"People measure success in different ways. Success to me is knowing that I have always done my very best to please each customer... I want to know that they had fun and leave my studio with a smile on their face because of the experience they had while having their portrait made." - Gayletta

Gayletta owns and operates Gayletta’s Photographic Studio & Gallery located in Nederland, Texas -- the same town where she grew up and went to high school.

Gayletta’s interest in photography started with her love of taking pictures of family and friends. One of those friends asked her to photograph a wedding for her in 1992, and Gayletta’s successful career began. She started working out of her house and opened her first portrait studio in November, 1993. In 1994, she expanded her studio to double the original size and has taken over the entire building she once shared. In four years her studio has grown in Gross Sales to be among the top 15% in the nation. In 2003 Gayletta set her sights on the expansion of her studio from a run-of-the-mill workspace to a portrait palace. The finished product is a breathtaking, upscale portrait studio and gallery.

Gayletta is very active in community organizations. In 1996, her studio was selected “Small Business Person of the Year” by the Nederland Chamber of Commerce and “Outstanding Business Person of Nederland” by the Nederland Rotary Club. Gayletta is a Rotarian, also a Rotary Foundation of Rotary International - Paul Harris Fellow.

Gayletta is a member of Professional Photographers Guild of Houston, Guild of Southeast Texas, Texas Professional Photographers, and the Professional Photographers of America.
Gayletta received the ”Distinguished Print Award” from the Southwest Photographers Association in 1996 and in a “Loan Print” in 1999 . In 1998, she received her Photographic Craftsman degree from the PPA. In 2000 she earned her PPA Certification, and in 2004, she earned her Master of Photography.

Gayletta published her first book, “Visions of Love”, and opened an exhibit featuring relationship portraiture in 2005 as a celebration of her earning her Master of Photography degree.

Gayletta’s work has been featured in:

• Fujifilm Children’s Portrait Awards Book 2002 & 2003
• Rangefinder Magazine
• Texas Professional Photographer Magazine
• Professional Photographer Magazine
• Professional Photographers of America - Loan Collection 1999 Book
• Southwestern Images Magazine - October 1999
• San Antonio, TX Guild - The f-stop Magazine - May/June 1998
• Houston, TX Guild - Viewfinder Magazine - August 1996
• Fuji Profiles Magazine - July 1996
• Professional Photographers of America - Exhibit 96 Book

In 1997, Gayletta completed the Law Enforcement Training in the Citizens Police Academy from Beaumont Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Port Arthur Police Department, and Lamar University Criminal Justice Training Center.

She has two grown children, Chad and Alettra, and was recently married to Rick Tompkins on New Years Eve in 2003 in New Orleans.