Ernesto O. Loera Ochoa passed away on October 25 ,2024, at Kingwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Kingwood Texas. He was 92 years young.

Ernie was a loving husband and devoted father and is survived by his wife Anna Marie Loera , son Mark Steven Loera and grandchildren, Alexander, Benjamin and Tristan Givens-Baran. Sons Ernest James (Ernie) Loera and Anthony (Tony) Francis Baran preceded him in death.

The family says Ernie was always curious as a child. He became impatient while fishing and figured out a way to make an explosive to throw into the water to get the fish to the surface quicker. Ernie has been active in all areas of photography since his childhood. When he was a child his grandmother’s lenses were removed from her glasses to try and make a camera. By the time he was 12 years he was capturing fantastic images of his hometown. Everything was important to him as he photographed flowers, people, old homes, castles and the countryside.

Ernest graduated from St. Bonaventure University in Bonaventure, New York. During his graduate studies, he used his Leica camera as a tool to determine the age and authenticity of ancient manuscripts which he was studying for a thesis.

After graduation he accepted a teaching position at Regina Mundi University in Guadalajara, Mexico where he taught Mathematical Logic. During this time he ventured into to then unknown territories of the indigenous peoples of Mexico – Huichol, Cora, Tepehuanes and Tarasco. Many of the native tribes were unknown at that time and did not venture out of their territories. He was the first to enter and record their “pure” culture photographing their culture and traditions which he

later presented to Dr. Peter Furst, archeologist. His work was immediately recognized by the international community and he was published by National Geographic Magazine, Sunset Books and other archology publications.

He met movie Director Eddie Dean from Los Angeles, and together they developed life-size murals of his documentary photography for the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan.

Ernest travelled the word working on photographic assignments. He has exhibited his documentaries world-wide including Museum of Santa Fe, NM, University pf Hamilton, Torin, Italy, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City, Teatro Degollado, Guadalajara, Santa Fe, New Mexico along with the Basilica of Zapopan where his works are still exhibited today.

Ernest moved to Kingwood, TX with his wife Anna and their young family in 1976 where he worked for a corporate photography company prior to founding Kingwood Photographers in 1985 in Kingwood, Texas. Ernie studied the paintings of the masters, Michealangelo, Raphel, Giotto and Copley. His goal was to integrate some of their style in his photography sessions. He applied his creative talents to all areas of photography including weddings, high school seniors, family sessions, landscapes and nature, fine art, documentary and commercial contracts. He was listed in “Who’s Who Worldwide” for outstanding photography, was a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Professional Photographers Guild of Houston (PPGH). His creative efforts were recognized through the years with many awards for his portraits and commercial photography. He continued his love of people and photography for the local community throughout his life.