Mrs. Priscilla L Buckalter (Lopez)

My name is Priscilla Buckhalter and I’m a proud graduate of Fernando R. Ledesma High School. Although when I attended, it was Valle Lindo High School to us. 

I grew up in El Monte and lived there until about 16 years old. Around this time I had gone from a straight A student to straight F’s. Growing up I was always academically at the top of my class, so this extreme change in my grades was a huge failure on me. It wasn’t until late middle school, early high school that I started having big problems. Things at home were changing, things I had no control over. That is when I was transferred to Valley Lindo. I felt so lost and like a huge disappointment.

I’ll never forget the day that my new math teacher, Mr. Lenart, pulled me to the side to ask me what happened. Only a few days in this new school and he had already taken a look at my school records. He notified me that he spoke to my counselor and added me to his graphic arts class. I had no idea what this subject was and how it would impact my life to this very day. Thanks to this class, I learned Photoshop and operated a professional camera for the first time. My grades started going up, and I continued my graphic arts class every semester until I graduated. I fell in love with Photoshop and being able to create. I’ve always been creative and artistic and this gave me the space to do it. I graduated the Yearbook Editor and Chief, and as the Graduating Class Representative of 04’.

After high school, life comes to you fast! I had to take control and responsibility for my life and this meant working so I could provide for myself. I went from job to job and worked my way to a stable position as a self storage manger in my late 20’s. This was also the time I met my better half. After falling head over heals for him we married in 2016. We have 2 AMAZING boys now. They are my world and my drive. On my youngest’s first birthday I hired a photographer to capture this milestone. We took pictures at a park and out of the conversation I was having with the photographer, a light bulb turned on. She was a stay at home mom (now, so was I) and she did this on the weekends, part time. As much as I love being a wife and mom, I felt something missing.

In 2019 my husband bought me a Canon Rebel T7 and encouraged me to pursue photography as a hobby, something just for me. I pursued it and ran with it! I turned what started as a hobby, into a career. My business, Timeless Photography by Priscilla has grown significantly in the past 5 years. With the help of my family, I converted our 3 car garage into my own photography studio. I have accumulated plenty of studio equipment, props and wardrobe within this time. I also upgraded my camera to a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. Photography has become my place to be creative and artistic. I now specialize in Maternity, Newborn, Family, and Milestone photography. I have taken workshops with some incredible photographers to learn more and continue to grow. I use Photoshop on every photo I edit, (who would have thought). I know that my photography business is successful in huge part to my knowledge of Photoshop, a program that was introduced to me more than 20 years ago.

As my business has grown, so have my dreams. My goal is to open up a store front photography studio within the next 5 years. I love what I do, and what it means to my clients. To be able to capture so many special moments for families is absolutely fulfilling. I would also love to offer mentoring to photographers in the future. I see myself traveling with my family and offering workshops to teach photography and editing in Photoshop. I turned what Mr. Lenart introduced me to, into the key part of my business. I must admit, I remember when I started his graphic arts class, I was not happy. It was challenging and different, but I stuck to it. I grew to love it! I’m forever thankful and grateful for Mr. Lenart and the staff at Fernando R Ledesma. They went above and beyond their teaching duties and helped me succeed!

Priscilla's Website