Todd Peterson is the Owner and Photographer at Peterson’s Portrait Gallery. Todd along with his wife Paula purchased the Studio (formerly known as Lemons Portrait Gallery) in April 2000. He will be the person behind the camera when you have your portrait made. Todd has a very pleasing personality and likes to have lots of fun during the session.

Todd fell in love with photography at the age of fourteen after getting his first serious camera as a birthday gift from his parents. During high school he worked on the yearbook staff as a photographer. After graduating high school, Todd moved from his home in Dibble, Oklahoma to Dallas, TX where he attended Elkins Institute to study photography. In June 1987 Todd graduated with honor as top student in his graduating class at Elkins Institute. He began doing weddings, portraits and commercial photography part-time on his own after graduation. He also taught at Oklahoma School of Photography part-time. In 1993, he went to work for Fleming Companies, Inc. where he helped establish a state of the art in-house digital photography studio doing food products photography for advertising. Though the digital photography was very interesting Todd had always enjoyed photographing people so in 1996 he went to work for one of Oklahoma City's oldest and most prestigious portrait and Wedding studios, VanDyke Studios. While working at VanDyke, Todd photographed literally thousands of High School Seniors. In addition, he has photographed many weddings, children and family portraits. In 1998, Todd received his national certification through Professional Photographers of America. Only a small percentage of photographers in the world have earned the PPA Certified designation by passing a series of rigorous tests that measure technical expertise, artistic ability and business skills. Todd continues to attend seminars and conventions to sharpen his skills and keep up with the latest trends and the ever-changing technology.

Paula Peterson is our business manager and handles most of our sales. She will be the person that assists you in viewing and ordering your portraits.

Paula has a B.S. degree in computer science, she left a lucrative career as a programmer to work with her husband Todd in their newly acquired business. When not working in the studio she can be found at home caring for their two children, Matthew (10) and Ashley (7).


Marlene Bishop has worked for Studio, for the past 13 years. Her primary job takes over after you have placed your order. She is responsible for handling your order, retouching your images, preparing them to be printed, and carefully preparing and packaging your finished prints. In addition she will likely be the person that answers the phone when you call.

Marlene and her husband Steve are long time residents of Nocona. They have two daughters, Holly and Hayley.