Mid-Valley photographer at Donna Hooks

DONNA — When news photographer Julian N. Mendoza started his photography career 45 years ago, he had no idea he would come to photograph some of the most iconic figures of our time.

Mendoza's work is now on display at Donna's Hooks Fletcher Museum on Main Street through August.

Among the people included in the Valley native's repertoire are Hank Williams Jr., former U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard M. Nixon, football coach Tom Landry and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez.

"These pictures are part of my 33 years with the Valley Morning Star," Mendoza said. "I just took them one day at a time and here we are, 33 years later." 

Mendoza said it was his experience selling cameras decades ago that got him interested in a career in photojournalism.

"In 1958 I went to Chicago and stayed there for two years selling cameras," he said. "I got lucky enough to work in the loop. I came back in 1961 and in 1963 I started at the Valley Morning Star, one month before Kennedy was assassinated."

The photographer said his coverage was unique in that it dealt with local and international issues.

"There are a lot of pictures I covered in Mexico; there are pictures of people who were just passing through at the time," he said. "I've photographed Paul Tibbets, who dropped the first atomic bomb, (Charles "Chuck") Yeager, who broke the sound barrier, the pope three times, Bob Hope and Prince Charles," he said.

Despite the fame surrounding his subjects, Mendoza said he always remained conscious of his dedication to professionalism in his craft.

"You know, people would always tell me, ‘Well, you must have shaken hands with all those people,'" he said. "And I say, ‘No I didn't.' I was not there to shake hands; I was there to take pictures."

Now retired, Mendoza serves on the board of directors at the museum and is also its acting curator.

"I've been on the board of directors for about eight years now," he said. "We've had some great responses and very good traffic but, like anything else it could be better."

The museum is open from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, contact the museum at (956) 464-9989.