dibble High School 1983

Elkins Institute 1987

Certificate – Photography

Professional Photographers of America – Certified Professional Photographer

I have been married to my wife Paula for 26 years, Paula also works for Nocona ISD as the district business manager. We have 2 children, Matthew is 2012 graduate of NHS and Ashley is a 2015 graduate of NHS.

My hobbies include photography (obviously), camping, traveling and eating!  I love working with kids, I am a youth group teacher / leader at the Nocona Church of Christ, I am a 4-H Photography spin club leader, and in the past I have worked as a leader in Boy Scouts.  My job as a teacher allows me to combine 2 things that I really love, working with kids and photography.  

Below is an excerpt from my profile on my business website, it will give you a little better idea of my experiences in the photography industry.

Todd fell in love with photography at the age of fourteen after getting his first serious camera as a birthday gift from his parents. During high school he worked on the yearbook staff as a photographer. After graduating high school, Todd moved from his home in Dibble, Oklahoma to Dallas, TX where he attended Elkins Institute to study photography. In June 1987 Todd graduated with honor as top student in his graduating class at Elkins Institute. He began doing weddings, portraits and commercial photography part-time on his own after graduation. He also taught at Oklahoma School of Photography part-time. 

In 1993, he went to work for Fleming Companies, Inc. where he helped establish a state of the art in-house digital photography studio doing food products photography for advertising. Though the digital photography was very interesting Todd had always enjoyed photographing people so in 1996 he went to work for one of Oklahoma City's oldest and most prestigious portrait and Wedding studios, VanDyke Studios. While working at VanDyke, Todd photographed literally thousands of High School Seniors. In addition, he has photographed many weddings, children and family portraits. 

In 1998, Todd received his national certification through Professional Photographers of America. Only a small percentage of photographers in the world have earned the PPA Certified designation by passing a series of rigorous tests that measure technical expertise, artistic ability and business skills. Todd continues to attend seminars and conventions to sharpen his skills and keep up with the latest trends and the ever-changing technology.

Todd Peterson is the Owner and Photographer at Peterson’s Portrait Gallery. Todd purchased the Studio (formerly known as Lemons Portrait Gallery) in April 2000.