Story/Cover Photography By: Al Garcia
Story Photography By: Christian Churches
Christian Iglesias, known by many as “Christian Churches,” has shaped a heartfelt visualization of the city through photography and videography for many years. In this Q&A, he shares what is most meaningful to him about his work. 
Q: When did your photography journey begin? When was the moment you knew this was your path?
A: “My photography journey began back in high school. I like to say I’m an El Paso transplant. I moved back and forth from the city until halfway through my freshman year when I landed at Eastwood High in East El Paso.
The way I found photography isn’t as poetic as others make their stories sound. I signed up for yearbook (following in the footsteps of my older brother who always talked about how much he loved it) and I got denied. The only other extracurricular available was the newspaper. Jon Stovall, the instructor, pushed for one of us “newbies” to take initiative, so I volunteered to photograph the football games that semester. All we had was a Canon Rebel T3i. I’d love to say they were incredible, but honestly they were grainy, blurry, and rough. Even so, I kept at it every week and I’d ask Coach Stovall if I could borrow the camera on weekends to practice more.
I was lucky to fall in love with photography early and to have an educator like Jon who pushed me to improve. That consistency he taught me is something I still apply to my work today. I just try to do a little better week after week.”
Q: You are one of the most influential photographers in El Paso. How do you hope your photography inspires others, whether aspiring artists or everyday viewers?
A: “I appreciate the compliment, but I wouldn’t label myself as influential. It’s our city. El Paso gives so much. History, culture, and artistry surround us every day. We just have to go look for it. I try to capture even an ounce of that whenever I shoot here. I think that’s why people gravitate toward my work. Not because of me but because of the emotion the images bring out, a pride in the place we call home. That’s what I hope my work inspires: pride. Whether you’re a photographer or just someone scrolling I hope my work helps El Pasoans fall back in love with their city.”
Q: What moments do you try to capture, and how do you know when to snap the right moment?
A: “When capturing any type of photography, stills, long exposure or anything else, patience and intentionality are everything.
For long exposure specifically, you really have to teach yourself patience. Don’t touch the tripod, don’t check your camera every two seconds, just let the moment happen. That’s how you get the cleanest image. What I love about long exposure is that it forces you to be present. You’re not anxious about the shot. You’re just there living the moment while your camera does its work. The final image becomes more meaningful because you remember the wait. For example, here’s a photo I captured on Scenic Drive last summer during a rainstorm. I waited two hours for that one image. But every time I see it I feel the rain again, hear the thunder and relive the shock of seeing that huge bolt of lightning strike behind the downtown Juárez skyline. Because it was long exposure, I remember the entire process clearly. The “boring” part made it unforgettable. For still photography, it’s the opposite. You don’t have the luxury of time. You have to be intentional and present because things move fast. I think people gravitate to the “blink and you miss it” moments in my work. If you spend too long on settings or angles the moment is gone. So, I go into every shoot trusting my settings and only making quick adjustments. Like everything in life, the perfect shot can disappear in an instant.”
Q: Where is your absolute favorite place to shoot in the city and why?
A: “I gravitate the most toward Central and the Lower Valley mainly because of how traditional and older those areas feel. There’s something meaningful about walking down Texas Ave or Alameda and knowing my parents and grandparents drove past those same buildings. Those places feel timeless. They hold so many stories in the walls, the signs and the streets. Honestly the whole city is like that but central and the lower valley hit hardest for me emotionally. Every time I’m there shooting video or photos it feels like I’m capturing little pieces of El Paso history.”
Q: Discuss the making of your photo books, Views from The Sun City. What does that project mean to you?
A: “The photo book idea came from wanting to pay homage to older photography. There are so many incredible photo books from the 50s and 60s and I didn’t see that kind of work around much anymore. That motivated me to create Views from the Sun City Vol. 1 & 2. I made them as a personal goal. Sharing images online is cool but physically holding your work is something different. I told myself that even if nobody ordered a copy, I’d still be proud because I made something for myself. Thankfully, people did order and the feedback has been generous and really meaningful. I’m not sure if Volume 3 will happen yet but I am toying with the idea of a very high-quality book that pays a bigger homage to artists like Gordon Parks and Robert Frank.” 
Q: You have worked with brands like Mineragua and Lucchese. How did these collaborations come about?
A: “As for my collaborations with brands like Lucchese and Mineragua, I just make myself available. I don’t stress about finances or logistics. If a brand I enjoy or a business I believe in reaches out, I always make time. The best part is that the people behind these brands are usually as passionate about their work as I am about mine. It makes the entire creative process fun for both sides.”
Q: What personal values guide the way you approach your work?
A: “The personal values I carry with me are simple. They come from my upbringing in the Catholic Church, from my mother, and from my short time working creatively for a local megachurch. The idea is this: if you sow good seed, you reap good fruit. To me, that means you get what you put in. If you’re passionate about your work that passion comes back to you in the form of good opportunities. If you’re a good person to others that goodness returns to you. I apply this to everything, my work, my business and how I treat people. It keeps me at peace with whatever happens and reminds me to hold onto my morals. No matter how many followers I get or how many checkmarks show up next to my name, what matters to me is putting good into the world.”
BONUS Q: I know that we have discussed your *somewhat* camera shyness despite being an EXCELLENT photographer behind the camera. Are you comfortable elaborating on this subject?
A: “I think my camera shyness comes from the fact that I’d rather my work be the focus instead of myself. I feel most comfortable behind the camera creating. When I’m in front of it, it feels like the attention shifts away from the story I’m trying to tell.”
